On Monday, Torquay United received confirmation that the 2020/21 National League season is scheduled to start on Saturday, October 3rd 2020.
United manager Gary Johnson has given us his reaction to the news, with the prospect of welcoming the Yellow Army back to Plainmoor in the near future is clearly one that excites him.
“Late on Monday, we got the news that we had been waiting for – a start date for the coming season. October 3rd will be the first game of the National League season (subject to government approval), and myself, the staff and the players, are so much looking forward to getting back to some form of football normality.
“I’m sure the supporters are excited about watching a live game of football again. We haven’t yet had any confirmation of numbers for reduced capacity, but what I do know is that our directors and staff are working tirelessly to make sure that our stadium will have an atmosphere in a safe environment.
“I have also worked tirelessly with my staff to get a squad together on the pitch to entertain our Yellow Army over the season. We have put our squad together – bar one – as you know. The timing of this last player’s inclusion, we hope, will be sooner rather than later, due to contractual commitments.
“I am pleased to say that our new players have been integrating with our current players in the only way we can, over Zoom meetings, between themselves, and they have been welcomed in wholeheartedly by our existing squad members.
“We hope to be starting back together in mid-August to prepare as a group for the coming season, which is a little bit later than we were led to believe. However, the fact that the start date is now confirmed, it gives us that focus at this present time, and gives us a good 5-6 weeks before our first game.
“We are currently organising pre-season friendlies due to the change in dates, however it is expected that these will not have spectators, as the protocol says, at this moment in time. We are told that, subject to FA changes, supporters will be allowed into stadiums in October, so when we all get together, players and supporters, in our home at Plainmoor, it will be an unbelievable relief. It’s not too long to wait now, and the club will keep you informed regarding any information that needs to come out.
“Meanwhile, book your place at Plainmoor early – Details of ticket arrangements will be coming out shortly. Stay patient for a little while longer, and I am really, really looking forward to seeing you all at our stadium in October.”