Former Torquay United midfielder Paul Trollope and current Gulls' loanee Billy Bodin have quite a few things in common.
Both of them started their careers with Swindon Town and both have famous fathers who made a big impact whilst playing for the Robins. Paul's father, John Trollope, is Swindon's record appearance holder with 770 appearances, a league record made by a player for one club. John also appeared for the Robins in the 1969 League Cup final when they famously beat Arsenal.
Billy's father, Paul Bodin, enjoyed two spells at the County Ground during his career, from 1988 to 1991 and from 1992-1996. His second stint with the Robins saw them win promotion to the Premiership for the first time in their history in the 1992-93 season, when his teammates included the current Gulls' management team of Martin Ling and Shaun Taylor.
Now, on to the second generation of Trollope's and Bodin's.
Paul came to Plainmoor on loan from Swindon in the 1991-92, after being deemed surplus to requirements by the then Robins' boss Glenn Hoddle, before joining Torquay permanently in the following summer. He later went on to enjoy a good career in the game with Derby County, Fulham, Grimsby Town, Northampton and Bristol Rovers and was also capped by Wales.
Billy is currently on loan at Plainmoor and has scored three goals in ten appearances. Martin Ling has stated that he would like to sign him on a permanent basis and current Swindon manager Paolo Di Canio has hinted that he would be willing to accept the right offer for Billy.
Whilst Ling has also admitted that a lot of water has to pass under the bridge for any potential move to happen, it will be a case of 'wait and see' until Billy's current loan deal runs out on January 8th 2012.
