On the eve of the 2020-21 campaign, Exeter City received a welcome boost to their coffers with the news that former starlet Ollie Watkins has left Championship Brentford for a move to the Premier League with Aston Villa.
While Watkins will be reunited with Villains manager Dean Smith, who signed him for the Bees for £1.8 million in 2017 - a record fee received for the Grecians - the £28million fee - that could rise to £33 million. His move to the West Midlands has netted City another £3.5 million via a sell-on clause.
This windfall will no doubt help the Grecians to weather 'Storm Covid' and will undoubtably ensure that they are in a stronger position than many lower league clubs in this time of financial uncertainty for lower league clubs.
However, it is also highly likely that at least part of the fee will be channelled back into the club's academy to help unearth the next Ollie Watkins. By joining the Villains, Watkins will become the fourth former Exeter City product to be contracted to a Premier League club. It's a list that includes Ben Chrisene, who Watkins will be joining at Villa Park, Jay Stansfield, son of the late Adam Stansfield, who is currently at Fulham and Wales international Ethan Ampadu will be spending next season on loan at Sheffield United from Chelsea. It is worth noting that Chrisene's move saw him join the Villains' academy and Stansfield left St James Park without making a first time appearance.
Many years ago, the lower leagues were once a breeding ground for top-flight talent. However, nowadays that is often not the case, with the only transfer of note between a Premier League side and a League club in the last 12 months was Jarrad Branthwaite's move from Carlisle United to Everton in January 2020. So for the Grecians to have four academy graduates currently contracted to Premier League clubs is a fine achievement.
Their commitment to youth remains undimmed and the likes of Harry Kite, Ben Seymour, Alex Hartridge and Josh Key will be looking to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Ampadu, Watkins and current Swansea City skipper Matt Grimes, while others such as Archie Collins have already cemented a place in the Grecians' first team.
Nevertheless, eight senior players departed St James Park in the summer, including Dean Moxey, Craig Woodman and Lee Holmes, but manager Matt Taylor has looked to address this with the signings of Jake Caprice, Lewis Page and Rory McArdle. The experience of Northern Ireland international McArdle, who was a Carling Cup finalist with Bradford City in 2013, could be particularly important.
At the time of writing the Grecians are currently fourth favourites to win the League Two title, behind Bolton Wanderers, Salford City and Mansfield Town, which reflects the reputation that they have gained after losing three play-off finals in the last four seasons.
If City were able to reach a fourth play-off final in five years, or go one better and secure automatic promotion it would be an incredible achievement for what looks set to be one of the youngest sides in the division.
Player to Watch: Archie Collins
In a season which is likely to see the Grecians rely heavily on youth, Archie Collins - a player who has been with the club since the age of nine - is likely to be a key figure. He was handed the captain's armband last season against Cambridge United in the first round of the FA Cup in the absence of regular skipper Jake Taylor and, after being handed the number 10 shirt, will undoubtably continue to play an influential role for Matt Taylor's men.
Friday, 11 September 2020
Wednesday, 9 September 2020
JOHNSON ADDS UMERAH TO GULLS SQUAD
Torquay United manager Gary Johnson hinted that he was saving room in his squad for a 'Roy of the Rovers' signing, and former Ebbsfleet striker Josh Umerah could yet fit that bill.
Umerah,23, faced the Gulls twice last season - and netted a brace against them in October 2019 in a 4-2 defeat for the Fleet in a game that also saw Johnson take the number of points that United had won since he took over to over 100. He also featured in the Fleet's 0-0 draw with the Gulls at Plainmoor in January 2020.
His arrival - in addition to the signing of Dean Moxey - takes the United squad up to 22 and Johnson expressed his delight at getting him on board.
"I'm very pleased that Josh has agreed to join us," said Johnson. "He gives us, as I have always said,another golf club in our bag. He's a presence, he's quick and strong and gives us another option up front. I am pleased with my squad now, and if we can keep everyone fit and healty then we've got a competitive one."
After coming through the youth ranks at Charlton Athletic, he enjoyed loan stints with Kilmarnock, Wycombe Wanderers and Boreham Wood before joining Ebbsfleet United in the summer of 2019; he then went on to find the back of the net for the Fleet five times in 30 appearances in the 2019-20 season.
