On Saturday we welcome to the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium one of the National League’s, let alone its Southern Division, big hitters in Torquay United.

When they visited in March 2024 they were a club in abeyance. In administration that brought a 10 point penalty; waiting for a proposed takeover to happen and in a poor run of form that had seen them languishing in mid-table. The Angels romped to an impressive 4-1 win with goals from Tariq Hinds, Nathan Odokonyero (2) and Sean Shields and, by the time Bradley Ash added a consolation goal, many of the travelling faithful were making their way home and those that remained were voicing their disapproval of just about everything surrounding the club.

Fast forward one year and we will be facing a much different Torquay United. The takeover is complete, happy faces have returned, and they are now in the mad scramble for promotion out of Vanarama National League South. After our goalless draw at Plainmoor in November, they dropped to sixth, but it was the third of a 14 game unbeaten run which saw them go top 11 days before Christmas and stay there for five weeks. However they've suffered a few defeats since and presently sit sixth, five points behind leaders Dorking, but six points inside the play-off zone with 10 games remaining.

There have been many squad changes since their visit last season. Ex-Truro City boss and former Plymouth Argyle favourite Paul Wotton was confirmed as manager on a three year contract in the summer and stability returned to the club, while the one and only Neil Warnock is also involved at the club as a football advisor.

Top scorer Cody Cooke was on the bench on Tuesday night for the Gulls 3-1 win at Chippenham Town, but that doesn't mean their strike force was any less potent. One of the starters was Matt Jay, a recent arrival from Colchester United and certainly one to watch, scoring in each of his last four games. Jay scored 54 goals for Exeter City, including 36 in his last two seasons, and captained the side when they were promoted before his move to Essex.

Jordan Young, who has nine league and cup goals this season, was Yeovil's top scorer in their title winning season last year, which earned him a place in the National League South team of the season. He has EFL experience with Swindon Town and Coventry City.

Torquay are now in their 11th successive season as a non-league club, having dropped out of the league for a second time in 2014, with this being their second season at tier six. They were a football league club continuously from 1927 to 2007 without ever going higher than what is now League One.

Torquay’s only two visits to Longmead have both resulted in Angels wins. Before last season’s aforementioned fixture, the clubs first met in the FA Trophy in 2021. With local excitement already high, passions were further fuelled when the then Torquay manager, Gary Johnson, made reference in a pre-match interview to not being terribly au fait with the geography of West Kent and the whereabouts of Tonbridge. Perhaps they wished they had been unable to find the place as the Angels progressed courtesy of a 2-1 win with goals from Joe Turner and Ibrahim Olutade.

Jay Saunders, speaking to Kent Online, said: “I look forward to seeing Paul (Wotton). I get on really well with him and he’s done a good job going in there. I don’t think there’s many clubs with a lot more pressure on your shoulders than Torquay United in this league. He has to deal with that and it’s not easy.

“It will be a tough game, but we are at home and our home form has been pretty decent and hopefully we can put on a performance.”

Jay might be able to welcome back Harry Ottaway and Wycombe loanee Brody Peart following injury.

Admission prices for Saturday’s game are: Adults £17; Concessions £14; Youths £7 and Under-12’s free with accompanying adult with tickets available HERE .

Gates open at 1 pm with the Sports Bar and Marquee Bar open from the outset with special offers of Staropramen, the favourite Czech Pilsner, reduced to £4.50 a pint, Carling reduced to £4 a pint and Salt Jute, an IPA, at £4.50 a pint. The Tea Hut serving burgers, hot dogs, butties, hot and cold drinks and Fries Like An Angel, serving all your favourite loaded chips are also open from 1 pm. The Pie Shack opens from 1.30 pm. After the game, the Sports Bar will be open including the Happy Hour, with £1 off all pints of draught lagers and ciders with the special offer drinks price continuing.

Our award-winning programme, priced at £3 will feature reflections from Jay Saunders, club captain Scott Wagstaff, board member James Ford plus reports from our men’s and women’s first team games plus youth teams.

Saturday’s sponsors are our friends from Tonbridge Accident and Repair Centre and we hope Ashley Pitman, Luke Higgins and their guests enjoy their day. 

Enjoy the game!