Graeme Cozens

As a 15 year old, supporting Torquay from my home in London in the late 1960s had some memorable challenges.

I was fortunate enough to get complimentary tickets to certain away matches courtesy of the manager, Frank O’Farrell, with whom I regularly corresponded, and I also received tips about goalkeeping from my favourite player, Andy Donnelly.

Especially memorable, though, was the kindness of a certain Mrs Stuckey who organised supporters’ travel. She allowed me to travel back to Devon on the coach after an evening game at Gillingham and even gave me a bed for the night when we arrived in Torquay in the early hours.

For me, it’s the warmth and friendliness of the small club that keeps the heart of football beating.