WHAT THE MODERN DAY TORQUAY UNITED COULD LEARN FROM LEROY ROSENIOR'S CLASS OF 2004

 The year 2022 won't be remembered as a vintage one by Torquay United fans; the Gulls ended the 2021-22 season with an 11th place finish in the National League with exits at the first stage of both cup competitions. 

It was also the year that the Gulls' automatic promotion success under Leroy Rosenior in the 2003-04 campaign officially became closer in time to United's Bryn the Police Dog inspired 'great escape' in 1986-87. 

However, despite that achievement slowly disappearing into the midst of time, there is still something that Jimmy Ball's modern day Torquay United can learn from Rosenior's class of 2004 - namely the importance of developing strong partnerships all over the pitch. 

One of the most crucial of these partnerships was the pairing of Steve Woods and skipper Craig Taylor at centre back. Taylor had made a big impression during a loan spell at Plainmoor from Plymouth Argyle in the 2002-03, and he returned to the Gulls on a permanent basis in the summer of 2003. Taylor proved to be an excellent foil for the more cultured Woods, who was more comfortable on the ball than your average lower league centre-back - although Taylor could play a bit himself. 

On the left hand side of defence, Brian McGlinchey made the left-back position his own after joining on loan from Plymouth Argyle in September before signing permanently in January 2004, and linked up well with left winger Kevin Hill. With Hill not being an out-and-out pacey winger, he would often set up Northern Irishman McGlinchey for a number of overlapping runs where he provided plenty of ammunition to United's forward line of David Graham, Jo Kuffour and Martin Gritton in the form of crosses. 

Hill's own crossing ability was an underrated aspect of his game, but his ability to outjump unsuspecting opponents taller than his own five foot nine inch frame made him a valuable asset, and he could be relied upon to chip in with the odd goal. 

In contrast, the right hand side of the pitch saw a number of different combinations, as United started the season with Lee Canoville as right-back, with Jason Fowler on the right of midfield. However, an injury to Canoville saw centre-back Reuben Hazell fill in for him. Meanwhile, issues with injury which would later force Fowler to retire in February 2005, which saw his position filled at different times by the late Tony Bedeau and Liam Rosenior, son of Leroy, who joined on loan from Fulham. 

The season before, 2002-03, had seen Fowler playing the centre of midfield alongside another midfield maestro in the form of Alex Russell. With two PFA team of the season nominations (2002-03 & 2003-04), a player of the year award win in 2002-03 and, of course, promotion in 2003-04, Russell must surely go down as the club's most decorated player of all-time? 

Alongside tough-tackling local lad Matt Hockley, Russell played some of the best football of his four years at Plainmoor, as the 'conductor of the Torquay United orchestra.' Hockley's role in the side would often  see him win the ball for Russell and then make himself available receive it, which Russell would regularly do. This helped him to raise his own personal levels as he enjoyed the finest season of his eight years with the Gulls. 

Up front, United enjoyed the benefits of having two 30 plus goal-a-season strike partnerships in the form of David Graham and Martin Gritton in 2002-03, with 15 and 16 goals respectively, and Graham and former Arsenal trainee Jo Kuffour in 2003-04 with respective tallies of 23 and 11. 

The partnership of Graham and Kuffour wasn't your typical lower-league forward pairing. Neither were a conventional target man,  Graham's touch and movement was also so good that could play the role of a target man. Both men also possessed a level of pace and trickery which was often difficult to handle for most Division Three defences. Although Gritton fitted the bill of a target man, he had a 'good touch for a big man' and tirelessly pressed opposition defences to create space for teammates. 

Whilst certain partnerships within the current United squad were already in place when Jimmy Ball arrived, and there are new ones which are still developing. 

Nevertheless, when they all come together, they will so to good effect - just as they did in 2003-04. 

SEASON PREVIEW 2026-27: PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

 The big talking point from the Pilgrims' close season was the sale of Lauret Tolaj to Bristol City for a fee of £4million. Naturally, Argyle would be disappointed to lose a centre forward of Tolaj's calibre - however, it represents an excellent return on the £1.2million that Argyle paid Port Vale for his services. 

Cleverley has moved quickly to identify a replacement for him by completing the signing of Will Evans from Mansfield Town for £400,000. Evans, who made his name in the League of Wales with Cardiff Met University and Bala Town before joining the professional ranks at the age of 24 with Newport County in 2022, scored for the Stags against Arsenal in the FA Cup, as he netted 11 times in 52 appearances in all competitions for Nigel Clough's side. 

