Torquay United manager Martin Ling has made the first flurry of signings since he was appointed as successor to Paul Buckle.
Joe Oastler, who was with the Gulls last season on loan from Queens Park Rangers, has joined Torquay on a permanent basis. He was soon followed by the returning Chris McPhee who previously played for the Gulls during the 2006-07 season, the campaign that saw Torquay lose their league status.
The trio is completed by Daniel Leadbitter, a young right back who has recently been released from Newcastle United., whom Ling had been monitoring during scouting missions for Hibernian and Walsall
Out of the three signings the one that will probably raise the most eyebrows amongst the Gulls' faithful is the acquisition of McPhee who, of course, made 43 appearances in all competitions (26 as a sub) and scored one goal as the Gulls plummetted out of the Football League.
It was a campaign which both player and supporters alike would prefer to forget and McPhee has already stated his desire to right what he considers to be a wrong in his career. It is probably fair to say that few were able to thrive professionally in the environment at Plainmoor at that time as the club had three managers and three chairmen in the space of a season.
Since leaving Plainmoor in 2007, McPhee has enjoyed successful spells with Ebbsfleet United and Kidderminster Harriers in the Blue Square Premier and he was on the score sheet for Ebbsfleet when they beat the Gulls 1-0 in the FA Trophy final in 2008.
The trio could be joined very soon by former Leyton Orient central defender Brian Saah and former midfield favourite Alex Russell looks set to return to the Gulls in a player-coach after announcing he will be leaving Yeovil Town.
Both players are known to have been in talks with Martin Ling.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Monday, 27 June 2011
SKIVO CREATES TWANSFER HISTORY
In recent years, the use of social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter have had an impact on everyday life.
But now, for the first time, it may have played a key role in the transfer of a footballer as Yeovil Town manager Terry Skiverton snapped up former Everton striker Kieran Agard, following his release from the Toffees, after being made aware of his availability via his Twitter account. thus creating the world's first 'twansfer'.
Whether the signing of Agard was solely down to the suggestions of fans on the social networking site remains to be seen. Indeed Agard had previously been on loan at Peterborough United, where, at the time, former Glovers' boss Gary Johnson had been in charge and would therefore been in a position to give his former captain a second opinion on him.
If nothing else, the move is a good PR move for a club that has been battling falling attendance figures during the previous campaign and could be seen as a good way of bridging the gap between the playing staff and the supporters.
Also, in a close seseen a number of star names leave Huish Park, including last season's leading scorer Dean Bowditch, a player who Agard is likely to be regarded as a replacement for, Andy Welsh, Nathan Smith and Adam Virgo as well as a possible departure of Craig Alcock, it will give the Glovers' faithful something to smile about at the very least.
But now, for the first time, it may have played a key role in the transfer of a footballer as Yeovil Town manager Terry Skiverton snapped up former Everton striker Kieran Agard, following his release from the Toffees, after being made aware of his availability via his Twitter account. thus creating the world's first 'twansfer'.
Whether the signing of Agard was solely down to the suggestions of fans on the social networking site remains to be seen. Indeed Agard had previously been on loan at Peterborough United, where, at the time, former Glovers' boss Gary Johnson had been in charge and would therefore been in a position to give his former captain a second opinion on him.
If nothing else, the move is a good PR move for a club that has been battling falling attendance figures during the previous campaign and could be seen as a good way of bridging the gap between the playing staff and the supporters.
Also, in a close seseen a number of star names leave Huish Park, including last season's leading scorer Dean Bowditch, a player who Agard is likely to be regarded as a replacement for, Andy Welsh, Nathan Smith and Adam Virgo as well as a possible departure of Craig Alcock, it will give the Glovers' faithful something to smile about at the very least.
Friday, 24 June 2011
GULLS' BACKROOM STAFF BEGINS TO TAKE SHAPE
Torquay United manager Martin Ling is set to make his most important signings since becoming manager of the Gulls by unveiling his former Swindon team-mate Shaun Taylor as his assistant.
He is also hoping to bring in former Plainmoor favourite Alex Russell in as a player-coach.
After a career that took in spells with Exeter City, Swindon and Bristol City, Taylor, brother of the Gulls' 2004 promotion winning captain Craig, held a number of coaching roles at Bristol City before he became assistant manager at Forest Green Rovers.
In recent years, he has been on the youth coaching staff at Exeter City, a role which he will now vacate to return to senior level coaching with Ling, who he appeared alongside in the Swindon side that won promotion to the Premier League in 1993.