He also follows in the footsteps of another striker who left Ebbsfleet to sign for a team managed by Johnson in John Akinde, who the United boss previously signed for Bristol City. Akinde, who was an FA Trophy winner with the Fleet in 2008, arrived at Ashton Gate early in the 2008-09 season. Whilst he never became a regular for the Robins, he did enjoy a good career in the lower leagues with the likes of Barnet and Lincoln City amongst others and is currently plying his trade in League One with Gillingham.
Monday, 7 September 2020
SEASON PREVIEW 2020-21: PLYMOUTH ARGYLE
After securing his second promotion from League Two in his managerial career with Plymouth Argyle in the 2019-20 season, Ryan Lowe is now embarking on his first full season as a manager in League One with the Pilgrims.
The circumstances in which it was secured proved to be something of an anti-climatic - the points per game method due to the coronavirus pandemic.
However, Argyle can take inspiration from last season's League One promotion winners; champions Coventry City, runners-up Rotherham United and play-off winners Wycombe Wanderers all displayed fine examples where good recruitment, a defined playing style and a talented management can achieve, as all three outperformed better supported and better resourced sides - most notably Sunderland, Portsmouth and Ipswich Town.
Lowe has looked to revitalise his squad with a number of new signings, including midfielder Lewis McLeod from Wigan Athletic, Franck Nouble from Colchester United and Kelland Watts on loan from Newcastle United. All three started the Pilgrims' recent 3-2 Carabao Cup win over Queens Park Rangers, with Nouble scoring the winner.
Last season's loan signings Ryan Hardie and George Cooper have both returned to the club on a permanent basis from their parent clubs Blackpool and Peterborough United respectively. Midfielder George Cooper's signing from Peterborough is a particular statement of intent from the Pilgrims, as he agreed a three-year deal after Lowe paid an undisclosed fee for his services. He looks set to fill the void left by Antoni Sarcevic's return north to sign for Bolton Wanderers.
Another player making a return to Home Park is goalkeeper Luke McCormick, who starts a third spell with the Pilgrims after signing from Swindon Town. In his first spell with the Pilgrims between 2001 and 2008, McCormick was mentored by Romain Larrieu and he will be looking to provide the same level of guidance to young goalkeeping hopeful Michael Cooper, who will be looking to establish himself as first choice keeper.
At the other end of the pitch, young striker Luke Jephcott will be looking to build on a promising season which saw him score four goals in six league appearances, which helped him to earn a call-up to the Wales Under-21 side.
History has shown when Plymouth Argyle win promotion the fourth tier that they can make a big impact in their new surroundings; After winning the Division Three title in the 2001-02 season under Paul Sturrock they finished eighth in Division Two and they followed up their promotion from League Two under Derek Adams in the 2016-17 campaign with a seventh-placed finish in the 2017-18 campaign. One thing is for sure - under Ryan Lowe the Pilgrims will be looking to do more than just make up the numbers in League One.
Player to watch: Danny Mayor
A key player in both of Ryan Lowe's promotions with Bury and the Pilgrims, the Argyle boss has said that he wants the former Shakers playmaker to be more selfish after only scoring once in 40 appearances in the 2019-20 season. This is in direction contrast to the 2018-19 campaign with Bury, where he scored 12 times in 43 starts and one sub appearance. He has already opened his account by scoring against QPR in the Carabao Cup and he has also taken over the penalty takers responsibility following the departure of Antoni Sarcevic.
Tuesday, 1 September 2020
MOXEY JOINS THE GULLS
After receiving the news that left-back Liam Davis will be out for longer than expected Torquay United manager Gary Johnson reacted quickly to secure the signature of the versatile former Exeter City defender Dean Moxey as cover.
Davis, 33, who became United's longest serving player in the summer following the departure of Jamie Reid to Mansfield Town, had missed the latter part of the 2019-20 campaign with a serious ankle injury and his return has not proved to be as straightforward as first thought.
Therefore Johnson responded to this setback by snapping up the vastly experienced Moxey, 34, who been released by the Grecians following their League Two Play-off final defeat at the hands of Northampton Town.
A versatile player who has appeared as a left winger, a left back and also as a left-sided centre back in a three-man defence, Moxey has won four promotions in his career which has seen him appear for Derby County, Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers, after starting out with Exeter City. He won promotions from the National League and League Two with the Grecians between 2007-2009, as they achieved back-to-back promotions under Paul Tisdale. Four years later he was part of the Crystal Palace side that won promotion to the Premier League in the 2012-13 season - via the play-offs - under Ian Holloway. His most recent promotion success came in the 2016-17 campaign, when he helped Bolton win promotion from League One before he returned to St James Park in the summer of 2017.
