Gulls fans dreaming of Wembley

CHEERS erupted at Torquay United's Plainmoor ground as the ball was drawn for a home game against Championship side Coventry in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

And the mood was confident that the Gulls can see off the Sky Blues and make it to the last 16.

The match over the weekend of January 24/25 will be the first time the two sides have met since 1986 when Torquay lost 1-0 at Coventry's former Highfield Road ground.

Fans, directors, managers and players packed into Plainmoor's bars and suites yesterday to watch the cup draw live from FA headquarters in London's Soho Square.

Nervous excitement and trepidation filled the Gulls Nest bar where many had gathered to witness the draw which could have boosted the club's coffers with the promise of a clash against a Big Four Premiership side.

The mood was captured live on Sky Sports, who made the trip down to Devon to record the moment the non-league side found out who they would be facing.

Murmurs of 'we need a big one' rippled across the room as the big screens in the bar played the final moments of the Gillingham and Aston Villa game, before cutting live to the draw.

Shouts of disbelief greeted the news Liverpool had drawn Everton, likewise when fellow non-league Kettering drew Fulham.

And when ball 15 (Torquay United) was picked and paired with 31 (Coventry) a cheer erupted. Manager Paul Buckle was quick to admit it was not the dream tie he hoped for, but he insisted it was a good result.

Skipper Chris Hargreaves hopes the Gulls can record another win after their 1-0 victory against Championship side Blackpool.

Skipper and midfielder Chris Hargreaves said: "It's pretty much 'same as' really and we hope we can get the same result as we did against Blackpool.

"Obviously it would have been great to have been drawn against one of the big Premier league clubs but that is just the way the draw goes — and all the big clubs seemed to come out quickly and against each other."

Left-back Kevin Nicholson added: "It's similar to the last draw, there is no two ways about it but, after our win against Blackpool, we will be going into it with a lot of confidence and we will fancy our chances.

"Coventry are a good side and they are going to be favourites to win it but they will not be looking forward to coming to Plainmoor — it's a tough place to come and we will not be a walkover for them."

Club vice-chairman Simon Baker said: "It is a winnable game which would put us into the fifth round. It is the fifth home draw in the FA Cup so far. Coventry are in the same league as Blackpool so it does not seem that different."

Lottery winner, scout group leader and United director Paul Bristow said he was 'quite happy' with the draw.

"Manchester United away would have been great, but it was not to be," he said.

"It would have set us up financially for a couple of years but Coventry are a good club and I am quite happy with that."

Lifelong Gulls fan Mark Pym, of Princes Road, Torquay, added: "I would have liked one of the top four Premiership clubs but this is good enough.

"It's good for the players and there is a chance we could win."

Ties will be played over the weekend of January 24 and 25.

COVENTRY CLASH IS 'WINNABLE' — See Sport Back Page and United We Stand