Trophy tourists taking over Torquay!

FC United of Manchester won't be short of support in Torquay on Saturday when they fly the flag for the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League in the quarter-finals of the FA Trophy.

The sedate English Riviera town is preparing to welcome a mini-Mancunian migration with up to 1,000 fans booking places on planes, trains, coaches and cars to make the 500-mile round trip to Devon.

Amazed officials at the Premier Division club say many have booked up for mini-breaks to make a weekend of it.

One Torquay hotel, The Cavendish, which is currently being featured on Channel Four’s The Hotel series, is almost fully booked up thanks to the influx of fans who've taken advantage of special bed and breakfast rates on offer.

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 winners at Plainmoor will be just one game away from playing in a Wembley cup final. Having already beaten higher league opposition in Harrogate Town, Chorley and AFC Fylde during the competition's earlier round, Karl Marginson's men will travel to the Conference Premier club in good heart.

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