For some Torquay United supporters, a trip to Plainmoor means walking down the road, grabbing a coffee or beer before the game and taking their seat. For others, it can involve a little more planning.
For others, it can mean a 10-hour journey from Norway, a 540-mile round trip from North Nottinghamshire, or setting an alarm for 10am on a Saturday morning in New Jersey.
Supporting Torquay United doesn’t always mean being able to walk through the turnstiles every week.
For our exiled supporters, following the club can look very different. But as we’ve been finding out, the connection to Torquay United can be just as strong.
As Forever Yellow continues to grow, we’ve spoken to five supporters living away from the area about how they follow TUFC, what they miss about being at Plainmoor and why they have chosen to continue putting something into the club from afar.
3,365 miles from Plainmoor
For Brian Daly, the journey to Torquay is a little impractical.
Brian lives in South Plainfield, New Jersey — 3,365 miles from Plainmoor — and hasn’t been able to make the trip to Devon.
Instead, he watches every game he can on DAZN, listens to those he can’t watch on the radio and starts many of his Saturday mornings at 10am following United from the other side of the Atlantic.
“Gives me a reason to get out of bed on Saturday mornings,” Brian says.
Brian (Far left) pictured at the World Cup in the summer with friends
His connection with Torquay United actually began in a rather unusual way.
More than 30 years ago, while studying at college, Brian was introduced to Fawlty Towers during an international media class. He eventually watched the whole series and started reading about Torquay, not initially realising that the place actually existed.
He then discovered that Torquay had a football club.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Brian feels that Forever Yellow gives him a way of being involved despite living half a world away.
“Yes, it does feel like I’m a part of something important, even from half a world away.”
The online Club Shop discount is useful to him, while online events such as the recent Meet the Manager have provided another way to feel connected to what’s happening at Plainmoor.
And there was another reminder of just how far the club’s support stretches when Brian attended the World Cup this summer wearing a Torquay United shirt.
“At the England-Panama game, someone ran up to me yelling ‘Torquay!’,” he told us. “He was from Torquay and we had a great chat. This club is everywhere!”
92 miles away — but still a long way from a Saturday at Plainmoor
Sam Lardner’s story is very different.
He grew up in the Bay but now lives in Bristol, around 92 miles from Plainmoor. He’s also just 500 metres from Ashton Gate, not the nicest reminder of our 2020/21 Play off final.
Sam (right) pictured at the Plainmoor Play-off Final screening with his Dad
Work commitments mean getting to games can be difficult, although he does manage to make it back to Devon when he can, as well as taking in some away games when the opportunity presents itself.
He listens to most games on the radio when work allows, with his dad often providing some additional commentary by text.
Usually, it seems, on the quality of the officiating.
“Just not getting my football fix,” is how Sam describes the hardest part of being away.
“You really do miss it when being away but it feels like nothing’s changed — for the better — anytime I get to a game.”
For Sam, Forever Yellow provides another way of maintaining that connection.
He particularly values the more personal aspects of membership, including the recent Meet the Manager event with Jimmy Ball.
Being able to hear directly from the manager helped him feel connected to the club and gave him an insight into the mood around Plainmoor that he might otherwise miss.
And there’s a simple reason why he continues to contribute.
“If I still lived in Torquay I would have a season ticket,” Sam says. “So although I don’t get the benefit of seeing the lads live, it seems a no brainer for me to keep committing to the club I love.”
865 miles, a 10-hour journey and a connection that goes back to 2002
Further afield again is Eirik, who lives in Årdal in southwestern Norway.
He’s around 865 miles from Torquay as the crow flies, but the actual journey is considerably longer.
A typical trip involves around four and a half hours driving to the nearest major airport, a two-and-a-half-hour flight to London and then another three hours by train to Torquay.
It’s quite a commitment for a football match.
Eirik pictured at the Play-off final in 2011.
Eirik normally tries to make the Norway Gulls’ annual trip to Plainmoor and has been travelling to Torquay since his first visit in 2002.
He also follows Torquay from home through TUFC radio or BBC Radio Devon, although he’d happily subscribe to a service that allowed him to stream every game individually.
Technology has certainly made following the club easier. Back in the 1990s, Eirik relied on Norwegian teletext to find out how United had got on. The lower divisions were all squeezed onto the same page, meaning there could be a wait before the relevant results appeared.
Today, social media, the club’s website and online supporters’ communities mean there’s a constant stream of information.