In addition to Evans, the Pilgrims have recruited plenty of players with previous experience of League One in the form of Alex Hartridge, Harvey White and last season's loan signing Alex Mitchell following his release by Charlton Athletic. 

Argyle fell short of reaching the play-offs last season and they looked well equipped to mount another challenge to reach the top six. However, a lot will depend on how well Evans can link up with Bim Pepple, However, don't rule out on young striker Owen Oseni getting in on the goalscoring act. 

Scoring goals will most probably determine how well the Pilgrims perform in 2026-27, and if they can fill the void left by the departure of Tolaj, then the likelihood is that they would have improved on last season's eight-placed finish. 

In: Alex Hartridge (Wycombe Wanderers),  Harvey White (Stevenage), Alex Mitchell (Charlton Athletic), Will Evans (Mansfield Town), Jack Storer (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Murphy Cooper (Queens Park Rangers)

Out: Conor Hazard (Wycombe Wanderers), Brendan Galloway, Joe Ralls, Zak Baker (Torquay United), Jack Matthews (Truro City), Joe Hatch (Barnstaple Town), Nathanael Ogbeta, Brendan Galloway, Ayman Benarous, Jamie Paterson, Callum Wright (Hibernian)

Player to Watch: Bim Pepple

With Lourent Tolaj now departed, Bim Pepple has taken over the mantle as Argyle's main man. Pepple narrowly missed out on a place in Jesse Marsch's Canadian squad for the 2026 World Cup. If he can replicate his form of last season, then he may well be attracting the kind of interest that Tolaj did over the summer. 

SEASON PREVIEW 2026-27: EXETER CITY

 After last season's relegation from League One, it will be a case of going back to their roots for Exeter City, as they head into 2026-27, with Matt Taylor's squad possessing a strong accent on youth. 

Last season, players like Kieran Wilson, Ed James, Charlie Cummins, George Birch and Frankie Phillips were out on both at clubs such as Torquay United, Weston Super Mare, Taunton Town and Plymouth Parkway. 

Now, they are all forming part of the Grecians' first team squad for the forthcoming season. 

The well of youth talent to emerge from the club in recent years, which has included the likes of Matt Grimes, Ethan Ampadu and Ollie Watkins, might be running low. However, it may not be completely dry, and the St James Park faithful will be hoping that proves to be the case. 

Meanwhile, while the aforementioned individuals might earn the Grecians a financial windfall in the future, the club's current most saleable asset Jayden Wareham, who scored 20 goals in 2025-26, is being linked with a whole host of clubs. Any fee earned from his sale will help give Exeter some more financial breathing space. 

Although the Grecians squad does possess a strong accent on youth, Taylor will possibly be on the lookout for some more experienced recruits who can guide them. He may also dip into the loan market as well. 

A defeat to local rivals Plymouth Argyle in the Carabao Cup in their first game wasn't ideal, but Taylor will still be looking to add to his squad before their league campaign gets underway. 

Following their last relegation from the third tier at the end of the 2011-12 season, it was five years before the Grecians reached the League Two play-offs - where they were beaten by Blackpool in the final in 2016-17. The current campaign represents the start of a rebuilding cycle, which may take time. 

How long that time period will be, no one is 100% sure yet. 

In: Josh Gordon (Barrow), Taylor Perry (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Harry Kite (Truro City), Ethan Sutherland (Wolves, loan)

Out: Josh Magennis (Stevenage), Ilmari Niskanen (Blackpool), Pierce Sweeney (Cheltenham Town), Johnly Yfeko (Kilmarnock), Jack Aitcheson, Jack McMillan, Kevin McDonald, Danny Andrew

Player to Watch: Reece Cole

With Jayden Wareham increasingly linked with a move away from St James Park, Reece Cole's experience and pedigree will be even more important as one of the older players in the squad at the age of 28. Not to mention his goals from midfield; he found the back of the net seven times in 39 appearances in all competitions. 

LATE SHOW FOR PILGRIMS TAKES THEM THROUGH AGAINST GRECIANS

 Debutant Alex Hartridge became an instant hero for Plymouth Argyle as he opened the scoring against his former club Exeter City late on in their Carabao Cup first round tie at Home Park. 

The game looked set to head to penalties when Hartridge nodded home a corner in the 91st minute, which was later followed by a second from Canadian striker Bim Pepple moments later. 

It was the first League Cup tie between the two sides since 1985 and the first cup meeting outside the EFL Trophy since the two sides faced each other in the FA Cup second round in the 1996-97 campaign. 

