Torquay - not again!

Devongone · 17-04-2023, 16:43

It might even have been the start of Torquay's slow decline into non-league football, but I can remember us relegating Torquay once before.

Whether it was called Division One or Division 3 back then I can't remember, but we were doing badly and looking sure to be relegated (it happens so often it's part of our DNA). But towards the end of the season we made what looked likely to be too-late-a-comeback.

Torquay had pretty much been safe all season as I remember it. 50 points was supposed to make you safe. Anyway with Roy-Hodgson like escapology we wriggled free and down in the place god and his host of merrie little angels had designated for us went Torquay. As I remember it they ended up on 52 points and achieved a supposedly impossible and very sad relegation.

Tuesday night after 5 consecutive victories beating us looks like their best chance of staying up. They're two points behind Aldershot and three behind Maidenhead and York. Torquay's two remaining games are Altrincham away and Wrexham FFS at home. If we beat them they'll again be clutching at straws and taking one final breath.

I can't wish that on a nice little club!!!

Dancingwilldoit · 18-04-2023, 19:36

Torquay were always an up and down lower divisions team. In the last 20 years or so I think they have spent more time out of the Football League than in. We need the points so am sorry but if it sends them down I wont be crying. On the other hand I'd be a lot happier if it was Aldershot after my visit last season.
It will be a tight game and the way we've been playing at home probably gives them the edge but you never know.

**spireitematt** · 21-04-2023, 20:55

I think Torquay will be safe. I think Aldershot will go down.

**themaclad** · 22-04-2023, 09:41

Went to Middlesbrough a few weeks back Torquay were playing at Gateshead passed a car with a Torquay scarf on the back seat ledge thought every credit for going, sadly I think they are goosed losing 5-0 at your place will knock confidence, sad really some of theTorquay games on television this season have been absolute belters.

Devongone · 22-04-2023, 10:31

So it wasn't a tight game. Aldershot will stay up. Torquay need at least four points so they can't lose to Wrexham and they need Maidenhead or York to lose twice.

They're down! Good manager. Some, but too few very loyal fans. Big catchment area in Torbay. The town needs a league club but doesn't realise it. No one round this area is much good at anything aside from bowls.

We've taken all six points against them AND made their goal difference impossible! HARSH!!!!!!!

SaltergateBorn · 22-04-2023, 11:07

Personally I`m with you, Mac; I see them going down. Their big problem is that it`s really out of their hands; they could win both of their remaining games (and that`s a hell of a big ask as one of them is against a team that`s only lost a couple all season) and still go down.

That would mean that 3 previously long-established EFL teams will be playing in the National League North / South next season - and, let`s face it, we were bloody close a couple of years ago. It just shows how quickly and how seriously the wheels can come off in football.

**St Charles Owl** · 22-04-2023, 14:49

(22-04-2023, 11:07)SaltergateBorn Wrote: Personally I`m with you, Mac; I see them going down. Their big problem is that it`s really out of their hands; they could win both of their remaining games (and that`s a hell of a big ask as one of them is against a team that`s only lost a couple all season) and still go down.

That would mean that 3 previously long-established EFL teams will be playing in the National League North / South next season - and, let`s face it, we were bloody close a couple of years ago. It just shows how quickly and how seriously the wheels can come off in football.

Conversely, if it all goes to plan, then two (from 3) very established and long standing EFL teams could be going up!! Shows the diversity in the NL these days as well as the tough nature of getting out of it!!.I do think it has to change to 3 up and I for one like the fact that some teams none of us knew much about have a change at league football.

Devongone · 23-04-2023, 17:19

I think the whole structure needs to change. Premier League and FOUR DIVISIONS of 20 each, so there wouldn't be so many barmy midweek long trips. There are easily eight non-league clubs of sufficient standard to make up the sensible number of 100 clubs. The bottom divisions could even be divided into north and south.

Once that was done you wouldn't need three teams going up each season and if we considered regionalising the lower divisions of the EFL it would be appropriate to do the same for ALL of the National League ..... so you might avoid the idiocy of Hereford and Gloucester being classed as Northern.

**spireitematt** · 23-04-2023, 23:05

I was wrong. I thought Torquay would stay up but looks like they'll be in NLS alongside Maidstone and Yeovil.

If 3 Southern teams get relegated does that mean 1 of those would have to be put in NLN to make up the numbers or would it mean promoting an extra team from NPL to NLN?

**themaclad** · 24-04-2023, 08:58

Suspect one of the teams in the Midlands area will get moved from South to North