ON THIS DAY: TORQUAY UNITED 1 WEST HAM UNITED 0 - 1990

After the euphoria of reaching the Sherpa Van Trophy final in 1989, Cyril Knowles quit as Gulls’ manager in September 1989, following a high profile fall out with Chairman Lew Pope.

A bad feeling between the two men had existed for some time, which had been tempered by the revelations that Lew Pope received a £16,000 payment from the Wembley profits and Knowles had also been seen tearing up a piece of paper symbolising his contract.

Former Plymouth Argyle manager Dave Smith, who had led the Pilgrims to promotion from Division Three in the 1985-86 season before heading to Scotland to manage his hometown club Dundee, was named as his successor.

Smith’s arrival led to an improvement in results and the Gulls also enjoyed a fine FA Cup run, which saw them beat Sutton United and Basingstoke Town to earn them a home tie in the third round against West Ham United.

The Hammers are a club that the Gulls have had a number of strong links with. The most notable of these is former manager Frank O’Farrell - a member of the original West Ham Academy - who enticed the likes of John Bond, Ken Brown and Bill Kitchener to Plainmoor in the late 1960’s.

Given the connections between the two clubs, it was then perhaps no surprise that a future Gulls’ manager featured on the day for the Hammers in the form of second half substitute Leroy Rosenior.

At the time of this meeting, the Hammers had just been relegated from the ‘old’ First Division, and their extra class told in the first half.

In After the Jaws of Victory, United’s skipper John Uzzell recalls: “I remember in the changing room before the game Dave Smith got everyone in a circle and we chanted: ‘we can, we will’ as loudly as we could.” Uzzell also recounted in his foreword for Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches.

Ian Bishop’s dangerous runs from midfield, allied with the attacking menace of right winger George Parris and the visitor’s strike pairing of Trevor Morley and Jimmy Quinn meant the Gulls’ rear guard of goalkeeper Kenny Veysey and their defensive quartet of Paul Holmes, Matt Elliott, Phil Lloyd and Uzzell had to be on the top of their game.

In the 29^th minute, Veysey plucked a close range header from Northern Ireland striker Quinn out of the air, which help to set the tone for the rest of the afternoon.

At the other end of the pitch, Gulls’ striker Dave Caldwell was enjoyed an often fierce battle with the Hammers’ centre back duo of former England defender Alvin Martin and Tony Gale.

It was a challenge on Caldwell by Martin that set Torquay up for their best chance of the first half, as Caldwell quickly took the resulting free-kick himself and picked out Robbie Taylor who – in turn – set up Uzzell for a effort from 12-yards that he pulled wide.

United probed and stretched the Hammers’ defence down the right hand side through Dean Edwards and Paul Smith and – following a frantic goal mouth scramble on 35 minutes - they forced four successive corners, but they were unable to break the deadlock.

In the second half, with the tie seemingly heading for a replay at Upton Park, Dave Smith made what would later prove to be a decisive substitution, which he described as being ‘tactical’, when he replaced Caldwell with the fresh legs and youthful exuberance of Hirons.

Within three minutes of his introduction, the change paid off for the Gulls as Paul Smith set off on a bursting run out of defence. He then produced a cross which found Taylor, whose miss hit shot landed straight into the path of Hirons, who fired home past Hammers’ keeper Phil Parkes with his first touch of the match.

With nine minutes to go, Hammers’ boss Lou Macari threw caution to the wind - as they attempted to get back on level terms, sending on Rosenior on as a substitute for Parris with nine minutes to go.

In the dying minutes of the tie, Rosenior headed a Steve Potts’ free-kick over the bar and Quinn forced a thrilling save from Veysey, as the Gulls held on to secure a famous win to reach the fourth round of the cup for the fifth time.

The result helped to ensure that the Gulls were ‘forever bursting bubbles’- according to the headline which accompanied the report of the match in the Herald Express, a play on words of the song famously sung by the Hammers followers. 

However, there was to be no repeat of their heroics against the Hammers in their fourth round tie away at Blackpool, which they lost 1-0.

Torquay: (4-4-2) Kenny Veysey; Paul Holmes, Matt Elliott, Phil Lloyd, John Uzzell; Paul Smith, John Matthews, Ian Weston, Robbie Taylor; Dean Edwards, Dave Caldwell (Paul Hirons 74)

Attendance: 5,342

This match features as match 22 in Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches, which is available here: https://torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com/product/torquay-united-a-history-in-50-matches

AFTER THE JAWS OF VICTORY

 On May 9, 1987, Torquay United drew 2-2 with Crewe Alexandra to retain their Football League status.