Other notable career highlights of his include appearing in a Carling Cup semi-final for Crystal Palace against Cardiff City in the 2011-12 season and he also made 20 Premier League appearances for the Eagles in the 2013-14 campaign, not to mention scoring the winning goal for the Grecians against Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup second round in the 2004-05 season - which set up their memorable third round tie with Manchester United.
Davis, 33, who became United's longest serving player in the summer following the departure of Jamie Reid to Mansfield Town, had missed the latter part of the 2019-20 campaign with a serious ankle injury and his return has not proved to be as straightforward as first thought.
Therefore Johnson responded to this setback by snapping up the vastly experienced Moxey, 34, who been released by the Grecians following their League Two Play-off final defeat at the hands of Northampton Town.
A versatile player who has appeared as a left winger, a left back and also as a left-sided centre back in a three-man defence, Moxey has won four promotions in his career which has seen him appear for Derby County, Crystal Palace and Bolton Wanderers, after starting out with Exeter City. He won promotions from the National League and League Two with the Grecians between 2007-2009, as they achieved back-to-back promotions under Paul Tisdale. Four years later he was part of the Crystal Palace side that won promotion to the Premier League in the 2012-13 season - via the play-offs - under Ian Holloway. His most recent promotion success came in the 2016-17 campaign, when he helped Bolton win promotion from League One before he returned to St James Park in the summer of 2017.
Other notable career highlights of his include appearing in a Carling Cup semi-final for Crystal Palace against Cardiff City in the 2011-12 season and he also made 20 Premier League appearances for the Eagles in the 2013-14 campaign, not to mention scoring the winning goal for the Grecians against Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup second round in the 2004-05 season - which set up their memorable third round tie with Manchester United.
Monday, 17 August 2020
ALAN WELSH 1947-2020
In modern times they have been a number of players who have joined Torquay United after leaving Plymouth Argyle, but Alan Welsh, who has sadly passed away recently, bucked that trend.
After starting his career with Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic in his native Scotland, Edinburgh-born Welsh joined Millwall in 1965 and made five appearances for the Lions before he was first enticed to Devon by Frank O'Farrell in 1967, when the Irishman signed him for Torquay United.
He made his debut for United on November 5, 1967 in an away fixture to Mansfield Town as part of a new look strike pairing with the legendary Robin Stubbs. A month later Welsh scored his first of the seven goals that he would score for United in the 1967-68 campaign in a 2-0 victory over Southport on December 5, 1967, as he finished his first season at Plainmoor as United's joint-second top scorer with Ronnie Barnes. It was a contribution that proved to be valuable for United as they recorded their highest ever league finish of fourth in the 'old' Division Three - now League One - agonisingly missing out on promotion to the 'old' Second Division (now Championship).
Welsh remained at Plainmoor until 1971 when he joined Plymouth Argyle for a fee of £15,000. The irony of this move was that arguably his finest hour in a United shirt came against the Pilgrims on November 5, 1968, when he scored United's second and decisive goal as they beat Argyle to secure their first ever league win at Home Park. The result led to a sparky response from the then Pilgrims' manager Billy Bingham who declared that Torquay were 'a lucky side' and 'over my dead body' would they win the return fixture.
In addition to this, Welsh also won United's player of the year for the 1969-70 season - a campaign which he finished as the Gulls' leading scorer with 15 goals.
His move to Home Park also coincided with the Gulls' relegation from Division Four and a time when many of his former Plainmoor colleagues headed to AFC Bournemouth where another of his former United teammates John Bond was manager. It was a period in the Gulls' history known as the 'Bond Burglary'.
Whilst with the Pilgrims Welsh formed a fine striker partnership with a young Paul Mariner - who Waiters had plucked from non-league Chorley.
He was also a virtual ever-present for a period of 18 months during which time he helped Argyle to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup in the 1973-74 season under Tony Waiters. Welsh made an important contribution in their run to semis, as he netted a brace in their 3-0 fourth round win over QPR at Loftus Road and was also on target in their 2-1 victory over Birmingham City in the fifth round.
Following their semi-final defeat to Manchester City, which the Pilgrims lost 3-1 over two legs, he was described by BBC commentator John Motson as 'a player who should be playing in the top division'; a fine compliment when you consider he was partnering Mariner who would later win a UEFA Cup winner's medal with Ipswich Town in 1981 and represent England in the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
The semi-final defeat to City proved to be his final appearance for the Pilgrims as he was sold to Bournemouth for a fee of £30,000. Welsh later made a brief return to Millwall and had short spell in non-league football with Maidstone United before finishing his career in South Africa with Cape Town City.
