GROUNDHOPPING

Alan Wills

@alanjwills

MY AWAY TRIPS 2023

Sun 1 Jan 2023 – Yeovil Town (A) – L 0-2

It’s fair to say that in recent years visits to Yeovil have often been very wet and disappointing affairs, and this one on New Years Day was no exception.

A relatively short drive down the A303 for me with the company of Jonny Jones, we met up with friends at the usual pub, The Arrow, within easy walking distance of the ground.

Seeking to make up for the disappointing draw on Boxing Day, and with Ali Omar being recalled to replace the suspended Dylan Crowe, another string of missing chances went begging for the visitors.

Ultimately, two goals for Yeovil in the last ten minutes dealt a severe blow to Torquay’s hopes of making up ground in the relegation scrap, and sent a large contingent of the soaked-through Yellow Army home with nothing to cheer.

Sat 21 Jan 2023 – Boreham Wood (A) – Postponed

A relatively straightforward weekend train trip up to Borehamwood-Elstree (the Hollywood of the UK) for us, and a pre-match visit to The Good Companion in the town centre.

Jules had just stripped off into his full kit ready for the match, when Charlie Baker turned up, and the news promptly came through that the game was off due to a frozen pitch, less than one hour before kickoff.

A wasted journey for some, including many from the Midlands and the North, who had endured a very early start to the day.

Fortunately, I had already planned an overnight stay in London with an “Unbelievable” EMF gig in the evening.

Tue 24 Jan 2023 – Woking (A) – D 1-1

A short two-stop train ride after work for me to watch the latest clash with our “rivals”, having lost embarrassingly to them at Plainmoor earlier in the season.

The usual pub, The Sovereigns, was on the way to the ground, where I met up with a good number of the Yellow Army, before taking our places on the open terraces from which we had basically sealed the National League South Championship in 2019.

After a disappointing first half where Woking took the lead, our recent loan signing from Sutton United, Tope Fadahunsi, chipped the keeper to equalise, and send us away happy with a well-deserved draw.

Oh, and Jules and I bumped into Tope Fadahunsi’s Dad on the way out.

Tue 21 Feb 2023 – Dorking Wanderers (A) – L 2-3

Another short direct train trip after work for me, joining a sizeable number of away fans excited to visit Dorking for the first time buoyed by some recent good results.

Several members of the Tom Lapslie Appreciation Society (TLAS) met up at The Surrey Yeoman on Dorking High Street, but many others took advantage of the “Happy Hour” cheap drinks at Dorking Wanderers wooden shack selling beer inside the ground.

A goal down after six minutes, but an Aaron Jarvis screamer and one from Tom Lapslie (which I missed, as I was finishing my beer outside the aforementioned wooden shack with Chris Lintott) meant we went 2-1 up and were on our way.

Two identical goals from Dorking followed a sending off of Kieron Evans to deflate the yellow bubble.

Sat 4 Mar 2023 – Aldershot Town (A) – D 1-1

Another local trip on the train across North Hampshire, we eventually found a pub that was still open, with three or four around the ground closed down in recent years. The Crimea Inn was a bit on the small side, but several of us crammed into it before walking up the hill and through the woods into the very dated away end. But at least it has a roof, Yeovil!

A frustrating match, where after one goal from each side in the first ten minutes (ours from Brett McGavin), we just could not get a winner despite a number of chances.

Tue 28 Mar 2023 – Boreham Wood (A) – W 1-0

Rescheduled on a Tuesday night following the extremely late postponement in January, I drove up to this one as we couldn’t have got back home on the train after the game.

Such a lovely atmosphere on the terraces for this match, with Charlie Baker inviting all of his colleagues from Talksport it seemed, including Tottenham fan Paul Hawksbee (a top bloke) who inadvertently came up with the “I predict a Wyatt” terrace chant when substitute Ben Wyatt looked like he was about to enter the fray.

Great banter, and great win to set up the chance of us staying up

Sat 1 Apr 2023 – Scunthorpe United (A) – W 1-0

An emotional return trip for me, having “chatted up” my late wife on the supporters coach up to Scunthorpe back in 1991.

I wore the 1991 home shirt to mark the occasion, as “The Musketeers” made the long train journey up north via Kings Cross station.

The Honest Lawyer was the nominated pub this time, where we met up with the northern branch of the Tom Lapslie Appreciation Society (TLAS), then a taxi ride was the best option to the “new in the 90s” out of town stadium.

