The close season transfer activity continues at Plainmoor after Martin Ling made a double swoop by bringing former loanee keeper Michael Poke back into the Torquay United fold and signing ex-Arsenal starlet Tom Cruise.
The pair bring the number of new additions for the Gulls to four, after securing the signatures of Ryan Jarvis and Craig Easton, but the number of departures from Plainmoor has increased to two after defender Mark Ellis joined newly promoted Crewe Alexandra for £80,000.
Over the years, the Gulls have seen many fine defenders turn out for them including Matt Elliott, Darren Moore, Garry Monk and Mike Williamson, all of whom have played in the Premiership.
Mark Ellis has added himself to that list with his showings over the last five years he has spent at Plainmoor, which started with a loan spell from Bolton Wanderers in 2007 before making the move permanent.
There is every chance that he could follow in the footsteps of the aforementioned quartet and go on to appear in the top-flight at some point in his career.
The fee received for Kingsbridge-born Ellis, brings the total monies received by Ling to £380,000, which also includes the fee paid by Peterborough United for Bobby Olejnik.
However, the blow of losing Olejnik, who was named in the PFA League Two team of the season and finished as runner-up in the club's Player of the Year poll, will no doubt be softened by the arrival of Poke, after he was released by Brighton and Hove Albion, who proved to be a popular figure during his three loan stints with Torquay between 2008 & 2010.
He was part of the Gulls side that beat Cambridge United in the Conference Play-Off final in 2009, a game which he played in whilst suffering from a broken jaw. In the Semi Final second leg against Histon prior to the final, Michael earned himself the Blue Square Save of the Season award with a miraculous save to deny the Stutes' skipper Mat Mitchell-King.
Young defender Tom Cruise arrives at Plainmoor with an excellent pedigree, having been capped by England at Youth level and made his Arsenal debut in a Champions League tie against Olympiakos.
He also has Football League experience from a loan spell with Carlisle United during the 2010-11 campaign and he will act as an understudy to Kevin Nicholson as well as providing cover for the centre back position.
Thursday 28 June 2012
Tuesday 26 June 2012
EASTON LINKS UP WITH LING AT GULLS
Torquay United manager Martin Ling has made his second signing of the close season in the form of Scottish midfielder Craig Easton.
The experienced midfielder, who also played under Ling at Leyton Orient, bolsters the midfield options available to the Gulls boss and, at 33 years of age, he also brings plenty of experience to the squad.
After starting his career with Dundee United in 1995, Craig remained at Tannadice for nine years. He then spent a season with Livingston before he arrived in England in 2005 when Ling persuaded him to sign for Leyton Orient.
His decision to move to the East London side proved to be a successful one as he helped Orient win promotion from League Two in his first season.
Craig later joined Swindon Town in 2007 where he stayed for three years before moving on to Southend United before returning north of the border in 2010 to sign for Dunfermline.
He had been on trial at Plainmoor towards the end of last season, following his release by Dunfermline last January and Ling believes he is the type of character that he wants at Plainmoor.
"He is the ideal type of firm character for our squad, who can come into our way of playing," said Ling.
"I just know I can trust him, he toughens up our midfield and makes selection in that area more difficult. He was the fittest player I had and I'm sure that will be the same at Torquay.
"Craig was a massive part of my successful time at Orient and played a big role in our good cup runs and the promotion to League One, when he was a mainstay in centre midfield."
He becomes the Gulls second signing of the close season following the arrival of Ryan Jarvis.
1) Craig has been capped 22 times by Scotland at Under-21 level where he appeared alongside former Torquay promotion winning favourite David Graham.
2) Whilst at Leyton Orient, he scored the opening goal in their 2-1 FA Cup third round victory over Premiership side Fulham.
3) He has played under former Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock three times during his career at Dundee United, Swindon Town and Southend United.
The experienced midfielder, who also played under Ling at Leyton Orient, bolsters the midfield options available to the Gulls boss and, at 33 years of age, he also brings plenty of experience to the squad.
After starting his career with Dundee United in 1995, Craig remained at Tannadice for nine years. He then spent a season with Livingston before he arrived in England in 2005 when Ling persuaded him to sign for Leyton Orient.
His decision to move to the East London side proved to be a successful one as he helped Orient win promotion from League Two in his first season.
Craig later joined Swindon Town in 2007 where he stayed for three years before moving on to Southend United before returning north of the border in 2010 to sign for Dunfermline.
