Torquay United chairman 'hurt and upset' over FA Cup loss
Last updated on .From the section Torquay
Torquay United chairman David Phillips says he is upset by the team's performance in their 3-0 FA Cup loss at Basingstoke Town.
Basingstoke have not won a league game all season in National League South.
"I am as hurt and upset as you about the performance," Phillips said.
"It fell below the standards we expect and I can assure you that the staff and players will be working extremely hard so that it won't happen again," he added in a statement to supporters.
| Torquay's FA Cup recent woes |
|---|
| 2015: Lost 3-0 at Basingstoke Town in fourth qualifying round |
| 2014: Lost 2-0 to Aldershot in in fourth qualifying round |
| 2013: Lost 2-0 to Rochdale in first round |
| 2012: Lost 1-0 to Harrogate Town in first round |
The Gulls have not won an FA Cup match for four successive seasons, and the fourth-qualifying round loss was just the second time in club history that they have not made the first round proper.
It caps a difficult few months for the National League club, having seen their manager and director of football resign as they battle financial pressures after millionaire owner Thea Bristow sold the club in the summer.
"It's my fault, obviously we weren't prepared well enough," player-manager Kevin Nicholson told BBC Radio Devon after the game.
"It comes down to preparation and I'm the guy that prepared them, so I've got to up my game and make sure I get them ready for next week to go and beat Altrincham.
"It's not fun to get booed off by your fans, but we've been over there quick enough in the last three games to clap them when we've done well and we've been received well and it's right to go and take what's coming to you when you've not done well."