Any return by Russell would prove to be a popular one as he is still held in high regard by the Plainmoor faithful from his four year spell with the Gulls between 2001 and 2005.
He is currently considering a one-year playing deal with Yeovil Town and a lot will depend on whether Ling is able to offer him a suitable deal within the Gulls' budget.
He is also hoping to bring in former Plainmoor favourite Alex Russell in as a player-coach.
After a career that took in spells with Exeter City, Swindon and Bristol City, Taylor, brother of the Gulls' 2004 promotion winning captain Craig, held a number of coaching roles at Bristol City before he became assistant manager at Forest Green Rovers.
In recent years, he has been on the youth coaching staff at Exeter City, a role which he will now vacate to return to senior level coaching with Ling, who he appeared alongside in the Swindon side that won promotion to the Premier League in 1993.
Any return by Russell would prove to be a popular one as he is still held in high regard by the Plainmoor faithful from his four year spell with the Gulls between 2001 and 2005.
He is currently considering a one-year playing deal with Yeovil Town and a lot will depend on whether Ling is able to offer him a suitable deal within the Gulls' budget.
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
DEAL TO BUY PILGRIMS AGREED
A deal to buy Plymouth Argyle out of administration has been agreed between Administrator Brendan Guilfoyle and the club's preferred bidder, a consortium of property developers.
The group believed to be headed by a millionaire Irish property developer is believed to be paying in the region of £5million that will controversially see the club's land assets parted from the football club itself with the club being sold to current acting Chairman Peter Ridsdale.
Once the deal has gone through, the Pilgrims will then face a race against time to be ready for the forthcoming season as manager Peter Reid has much work to do to assemble a squad capable of competing in League Two.
As things stand, Argyle only have a squad of between 12 and 14 players as Reid was forced to make a mass clearout because of the situation at the club.
Now he will be looking up his lists of contacts as he looks to build a team of his own, something which, until now, he has been unable to since he replaced Paul Mariner last summer.
The group believed to be headed by a millionaire Irish property developer is believed to be paying in the region of £5million that will controversially see the club's land assets parted from the football club itself with the club being sold to current acting Chairman Peter Ridsdale.
Once the deal has gone through, the Pilgrims will then face a race against time to be ready for the forthcoming season as manager Peter Reid has much work to do to assemble a squad capable of competing in League Two.
As things stand, Argyle only have a squad of between 12 and 14 players as Reid was forced to make a mass clearout because of the situation at the club.
Now he will be looking up his lists of contacts as he looks to build a team of his own, something which, until now, he has been unable to since he replaced Paul Mariner last summer.
Monday, 20 June 2011
SUPER GAV RETURNS BUT OTHERS OPT TO LEAVE
After seeing his Glovers' side beat Carlisle United in their final league game of the 2010-11 campaign, which helped them to secure a 14th place finish, Yeovil Town boss Terry Skiverton could have been forgiven for looking ahead to the forthcoming close season with optimism.
However, Skiverton is now facing an extensive rebuilding programme ahead of the opening game of the 2011-12 season. A number of players have departed from Huish Park, including winger Andy Welsh who has signed for Carlisle United, defender Adam Virgo has joined the Paul Buckle revolution at Bristol Rovers, left back Nathan Smith has headed north after he was snapped up by League One champions Chesterfield.
Right back Craig Alcock is currently in negotiations with Peterborough United and as he is under 24, a fee will need to be agreed between the two clubs.
Skiverton is also waiting to hear from midfielders Alex Russell and Billy Gibson and there is strong speculation linking Russell with a coaching role at his former club, Torquay United.
Leading scorer Dean Bowditch has also turned down a new deal with Yeovil, but his destination remains unclear at the time of writing.
Nevertheless, Skiverton has been able to tempt his former team-mate Gavin Williams back to Huish Park for a fourth spell. Williams first joined the Glovers in 2002 from Hereford United and helped Yeovil win promotion to the Football League in his first season before moving on to West Ham United in 2004.
Spells at Ipswich Town, Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, plus two loan spells back at Huish Park, then followed for the Welshman before he became Skiverton's first summer 2011 signing.
One player tipped to follow him through the door at Huish Park is goalkeeper Stephen Henderson, who enjoyed two loan spells from Bristol City last season and virtually swept the board at the Glovers' Player of the Year awards, but his future at Ashton Gate still remains unclear.