He had been on trial at Plainmoor towards the end of last season, following his release by Dunfermline last January and Ling believes he is the type of character that he wants at Plainmoor.
"He is the ideal type of firm character for our squad, who can come into our way of playing," said Ling.
"I just know I can trust him, he toughens up our midfield and makes selection in that area more difficult. He was the fittest player I had and I'm sure that will be the same at Torquay.
"Craig was a massive part of my successful time at Orient and played a big role in our good cup runs and the promotion to League One, when he was a mainstay in centre midfield."
He becomes the Gulls second signing of the close season following the arrival of Ryan Jarvis.
A FEW FACTS ABOUT CRAIG EASTON
1) Craig has been capped 22 times by Scotland at Under-21 level where he appeared alongside former Torquay promotion winning favourite David Graham.
2) Whilst at Leyton Orient, he scored the opening goal in their 2-1 FA Cup third round victory over Premiership side Fulham.
3) He has played under former Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock three times during his career at Dundee United, Swindon Town and Southend United.
Tuesday 19 June 2012
AUF WIEDERSEHEN BOBBY
Torquay United keeper Bobby Olejnik has become the first big money departure from Plainmoor of the close season after agreeing a move to Championship side Peterborough United.
The deal is believed to be in the region of £300,000 for Austrian Under-21 cap Olejnik, 25, who was ever present for the Gulls during the 2012-13 season after joining from Scottish Premier League side Falkirk last summer on a free transfer.
Since his arrival at TQ1, Olejnik has been a big hit with the Plainmoor faithful as he kept a club record 20 clean sheets for the season and finished as runner-up in the club's Player of the Year award.
He was also one of four Gulls' players named in the PFA League Two Team of the Season.
Gulls' boss Martin Ling was disappointed to lose Bobby, but has stated that he is in talks regarding possible replacements for the Austrian custodian.
"It is a great deal for our club and for Bobby. My job as manager is to buy low, sell for a profit and then fetch in low again." said Ling.
"That is the nature of the beast in League Two and this has been a great bit of business.
"Obviously we have lost a very good goalkeeper and I am speaking to agents to say we need a new keeper, as well as the other targets we are looking at."
The deal also includes a sell-on clause which will give Torquay a share of the profits from any future sale of Olejnik whilst he is with the Posh.
The deal is believed to be in the region of £300,000 for Austrian Under-21 cap Olejnik, 25, who was ever present for the Gulls during the 2012-13 season after joining from Scottish Premier League side Falkirk last summer on a free transfer.
Since his arrival at TQ1, Olejnik has been a big hit with the Plainmoor faithful as he kept a club record 20 clean sheets for the season and finished as runner-up in the club's Player of the Year award.
He was also one of four Gulls' players named in the PFA League Two Team of the Season.
Gulls' boss Martin Ling was disappointed to lose Bobby, but has stated that he is in talks regarding possible replacements for the Austrian custodian.
"It is a great deal for our club and for Bobby. My job as manager is to buy low, sell for a profit and then fetch in low again." said Ling.
"That is the nature of the beast in League Two and this has been a great bit of business.
"Obviously we have lost a very good goalkeeper and I am speaking to agents to say we need a new keeper, as well as the other targets we are looking at."
The deal also includes a sell-on clause which will give Torquay a share of the profits from any future sale of Olejnik whilst he is with the Posh.
Monday 18 June 2012
GULLS TO START AGAINST COD ARMY
Torquay United's opening fixture of the 2012-13 season will see the Gulls make the long trip north to face Football League new boys Fleetwood Town.
The Cod Army, managed by former Bristol City, Blackpool and Tranmere midfielder, Mickey Mellon, are the third football league newcomers to have played their opening fixture against Torquay, following in the footsteps of Macclesfield Town, in the 1997-98 campaign, and Kidderminster Harriers in the 2000-01 season.
Meanwhile Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City will both be starting their 2012-13 campaigns at home as the Pilgrims host Aldershot Town and the Grecians face Morecambe, in what will be a repeat of the 2007 Conference Play-Off final.
In League One, Yeovil Town begin their campaign against one of the division's fallen giants in the form of recently relegated Coventry City.
The Cod Army, managed by former Bristol City, Blackpool and Tranmere midfielder, Mickey Mellon, are the third football league newcomers to have played their opening fixture against Torquay, following in the footsteps of Macclesfield Town, in the 1997-98 campaign, and Kidderminster Harriers in the 2000-01 season.