But one thing hasn’t changed.
The welcome.
“I am always greeted well when arriving in both Torquay and at Plainmoor since my first trip back in 2002.”
Forever Yellow gives Eirik another way to contribute to the club when he can’t physically be there.
“It is always great to feel that you can help in any way you can as I am not contributing too much through the turnstiles.”
And, like many exiled supporters, the Club Shop discount comes in handy.
His shopping list when he does make the trip to Torquay is, apparently, quite long!
Making the occasional trip count
For Tijmen Beerepoot, the journey from Huissen in the Netherlands is around 528 miles.
He tries to make it to Plainmoor once a season, travelling by plane or car, and has also managed to pencil in away games at Maidstone and Folkestone this coming season.
The rest of the time, Flashscore and YouTube highlights help keep him up to date.
Tijmen on one of his annual trips to Plainmoor.
He admits that the hardest part of being an exile is simply wishing he could come more often.
But there’s a positive side to only seeing Torquay occasionally.
“When I’m there, I enjoy it more intensely because it remains special.”
For Tijmen, contributing through Forever Yellow helps recreate some of that connection between those visits.
His monthly contribution makes him feel “truly part of the club” and that he’s “helping to build it together with everyone else”.
The online Club Shop discount is another useful benefit, but ultimately it’s the feeling of still being involved that matters most.
His advice to another supporter living abroad who might be considering joining?
“Give it a try!”
270 miles from Plainmoor — and still finding ways to get involved
Tony Gibbings, also known as Donny Gull, lives in Harworth in North Nottinghamshire, around 270 miles from Plainmoor.
A home game is a serious undertaking.
The 540-mile round trip means an overnight stay, and Tony normally manages around two home games a season. He’s been to the final home league game in each of the last three seasons.
Tony (centre) with Claire & John Dreyer before last season’s Play-off Final at Hornchurch.
He actually attends more away games than home games, particularly those in the London area, travelling either down the A1 or by train to London King’s Cross before continuing his journey.
When he can’t be there, social media and DAZN help him follow the club.
And Tony has found other ways to stay involved too.
He’s a member of the Dan Hayfield Appreciation Society and Yorkshire Gulls, contributing towards player sponsorship through both.
Forever Yellow gives him another opportunity to put money into the club.
“By contributing to Forever Yellow it makes me feel that I’m at least putting some much-needed funds into the Club,” he says.
For Tony, that’s particularly important because he isn’t able to contribute regularly through the turnstiles.
He joined TUST many years ago & contributed to the Community Share Issue, and says his involvement through TUST and Forever Yellow has made him feel much more part of the club.
Tony has been supporting Torquay United since 1982, after leaving the RAF.
And his message to other exiled supporters is simple:
“Even a few quid per month as a Bronze or Silver member would make a difference to getting to the £100,000 target.”
Supporting United doesn’t stop at Plainmoor
Five supporters. Five very different journeys.
One is 3,365 miles away in New Jersey. Another is a few miles from Ashton Gate in Bristol. One travels from Norway to Devon when he can, another makes the journey from the Netherlands, while Tony faces a 540-mile round trip for a home game.
They follow matches in different ways too — DAZN, radio, social media, Flashscore, YouTube and, once upon a time, Norwegian teletext.
But there’s a common thread running through all five stories.
They still want to be part of Torquay United.
For supporters who live away from the area, Forever Yellow provides a tangible way to do that.
You can choose where your contribution goes — First Team Operations, Youth Development or Stadium & Matchday Experience — while Silver, Gold and Platinum members can also make use of benefits including Club Shop discounts, priority access for high-demand matches, exclusive draws and experiences and, for Platinum members, opportunities to get even closer to the club.
And you don’t have to be paying £25 a month to make a difference.
As Tony puts it, even a few pounds a month helps.
Forever Yellow is now generating £87,000 a year for Torquay United.
Our target is £100,000.
Wherever you live, if Torquay United is your club, there’s a way to play your part.
Based overseas?
If you’re an overseas supporter, you can join Forever Yellow or upgrade your existing TUST membership through our dedicated international membership page.
Based in the UK?
You can find out more about Forever Yellow, join TUST or upgrade your existing membership through our main membership page.
Thank you to Brian, Sam, Eirik, Tijmen and Tony for sharing their stories with us.
Wherever you’re following from, thank you for continuing to support Torquay United.
TUST
