United return to Plainmoor for their third pre-season friendly in seven days on Saturday, as League One side Exeter City pose the next challenge for Gary Johnson’s men.
Newly promoted Exeter City will be United’s final visitors at Plainmoor this Saturday, 23rd July, giving supporters one more opportunity to see Gary Johnson’s new-look squad in action on home turf, before the National League opener with Oldham Athletic.
Who’s the Boss?
Matt Taylor was appointed as the man to succeed long-serving Paul Tisdale in 2018, a decision met with huge support from the City faithful, who remembered his playing spell at St James Park fondly. Following three near-misses, Taylor’s side finally succeeded in their aim to emerge from the fourth tier last season, after a second-placed finish won them automatic promotion.
Player to Watch
Apart from loan spells on the non-league circuit with the likes of Weston-super-Mare, Matt Jay has been a one-club man for nearly ten years after coming through the Club’s youth department. An attacking midfielder by trade, Jay has hit new heights during the past two seasons, notching 20 goals in 48 games during 2020/21 and then following that up with 16 strikes in 50 last term as Teh Grecians made safe passage to League One.
Played for Both
Austrian goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik was a firm favourite for both clubs, after choosing an unusual route to ply his trade in Devon. After initially failing to make the grade at Aston Villa, a century of games at Falkirk prompted Gulls boss Martin Ling to take him south of the border, with his superb performances between the sticks earning Torquay a play-off place, and him a move up the footballing ladder to Peterborough in 2012. Three years later, and Bobby returned to the county, albeit this time in East Devon, as he made 63 league outings for rivals Exeter.
Previous Encounter
Exeter City 1 – 2 Torquay United AFC, 21st April 2014, League Two
Knowing that defeat would seal the end of their Football League existence, a 2-1 win at St James Park may have not been enough to ultimately save their status, but it did salvage their pride by postponing the inevitable. Goalscorers Courtney Cameron & Ashley Yeoman were the heroes of the hour for United, after Scot Bennett put the homes side in front.
Ticket Information
Ticketing details have been the same for all of United’s pre-season friendlies at Plainmoor, whilst those unable to make the trip can keep up to date, with full live commentary available on TUFC Radio HERE.
Tickets can be purchased online HERE, or alternatively from the Club’s Ticket Office on the day of the game, but please note that all tickets purchased by both methods on the day of the game will incur a £2 per ticket surcharge.
Prices are as follows, and apply to all areas of the ground:
Adult – £10
Concession (65+ / Student) – £8
U18 – £5
U7 (with paying adult) – FREE
Please note that there is a £2 surcharge for all tickets purchased on the day of the game.
All matchday tickets will be fulfilled as e-tickets, with turnstiles at Plainmoor remaining cashless. E-tickets can either be printed off, or alternatively downloaded and stored onto your mobile device, ahead of being scanned at the turnstiles. Supporters requiring assistance are asked to email [email protected] or call the Club on 01803 328666 Monday to Friday 10am-2pm
As a special thank you to Season Ticket holders, those who have purchased a ticket for 2022/23 will be entitled to purchase one match ticket for each of these games with a 50% discount. Season Ticket holders have had their usual seats reserved for these fixtures.
TUAFC v Exeter City | 23/07/2022 3pm KO | Plainmoor, Torquay, TQ1 3PS |