However, this was no ordinary game as the Gulls equalised late on through Paul Dobson, in extra time which was added on after defender Jim McNichol required treatment for being bitten by a police dog named Bryn. Dobson’s late effort stopped United becoming the first ever club to be automatically relegated from the Football League, as Lincoln City went down instead.

Far from being a stay of execution for United, it provided them with a shot at redemption as the subsequent seasons saw them enjoy one of the most successful spells in the club’s history.

In the following 1987/88 season, they narrowly missed out on promotion under the late Cyril Knowles. This was followed up with their first Wembley appearance in 1989 against Bolton Wanderers in the Sherpa Van Trophy final, after beating Wolverhampton Wanderers against the odds in the Southern Area final. In the 1989/90 season, they claimed one of the greatest FA Cup scalps in their history when they beat West Ham United in the third round. Over a year later, the Gulls won promotion through the Play-offs against Blackpool in 1991 – becoming the first side to win a Football League Play-off final on penalties.

These events were followed by numerous highs and lows in the 1990s and the 2000s, including a return to Wembley in 1998 in the Play-offs, their final day relegation decider against Barnet in 2001, their first automatic promotion in 38 years under Leroy Rosenior in 2004, as well as their first ever relegation from the Football League and subsequent return under Paul Buckle in 2009.

After the Jaws of Victory carries on from where the 2019 Netflix documentary on the club’s ‘great escape’ left off, as Steve Harris interviews 12 players who all made their mark for the club between 1986 and 2010.

The players featured include McNichol, Chris Myers, Dave Caldwell, John Uzzell, Darren Moore, Don O’Riordan, Alex Watson, Paul Gibbs, Kevin Hill, Alex Russell, Martin Gritton and Chris Hargreaves. Together they share not only the stories of their respectively stints at Plainmoor, but also tales of encounters with World Cup winners, meetings with legendary managers and he crossing of paths with a number of the game’s contemporary figures.

Copies are available from the author at steveharris84@btinternet.comand the book is on sale at www.torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com/product/after-the-jaws-of-victory

                                              

ROONEY'S SUCCESSOR WILL NEED TO BOX CLEVER

 The word 'potential' has always been associated with Plymouth Argyle throughout its 139-year history and that potential has helped a number of well-known managers during that time, with Wayne Rooney being the most recent example. 

When England's second highest goalscorer took charge of Argyle in the summer of 2024, it could be argued that he needed Plymouth Argyle as much as Plymouth Argyle needed him. After seeing Ryan Lowe and Steven Schumacher leave for Preston North End and Stoke City respectively, the Pilgrims' progress up through the leagues had stalled following the appointment and dismissal of former England Under-20 coach Ian Foster. Whilst Rooney didn't need the job in a financial sense, he saw the role as a chance to resurrect his reputation as a manager in the wake of his dismissal by Birmingham City. 

Despite the scepticism that initially greeted his appointment, there were times when it looked as though it might have worked out for him. During the course of September and October, the Pilgrims secured impressive home wins over Sunderland, Luton Town and Blackburn Rovers. However, a series of heavy away defeats, which contributed to their poor form on their travels which saw them only pick up two points in 13 games - leaving them bottom of the Championship at the time of his departure. 

In spite of Rooney's failings, one thing shouldn't be forgotten and that is that the Championship is one of the hardest leagues to manage in. With clubs being relegated from the Premier League receiving millions of pounds in parachute payments, many bounce back at the first attempt, but others aren't so lucky and end up falling further. Then there are other well-resourced clubs with fanbases far in excess of the Pilgrims.

Therefore clubs like Argyle, who are amongst the clubs with the lower budgets in the division, need to 'box clever' in order to compete with likes of Leeds United, Burnley, Sheffield United and Sunderland. 

During their previous spell in English football's second tier, between 2004 and 2010, the Pilgrims acted quickly to dismiss Bobby Williamson early in the 2005-06 campaign. Williamson had taken over from Paul Sturrock in 2004 and Argyle were in danger of relegation. Nevertheless, they moved quickly to appoint Tony Pulis, who steered the Pilgrims to safety before returning to Stoke City and then passed the managerial baton onto Ian Holloway. 

Survival will be the aim for Rooney's successor, with former manager Schumacher emerging as the fan's favourite to succeed him. With his backroom staff of assistant Mike Phelan and first team coach Simon Ireland and even Director of Football Neil Dewsnip being tipped to leave, he will have the carte blanche to bring in his own backroom team and he will need to hit the ground running.

THE END OF A ROLLERCOASTER YEAR FOR TORQUAY UNITED

 When Torquay United faced Eastbourne Borough in their first competitive fixture of 2024, few could have imagined what would have followed for United in the next 12 months. 

