Torrington FC
School Lane
Great Torrington
Torrington
Devon
EX38 7AJ
Ground Number: 1286
Friday 29th March 2024
Torrington 1-0 Crediton United
South West Peninsula East
TORRINGTON FC - A BRIEF HISTORY
The club was established in 1908 originally as a church side. They then became members of the North Devon League, first winning the title in 1913 and going on to win it six times, the latter two occasions as their reserve side. The early 70's saw a short spell in the Devon & Exeter League and a title win in 1974. They joined the South Western League in 1978m finishing as runners-up to St Blazey in 1983. In 1984, they joined the Western League, finishing as runners-up behind to Portway Bristol in their first season in Division 1 to win promotion to the Premier Division. Torrington were runners-up to Mangotsfield United in 1991 but by 1998 they had been relegated back to Division 1. They would regain promotion as champions in 2005 and would remain in the Premier Division until 2007 until they were forced to resign due to financial issues. They rejoined the North Devon League, spending two seasons in the Senior Division before being winning the league in 2009. Relegation came in 2012 but they'd win promotion back as runners-up to Fremington straight away. In 2019, they were accepted into the South West Peninsula League East Division where they remain to this day.
Great Torrington (often abbreviated to Torrington, is a market town in Devon. Parts of it are sited on high ground with steep drops down to the River Torridge below, with the lower-lying parts of the town prone to occasional flooding. Torrington is in the centre of Tarka Country, a landscape captured by Henry Williamson in his novel Tarka the Otter in 1927. The population is just under 6.000. The branch line from Barnstaple to Bideford was extended to Great Torrington in July 1872 by the London and South Western Railway, which built a railway station and locomotive depot in the town. The station was always named 'Torrington', not 'Great Torrington'. The locomotive depot was closed in 1959 and the line was closed to passenger traffic as part of the Beeching Axe. It was closed to goods traffic in 1984.
MY VISIT
This would be the first hop in the South West Peninsula League for some time. The last was in 2018 and comprised of seven games from what I can deduce from the limited information I could find. It started with Newton Abbott Spurs on Thursday night, St Mary's, Honiton (at an alternative 3G venue) & Axminster on Friday and St Martin's, Broxham & Plymouth Marjon on Saturday. I cannot remember precisely but for whatever reason, I opted to go to Notts County v Wycombe Wanderers and Taunton Town v Didcot Town on those days which is not a decision I would make nowadays. I do remember being disappointed that they had scheduled nothing for the second half of Easter as fellow groundhopping organisation and friends Groundhop UK did. The arrangement was to be that the two would host hops in alternate years and indeed GHUK took the mantle in 2019 for a successful Hellenic & Western League hop that I was on. The next two years were affected by the pandemic and with the SWP not able to host, 2022 & 2023 were both Hellenic Hops which I did part of.
I woke early on the day of the game although felt tired. I soon perked up after getting dressed and having some breakfast. Colin was ready well in advance of me picking him up at 6.45. It was a reasonable journey, though the weather was variable. Rain until Bristol, then sun, then torrential rain as we got near Devon. We arrived at Torridgeside to sun, parking near our second game and walking the 20 minutes to our first. It was £6 to get in, then I had a pint of Thatchers Gold for £3.50. I also had a superb mini eggs brownie for £2 before going outside for pictures and a chat to other hoppers.
Torrington were in 13th place and were in mixed form. They had suffered from the weather as much as anyone and last played on 9th March when they drew 2-2 with Newton Abbot Spurs. Crediton United were in 3rd and were also in patchy form. They'd been beaten 3-1 by Oakhampton Argyle on Tuesday. It was a fairly even game but Torrington took the lead on 23 minutes, a curling shot into the top corner by Tom Davey. Crediton hit the bar as they looked for a way back into the game. Just before halftime, the weather returned to its default of rain and I got drenched before moving to the stand. The sun shone once more but not for one of Torrington's players. A penalty was awarded and well saved but the follow up was blasted over from six yards out. Bad habits die hard and I was unable to resist another mini egg brownie. There were no further goals as the hosts held on for the win.
Penalty save by Crediton United at Torrington, the rebound put over from close range. Remains 1-0 Torrington. pic.twitter.com/MVejI0FvKj
— ⚽Russell Cox💙 (@RussWWFC) March 29, 2024
THE GROUND
VICARAGE FIELD is a pleasant ground although the parking is quite limited. There is one main stand, holding around 200 under cover. Additionally, there is some uncovered seating over the other side. The smart bar offers a range of drinks and the tea bar hot food such as bacon rolls. In addition, on our visit was an excellent cake stall.
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