Torquay United: 'Phenomenal' support for crisis-hit club in 2-2 Aveley draw

Torquay fans packed Plainmoor to show their support for the financially troubled club

Torquay United interim manager Aaron Downes has described the support of the financially troubled club in their 2-2 draw with Aveley as "phenomenal".

A crowd of 3,642 showed up to the National League South fixture, two days after the club announced it was intending to go into administration.

Owner Clarke Osborne says he can no longer fund the club.

The Gulls have been been put up for sale and face a 10-point deduction should they enter administration.

The crowd was much larger than normal at Plainmoor this season, with fans also flooding the bar and buying food and merchandise to try to help fund Torquay in the short term.

"The support shown to this football club in the last 48 hours is from me expected, but it's been nothing short of phenomenal," Downes told BBC Radio Devon.

"The way they've shown their support today by coming in numbers, but not just that, we've had tickets bought from all over the world knowing that they can't be here.

"We've had other clubs supporting us. We've had donations flooding in and it's just so humbling and so heartening to know that this community and this football club is thought of so highly around this country and the world."

Osborne, who has owned the club since 2016, is set to lose millions after announcing his intention to walk away after being unable to continue his financial support - which added up to well over £4m.

Manager Gary Johnson also left on Thursday, leaving his assistant and former Gulls defender Downes in charge for the game with Aveley.

Downes was keen to appreciate the support shown to Torquay United

Torquay led 2-0 after 35 minutes after goals from Aaron Jarvis and Brad Ash.

But Siju Odelusi equalised from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time before Eduino Vaz's spectacular long-range volley early in the second half ensured a point for the Essex side.

It leaves the Gulls 11th in National League South on 47 points - should they go into administration and be docked 10 points they would slip to 18th place.

"I'm so proud to be playing my little bit in trying to get us a few wins and I'm so proud of the supporters in the way showed up," Downes added.

"It just goes to show that when the chips are down, and tough times are upon us, that we can really get together.

"What we've shown today is that this club can be unified and the support is just phenomenal, and I want to thank every single person that has showed up today or shown their support in some way."