THREE PROMOTIONS, ONE BIG AMBITION
From Step 5 to National League South in three remarkable seasons, Farnham Town are one of the fastest-rising clubs in non-League football. Ahead of United’s first league visit to the Memorial Ground, here is everything you need to know about the Gulls’ Bank Holiday opponents.
Farnham Town v Torquay United
Enterprise National League South
Monday 31 August 2026 | 3pm
The Memorial Ground
Three successive promotions. A major redevelopment of their home. An ambitious young chairman. A manager who has overseen the most successful period in the club’s history.
Farnham Town may be newcomers to National League South, but there is very little modest about their trajectory.
After losing three of their opening four league matches, Paul Johnson’s side delivered a reminder of their capabilities on Saturday by winning 2-1 at previously unbeaten Horsham.
The Gulls have been warned.
THE 60-SECOND GUIDE
Founded: 1906
Nickname: Town
Home: The Memorial Ground
Capacity: Approximately 2,200
Manager: Paul Johnson
Chairman: Harry Hugo
2025/26: 2nd in Southern League Premier South – promoted through the play-offs
Current position: 16th
Form: L-L-W-L-W
Last result: Horsham 1-2 Farnham Town
THE STORY YOU NEED TO KNOW
Farnham’s rise has been extraordinary.
In 2023/24, they won the Combined Counties Premier Division South without losing a league match. Their season began with 25 consecutive league victories – reported at the time as a record start to an English league campaign.
Promotion to the Isthmian League South Central followed and, rather than pausing to consolidate, Farnham won another title at the first attempt.
Their third successive promotion arrived last season. After finishing second in the Southern League Premier South, they defeated Berkhamsted 2-1 in the play-off semi-final before sweeping Gloucester City aside 5-1 in the final.
They also lifted the Surrey Senior Cup, completing another landmark campaign and taking the club into Step 2 for the first time in its history.
Farnham began this season having climbed three divisions in three years. The question is no longer whether the club is ambitious. It is how far that ambition can carry them.
THE SERIOUS BIT
Life at Step 2 has already demonstrated that momentum alone is not enough.
Town opened with a narrow 1-0 home defeat against AFC Totton before losing 2-1 at Dagenham & Redbridge, when arguably they should have got something from the game. A 1-0 victory at Slough Town delivered their first National League South points, but that was followed by a 4-2 home defeat against Billericay Town.
Saturday produced their most impressive result so far.
Owen Dean scored twice during the first half as Farnham won 2-1 at a Horsham side that had entered the weekend unbeaten and sitting near the top of the table.
Their five games have produced six points, six goals scored and eight conceded. They have lost both home league fixtures but won their last two away games – a mixed opening that suggests a capable side still adjusting to the demands of a higher division.
IN THE DUGOUT
Paul Johnson has been the architect of Farnham’s ascent.
Appointed in May 2022 after a successful spell with Bedfont Sports, Johnson inherited a club playing at Step 5 and has since delivered three successive promotions.
The first two came through title-winning campaigns that both passed the 100-point mark. Last season required a different route, with Farnham recovering from the disappointment of missing automatic promotion to win the play-offs emphatically.
Johnson signed a new contract this summer that runs until 2028. That continuity matters: although the playing squad has evolved as the club has climbed, Farnham’s manager, identity and sense of direction have remained consistent.
SUMMER REBUILD
Farnham did not respond to promotion by standing still.
Their highest-profile arrival was undoubtedly Sam Hutchinson. The former Chelsea, Sheffield Wednesday, Reading and AFC Wimbledon midfielder signed a two-year deal after leaving League One, bringing extensive Premier League, Championship and EFL experience to the Memorial Ground.
Jack Spong arrived after helping Worthing win the National League South title, while experienced forward Rakish Bingham joined from Farnborough.
Other additions included former Reading youngster Miles Obodo, Trae Cook-Appiah from Hemel Hempstead Town, Louie Holzman from Farnborough and Fulham prospects Quinn Schutter and Harley Platel.
It is an interesting blend: players who drove Farnham’s rise, proven Step 2 operators, emerging talent and a sprinkling of high-level experience.
THREE TO WATCH
Owen Dean
Dean provided the decisive contribution at Horsham on Saturday, scoring twice in the opening 43 minutes. He has been part of Farnham’s journey through the divisions and remains capable of making an impact at their new level.
Sam Hutchinson
The headline signing of the summer. Hutchinson brings experience from Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Vitesse, Sheffield Wednesday, Reading and AFC Wimbledon. At 36, his game intelligence, physical presence and ability to organise those around him could be particularly valuable in a newly promoted side.
Jack Spong
A technically accomplished midfielder and dangerous set-piece taker. Spong made more than 100 appearances for Worthing, contributing 20 goals and 17 assists, before joining Farnham after helping the Rebels win this division last season. He knows exactly what is required at National League South level.
WHEN WE LAST MET
Monday will be the first league meeting between Farnham Town and Torquay United.
It is a fixture made possible by two very different recent journeys: Farnham rising rapidly through the pyramid and the Gulls seeking to climb back towards the National League.
The return fixture at Plainmoor is scheduled for Saturday 20 March.
MATCHDAY FACT FILE
Venue: The Memorial Ground, Mead Lane, Farnham, GU9 7DY
Kick-off: 3pm
Admission: Adults £14; concessions £9; ages 14-20 £5; under-14s free when accompanied by an adult
Segregation: The match will not be fully segregated, although visiting supporters are encouraged to congregate in the Peperami Stand
Rail: Farnham station is approximately a 15-minute walk from the ground
Parking: There is no general supporter parking at the stadium, so travelling fans should allow additional time
CAN’T MAKE THE TRIP?
The match will be shown live on DAZN at Boots & Laces, giving Gulls supporters the opportunity to watch together at Plainmoor.
Full live commentary will also be available worldwide on TUFC Radio, with coverage beginning approximately ten minutes before kick-off.
THE VERDICT
Farnham’s opening results underline both sides of the newly promoted equation: they have found Step 2 less forgiving, particularly at home, but Saturday’s victory at Horsham demonstrated that they are capable of troubling established opposition.
They possess experience through the spine of the team, technical quality in midfield and the confidence generated by three years of almost uninterrupted success.
For United, this is an opportunity to secure an important Bank Holiday result – but nobody should mistake unfamiliar opposition for an easy assignment.
Farnham Town have spent three seasons learning how to win. On Monday, the Gulls must ensure that lesson is not repeated.