If anyone did predict the eventual outcome for the Gulls, then Nostradamus wants his glasses back!

In the following February came the bombshell that former chairman/owner Clarke Osborne's announcement that he was intending to place the club in Administration, which resulted in United being docked ten points. Another consequence of this move was the departure of manager Gary Johnson and his assistant Aaron Downes took charge of an interim basis. 

Prior to that there had been talk of Osborne moving the club away from Plainmoor to a new ground, but that speculation ended following his announcement. The fans had also protested against Johnson in their 4-0 defeat at home to St Albans City.

On the field, the Gulls went from harbouring hopes of an outside chance of getting into the play-offs to a possible fight against relegation. Fears over a further demotion to the Southern League was eventually avoided with a 2-1 win over Taunton Town in their penultimate game of the season. 

The summer then saw the club rescued from Administration by the Bryn Consortium, who were headed by Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh. The Bryn Consortium then moved to install former Gulls caretaker manager Neil Warnock as football advisor and former Plymouth Argyle captain Paul Wotton was brought in from Truro City as the club's new manager. 

In addition, the Torquay United Supporter's Trust also launched a Community Share Issue, which raised over £250,000, which allowed the Trust to purchase a 28% stake in the club. 

Wotton then set about assembling a brand new squad with only Dean Moxey, Finley Craske, Brad Ash,  Austen Booth (prior to a ban for betting on matches) and Ollie Tomlinson retained from the previous campaign. 

A win on the opening day of the new 2024-25 season over Enfield Town was followed by three more wins in their next four league fixtures. 

Despite a disappointing exit to Bishop Cleeve in the FA Cup, United are still going strong in the FA Trophy. 

At the turn of the year, they also sit on top of the National League South, a feat that seemed a long way off last February.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VS HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN

1. James Hamon's heroics. 

Goalkeeper James Hamon was twice called upon to make two important saves to keep Hemel Hempstead at bay. A minute before half time, he denied Tudors' leading scorer Ricky German who attempted a shot on the turn and then in the second half he turned a header from Hemel centre back Kyle Ajayi from a Brandon Barzey onto the bar and over. 

Hamon came away with the sponsor's man of the match prize in recognition of his efforts, which proved to be important in helping United secure the three points. 

2. Cody Cooke's ninth of the campaign. 

After missing from the spot against Weston Super Mare, Gulls' leading scorer Cody Cooke exorcised any negative he may have had about that miss as he duly converted from 12 yards after sub Matt Carson had been felled by the Tudors Brandon Barzey in the 74th minute.

It took Cooke's tally for the season to nine, which means he is almost halfway to emulating his 20-goal haul from the 2023-24 season with Bath City.

3. Matt Carson's impact off the bench. 

Northern Ireland youth international Matt Carson emerged as one of United's key performers of the early part of the season after being taken out of the firing line by manager Paul Wotton. 

However, Carson's display from the bench was remincient of his performances earlier in the campaign as he entered the fray in the 68th minute, and within 60 seconds of coming on his cross found Jordan Dyer who missed the target. Then on 73 minutes, he won the penalty which Cody Cooke converted as he drew a foul from Hemel's Brandon Barzey. 

Wotton is often keen to remind the Plainmoor faithful that it's a squad game in the modern era, so don't be surprised to see Carson continue to make an impact as the season progresses.

4. Five straight wins and ten unbeaten.

United's result against Hemel Hempstead Town extends their winning run in all competitions to five and their unbeaten sequence in all competitions to ten, which includes two FA Ttophy wins over Truro City and Horsham in addition to eight league games. 

The Gulls haven't tasted defeat since losing to Hornchurch on October 26, and their current run of eight league games without loss means they are now halfway to equalling their club record 16-match unbeaten league run, which they set during the 2018-19 season between September 2018 and January 2019.

5. Top of the table at Christmas. 

By winning against the Tudors in the final home game of 2024, Torquay United ensured that they head into the festive period as the leaders of National League South. The Gulls are currently on 43 points, two points ahead of second placed Truro City on 41 while Boreham Wood and Dorking Wanderers are a further point behind on 40 and the teams in fifth to eighth (Maidstone United, Weston Super Mare, Worthing and Eastbourne Borough) are only separated by goal difference on 39.

A TRIBUTE TO DAVE THOMAS

 When studying for my AS Level English Language coursework, one of the modules allowed a piece of original writing of my own choice. 

After having witnessed a highly dramatic Devon Derby between Torquay United and Exeter City on January 20, 2001, which was billed at the time as the 'most crucial Devon Derby' of all time - as both the Gulls and the Grecians were battling against relegation from the Football League. 