Two other of last season's successful loanees Max Ehmer and Oli Johnson, whose respective parent club's QPR and Norwich City both won promotion to the Premiership last season, which means they could both find themselves being made available for loans.
Since he was appointed to succeed Russell Slade in February 2009, Skiverton has proved himself to be a shrewd investor in the loan market.
One of his best loan acquistions to date remains Spurs' starlet Steven Caulker, who is currently the subject of a loan bid from Premiership new boys Swansea City after having starred for Bristol City in a season-long loan spell, which also earned him his first cap for the England Under-21 side.
During his one-year stay in Somerset, Caulker pratically swept the boards in the Glovers' Player of the Year awards and remains a great example to any young hopeful considering a short stint at Huish Park.
However, Skiverton is now facing an extensive rebuilding programme ahead of the opening game of the 2011-12 season. A number of players have departed from Huish Park, including winger Andy Welsh who has signed for Carlisle United, defender Adam Virgo has joined the Paul Buckle revolution at Bristol Rovers, left back Nathan Smith has headed north after he was snapped up by League One champions Chesterfield.
Right back Craig Alcock is currently in negotiations with Peterborough United and as he is under 24, a fee will need to be agreed between the two clubs.
Skiverton is also waiting to hear from midfielders Alex Russell and Billy Gibson and there is strong speculation linking Russell with a coaching role at his former club, Torquay United.
Leading scorer Dean Bowditch has also turned down a new deal with Yeovil, but his destination remains unclear at the time of writing.
Nevertheless, Skiverton has been able to tempt his former team-mate Gavin Williams back to Huish Park for a fourth spell. Williams first joined the Glovers in 2002 from Hereford United and helped Yeovil win promotion to the Football League in his first season before moving on to West Ham United in 2004.
Spells at Ipswich Town, Bristol City and Bristol Rovers, plus two loan spells back at Huish Park, then followed for the Welshman before he became Skiverton's first summer 2011 signing.
One player tipped to follow him through the door at Huish Park is goalkeeper Stephen Henderson, who enjoyed two loan spells from Bristol City last season and virtually swept the board at the Glovers' Player of the Year awards, but his future at Ashton Gate still remains unclear.
Two other of last season's successful loanees Max Ehmer and Oli Johnson, whose respective parent club's QPR and Norwich City both won promotion to the Premiership last season, which means they could both find themselves being made available for loans.
Since he was appointed to succeed Russell Slade in February 2009, Skiverton has proved himself to be a shrewd investor in the loan market.
One of his best loan acquistions to date remains Spurs' starlet Steven Caulker, who is currently the subject of a loan bid from Premiership new boys Swansea City after having starred for Bristol City in a season-long loan spell, which also earned him his first cap for the England Under-21 side.
During his one-year stay in Somerset, Caulker pratically swept the boards in the Glovers' Player of the Year awards and remains a great example to any young hopeful considering a short stint at Huish Park.
Friday, 17 June 2011
GULLS START WITH BURTON CLASH
Martin Ling's managerial bow as Torquay United manager will come against Burton Albion on August 6th after the fixture list for the 2011-12 campaign was unveiled.
The Gulls will host the Brewers before travelling to the St Mary's Stadium where they will face Southampton in the Carling Cup, which will be followed by a trip to the Memorial Stadium for a meeting with Bristol Rovers who, of course, are now managed by former Torquay boss Paul Buckle.
Buckle will be return to Plainmoor on March 10th 2012 alongwith his assistant Shaun North, former keeper Scott Bevan and ex loanee midfielder Craig Stanley. By which time the new grandstand, which will named in tribute to the late Paul Bristow, the Gulls' former Vice-Chairman, will be completed.
Local derbies will recently relegated Plymouth Argyle will take place on November 19th 2011 and January 3rd 2012 at Plainmoor and Home Park respectively.
Argyle, who will be plying their trade in the fourth tier of English football for the first time since 2002, will start the new campaign with a trip to Shrewsbury Town ahead of their Carling Cup tie at home to Championship side Millwall. This will be followed by their first home game of the season against Rotherham United on the following Saturday.
Exeter City will kicking off their campaign with a journey to Stevenage, who defeated Torquay in the League Two Play-Off final. The game is also likely to see Paul Tisdale's summer signings Guilleum Bauza, Danny Coles and Lenny Pidgeley make their debuts for the Grecians.
