'It was a day no Crawley Town supporter will ever forget' - Remembering Reds' last trip to Torquay United in the FA Cup

To set the scene, I can’t believe it’s 10 years since we played Torquay United in our amazing FA Cup run.
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It was a run that saw Crawley Town - then a non-league side - win away at Newport County in the 4th qualifying round, then Guiseley 5-0 in round one, Swindon after a replay at the County Ground in round two after extra time.

This was then followed by round three, a Monday night game in front of the cameras, at home to Derby County – a wet and windy night as the Red Devils came from behind to win 2-1 with Sergio Torres last minute spectacular winner that is and always will be in our memories.

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Players celebrate after beating Torquay UnitedPlayers celebrate after beating Torquay United
Players celebrate after beating Torquay United
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To be honest I was already thinking about coaches for the replay at Derby before Sergio struck the winner. We knew who we would be playing as the draw had taken place on the Sunday - away to Torquay United – but after the initial disappointment and the Derby win we came around to thinking that this was a game we could win.

We had just beaten a Championship side now we have a League 2 side albeit away – so why not.

Saturday, 29th January 2011 was the day we travelled to the English Riviera to Plainmoor, the home of Torquay United.

Five full Crawley Luxury coaches departed Broadfield Stadium at 7am, each coach named after squad members rather than just numbers, Matt Tubbs, Macca (Craig McAllister), Dannie Bulman, Sergio Torres and Richard Brodie.

The signs for the names of the coaches for the trip to Torquay in 2011The signs for the names of the coaches for the trip to Torquay in 2011
The signs for the names of the coaches for the trip to Torquay in 2011
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The travel down to Devon via the motorways went like a dream – stopping off at Taunton Services for a break before arriving at Plainmoor for 1.30pm.

At the ground we were met by the other supporters who had travelled, some the night before.

The game started 15 minutes late due to crowd congestion with more than 5,000 filling the stadium, there must have been at least 1,500 of us crammed in the away terracing with another 100 in the seats as the game started.

The atmosphere was electric with the away support making most of the noise.

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It was a nervy start for the men in red – but they soon settled down into their game with the flamboyant Steve Evans and Paul Rayner bellowing instructions from the side lines. The game came to life on 39 minutes when a long ball over the top of the home defence by Dannie Bulman arrived at Matt Tubbs feet, on touch and he lobbed keeper Beavon to put the Reds ahead, the away terrace erupted which a crescendo of noise I think could have been heard in Exeter.

1-0 up and controlling now the game. Crawley continued to contain Torquay and in the second half were awarded a penalty when home striker Chris Zebroski was sent off for a second yellow card for handball by referee Darren Deadman.

It was a chance to put the game out of the home side’s reach– Mr Reliable Matt Tubbs took it, on target but a great save by the keeper to keep the home side just the one goal behind.

Seven minutes later, another penalty for the Red Devils, no Tubbs, this time Craig McAllister steps up again the keeper saves – this game we just can’t put it to bed.

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Torquay’s 10 pushed the visitors back trying for the equaliser and in a player’s brawl saw the referee dismiss Crawley’s Dean Howell with ten minutes remaining.

That was eight yellow cards and two reds in the game and not one for Steve Evans.

Full-time approached, nail-biting stuff, the seagulls had one last effort which fortunately cannoned off the cross bar, but try as they did, it was us the non-leaguers who were victorious and in the hat for the 5th round.

The players and management came over to the away terracing and seats applauding the fans for their encouragement and support it was then the greatest feeling being a Crawley supporter – little did we know what was to follow for the remainder of the season.

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The trip home was discussions about the missed penalties and who we could get in the next round with the draw to be made on Monday evening. It was a day no Crawley supporter will ever forget even if they weren’t able to travel.

The picture show the coach signs we had made up for the Torquay trip, the missing one is Torres, which we believe was taken by a supporter – when we arrived back in Crawley – I hope it’s still about.

It’s a shame that due to the current Covid and travel restrictions we can’t travel on Saturday, we may have even used these names on the coaches again – it brought us luck last time – and Yes Dannie Bulman is still playing for us now as he was then, ten years on.