Torquay Utd v Darlington
Coca-Cola League Two
Saturday February 24th, 3pm
This could be our last trip for a while, unless you believe in miracles happening twice. The Gulls had an amazing escape after their defeat to Darlo last season seemed to be a nail in the coffin. Ian Atkins took full control and they survived. This time around, it seems to be chaotic off the pitch.

New chairman at the club Chris Roberts has recently faced falling gates, fans' no confidence and a boardroom revolt. He's buying the club from his predecessor and still majority shareholder, Mike Bateson. Meanwhile, the management team Lubos Kubik - the former Czech international and with no previous managerial experience - and Colin Lee hit the buffers. Kubik left the club abrubtly in February after only 12 matches in charge, with the Gulls marooned at the bottom. Lee took over as director of football, bringing in Keith Curle as head coach, with a lot of new faces and a familiar mountain to climb.

Man to watch: Lee Thorpe, the former Swansea striker.

Ground and ticket prices: £14 (£11 OAPs; £5 under 16) - in the Sparkworld away end. Pegged to last season's prices. The club has long term plans to move to a new 10,000 capacity stadium and sports centre at Torbay, to be shared with Torquay RFC and local cricket club and be ready by 2010.

TRAVEL: BY CAR:M5 and A38 until you get to the A380, sign-posted to the town, keeping following the signs onto the A3022 into Riviera Way, then it's left at the Texaco garage, down into Hele Rd and across the crossroads. The ground is sign-posted. Street parking.

TRAINS/BUS: Plainmoor's a bit of a hike from the station - just over two miles on foot up the hill from the town. There are plenty of taxis though and the No34 bus goes to the ground from the town centre.

Not viable unless a weekend stopover from Darlington 07:14-Torquay (13.33), via Birmingham and Exeter. Duration: 6hrs 19mins. NO TRAIN BACK ON SATURDAY. Advance returns from £69, saver returns at least £124.
Bristol Temple Meads: 08.44-Exeter St Davids (09.43) 09.50-arr 10.33 (or same trains an hour later). Return: 17.57-Exeter St Davids (18.42) 19.23 arr 20.25. Advance returns from £21.
A bit of an awkward outward journey from Cardiff Central 06.55-Newport (07.07) 07.12 bus to Bristol Parkway (07.52) 08.25-Exeter St Davids (09.43) 09.50-arr 10.33. Return: 17.57-Exeter St Davids (18.42) 19.23-Bristol Termple Meads (20.25) 20.54 arr 21.42. Fares: Advance returns from £29.
London Paddington 07.30-Newton Abbott (10.45) 11.23 arr 11.33. Return: 17.57-Newton Abbott (18.08) 18,34-arr 21.24. Fares: Advance returns from £25-£51
Birmingham New Street: 07.10 via Exeter St Davids (09.43) 09.50 arr 10.33. Rtn: 17.57 via Exeter (19.15) 19.23 arr 21.57. Fares: Advance returns from £38.

Taxis: Torbay Cab Co 01803 292 292 Babbacombe Cabs 01803 326450 A Less Taxing Taxi 01803 211611 Price First 01803 322322
Cab rides cost about £4-5 from the station, but quite a hike. Can order pick-ups after the match.
Darlington FC Supporters Club Coach Time 6am, £25. Contact: 01325 243911

Things to do/Accommodation:
There are dozens of places to suit all pockets, from £17 a night B&Bs to five-star hotels. Grey wigs and zimmer frames can be supplied. We last stayed at the Hotel de la Mer (16 Babbacombe Rd, 01803 324014, £25 each per night B&B), less than 10 minutes walk from the ground and close to Babbacombe village centre and the sea. Hillsborough guest house(18 Morgan Avenue, TQ2 5RS, Tel 01803 283286, £15-17 per person.) The family hotel says it welcomes football fans, offering single, twin, treble and family rooms - also mixed and single sex parties catered for, "at competitive rates". A short drive from Plainmoor, five minutes walk from the shops and 15 minutes from the beach.
Torquay Tourist Information Centre, Vaughan Parade Torquay Devon TQ2 5JG, Visitor line: 0870 70 70 010

Pubs:
The Union Inn, St Marychurch Rd/St Paul's Road A very football-friendly bar, run by a Bristol Rovers fan Geoff and wife Sue, so take pity on him and buy his Courage Best/Tetley! Sky Sports on screen, pool table and five minutes from away end. Well behaved fans of all clubs welcomed - always footie chat at the bar and souvenirs from other clubs, including Darlo, on the walls. DAFTS recommended
The Buccaneer, 43, Babbacombe Downs Road, TQ1 3LN St Austell brewery real ale pub with good food, close to the cliff-top gardens and model village. There were two ales on, during our visit - one the regular beer, which is quite creamy but goes down easily. Sea views from the beer garden at the front and the upstairs bar. A straightforward 15 minute walk to the ground.
The Crown and Sceptre, 2 Petitor Road St.Marychurch Friendly real ale bar, usually with four beers on, local characters and Jack Russell dogs. Down St Marychurch Road through St Marychurch village, around the corner from Snooty's Bar.
In the town centre is
Reputedly the town's oldest inn, this 16th century pub The Hole on the Wall, 6, Park Lane, TQ1 2AU close to the harbour - off Torwood Street. Greene King real ales. DAFTS recommended. Then at the ground is The Boots and LacesTorquay Utd, Plainmoor Away fans are welcome in the club bar - friendly and right by the ground of course. As you'd expect, it can get quite full on match days. Ansells Bitter among the ales. Free entry

Places to eat: There are plenty of takeways and a few pubs too in St Marychurch Road. The ground sells excellent pasties (c£1.50) and sausage rolls, coffee and chocolate. The toilet facilities are a little prehistotric, with caveman graffiti as well as slogans from visitors who must have done well to write in that light.

Contact: Torwuay Utd FC, Plainmoor, Torquay, Devon, TQ1 3PS; Tel: 01803 328666

© 2007 Printer-friendly version of the Darlington Away Far Travelling Supporters' away guide, adapted from www.dafts.co.uk. No responsibility taken for accuracy, if in doubt please check.