Torquay welcomes Manchester mass migration as FC United come to town

The sedate English Riviera town of Torquay is set to welcome up to 1,000 Mancunian visitors this weekend as FC United of Manchester prepare to face Torquay United in the quarter final of the FA Trophy on Saturday 7 February 2015.

FC United supporters have been booking places on planes, trains, coaches and cars to make the 500-mile round trip for a game which will see the winners just two games away from playing in a Wembley cup final. FC United board member Tom Stott said: “Since we drew Torquay out of the hat for the quarter final, we’ve seen an amazing response from our supporters. The phones at our office have been red hot with people booking travel and we now have five official club coaches going to Torquay. We’re also aware of at least another three coaches making the trip and hundreds more driving, flying or making their way to Torquay on the train.???

The seaside resort is set to see an unprecedented winter influx of FC United supporters, with many booking up for mini-breaks to make a weekend of it. One Torquay hotel, The Cavendish, which is currently featured on Channel Four’s The Hotel series, is almost fully booked up thanks to FC United fans who have taken advantage of special bed and breakfast rates on offer.

FC United’s supporters will be travelling to Torquay in good heart as the team has already beaten higher-league opposition in the FA Trophy this season, having disposed of Harrogate Town, Chorley and AFC Fylde in previous rounds. They will be hoping that manager Karl Marginson’s side can go one better by reaching the semi-final on Saturday when they take on Conference Premier side Torquay United, who were playing league football only last year.

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