Meanwhile Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City will both be starting their 2012-13 campaigns at home as the Pilgrims host Aldershot Town and the Grecians face Morecambe, in what will be a repeat of the 2007 Conference Play-Off final.
In League One, Yeovil Town begin their campaign against one of the division's fallen giants in the form of recently relegated Coventry City.
Thursday 14 June 2012
SOUTH WEST CLUBS ALL DRAWN AT HOME
In the Capital One League Cup first round for the 2012-13 season, all four South West league sides will have home advantage.
Torquay United will face one of the Championship's big spenders in the form of Leicester City, Plymouth Argyle entertain Portsmouth in what will be a 'dockyard derby', Exeter City host Crystal Palace, whilst Yeovil Town are looking forward to an all-League One affair with Colchester United.
The first round of the competition will be the first competitive meeting of the season for each side as the regular kicks off on Saturday August 18th so not to clash with this summer's Olympic games in London.
Torquay United will face one of the Championship's big spenders in the form of Leicester City, Plymouth Argyle entertain Portsmouth in what will be a 'dockyard derby', Exeter City host Crystal Palace, whilst Yeovil Town are looking forward to an all-League One affair with Colchester United.
The first round of the competition will be the first competitive meeting of the season for each side as the regular kicks off on Saturday August 18th so not to clash with this summer's Olympic games in London.
Saturday 9 June 2012
CHRIS MORRIS: THE CORNISHMAN WHO PLAYED FOR IRELAND
As the Republic of Ireland embark on their first European Championship finals campaign, since 1988, when they take on Croatia tomorrow, we will now take a look at the role Cornishman Chris Morris played for Ireland in Euro 88.
During his reign as Republic of Ireland
Amongst those he brought into the squad were Liverpudlians
(John Aldridge), Glaswegians (Ray Houghton) and even a Cornishman in the form
of Chris Morris, who was born in Newquay, a right back who would be ever
present through out Ireland’s Euro 88 campaign in Germany.
Morris, who was no stranger to Charlton as the 1966 World
Cup winner had handed him his league debut for Sheffield Wednesday in 1982,
qualified to represent the Republic through his mother, Evelyn, who hailed from
County Monaghan
After making his debut in a friendly against Israel
Within a year of his debut, the Irish reached the final
stages of a major tournament, under Charlton’s guidance, for the first time by
qualifying for the 1988 European Championship finals in Germany
Despite possessing players with the calibre of Liam Brady,
Ronnie Whelan, Kevin Moran, Frank Stapleton, Mark Lawrenson, Chris Hughton,
Paul McGrath and David O’Leary, Ireland
The Irish were drawn in Group B with England , Holland
and the Soviet Union .
By this time, Chris was now playing his club football for
Celtic and was joined in the squad by his Bhoys’ team-mates, goalkeeper Packie
Bonner and future Republic manager Mick McCarthy.
In their first match with England ,
Ireland
Next up was the Soviet Union ,
where they were forced to settle for a point after Oleg Protasov’s late
equaliser cancelled out Ronnie Whelan’s opener.
The Irish were eight minutes away from a place in the Semi
Finals in their final group game with Holland before Wim Kieft scored a late
winner for the Dutch, who featured Gullit, Van Basten, Rijkaard et al, as they
went on to win the tournament.
Chris was also ever present for Ireland
in their 1990 World Cup campaign in Italy Middlesbrough
and remained with Boro until he retired from playing at the end of the 1996-97
season.
Following his retirement, Chris has been working for, and
now runs, his family business, “Morris Cornish Pasties”.
He was also involved in Truro City Youth Football Club's Community Football programme in 2010.
Tuesday 5 June 2012
EUNAN HELPS IRELAND DRAW WITH ITALIANS
Torquay United midfielder Eunan O'Kane played for the full 90 minutes as the Republic of Ireland Under-21 side picked up a credible point against their Italian counterparts.
The Italians, coached by former Juventus defender Ciro Ferrera, came to the Showgrounds in Sligo with a 100% record in their 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Qualifying group seven campaign.
Ireland found themselves pegged back after three minutes through an own goal by Eunan's former Everton team-mate Shane Duffy before Pescara's Ciro Immobile added a second in the 55th minute with a 25-yard effort.
The Irish then levelled from the spot on 67 minutes through Manchester United's Robbie Brady before skipper Greg Cunningham, of Manchester City, bundled a header over the line four minutes later.
