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Steve Harris – @steveharris84

Steve looks at the best attendances at Plainmoor in recent years

TOP 10

As well as their improved showings on the pitch, one of the hallmarks of Torquay United’s 2024-25 campaign has been the crowds that have poured into Plainmoor to witness the Gulls in action. The Gulls are currently on course not only to record their highest average attendance since the 2004-05 season (3,511), which saw United compete in League One under Leroy Rosenior, but to surpass that figure as well.

Here is a list of the Gulls’ highest attendances since they were relegated from League Two in the 2013-14 season.

1) Hungerford Town 2018-19 L 0-1 – 5,351

A single goal defeat against Hungerford Town did nothing to dampen the enjoyment of a new National League South record crowd of 5,351 in seeing Torquay United lift the league title. A late strike from Crusaders sub Lewis Leigh-Gilchrist might have clinched all three points for Hungerford, who move a step closer to avoiding relegation. However, it was after the final whistle was blown that the festivities really began when the Gulls’ squad received the club’s first league trophy since the 1926-27 season.

2) Bath City 2024-25 W 1-0 – 5,202

Cody Cooke proved to be a super sub for Torquay United, as he netted the winner against his former club Bath City with his 14th goal of the campaign to keep the Gulls’ promotion bid on track in front a season high crowd of 5,202.

3) Truro City 2024-25 (New Year’s Day) W 1-0 – 5,125

A tight encounter between the two South West National League South title rivals was eventually decided by Jordan Young’s 80th minute individual strike, as United continued to lead the way at the top of National League South.

4) Wrexham D 1-1 2022-23 – 4,908

United’s relegation back to National League South was confirmed with a draw against National League champions Wrexham in front of a crowd of 4,908. After Mark Halstead denied the Red Dragons’ leading scorer Paul Mullin from the penalty spot early on, the Gulls more than matched Wrexham for long periods of the game. Frank Nouble gave United the lead before Elliot Lee’s equaliser ensured that United would be returning to the division which they won promotion from four years earlier.

5) Eastbourne Borough W 2-0 2018-19 – 4,538

A crowd of 4,538 witnessed Torquay United clinch the National League South title against Eastbourne Borough. Goals from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Jake Andrews proved to be enough to seal the victory for United, who secured the first league title since 1926-27 with three games to spare following Woking’s defeat at Chelmsford.

6) Hornchurch W 2-1 2024-25 – 4,468

After paying tribute to the memory of former striker Tony Bedeau, Torquay United maintained their promotion challenge with a win over Hornchurch.

7) Hampton & Richmond Borough L 0-1 2024-25 – 4,450

The Gulls’ unbeaten home record for 2024-25 came to an end against Hampton & Richmond, thanks in no small part to the goalkeeping heroics of the Beavers’ on loan Chelsea custodian Max Merrick in front of a crowd of 4,450.

8) Eastbourne Borough W 2-0 – 4,343

Late goals from Sam Dreyer and Omar Mussa saw Torquay United end their four-match winless run against fellow promotion hopefuls Eastbourne Borough. Dreyer opened his account for the Gulls on 86 minutes before Mussa, who entered the fray midway through the second half, struck in injury time to seal an important three points for United, with 4,343 in attendance.

9) Yeovil Town L 0-2 2019-20 (New Year’s Day) – 4,165

In front of a bumper crowd of 4,165, Yeovil Town overcame the early sending off of Chris Dagnall to maintain their promotion push with victory over the Gulls, who also ended the game with ten men after Jean Yves Koue Niate was dismissed.

10) North Ferriby United W 2-0 2016-17 – 4,027

Nearly 30 years to the day since their Bryn the Police dog inspired ‘great escape’, Torquay United secured their National League status with a final day home win over North Ferriby United. Second half goals from skipper Aman Verma and Myles Anderson proved to be enough for the Gulls to make it mission accomplished with a second ‘great escape’ in a row.