The Pilgrims reward for winning is a tie against Premier League new boys Coventry City, which will see manager Tom Cleverley go head to head with Frank Lampard. 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS HORSHAM

 1. Opening days are seldom always perfect. 

In the mind of a lot of managers, the first day of the season is also regarded as the last day of pre-season. It's the first time that a team can put into practice everything that they have worked on in both pre-season friendlies and training, and sometimes things don't go quite to plan - as evidenced by the Gulls' display against Horsham on the opening day of 2026-27. 

United started positively as Deon Moore opened the scoring in the 13th minute, but Greg Luer equalised for the visitors on 54 minutes. Isaac Westendorf was denied a debut goal in the 67 minutes (see point number 3) before Horsham came close to taking the lead three minutes later when Jamie Yila was denied by United keeper Toby Savin with a, b block that fell to sub Ronan Silva who blasted over. 

Subs Matt Jay and Cody Cooke had chances late on, but the Gulls were forced to settle for a point instead of the three that the fans had been hoping for. 

However, there have been examples of where the opening day of the season hasn't quite gone to plan for United over the years, but they've still gone on to have good campaigns. They include the goalless draw on a late Sunday afternoon at Plainmoor against Grays Athletic in Paul Buckle's first game in charge in 2007-08. However, United bounced back to go on a six-match unbeaten run, and eventually finished the campaign in third place after challenging for the title before eventually winning promotion a year later. 

Four years later, Martin Ling had succeeded Buckle and oversaw a 2-2 draw with Burton Albion on the opening day of the 2011-12 campaign, in which debutant goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik made a number of big saves to keep the score level. United, of course, eventually clicked and ended up reaching the play-offs. 

Jimmy Ball will now spend the week assessing what went right and what went for wrong for the Gulls before they head to Tonbridge Angels next Saturday. 

2. Harry Shield. 

After some promising displays in pre-season as Trialist A, Harry Shield signed a contract with the club, with his signing being funded by the Torquay United Supporter's Trust's Forever Yellow fund. 

Shield, who can play as a right-back and as a right midfielder, was selected by Jimmy Ball in place of Jordan Young, who was absent on paternity leave after his partner recently gave birth, and underlined Ball's faith in him with a promising first half display.

His second minute cross picked out fellow debutant Isaac Westendorf, who fired over, and he made several dangerous runs which asked questions of the Horsham defence. 

He was eventually replaced by Callum Morton on 56 minutes after picking up a knock, but his display bodes well for the future. 

3. Isaac Westendorf's goal disallowed. 

Isaac Westendorf looked to have restored the Gulls lead on 67 minutes, after Horsham's Greg Luer had cancelled out Deon Moore's 13th minute opener in the 54th minute, when he headed home a cross from Dom Bernard. 

However, it was disallowed as the ball was deemed to have gone out of play before Bernard made his cross. 

Replays have shown that the ball may not have gone out of play, which won't be of much consolation to Westendorf who was denied a debut goal. 

4. Callum Morton's debut. 

Over a decade after he joined Yeovil Town's academy after the Gulls disbanded their youth academy in 2015, Callum Morton finally got to make his debut for his hometown club who he grew up supporting. 

Morton entered the fray in the 56th minute in place of Harry Shield and he showed a willingness to run in behind and stretch the Horsham defence. 

His next milestone will be his first goal for the club, and if he achieves that feat at Plainmoor then the roar it would generate deserves to be heard for miles. 

5. A bumper crowd. 

United's crowd of 4,219 was by far and away the biggest crowd in both National League's North and South, and it was only beaten by three attendances in the National League. 

Scunthorpe United versus Yeovil Town attracted a crowd of 5,111, Hartlepool United versus Barrow was attended by 5,830 and the biggest crowd of the day of 8,394 witnessed Carlisle United's clash with Worthing at Brunton Park. 

SEASON PREVIEW 2026-27: YEOVIL TOWN

 After two years of treading water in the National League since winning promotion from National League South in 2023-24, Yeovil Town are now looking upwards with some much needed stability. 

When he arrived at Huish Park from Southern League side Walton and Hersham in November 2025, Billy Rowley was the Glovers' fourth manager of the 2025-26 campaign, following the dismissal of Mark Cooper, the short living reign of Danny Webb and the interim spell of Richard Dryden. 

However, in the wake of the overhaul of the squad which he inherited, the players at Rowley's disposal are now very much his own. Despite Rowley saying that he sees this campaign as part of a two-year plan, he wants attack the National League in the 2026-27 season. 