Italy were reduced to ten men in the closing stages of the match when Marco Verrati, of Pescara, saw red for a challenge on Aiden White.
The fixture marked Eunan's second cap for the Republic since he made the switch from Northern Ireland. Should the Irish overhaul second placed Turkey - who they play in their next fixture in August - then they could be in with a shout of appearing in the Play-offs for the finals, which are being held next summer in Israel, as one of the four best runners-up.
As far as any future ambitions of playing for the Irish senior side are concerned, then Eunan need look no further to former Charlton and Aston Villa midfielder Mark Kinsella for inspiration on achieving that goal.
Kinsella appeared for Ireland at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, but ten years earlier, he had been part of the Colchester United side that won promotion back to the Football League.
The Italians, coached by former Juventus defender Ciro Ferrera, came to the Showgrounds in Sligo with a 100% record in their 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Qualifying group seven campaign.
Ireland found themselves pegged back after three minutes through an own goal by Eunan's former Everton team-mate Shane Duffy before Pescara's Ciro Immobile added a second in the 55th minute with a 25-yard effort.
The Irish then levelled from the spot on 67 minutes through Manchester United's Robbie Brady before skipper Greg Cunningham, of Manchester City, bundled a header over the line four minutes later.
Italy were reduced to ten men in the closing stages of the match when Marco Verrati, of Pescara, saw red for a challenge on Aiden White.
The fixture marked Eunan's second cap for the Republic since he made the switch from Northern Ireland. Should the Irish overhaul second placed Turkey - who they play in their next fixture in August - then they could be in with a shout of appearing in the Play-offs for the finals, which are being held next summer in Israel, as one of the four best runners-up.
As far as any future ambitions of playing for the Irish senior side are concerned, then Eunan need look no further to former Charlton and Aston Villa midfielder Mark Kinsella for inspiration on achieving that goal.
Kinsella appeared for Ireland at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, but ten years earlier, he had been part of the Colchester United side that won promotion back to the Football League.
Saturday 2 June 2012
END OF SEASON REVIEW PART TWO
Within Npower League Two next season will be a 'Devon mini-league' after Exeter City's three year stay in League One came to an end.
This means that they will be competing in the same division as Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle for the first time since 2002.
Grecians boss Paul Tisdale has already seen a number of players leave St James Park including Daniel Nardiello, Richard Logan, Lenny Pidgeley, David Noble and James Dunne.
The coming season will see Tisdale look to build a new squad, but he will be doing so without the assistance of Director of Football Steve Perryman who is currently recovering from open heart surgery.
One piece of good news so far for the Grecians is the news that former Plymouth Argyle forward Alan Gow has agreed a two-year deal.
Torquay United came close to swapping places with the Grecians, but, after missing out on a top three spot on the final day of the season, were beaten in the League Two Play-Off Semi-Finals by Cheltenham Town.
The Gulls were beaten 4-1 by the Robins on aggregate after finishing fifth in the league table, but, despite missing out on the ultimate prize of promotion, Martin Ling's side can take a lot of positives from the 2011-12 campaign.
As well as improving on their league position of the 2010-11 season by two places (in which the Gulls finished 7th), Torquay provided four players for the PFA League Two Team of the Season as Bobby Olejnik, Kevin Nicholson, Lee Mansell and Eunan O'Kane were all selected by their fellow professionals in the largest contingent that Torquay United has provided for such a team.
There were also further individual success for the Gulls as manager Martin Ling won the League Two Player of the Month award in January and March and Mark Ellis and Lee Mansell won the Player of the Month award for those respective months.
The Gulls also set a new club record for the number of clean sheets in a season (20).
So far in the close season, Ling is looking to reshape his squad for another tilt at promotion and has agreed new deals with Ashley Yeoman and Nathan Craig as well as making Ryan Jarvis' loan move to Plainmoor permanent following the ex Norwich starlet's release from Walsall.
Leaving Plainmoor in the close season are Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Ed Palmer and Taiwo Atieno.
Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle continue their regeneration under the ownership of James Brent, following the financial meltdown which saw the Pilgrims spent several months of last season in Administration.
The addition of the experienced Darren Purse and the return of Home Park of Nick Chadwick and Paul Wotton helped to steer the Pilgrims to safety as they secured their Football League status with a draw at home to Oxford United with three games to spare.
After leading Argyle to safety, manager Carl Fletcher alongwith his backroom staff of Romain Larrieu and Kevin Nancekivell, will remain in charge at Home Park for the 2012-13 season.
