ROY MCFARLAND AT TORQUAY UNITED: THE GREAT 'WHAT IF?'

25 years ago last summer, former Derby County and England defender Roy McFarland  

"If you ever get the chance to manage on the south coast, take it - wherever it is." 

That was the advice given to Roy McFarland by Peter Taylor, who himself famously succeeded his long time managerial partner Brian Clough as Brighton and Hove Albion manager, rather than join Clough during his now infamous 44-day spell in charge of Leeds United, before being reunited with Clough at Nottingham Forest. 

It was a piece of wisdom that was heeded by McFarland when he was appointed as Torquay United manager in the summer of 2001. At this point in time, the Gulls had just retained their league status on the final day of the 2000-01 campaign with a 3-2 win over Barnet at Underhill, and McFarland had taken the managerial reins after caretaker manager Colin Lee had turned down the chance to take the job on a full-time basis. 

With 28 caps for England to his name and two league titles won with Derby County in 1971-72 and 1974-75, the first of which came under Clough and Taylor, McFarland had one of the strongest playing pedigrees of any Torquay United manager. As a manager, he had won promotions from the fourth tier with Bradford City (1981-82) and Cambridge United (1998-99), which marked him out as the ideal candidate to revive the Gulls' fortunes. 

Amongst McFarland's first moves were to bring in David Preece, his former number two at Cambridge, in as his assistant and made Alex Russell, who also served under him at the Abbey Stadium, his first signing. 

In the league, United didn't get off to a great start as they lost their opening two league games against Bristol Rovers and York City before turning on the style to beat AFC Bournemouth 2-0 at Dorchester Town's Avenue Stadium (Dean Court was being redeveloped at the time). A stunning 40 yard strike from David Graham and a second half effort from Chris Brandon sealed a 2-0 win over a Cherries' side that featured a young Eddie Howe. 

As a reward, the Gulls were drawn away to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, which was the first domestic football match in the UK to take place after the 9/11 attacks in the USA. In a game that was shown live on the ill-fated ITV Digital channel, United gave a good account of themselves, losing 2-0 after the half-time introduction of England star Teddy Sheringham helping to turn the match in Spurs' favour. 

The match helped to boost the club's coffers, which were further boosted with a £100,000 sale of teenage centre back Mike Williamson to Southampton. 

Nevertheless, the first half of the season saw much chopping and changing. The 2000-01 player of the season Jimmy Aggrey left Plainmoor after playing just two games under McFarland, and a similar fate befell 1999-00 skipper Brian Healy. Goalkeeper Stuart Jones, who famously saved a penalty against Barnet on the final day in 2000-01, also departed the club as Kevin Dearden proved to be an immovable object in goal, being an ever present and player of the season in 2001-02. 

Club record signing Eifion Williams was also on the move as he joined Hartlepool United for £30,000 in February 2002. 

Many others also came and went, including tough tackling central midfielder Gary Brabin, who was sent off twice in the space of four matches against his former club Hull City and in a Devon derby with Exeter City. 

In addition to this, McFarland also transfer listed Tony Bedeau and David Graham, and in his 2014 autobiography, Roy Mac: Clough’s Champion, McFarland imagines what his former bosses from his own playing days at Derby County, Brian Clough and Peter Taylor, would have made of Graham. He wonders what Taylor would have seen in Graham and whether Clough would have persisted with him or driven him to the train station and bought him a one-way ticket back to his native Edinburgh.

And persist with Graham he did, as he finished the 2001-02 season as United's top scorer with nine goals. 

After reaching a season high position of 11th place at the end of October 2001, the Gulls only won once in 18 games. Nevertheless, a 3-1 away win at Darlington, which saw Alex Russell score his only career hat-trick, helped to start a revival which saw them lose three of their last 12 fixtures, which included a then club record run of six clean sheets. 

However, after their final day draw with Swansea City came the bombshell that McFarland and Preece would both be leaving the club in the wake of the collapse of the ITV Digital deal with the Football League, which left many lower league clubs facing financial peril. 

McFarland had been informed by chairman Mike Bateson that he would have to work without Preece as his assistant, which McFarland refused to and decided to resign. 

Bateson then, of course, turned to Leroy Rosenior as manager who then famously led the Gulls to automatic promotion for the first time in 38 years in the 2003-04 campaign. 

Many of the 16 man squad who clinched promotion of the final day in 2003-04 were signed by McFarland, including Reuben Hazell, Steve Woods, Alex Russell, David Woozley, Jason Fowler and Lee Canoville; Goalkeeper Kevin Dearden, who was voted as the club's player of the year for the 2001-02 campaign, only missed out through injury. 

Although Rosenior made a number of astute additions to the squad he inherited such as Martin Gritton, Jo Kuffour, Arjan Van Heusden, Craig Taylor and Brian McGlinchey, the core of the squad that achieved that success were signed by McFarland, which has always left many what he and Preece could have achieved if they had carried on. 

Could they have repeated the success that they had had with Cambridge? 