It was a bit nippy watching the game, but there was plenty of effort from the team, including a brilliant Lewis Collins finish from an Aaron Jarvis flick-on to warm our hearts for the walk back into town, and the train journey back south.

Mon 10 Apr 2023 – Maidenhead United (A) – W 3-1

I wasn’t going to go to this one, as I was at an event in London over the entire weekend. However, I decided to forego the final day and caught the Elizabeth line from Stratford to Maidenhead to support the team, whom had now won three games in a row, and were hoping for a fourth.

The town centre was a bit of a ghost town on this Easter Monday, but there were plenty of Gulls fans in The Bear and The Maiden’s Head.

It was very warm on the open terraces, in what was Frank Nouble’s finest hour for Torquay with two well taken goals in another comeback win.

Sat 22 Apr 2023 – Altrincham (A) – D 2-2

The final away match of the season, and another trip north for “TLAS Day”. Spirits were high after a run of five wins in a row, only brought to a halt by a 5-1 defeat away at an “out-of-our-league” Chesterfield side in midweek.

The cheap train I had booked a few weeks ago was cancelled, due to a bridge collapse at Didcot, so I had to rebook via Euston at a last minute premium price.

There were a few delays, but we got to Alty in plenty of time to meet up at The Station Hotel, then The King George near the ground.

We needed a win to keep our hopes alive going into the last match at home against Champions Wrexham, but after two Asa Hall goals made it 2-1 with 20 minutes to go, Asa conceded a last minute penalty to basically confirm our relegation to the National League South, barring a miracle.

Sat 5 Aug 2023 – Dover Athletic (A) – D 2-2

The first game of the new season back in the National League South, and optimism was high following a good pre-season.

After a last minute scramble trying to secure someone to walk my dogs, this was a familiar drive for me, having been to Crabble in 2022.

The Cricketers pub near the ground had a German beer festival, which due to the summer rain was not well attended, and the pub was filled with Torquay fans.

The Yellow Army, including Thomas Kelly’s new Proud Gulls flag, gathered behind one of the goals, but were then unceremoniously pushed out of that stand by home fans and stewards, as Dover were kicking towards that goal. Tom later found his flag in a waste bin. Not a very welcoming club at all.

On the pitch, Torquay looked like they were going to rack up a cricket score, racing into a two goal lead within 20 minutes, and creating several good chances with slick football.

However, Dover got one back just before half time, and Torquay never reached the same heights as they conceded an equaliser, and missed a last minute chance to win it.

Sat 19 Aug 2023 – St Albans City (A) – W 1-0

St Albans was reached via an easy train trip through London, with hopes of a similar result to our last visit (4-0) on the final game of the NLS championship winning season.

A warm August day, several Gulls fans (and a local Argyle fan) gathered in the beer garden of The Crown pub in town, which we reached after meeting up with friends at The Victoria.

Another new flag, this one for The Tom Lapslie Appreciation Society (TLAS) was unveiled, before we made the short walk to Clarence Park.

St Albans had pulled out all the stops, with a stand serving gourmet burgers and food, and an outside bar selling real ale, forcing us to make the most of our first opportunity to have a drink whilst watching the football.

It wasn’t a classic game, but Ollie Tomlinson’s first Torquay goal was enough to win the day, and we all went home happy.

Sat 26 Aug 2023 – Slough Town (A) W 2-1

Despite it being a close venue for us, the train strike meant that I ended up getting a lift to this game, following a drive down to Havant to pick up my dog after an operation to remove a cataract from his one remaining eye. Poor Buddy.

We went straight to the ground where they were selling real ale (oh go on then!) from a marquee. I doubt whether St Joseph’s Catholic High School situated down one side would have approved.

Arbour Park was a nice new facility, with a plastic pitch, our first of the season.

Torquay were disappointing in the first half, as Slough got to the break one goal to the good.

However, two great strikes by Brad Ash in the second half gave The Gulls their third win in a row.

There was a nice bar above the main stand, where we decided to go to celebrate the win after the game. Jules had a chat with Ross Marshall about his own eye operation (in Coffinswell apparently), we made our way out onto the veranda overlooking the pitch, where we had a good view of Dom interviewing goalscorer Brad Ash. The YouTube clip may or may not have some distant heckling from Jules as Brad swats away a wasp, followed by a wry smile up to the veranda where we were stood!

