Torquay condemn attacks on their fans
THE Torquay United Supporters’ Trust has condemned the disgraceful and unprovoked scenes after Gulls fans were pelted with coins and glass bottles during the 1-1 draw with Wrexham on Saturday.
Eye witness accounts tell of several people being hit - with one lady was hit on the head by a bottle, another by a coin on the side of the head, a man had a cut below an eye from a coin, while a child was left frightened and bleeding from coins on the back of his head.
Original seating allocation had away fans in the upper tier but they were moved before kick-off to the lower tier stand, with Wrexham supporters sat above them.
The incidents occurred late on in the game after Connor Lemonheigh-Evans’ 84th minute equaliser that ruined the Hollywood fairytale for Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
A spokesman for Torquay United said they were aware of a number of reports relating to incidents our travelling supporters were subjected to at the game away to Wrexham on Saturday and said they can confirm they have made an official complaint to the National League, informed the FA and are working with the Police to identify those involved.
The spokesman added: “The safety of our supporters will always be of paramount importance, and any actions that threaten this will not be tolerated.
“The Club can confirm they have made an official complaint to the National League, informed the FA and are working with the Police to identify those involved.
“Everybody at Torquay United would once again like to express its appreciation to the Yellow Army for the fantastic support they continue to provide to the team, both home and away.”
A spokesman for the Supporters’ Trust added: “TUST has been
made aware of disgraceful and unprovoked scenes towards the end of yesterday’s National League game at the Racecourse Ground between Wrexham and Torquay United.
“We have received reports of coins, plastic and glass bottles, a lighter and coffee being thrown at Torquay fans sitting in the lower tier stand from Wrexham supporters sat above them shortly after Torquay equalised in a match that ended 1-1. Original seating allocation had away fans in the upper tier but were moved before kick-off.
“Eye witness accounts tell of several people being hit - one lady was hit on the head by a bottle, another by a coin on the side of the head, a man had a cut below an eye from a coin while a child was left frightened and bleeding from coins on the back of his head.
“TUST condemns these actions as totally unacceptable and would ask that those among the 242 Torquay United ‘Yellow Army’ contact the police so that further action can be taken.”
They added: “What had started out as an enjoyable, happy occasion as the home crowd of over 9,000 welcomed their two Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, ended with the Torquay Supporters’ coach having a police escort to the motorway and fans on foot escorted to the train station.
“TUST request that the appropriate authorities investigate these incidents so that those responsible are made accountable for their actions and has contacted Wrexham FC and our friends at the Wrexham Supporters Trust to raise our concerns.”
As for the match itself, Gulls boss Gary Johnson said it was more ‘Tales of the Unexpected than a big Hollywood movie’ when Torquay spoiled Wrexham’s big day at the Racecourse Ground with a late equaliser from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans.
Depite creating many chances, Wrexham weren’t able to add to their only goal, which was scored in the fourth minute - with Torquay looking bit part players in the first half.
But with almost 10,000 fans watching, Torquay were much better in the second half, and stole the show with the best move of the match.
Johnson said he had given the players a bit of a talking to at halftime. And in the second half they were more than a match for the home side who became increasingly frustrated and exasperated.
Johnson explained: “Four or five of them were playing to the plan, playing the game, having a bit of a decent game, but the others were passengers. So if we could get those four of five passengers, get them going, then we would have a chance.
“We had to make three subs for different reasons and at that point we looked like we had a chance. And we gave our Yellow Army fans something to sing about on the way home by getting a fantastic equaliser and spoiling their party really.
“There must have been 200 people, not including the players on the pitch, before the game - and there was about 100 people in the tunnel.
“I suppose it was Tales of the Unexpected rather than a big Hollywood movie.
“We are pleased that we got a result - and we will get better again. It was a difficult place to come on this particular day.”
Not involved in the FA Cup after going out before the first round, Torquay now have two weeks off before they resume their National League season with a home game against strugglers Dover Athletic on Saturday, November 13.