After starting his career with Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic in his native Scotland, Edinburgh-born Welsh joined Millwall in 1965 and made five appearances for the Lions before he was first enticed to Devon by Frank O'Farrell in 1967, when the Irishman signed him for Torquay United.
He made his debut for United on November 5, 1967 in an away fixture to Mansfield Town as part of a new look strike pairing with the legendary Robin Stubbs. A month later Welsh scored his first of the seven goals that he would score for United in the 1967-68 campaign in a 2-0 victory over Southport on December 5, 1967, as he finished his first season at Plainmoor as United's joint-second top scorer with Ronnie Barnes. It was a contribution that proved to be valuable for United as they recorded their highest ever league finish of fourth in the 'old' Division Three - now League One - agonisingly missing out on promotion to the 'old' Second Division (now Championship).
Welsh remained at Plainmoor until 1971 when he joined Plymouth Argyle for a fee of £15,000. The irony of this move was that arguably his finest hour in a United shirt came against the Pilgrims on November 5, 1968, when he scored United's second and decisive goal as they beat Argyle to secure their first ever league win at Home Park. The result led to a sparky response from the then Pilgrims' manager Billy Bingham who declared that Torquay were 'a lucky side' and 'over my dead body' would they win the return fixture.
In addition to this, Welsh also won United's player of the year for the 1969-70 season - a campaign which he finished as the Gulls' leading scorer with 15 goals.
His move to Home Park also coincided with the Gulls' relegation from Division Four and a time when many of his former Plainmoor colleagues headed to AFC Bournemouth where another of his former United teammates John Bond was manager. It was a period in the Gulls' history known as the 'Bond Burglary'.
Whilst with the Pilgrims Welsh formed a fine striker partnership with a young Paul Mariner - who Waiters had plucked from non-league Chorley.
He was also a virtual ever-present for a period of 18 months during which time he helped Argyle to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup in the 1973-74 season under Tony Waiters. Welsh made an important contribution in their run to semis, as he netted a brace in their 3-0 fourth round win over QPR at Loftus Road and was also on target in their 2-1 victory over Birmingham City in the fifth round.
Following their semi-final defeat to Manchester City, which the Pilgrims lost 3-1 over two legs, he was described by BBC commentator John Motson as 'a player who should be playing in the top division'; a fine compliment when you consider he was partnering Mariner who would later win a UEFA Cup winner's medal with Ipswich Town in 1981 and represent England in the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
The semi-final defeat to City proved to be his final appearance for the Pilgrims as he was sold to Bournemouth for a fee of £30,000. Welsh later made a brief return to Millwall and had short spell in non-league football with Maidstone United before finishing his career in South Africa with Cape Town City.
Saturday, 15 August 2020
CONNOR IS A GULL
The worst kept secret in football has finally been revealed
following the unveiling of Connor Lemonheigh-Evans as a Torquay United player.
Former Wales Under-21 international Lemonheigh-Evans, 23,
has enjoyed four different loan spells at Plainmoor between 2018 and 2020; but he
now follows in the footsteps of his former Ashton Gate colleague Jake Andrews in
signing for United on a permanent basis from the Robins for an undisclosed fee.
“It’s
a fantastic signing for our club. Connor has committed himself to the area, and
I look forward to once again working with him for the coming season. He was
unlucky last season with a couple of bad tackles that led to lengthy injuries,
but he’s 100% now, and Connor at 100% is a real asset to us.”
Over the course of his previous loan stints with the Gulls,
Lemonheigh-Evans has made a total of 73 appearances and scored eight goals and
made 19 assists. This goal scoring hauls includes a brace in the FA Cup fourth
qualifying round against Winchester City in October 2019, which came less than
a week after he had netted a brace for Wales Under-21’s against Switzerland.
His time at Plainmoor has also seen many highs and lows; in the first spell with the Gulls they were relegated from the National League
under Gary Owers, who he had previously played under Bath City. However, he
returned to Plainmoor in the 2018-19 campaign under Johnson and was part of the
United side that lifted the National League South title.
Lemonheigh-Evans’ capture now takes the United squad up to
20, which gives Johnson the choice of a strong first eleven with five good quality
options from the bench along with four development players in the form of
rookie pros Olaf Koszela, Louis Slough, Owen Price and JJ Evans.