Tom Lapslie’s Mum and Nan having their photo taken by Tom’s Dad in front of the Tom Lapslie Appreciation Society flag was also a nice touch on a great away day.

Sat 2 Sep 2023 – Aveley (A) – L 1-2

Another train strike, and another new stadium with a plastic pitch.

A drive through rural Essex, it really was in the middle of nowhere.

One of first to arrive, we went straight into their rather grand looking club bar. Unlike Dover, this was a very friendly club, clearly appreciating the money-spinning visit of a former football league side. There was also a lovely moment where fans of both clubs were exchanging some friendly banter trying to out-sing each other crammed into a very small covered stand behind one goal.

The Aveley players were clearly not in the same friendly mood though, as they came out deserved winners. A late Brad Ash strike Torquay’s only consolation.

A few of the Yellow Army clearly embarrassed losing to a small part-time club had some words for Assistant Manager Aaron Downes, whom explained that Frank Nouble had been offered twice the money and a house to sign for Yeovil. It should be said, that there were many still supportive of Aaron though, as this was the first defeat following four straight wins.

Sat 16 Sep 2023 – Wimborne Town (A) – FA Cup 2Q – W 3-0

Being drawn against Torquay Wembley hero Tim Sills’ side in the FA Cup was always sure to draw a large following to Wimborne.

To be fair, they were extremely welcoming and well organised. A large car park was secured for visiting fans at a nearby industrial estate within a short and pleasant walk to the ground, and plenty of food and drink was on offer around the pitch.

Torquay won fairly comprehensively, and the result was never really in doubt, but it was an entertaining match.

The highlight for me was Tim Sills coming over to us after the game and having a chat and a photo with us having worn a replica of the iconic mask he famously donned in that Wembley playoff final.

Sat 23 Sep 2023 – Hemel Hempstead Town (A) – L 2-3

Another train across London to Hertfordshire, where a walk across a park took us to the lovely Fishery Inn overlooking the River Bulbourne.

The football ground is quite a distance from the train station, so a taxi was needed, which dropped us off at The Crabtree pub where several fans were enjoying the beer garden. The home of The Tudors was then only a short walk, and contained a large social club inside with some large Greek statues (not sure what they was about).

Goals from Will Jenkins-Davies and Ross Marshall sent Torquay briefly top of the table with five minutes remaining, but two late goals gave Hemel the win to send the Yellow Army home deflated.

Tue 24 Oct 2023 – Weston-Super-Mare (A) – L 2-3

A first away match in a month, and 800 Torquay fans travelled on a very wet midweek night to this stadium on the outskirts of Weston by a new housing estate built near a runway.

The basic social club was decent enough, but the majority of the Yellow Army were left exposed to the elements, as the only cover was a small stand behind the goal where many fans, including myself, were crammed into.

The match was a disaster for Torquay, despite Aaron Jarvis briefly equalising ex-Gull Reuben Reid’s early strike. It was a poor performance from the team, which was compounded by a stoppage time injury for Jarvis, as he collided with the wall behind the goal, and hasn’t played since.

Sat 28 Oct 2023 – Hampton & Richmond Borough (A) – L 1-3

My original plan for this away day was to travel to Richmond first to see the landmarks made famous by Ted Lasso, but it turned out to be an expensive detour on the train, and the weather was forecast to be wet anyway, so we took the easy hour and a half train ride straight to Hampton.

The good thing about Hampton is that the train station, pubs, and ground are all within a short walk, so it was a relaxed vibe as we headed down to the Bell Inn by the River Thames to meet up with friends, before a quick stop at The Jolly Coopers on the way to the ground.

Hampton held good memories from last season’s FA Cup run.

However, it was another disappointing performance on the pitch, as Hampton continued their good run of form.

George Edwards, and Thea Bristow’s driver got the brunt of the Yellow Army’s distain on the way out, whilst I came across someone just as scary.

An intimate meal of Spanish tapas at Squiffy’s Restaurant with the TLAS crowd helped us talk out our frustrations as the team had reached another low point, but a great away day nonetheless.

Sat 11 Nov 2023 – Havant & Waterlooville (A) – W 2-0

The fixture computer wasn’t kind to Jules and I, as we travelled down with my dogs to Torquay on Friday to watch the Charlie Baker filmed gig in the evening at Babbacombe Theatre, before driving back to Basingstoke. It was great to catch up with the Haywards at the gig, whom were sat behind us all on the front row.