As taken as I was by the event,which saw Mark Ford spark a near-riot after scoring a penalty and Kevin Parker score a last gasp winner, I decided to write my own match report of the game and submit it as part of my coursework. 

Whether you might think that that was a good idea or not, I'll let you decide. However, when it came writing the second draft just under a month later, I asked my English teacher Mr Trott what I could do to improve it and he replied 'maybe you could write to this David Thomas who the report (I used the report in the Herald Express as the basis of it) and ask him for some advice' - or words to that effect. 

So I duly wrote to Dave Thomas and duly replied and we arranged to meet at Harmsworth House in Barton Hill Road, where the office of the Herald Express were based until 2018, on February 27, 2001 - three days before my 17th birthday I may hasten to add!

For me personally this was quite a big deal to me as I'd been reading Dave's match reports as long I had been a fan. The meeting itself proved to be an extremely positive as we went through my report and another one that I had written of a subsequent game against Rochdale, and both decided what he was suggesting would be the style I would adopt going forwards. Indeed, my report of the Torquay vs Exeter game would later form the basis of game 32 in my first book on the Gulls Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches - which Dave would later describe as 'a lovingly researched work.'

I also asked him for some more general advice about Journalism and forging a career within it. 

My path would cross with Dave's a few years later whilst on work experience with Herald Express when I was studying for my NCTJ Pre-Entry Certificate in Newspaper Journalism, and then through my involvement with Torquay United programme and the short-lived Gullsworld Magazine. 

Then in 2009, I became a regular in the Plainmoor press area working alongside Dave, firstly for the Football League Paper until 2014 and then the Non League Paper from 2015 onwards. Whilst the likes of Ross Reid, John Uzzell and Guy Henderson to name but a few have come and gone, Dave has been a constant during that time. Indeed, I was present at the unveiling of his all-time team from his 56 years of covering the Gulls' fortunes for both the Herald Express and the Torbay Weekly and reported on United's 2-0 win over Farnborough the next day. 

During Dave's 50 plus years in Journalism, he has witnessed plenty of change to the industry including the transition from the days of hot metal to the micro chip and the change from the Herald Express from being a daily paper to a weekly. Nevertheless, whilst he doesn't have a presence on social media, he did play a key role in the Herald Express Yellow Army Podcast until 2020, which he still appears on as an occasional guest. 

Journalists covering the club in the future will know of Dave, as it has been announced that the club' new media suite will be named in his honour. 

And finally from me Dave, if you decide to write a book on your time covering the Gulls - I'm definitely buying it!

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS FARNBOROUGH

 1. Four wins out of four. 

By beating Farnborough, Torquay United made it four wins out of four and nine games unbeaten in all competitions. The Gulls haven't tasted defeat since they went down 2-1 to Hornchurch on October 26, and if you subtract their FA Trophy fixtures against Truro City and Horsham from that sequence, they are currently seven without loss in the league, which leaves them half way to equalling the club record 16 match run they set when they last won the National League South title in 2018-19. 

2. A second successive clean sheet. 

As a former centre back himself Gulls manager Paul Wotton would no doubt have been delighted to see United keep a second successive clean sheet. To a man, the Gulls' back four of Jordan Thomas, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer and Jay Foulston were excellent to a man to keep Farnborough, who were fifth in the table at the start of play, at bay. 

Surely Wotton's message to them would be 'more of the same please lads.' 

3. Will Jenkins-Davies nets his fourth of the campaign. 

By scoring the Gulls opening goal of the afternoon, Plymouth Argyle loanee Will Jenkins-Davies took his goal tally for the season to four, which now makes him United's joint-second top scorer with Dan Hayfield. With his loan spell with United due to expire in early January, Wotton will be hoping that he can retain his services for the remainder of the campaign. 

4. A promising debut from Jack Wood. 

Attacking midfielder Jack Wood made a promising debut after replacing Omar Mussa on 61 minutes after joining from Southend United on loan. Six minutes after entering the fray he cut inside on the right, onto his left foot, before producing a shot which was deflected behind. 

Wood has joined the Gulls for an initial 28-day period, which could be extended if he continues to build on his early cameo. 

5. Top of the league. 

For the first time since May 8, when they were top of the National League, Torquay United find themselves at the summit of a league. However, manager Paul Wotton is refusing to get carried away whilst the Gulls are only one point clear of second placed Boreham Wood. 

6. Crowds remain impressive. 

United's crowd once again topped the 3,000 mark as they drew an attendance of 3,303, which included 96 Farnborough fans. With the festive season approaching, there is speculation that their New Year's Day encounter with Truro City might draw a crowd in the region of 4,500 to 5,000.