Thursday, 17 November 2011

A TORQUAY-ARGYLE XI PART ONE

Saturday's meeting between Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle will be the first encounter between the two sides in nearly ten years.

We will now look at an XI comprised entirely of players to have donned the Yellow of Torquay and the Green of Argyle during the last quarter of the century.

Today we look at the back line of this team.

GK: Kenny Veysey

Current Gulls' goalkeeping coach Kenny returned to Plainmoor for a second spell during the 1997-98 season after spells with Oxford United, Exeter City, Sheffield United and Dorchester Town. He helped the Gulls to reach the Division Three Play-Off final in 1998, but missed the final through suspension. Kenny remained with Torquay for a further season before he was released by Wes Saunders at the end of the 1998-99 campaign when he joined Plymouth before retiring through injury a year later.

RB: Kevin Hodges

Plymouth Argyle's record appearance holder Kevin originally joined Torquay from Argyle on loan during the 1991-92 campaign before making the move permanent during the following season. After finishing his playing career with the Gulls, Kevin coached the club's youth side before becoming manager in 1996.
During his two years in charge at Torquay, Kevin led the Gulls to brink of promotion from Division Three as they were beaten in the 1998 Play-Off final by Colchester United before he took charge of the Pilgrims.
His reign in charge at Home Park lasted until 2000 when he was replaced by Paul Sturrock.

CB: Danis Salman

After making his league debut for Brentford as a 15-year-old, Danis Salman went on to help Millwall win promotion to the top-flight of English football for the first time in 1988, where he appeared alongside the likes of Teddy Sheringham and Tony Cascarino.
He found his way to the South West in 1990 when he joined Plymouth and he remained with the Pilgrims until 1992 after he was released by Peter Shilton. Danis later joined Torquay as a replacement for Wes Saunders at the start of the 1992-93 campaign and made 22 appearances before leaving at the end of the season. He currently attends Home Park as a Match Analyst for the Press Association and also has a column in the Plymouth Herald.



CB: Craig Taylor

The brother of current Torquay assistant manager, Shaun Taylor, Craig Taylor arrived at Home Park from Swindon Town in the 1999-00 season and he remained with the Pilgrims until 2003 when he made the move to Plainmoor following a successful loan spell.
Whilst at Plainmoor, Craig became the first player to lead the Gulls to automatic promotion in 38 years as he captained Torquay to automatic promotion in the 2003-04 season. Craig remained with the Gulls for 3 more years before he was released.

LB: John Uzzell

During his 12-year stint with Plymouth Argyle, John Uzzell helped the Pilgrims to reach the Semi-Finals of the FA Cup in 1984 and win promotion to the 'old' Division Two in 1986. During his brief stay at Plainmoor, John helped the Gulls to win promotion from the 'old' Division Four in 1991 before he was forced to retire following a challenge with Gary Blissett in a match between the Gulls and Brentford that left him with a fractured cheekbone and eye socket. He currently attends Plainmoor as a Match Analyst for the Press Association.

Tomorrow, we will be looking at the midfield and forward line of this team.