Four decades of services, 50/50 tickets by the thousand for a United icon

Every football club has certain individuals who embody all that it means to love your team, your fellow fans and the environment that brings you great joy and happiness.

For Ann Shepherd, 77, who lives on Florida Road, her happy and safe place is Plainmoor, Torquay United shaping many years of her life, with five generations of the family all dedicated to the Yellow Army.

Ann is a more than familiar face at Torquay United, the classic part of the furniture, happily strolling through the bars, boxes and stands to sell 50/50 tickets to a fanbase that knows and loves her so much.

“I’ve been coming here since the 1980s,” said Ann. “I was born just outside Newton Abbot and went to school at Coombeshead.

“I married my husband John in 1984 and we had three children together, Joanne, Kevin and Daniel. Kevin, my eldest, sold programmes at the club for 30 years and still a season-ticket holder, Joanne worked here after starting in the shop at the age of 15 and Daniel was a mascot when he was two.

“My husband was also a huge fan and we have actually had five generations of the family involved. My father-in-law, John Shepherd, started playing for Torquay United, then it was myself and my husband, three children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“My eldest would come to Plainmoor with his mates and we used to sit in the Family Stand. I remember just talking to someone at the ground and they mentioned the club needed 50/50 sellers and asked if I was interested. I gave it a go and never looked back.  

“One of my sadder memories was from a man who passed away on the Popside during Mike Bateson’s time as chairman, and it came over the tannoy asking me to go and see Mike immediately because they thought it was a neighbour of mine.

“Mike asked me to identify him because the club didn’t want to ring his wife and be wrong. It was my neighbour, Ron. I saw his daughter not long ago and she said it had been 23 years since her dad passed away, and I’d been selling 50/50 tickets for a few years before that.

“My ‘patch’ for selling tickets is in the Cove restaurant, the boxes and the bars and when the match kicks-off, I walk along the Family Stand. I just enjoy making money for the club and I’ve got to know so many people down the years.

“I love being involved and something for me to enjoy now that I’m on my own. I lost my husband four years ago; he passed away on Boxing Day. I was actually getting ready to come to football and he was sadly gone in four hours after falling ill with an aneurysm in his stomach.

“He didn’t choose a good day to go!

“Coming back to Torquay United was a huge comfort after John’s passing. He loved the football, we had the wake here at Plainmoor and it was so important for me to be back at the place I know so well.

“Down the years, I’ve seen so many big personalities and fantastic footballers. I will be here for as long as the club wants me and as long as my health allows.

“The 50/50 draw is a huge tradition in football, I hope it lasts forever. I’ve also worked in the shop and on reception but it is fair to say the 50/50 has been my main role, although I do remember coming to the club on weekends, painting the stands, cleaning toilets and the seats.

“The family has come to Torquay United through the generations and a football club I will always love and cherish.”