Maybe, McFarland and Preece were reported to be looking at some serious signings who would have helped the Gulls challenge for promotion. 

However, it is also worth mentioning that some years before McFarland took charge the late Cyril Knowles arrived at Plainmoor in 1987 after winning promotion from the 'old' Fourth Division with Darlington in the 1984-85 campaign, and keeping them in the 'old' Third Division in 1985-86. After McFarland left Plainmoor, Martin Ling led Leyton Orient to promotion from  League Two in the 2005-06 season and kept them in League One in 2006-07. 

Both Knowles and Ling guided United to the play-offs after coming agonisingly close to winning automatic promotion, so the question is 'would McFarland have emulated their efforts or Rosenior's? 

The truth is that we will never really know, but many of McFarland signings such as Russell, Fowler, Woods and Dearden still trip off the tongue of most Gulls' fans to this day. Which is as fine a legacy as any. 

Footnote: As a young hopeful with Tranmere Rovers, McFarland was spotted by Peter Taylor whilst appearing for Rovers against Torquay United in 1967. 

PARKWAY GIVEN A SHOT AT CREATING MORE HISTORY

 After reaching the FA Cup 1st round for the first time in their history, Plymouth Parkway will now welcome Southern Premier Division South rivals Berkhamsted to Bolitho Park. 

Only nine places separate the two sides - Parkway in 2nd, Berkhamsted in 11th - and it promises to be a closely fought contest. 

Parkway's tie won't be the only tie taking place in the city during the first weekend in November, as Plymouth Argyle host either Spalding Town of National League North or Alvechurch of Southern Premier Division Central. 

Exeter City, meanwhile, will face a trip north to face Huddersfield Town who are flying high in League One. 

If Yeovil Town overcome Leatherhead in their FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay at Huish Park, they will be rewarded with a trip to League Two side Chesterfield. 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS OXFORD CITY FA CUP

 1. The wait to reach the first round again goes on.  

United's wait to the reach the first round proper of the FA Cup now stretches to four years following their defeat to Oxford City. 

The Gulls' 2-2 draw with Derby County in the 2022-23 season, which was televised by ITV and followed by a 5-0 loss at Pride Park in the replay, remains their last appearance in the main stage of the competition - for another year at least!

Nevertheless, this season's efforts in the competition currently stands as United's best FA Cup run since the Bryn Consortium's takeover in 2024. 

2. Harry Shield continues to show great maturity at right-back. 

Once again, young right-back Harry Shield was amongst the pick of United's performers as continues to make the position on the right hand side of the Gulls' defence his own. 

Shield was strong defensively and also got forward to good effect as well, producing a number of dangerous crosses. In the first half, he cut inside onto his left foot and almost caught out Oxford City keeper Jonny Maxted. Then in the second half, he had another cross which appeared to have been handled by Oxford City skipper Josh Ashby, and then with 11 minutes to go he picked out substitute Cody Cooke, who was denied by the acrobatics of Maxted. 

3. A solid display from Luke Browne. 

Another positive from Saturday's game was the performance of Notts County loanee Luke Browne in the centre of defence. 

The Republic of Ireland Under-19 international was solid throughout and showed a few moments of class, as he continues his footballing education at Plainmoor. 

His form also helps to enhance the Gulls' reputation as a good club to loan young players to. 

4. Focusing on the league. 

I know it's a cliche, but United are now free to concentrate on the league (and the FA Trophy, of course!)

Whilst it would have provided the club with a boost to reach the first round, both in terms of finance and morale, if you offered any Gulls fan the choice between a lengthy run in the competition or promotion to the National League, then the majority would choose the latter. 

Now it's over to Jimmy Ball and the players starting with Maidstone United at home next Saturday. 

FA CUP FOURTH QUALIFYING ROUND PREVIEW 2026-27

 The 2026-27 FA Cup fourth qualifying round will see Torquay United, Plymouth Parkway, Yeovil Town and Truro City looking to create their own piece of FA Cup history. 

Torquay United will be aiming to reach the first round proper for the first time since 2022-23, when they took Derby County to a replay at Pride Park after drawing 2-2 at Plainmoor in a match that was televised live on ITV1. Manager Jimmy Ball reached the first round proper last season with his former club AFC Totton and he also has his own family history with the competition, as his father, Alan, won the competition as a player with Arsenal in 1971. 

Meanwhile, Plymouth Parkway, who are currently riding high in Southern League Premier South, are looking to create their own piece of history in the competition, as they are one game away from reaching the first round proper for the first time ever against fellow Southern League Premier South outfit Chertsey. 

Yeovil Town have a reputation of being FA Cup giantkillers, but the boot will be on the other foot when they face Isthmian Premier League side Leatherhead, who themselves have an FA Cup giant killing heritage. The Tanners famously reached the fourth round in the 1974-75 season, when inspired by their talisman Chris Kelly, where they took Leicester City, then of the 'old' First Division, to a replay. 