A welcome lift from Jonny Jones meant that I could relax on the hour trip down to Havant, which I had done far too many times to visit my dog’s eye surgeon.

It was a friendly welcome, as it was when we were there for the FA Cup tie in 2021, with a great social club next door to the stadium.

Thomas Kelly was there downing shots during his weekend away, as we compared vintage and modern purple Torquay shirts. Then we resumed our regular match day chats with the other half of that National League podcast, John Cadigan, and his Bournemouth-supporting mate Chris, about why Torquay’s away shirt should be black and red stripes.

Some banter and beer on the terraces with Simon and Kevin B, followed, as Simon called over the suspended Brett McGavin for a photo with his young lad.

Fortunately, we didn’t miss Brett on this occasion, as Havant weren’t very good. We even gave them a penalty, but our third choice “guest” goalkeeper Filip Chalupniczak saved it. (Simon B won his match-worn top in the shirt auction a few weeks later, but they didn’t even bother to put this name on the back).

This was a welcome (and rare) away win.

Sat 25 Nov 2023 – Dartford (A) – L 0-3

A mere couple of hours on the train for us weary travellers, we bumped into Matthew Roberts and his Liverpool-supporting mate Matt at Dartford station, and walked through town and up to the Malt Shovel, where we were very tempted to sit at the Witching Table, but decided on the more bright and airy back room.

After some moaning that they weren’t showing the Man City v Liverpool game, the merry band continued on their way, heading steadily closer towards the stadium. The Ivy Leaf by contrast had a big screen showing the football, and Matt the Scouser almost scared the entire pub by his reaction to Liverpool’s equaliser.

Onto the main event, and we entered Dartford’s smart new eco-friendly stadium, including an Oak Man carved from an old oak tree on one of the terraces.

A worldie from Dartford’s new signing defied one fan’s comment that “we were s**t a few weeks ago” and set the tone for a drubbing, and a long journey home.

Sat 9 Dec 2023 – Frome Town (A) – FA Trophy 3 – W 4-1

A surprisingly long way off the A303 through the Somerset countryside this one, although I was glad I chose to drive, as the trains were horrendous, with many of the travelling Yellow Army reporting big delays and diversions in their journeys.

We arrived at a pub just down the road from the ground, and were immediately told that we couldn’t park there during the game. It was probably because they were selling Christmas trees from their car park!

There was a bit of friendly banter with some of the locals, whom had never seen such a big game in their town, including one bloke with a black hat whom was clearly still living in the late 70s and early 80s “Ska” era judging by his attire and the music on the jukebox.

The stadium was modest, but the pasties were nice, and there was a big covered slope (rather than terraced steps) down one side resembling a cow shed.

The slightly raised social club at one end where you could line up along the front and drink your pints watching the game was nice touch.

Most likely due to injuries, Torquay had picked a very young side including five youth players and one first year professional (Callum Thomas). My personal highlight was having a “Wills” on the bench.

We needn’t have worried, as they did the club proud. Early goals and another saved penalty (by Second choice goalie Rhys Lovett this time), meant that it was a relaxed atmosphere, and we could even be lighthearted about Ross Marshall playing up front. He was so unlucky not to get a goal.

Sat 23 Dec 2023 – Chelmsford City (A) – L 0-2

I was absolutely amazed at how smooth our train journey to Chelmsford went. Even with three changes, we were in The Ale House next to Chelmsford station by 11:45. This was a quirky place with ale actually brewed in the bar area in big brass vats. We watched the brewer performing his alchemy in awe.

Again, there was no big telly to watch the live sport though, so we walked up to The Plough to take in the West Ham v Man Utd game.

Since it was so far out, we got a taxi to the stadium.

There was a modern social club inside at the corner of the ground, and burger van serving the usual fare. You weren’t allowed drinks inside the running track though, which was odd, as the only places where you could get a good view of the action was in two very small stands behind each goal.

I was itching to try out the running track, but we weren’t allowed to even do that according to stewards.

The game went as we have come to expect (great away day apart from the 90 minutes in between). Another dismal defeat, with not much to cheer. However, the jovial pre-Christmas atmosphere on the terraces with plenty of banter from Charlie Baker made this another one to remember.

COYY – ALAN

OTHER ARTICLES

TT PARTNERS

TWITTER – INSTAGRAM – ETSY – YOUTUBE – FACEBOOK