Next up for Exeter will be a Carling Cup tie at home to Yeovil Town, which will be almost a year to the day that former Grecians' and Glovers' hero Adam Stansfield sadly lost his battle with bowel cancer.
Meanwhile, the Glovers will begin their campaign with a trip to Brentford, a journey that they will make with a much changed side following the summer departures of Andy Welsh, Dean Bowditch, Adam Virgo and Nathan Smith.
The Gulls will host the Brewers before travelling to the St Mary's Stadium where they will face Southampton in the Carling Cup, which will be followed by a trip to the Memorial Stadium for a meeting with Bristol Rovers who, of course, are now managed by former Torquay boss Paul Buckle.
Buckle will be return to Plainmoor on March 10th 2012 alongwith his assistant Shaun North, former keeper Scott Bevan and ex loanee midfielder Craig Stanley. By which time the new grandstand, which will named in tribute to the late Paul Bristow, the Gulls' former Vice-Chairman, will be completed.
Local derbies will recently relegated Plymouth Argyle will take place on November 19th 2011 and January 3rd 2012 at Plainmoor and Home Park respectively.
Argyle, who will be plying their trade in the fourth tier of English football for the first time since 2002, will start the new campaign with a trip to Shrewsbury Town ahead of their Carling Cup tie at home to Championship side Millwall. This will be followed by their first home game of the season against Rotherham United on the following Saturday.
Exeter City will kicking off their campaign with a journey to Stevenage, who defeated Torquay in the League Two Play-Off final. The game is also likely to see Paul Tisdale's summer signings Guilleum Bauza, Danny Coles and Lenny Pidgeley make their debuts for the Grecians.
Next up for Exeter will be a Carling Cup tie at home to Yeovil Town, which will be almost a year to the day that former Grecians' and Glovers' hero Adam Stansfield sadly lost his battle with bowel cancer.
Meanwhile, the Glovers will begin their campaign with a trip to Brentford, a journey that they will make with a much changed side following the summer departures of Andy Welsh, Dean Bowditch, Adam Virgo and Nathan Smith.
Monday, 13 June 2011
LING GETS THE NOD
After weeks of speculation, Martin Ling has been unveiled as the successor to Paul Buckle as manager of Torquay United.
Following a playing career which saw him appear for Exeter City, Southend United, two spells with Swindon Town (in the second of which he helped the Robins win promotion to the Premier League in 1993 under Glenn Hoddle), Leyton Orient and Brighton and Hove Albion.
He started his managerial career at Brisbane Road with Leyton Orient in December 2003, following a spell as Caretaker Manager, and within three years he guided Orient to automatic promotion from League Two.
Martin then helped to establish Orient in League One and they even topped the table in the opening months of the 2007-08 season.
His reign at Brisbane Road came to an end in January 2009 when he left Orient by mutual consent.
After a brief spell setting up a network of scouts in England for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian, he returned to management later that year when he was appointed as manager of Blue Square Premier side Cambridge United.
However, after only eight days following his arrival at the Abbey Stadium he resigned from his post followuing a disagreement with U's Chairman George Rolls. A month later, he was re-appointed after Rolls left the club and he guided Cambridge to a 10th place finish.
Martin remained as Cambridge manager until February 2011 and will now be hoping to carry on where Paul Buckle left off in his new role at Plainmoor.
Following a playing career which saw him appear for Exeter City, Southend United, two spells with Swindon Town (in the second of which he helped the Robins win promotion to the Premier League in 1993 under Glenn Hoddle), Leyton Orient and Brighton and Hove Albion.
He started his managerial career at Brisbane Road with Leyton Orient in December 2003, following a spell as Caretaker Manager, and within three years he guided Orient to automatic promotion from League Two.
Martin then helped to establish Orient in League One and they even topped the table in the opening months of the 2007-08 season.
His reign at Brisbane Road came to an end in January 2009 when he left Orient by mutual consent.
After a brief spell setting up a network of scouts in England for Scottish Premier League side Hibernian, he returned to management later that year when he was appointed as manager of Blue Square Premier side Cambridge United.
However, after only eight days following his arrival at the Abbey Stadium he resigned from his post followuing a disagreement with U's Chairman George Rolls. A month later, he was re-appointed after Rolls left the club and he guided Cambridge to a 10th place finish.
Martin remained as Cambridge manager until February 2011 and will now be hoping to carry on where Paul Buckle left off in his new role at Plainmoor.
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