Wednesday, 5 August 2020
GULLS AIM TO DO THINGS GARY'S WAY
The names might be different, but in term of style it could be argued that there are certain similarities.
For Kevin Ratcliffe read Kyle Cameron, for Kevin Sheedy read Jake Andrews, for Adrian Heath read Ben Whitfield and for Andy Gray read Danny Wright. As Gary Johnson looks to add the finishing touches to his Torquay United squad ahead of the 2020-21 season, his squad possesses certain players who, in terms of style, bear a passing a resembelance to Everton's league title winning side of the 1984-85 season under the late Howard Kendall.
While Kendall's signing of Gray from Wolves for a fee of £250,000 was considered something of a risk - owing to the Scotsman's long term knee problems - his arrival provided a young side full of promising talents with a leader both on and off the field; his presence helped to transform them from being a promising team full of potential into eventual league champions.
At the age of 32, Gray's move to Goodison Park represented his final chance to win one of the English game's major honours and he ended his tenure with the Toffees with an FA Cup winner's medal (1984), a league championship winner's medal (1984-85) and the European Cup Winner's Cup medal (1985). Wright might be slightly older than Gray at 35, but his arrival at Plainmoor, following his release by Solihull Moors, is arguably his last chance to add to the National League South title winner's medal he won with Histon in the 2006-07 season, the FA Trophy winner's medal he earned with Wrexham in 2013 and the National League title he won while working under Johnson in the 2015-16 campaign at Cheltenham Town.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has proved to be one of the most challenging situations that English football has faced in many years, and the wider consequences of it could yet be felt for many years to come. However, the Gulls appear to be better equipped to deal with the fallout of the crisis than many other National League clubs. At the time of writing Johnson is reportedly on the verge of adding an attacking midfielder to his squad - widely tipped to be former Bristol City loanee Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - in the same week that it was announced that Dover Athletic could be on the verge of insolvency after their contracted players refused to take a 20% pay cut.
As the National League season won't be starting until October 3, the Premier League and the EFL campaigns commence on September 12, United have had to delay the start of their pre-season training, with a planned behind closed door pre-season friendly with Buckland Athletic being cancelled, and their playing staff have remained on the Government's furlough scheme.
Hopefully, once the season does get underway it will prove to be a successful one for the Gulls as they aim to do things Gary Johnson's way.
For Kevin Ratcliffe read Kyle Cameron, for Kevin Sheedy read Jake Andrews, for Adrian Heath read Ben Whitfield and for Andy Gray read Danny Wright. As Gary Johnson looks to add the finishing touches to his Torquay United squad ahead of the 2020-21 season, his squad possesses certain players who, in terms of style, bear a passing a resembelance to Everton's league title winning side of the 1984-85 season under the late Howard Kendall.
While Kendall's signing of Gray from Wolves for a fee of £250,000 was considered something of a risk - owing to the Scotsman's long term knee problems - his arrival provided a young side full of promising talents with a leader both on and off the field; his presence helped to transform them from being a promising team full of potential into eventual league champions.
At the age of 32, Gray's move to Goodison Park represented his final chance to win one of the English game's major honours and he ended his tenure with the Toffees with an FA Cup winner's medal (1984), a league championship winner's medal (1984-85) and the European Cup Winner's Cup medal (1985). Wright might be slightly older than Gray at 35, but his arrival at Plainmoor, following his release by Solihull Moors, is arguably his last chance to add to the National League South title winner's medal he won with Histon in the 2006-07 season, the FA Trophy winner's medal he earned with Wrexham in 2013 and the National League title he won while working under Johnson in the 2015-16 campaign at Cheltenham Town.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has proved to be one of the most challenging situations that English football has faced in many years, and the wider consequences of it could yet be felt for many years to come. However, the Gulls appear to be better equipped to deal with the fallout of the crisis than many other National League clubs. At the time of writing Johnson is reportedly on the verge of adding an attacking midfielder to his squad - widely tipped to be former Bristol City loanee Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - in the same week that it was announced that Dover Athletic could be on the verge of insolvency after their contracted players refused to take a 20% pay cut.
As the National League season won't be starting until October 3, the Premier League and the EFL campaigns commence on September 12, United have had to delay the start of their pre-season training, with a planned behind closed door pre-season friendly with Buckland Athletic being cancelled, and their playing staff have remained on the Government's furlough scheme.
Hopefully, once the season does get underway it will prove to be a successful one for the Gulls as they aim to do things Gary Johnson's way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)