Truro City are also facing a team with a strong FA Cup pedigree in Sutton United, who defeated Coventry City in the 1988-89 season. 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS SLOUGH TOWN

 1. Matt Jay makes another a big impact from the bench. 

Matt Jay once again proved to be a super sub for Torquay United as he helped to inspire the Gulls to recover from being a goal down to beat Slough Town at Plainmoor. 

Former Exeter City starlet Jay replaced Dan Hayfield in the 62nd minute and found the back of the net within a minute of coming on, as he fired home after a ball into the box from Caleb Roberts had been blocked. 

It was the third time that Jay had found the back of the net for United after also rising from the bench to score against Tonbridge Angels away and at home to Folkestone Invicta. On both of those occasions, Jay netted what turned out to be the winning, but this time he helped to inspire a comeback. 

2. Callum Morton nets his first league goal for his hometown club. 

After opening his competitive goal scoring account for the club in the FA Cup against AFC Stoneham, Callum Morton struck with his first league goal for the Gulls against Slough Town. 

Morton, who had entered the fray at half-time in place of Sean Robertson, pounced in the 70th minute after fellow sub Angelo Cappello had seen his effort parried by Slough keeper Kilian Barrett. 

He then turned provider, firstly for Jacob Beaumont-Clark on 87 minutes and then for Notts County loanee Luke Browne in the first minute of injury time. 

As well doubling his goalscoring tally to two, Morton also doubled his assist tally for the season to four, as he also provided assists for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton and Matt Worthington in the FA Cup against AFC Stoneham and Tonbridge Angels respectively. 

3. Jacob Beaumont-Clark's brace. 

The early season departures of Jordan Young and Dylan Morgan deprived the Gulls of a source of over 30 goals, but Jacob Beaumont-Clark could yet play a major part in filling the void left by their moves to Worthing and Crawley Town, as he took his tally for the season to four with a late brace against Slough. 

Beaumont-Clark, who only had a handful of appearances for Everton Under-21s to his name before arriving at Plainmoor, is now firmly on course to hit double figures for the 2026-27 campaign. 

4. Competition for the right back slot. 

Throughout the 2026-27 season, the left-back slot has been heavily contested between Kian Jenkins and Tyler Hill, but there could also be equally strong competition for the right-back position between Harry Shield and Dom Bernard. 

In Bernard's recent absence through injury, former Plymouth Argyle youngster Shield has filled in and produced another solid display against Slough. 

It's something that will give manager Jimmy Ball plenty of food for though once Bernard returns from injury. 

5. Luke Browne's goal. 

Notts County loanee Luke Browne got in on the goal scoring against Slough as he drilled home a low drive from the edge of the penalty area after being teed up by Callum Morton. 

It was only Browne's third appearance since arriving at Plainmoor from Meadow Park, but there must surely be a possibility of his loan spell with the Gulls being extended. 

Older readers may recall reading Steak, Diana Ross: the diary of a footballing nobody by David McVay, which included a section on his loan spell with United from the Magpies. It is not known yet whether Browne decides to publish memoirs of his own playing career!

DEON ON THE SCORE SHEET FOR GOLDEN JAGUARS

 Torquay United striker Deon Moore signed off from CONCACAF Nations League duty with Guyana with a brace in the Golden Jaguars made it four wins out of four against Dominica. 

Moore netted a brace as Guyana won 8-1 to complete a double over Dominica, who they had beaten 5-1 three days earlier with Moore also finding the target. 

The results against Dominica followed a 1-0 win over Puerto Rico and a 2-0 victory over the Cayman Islands, as they secured promotion to CONCACAF Nations League Group A, progression to the competition's semi-finals and qualification for the CONCACAF Gold Cup. 

By appearing for the Golden Jaguars whilst with United, Moore joins a list of players who have appeared internationally for Caribbean nations, which includes Gregory Goodridge and Mark Hall (Barbados), Rodney Jack (St Vincent and Grenadines) and Tony Bedeau (Grenada). 

UNITED AND PARKWAY PROGRESS TO FOURTH QUALIFYING ROUND

 There will be a strong Devonian presence in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw after Torquay United and Plymouth Parkway both progressed from the third qualifying round. 

The Gulls will be appearing in the final qualifying stage of the competition for the first time since the 2023-24 campaign after they came away from Kent with a 1-0 victory over fellow National League South side Tonbridge Angels. 

Skipper Matt Worthington connected with a low ball from Callum Morton in the 55th minute to score his first goal of the season, as United secured their third away over the Angels in the last 12 months - after winning 2-1 on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign also winning by the same score line earlier this season. 

Current Southern League Premier South leaders Plymouth Parkway came from behind to beat Horsham at Bolitho Park. Ronan Silva put the Hornets in front in the first half before Parkway equalised in the 68th minute when Rio Garside headed home a Jenson Ireland corner. Three minutes later, another corner from Ireland was nodded home, this time by Reece Thomson as Parkway sealed their place in the next round.