Owner Prabhu Srinivasan stated that investing in the playing side was his top priority, which he has delivered on and Rowley has been able to bring in 15 new faces, including Zain Westbrooke from Doncaster Rovers and Slasi Spasov from Southend United, the latter cost the Glovers an undisclosed fee. 

An improvement on last season's 16th placed finish would represent a step in the right direction for the Glovers, ahead of a possible play-off push in 2027-28. However, if they gel quickly, then things could move a lot quicker for the Glovers in the short-term. 

This summer also marked the end of an era, as Jake Wannell became the last member of their 2023-24 National League South winning squad to depart Huish Park. 

In: Zain Westbrooke (Doncaster Rovers), Jos Barker, Mason Obeng & Johl Powell (Walton and Hersham), Jack Kingdon (Cardiff City), Joe Gubbins & Slavi Spasov (Southend United), Archie Davies (Carlisle United), Loick Ayina (Salford City, loan), Ben Radcliffe (Crawley Town, loan), Joe Haigh (Dagenham and Redbridge), Charlie Lennon (Barnsley, loan). Ste Walker (Scarborough Athletic), Jordan Norville-Williams (Dorking Wanderers), Hayden Muller (Sutton United), Joy Mukena (Crawley Town), 

Out: Jake Wannell (Torquay United), Harvey Greenslade (Truro City), Dan Ellison (Salisbury FC, loan), Aaron Jarvis (Hednesford Town), Alex Whittle (Farnborough), Kyle Ferguson, Finn Cousins-Dawson, Josh Sims

Player to Watch: Luke McCormick 

After missing the final months of last season through injury, central midfielder Luke McCormick has returned with a number of strong displays in pre-season and has been handed the captain's armband by Billy Rowley. At the age of 27, he states he is ready to lead by example and possibly better his return of eight goals in 35 appearances in all competitions from last season. 

SEASON PREVIEW 2026-27: TORQUAY UNITED

In Jimmy Ball's first full season as manager, Torquay United will be aiming to go one better and finally win promotion back to the National League after two seasons of missing out in the play-offs. 

Over the summer, he has brought in ten new faces as he bids to freshen up the United squad that he inherited from Paul Wotton towards the end of the 2025-26 campaign. Importantly, Ball has also managed to retain the services of Deon Moore who found the back eight times towards the end of last season. 

One aspect which Ball has addressed is the shortage of pace within the squad, which is reflected by the additions of striker Isaac Westendorf, right winger Sean Robertson, right back Dom Bernard and left back Tyler Hill. 

Another area where Ball has strengthened the United squad is the forward line, as in addition to re-signing Moore and signing Westendorf, Ball has brought local boy Callum Morton back to the club over a decade after he left to join Yeovil Town's academy. Morton has since enjoyed a decent career in the lower leagues with the likes of Fleetwood Town, Salford City and Bristol Rovers, which has been punctuated by injuries. However, he will be looking to find the back of the net on a regular basis and help fire United back into the National League. 

The Gulls' former Yeovil Town quartet of Matt Worthington, Jordan Young, Dylan Morgan and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, who all won the National League South title with the Glovers in the 2023-24 campaign, has increased five with the signing of centre back Jake Wannell. 

Ball has also brought in two new goalkeepers following the release of James Hamon and Seb Stacey's return to his parent club, MK Dons, with the signings of Zak Baker and Toby Savin from Plymouth Argyle and Shrewsbury Town respectively. 

After missing out on the title on goal difference in 2024-25 and losing in the promotion final last term, Ball's signings 

In: Zak Baker & Harry Shield (Plymouth Argyle), Callum Morton (Worthing), Isaac Westendorf (Oxford City), Tyler Hill (Spennymoor United), Sean Robertson (Cliftonville), Kian Jenkins (Briton Ferry), Dom Bernard (Weston Super Mare), Toby Savin (Wigan Athletic), Jake Wannell (Yeovil Town) 

Out: Callum Dolan (Kidderminster Harriers), Jay Foulston (Merthyr Town), Ed Palmer (Tiverton Town), Matt Carson (Portadown), Matt Wonnacott (Exmouth Town), Sonny Fish (Dover Athletic), James Hamon

Player to Watch: Callum Morton

After over a decade after he left the club to join Yeovil Town's academy when the club disbanded its youth set-up in 2015, striker Callum Morton will finally get the chance to play for his hometown club that he grew up supporting. 

Morton has recent experience of scoring in League Two for Bristol Rovers last season before he was released by Steve Evans before joining eventual National League South champions Worthing for a short spell. He arrives at Plainmoor with a point to prove, and if he stays fit he will surely be amongst the goals.