Lifelong Taunton Town fans tell of excitement ahead of first round tie vs Barrow AFC

Stepping through the turnstiles at the Viridor Stadium on Saturday, it was clear that great nostalgia for past exploits and no little praise for what is being achieved now has rekindled that enthusiasm from all those years ago.

You need to go only a few steps inside the ground before you come across programme-seller Marcel Gunns, himself a top local league player with Cobblers, Monkton and Hulan in the 1970s and '80s.

He said: "This is what it's all about; that's why we volunteer.

"I've been supporting the club for over 50 years and something like a cup run or promotion makes it all worthwhile.

(Marcel Gunns)

"The pitch is now in great nick and, bit by bit, facilities are improving."

Walk around to the top goalmouth terrace and chatting away are two stars of the 1981 Cup run who played in the 1st Round match at Swindon - Tony Payne and Terry Edwards.

They've met up with another former Town player, Martin Darby, and his son, Matthew, fresh back from America (for a flying visit).

Tony Payne played 'over 1,000' games for Taunton Town and was acknowledged by his peers as one of the best Non-League players in the country.

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Tony said: "It certainly brings back memories of 1981 and all the media coverage.

"There's a group of us who are regular fans of the latest team and some of there performances have been fabulous.

"We just want to see good football . . . and that's what we're getting with this group of players.

"The club is hoping to have a reunion of the 1981 squad on the match day against Barrow, so that would be something else to look forward to."

Terry Edwards, who played over 500 games for Taunton Town, ended up in the side as a striker converted to a defender with a prodigious leap who caused defences no end of problems.

He said: "It's really great to come down to the ground and feel the atmosphere."

Matt Darby has just returned home from America after spending seven months as a greenkeeper preparing the Ryder Cup course at Hazeltine, Minnesota.

He said: "Not only is it great to be home but I could not have returned at a better time.

"I'm hoping to be around for the big match before I fly off for another assignment."

Waiting for Saturday's game against Winchester to start was John Quick, who watched his first Taunton Town match in 1960.

(John Quick)

He said: "The manager is obviously resting a few players today but he has built a good squad here, so it shouldn't make too much difference to the performance.

"I've seen the good and bad times but things are looking good at the moment with players like Owen Irish and Pierce Mitchell excelling.

"And the recent introduction of Shane Wright has certainly added an extra dimension."

Also on the terraces are Allan and Joyce Kirk.

Allan has supported Taunton Town through the Western League years and success and failure in the FA Vase.

He said: "We've been lucky here at Taunton, what with the Swindon Town match and the two Vase finals.

"And I've seen one of the best non-league players, Tony Payne, grace this pitch and put in some wonderful performances.

"A lot of praise must go to Kevin Sturmey, who has worked tirelessly to improve things down here and this cup run is his and our reward for sticking with it."

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Joyce said: "I remember the Diss Town game when all those extra minutes were added on; that still rankles.

"We must not go into the game thinking we've done enough getting this far. We have to play to win.

"Another performance like the one at Hemel Hempstead and we can beat Barrow, too.

"This is Taunton's chance to make FA Cup history."

Tim Symes is a relative 'newby' to the Viridor Stadium and this is his first season watching as a regular.

He said: "Up until this season I have been restricted by having to work weekends.

"Now I am retired, I can see most of the games.

"I want to tell Taunton people this is far better than sitting at home watching the television.

"We have already seen some great matches down here this season.

"I'm thinking of buying a scarf next year!"

Darren Summerhayes also watches as many matches as work commitments allow.

He said: "It's great meeting up with people on a regular basis and getting to know the players.

"They play good football on a great surface - and this cup run is a bonus.

"My son, Cameron, is also a regular and some of his friends have started to come down.

(Darren Summerheyes and Tim Symes)

"So, this can only be good for the long-term future of the club."

Clive Perrott is a life-long fan, who has also put in the hard graft behind the scenes over the years.

He has been a club director, team minibus driver, Supporters Club chairman and loyal supporter in over 54 years.

Clive said: "My granddad was a keen supporter and he first brought me down in the early '60s.

"Over the years, it has been very rewarding supporting the town.

"The mere fact of being involved has spawned 35 years of friendship with people from all parts of the country.

"How many non-league supporters can say they have been involved in two FA Vase finals and two FA Cup 1st Round matches and all that brings?

"I'm so lucky to have been involved with such a club."

FOR a nostalgic look back on Taunton's only previous appearance in the first round, see our eight-page supplement in this week's County Gazette