Hi James and Jon, How did you get into football and when?

(James) Like most kids playing football in school with your mates, most of them supporting Liverpool or Manchester United.

 

What was your first memory of trouble at a football match?

(James) My first memory of trouble was Cardiff at ours around 79 we were only kids, 200+ Cardiff invaded the pitch charging the home behind the opposite goal.
(Jon) The first 3 games I went to at Plainmoor was trouble, Cardiff, Pompey and Newport.

 

Torquay are currently playing in the National League. What is the scene like?

(James) The scene is pretty poor the average away support at ours is about 20 odd. Stockport and Wrexham the only decent mobs in the league. Become good pals with Wrexham in recent years.

I saw some pics from your trip to Bath City the other season, looked like a good day out. Anything to tell us about the day?

(Jon) Bath away was a good day, we were going for promotion so took hundreds up there. Bit of trouble during the game, fair play to Bath they had a go… A few Bristol city and Cardiff pals came over and had a few drinks with us, enjoyable day.



Worst & favourite ground you have visited?

(James) worst ground Newport, best Stade de France with England.

(Jon) Worst Hereford, best Olympic stadium Rome for their derby.

 

When did you become a football casual?

(James) I became a football casual around 84-85. The casual scene was just kicking in, a bit later than most big towns or cities. Was impressed with the Manc and Scouse lads who lived in the town wearing the clobber way ahead of our time.



Favourite all-time & current label?

(James) My all-time favourite label was chipie and classic nouveau more recent CP.
(Jon) Like all the early 80s casual stuff, recent CP and Stone island.

 

Who are your main rivals?

(James) Our main rivals are Exeter, had a few decent off’s with them mainly down at our place over the years, we never really had the numbers to match them. So would say they have had the upper hand over the years. Have some good lads if I’m honest…
(Jon) I would throw Hereford in the mix, had a little thing with them over a couple of seasons resulting in a few getting 3 year bans from every ground in the country.

 

Any memorable big battles you have been involved in?

(James) Never had any major big battles mainly down to the size of our mob, been at some decent little offs at Exeter and Hereford as mentioned, York, Swansea, Aldershot, Watford, Brentford and Fulham also spring to mind.
(Jon) Bogner Regis in the fa cup was a good one.

 

Who have you come unstuck against?

(Jon) Our town has been taken that many times, been legged by Wolves and Birmingham city as obviously no match for them and Exeter a couple of times but that’s how it goes.

 

Name 5 firms you rate and why?

(James) (Jon) Both of us agree there is too many to mention, Bristol city, Cardiff city, Wolves, Birmingham City. Both gonna throw Blackpool in the mix they brought a top firm down in mid-eighties, causing mayhem.

 

Did/Do you follow England? If so what was your favourite trip?

(James) (Jon) Both us haven’t done that many England away games compared to some of you, we have done a few including Paris for a friendly, been to Holland a couple of times the World cup in Germany, euros in Portugal and Slovenia and Malta of late. (James) went to Portugal for a month in the sun with the lads generally a great holiday. (Jon) Amsterdam a couple of years ago was a mad trip.

 

Got any Awayday funny stories?

(James) A little story for you. A dozen or so took a minibus up to Swansea midweek game about 87, we were bottom of the league hadn’t won in God knows how many games, we arrived got some tickets off one of our players which were for the home seats above the home terrace at the vetch field. Got in 5 minutes late and found out we were 1-0 up. So we started celebrating which upset the natives. Thankfully the old bill saved us thought we were gonna get killed at one point. We won the game missed the goal haha.



What was your music scene on your awayday?

(James) (Jon) Both of us love the happy Mondays stone roses etc

 

And lastly, tell us what you enjoyed about being a football casual?

(James) For both of us making memories with your pals experiencing the fashion changes over the years. Made some good friendships with lads from different clubs Plymouth, Oxford, Bristol city, Cardiff to name a few. Hopefully, get to have a drink with some of you when it’s safe too.

Thanks for speaking to us at Awayday radio lads.