Fletcher has already made his first signing of the summer by recruiting Paris Cowan-Hall from Blue Square South side Woking and he has indicated that more new arrivals will be on their way.
In non-league football, Truro City consolidated their status in Blue Square South after several off-the-field financial issues, which saw them face a winding up order over unpaid taxes.
Playing a league below the White Tigers next season will be Bideford who won the Evo-Stik South & West Division One title.
The Robins, managed by former Torquay United midfielder Sean Joyce, only returned to the Evo-Stik Southern League in 2010 after an absence of 35 years from playing at that level.
Another team on the rise are Newton Abbot based Buckland Athletic, winners of the St Lukes Devon Bowl for the second season in succession, who won promotion to the Western League after finishing second in the South West Peninsula League.
This means that they will be competing in the same division as Torquay United and Plymouth Argyle for the first time since 2002.
Grecians boss Paul Tisdale has already seen a number of players leave St James Park including Daniel Nardiello, Richard Logan, Lenny Pidgeley, David Noble and James Dunne.
The coming season will see Tisdale look to build a new squad, but he will be doing so without the assistance of Director of Football Steve Perryman who is currently recovering from open heart surgery.
One piece of good news so far for the Grecians is the news that former Plymouth Argyle forward Alan Gow has agreed a two-year deal.
Torquay United came close to swapping places with the Grecians, but, after missing out on a top three spot on the final day of the season, were beaten in the League Two Play-Off Semi-Finals by Cheltenham Town.
The Gulls were beaten 4-1 by the Robins on aggregate after finishing fifth in the league table, but, despite missing out on the ultimate prize of promotion, Martin Ling's side can take a lot of positives from the 2011-12 campaign.
As well as improving on their league position of the 2010-11 season by two places (in which the Gulls finished 7th), Torquay provided four players for the PFA League Two Team of the Season as Bobby Olejnik, Kevin Nicholson, Lee Mansell and Eunan O'Kane were all selected by their fellow professionals in the largest contingent that Torquay United has provided for such a team.
There were also further individual success for the Gulls as manager Martin Ling won the League Two Player of the Month award in January and March and Mark Ellis and Lee Mansell won the Player of the Month award for those respective months.
The Gulls also set a new club record for the number of clean sheets in a season (20).
So far in the close season, Ling is looking to reshape his squad for another tilt at promotion and has agreed new deals with Ashley Yeoman and Nathan Craig as well as making Ryan Jarvis' loan move to Plainmoor permanent following the ex Norwich starlet's release from Walsall.
Leaving Plainmoor in the close season are Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Ed Palmer and Taiwo Atieno.
Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle continue their regeneration under the ownership of James Brent, following the financial meltdown which saw the Pilgrims spent several months of last season in Administration.
The addition of the experienced Darren Purse and the return of Home Park of Nick Chadwick and Paul Wotton helped to steer the Pilgrims to safety as they secured their Football League status with a draw at home to Oxford United with three games to spare.
After leading Argyle to safety, manager Carl Fletcher alongwith his backroom staff of Romain Larrieu and Kevin Nancekivell, will remain in charge at Home Park for the 2012-13 season.
Fletcher has already made his first signing of the summer by recruiting Paris Cowan-Hall from Blue Square South side Woking and he has indicated that more new arrivals will be on their way.
In non-league football, Truro City consolidated their status in Blue Square South after several off-the-field financial issues, which saw them face a winding up order over unpaid taxes.
Playing a league below the White Tigers next season will be Bideford who won the Evo-Stik South & West Division One title.
The Robins, managed by former Torquay United midfielder Sean Joyce, only returned to the Evo-Stik Southern League in 2010 after an absence of 35 years from playing at that level.
Another team on the rise are Newton Abbot based Buckland Athletic, winners of the St Lukes Devon Bowl for the second season in succession, who won promotion to the Western League after finishing second in the South West Peninsula League.
Friday 1 June 2012
END OF SEASON REVIEW PART ONE
If somebody had said in the mid-1990's that Yeovil Town would be playing in the same league as Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Torquay United, you would have probably thought that they had been on the cider.
But if the same person had said that the Glovers would be in a league above all three Devon teams, then you may have started to think that they had sampled something stronger!
However, from next season the aforementioned scenario will be a reality as Yeovil will be playing in Npower League One in the 2012-13, whilst the Pilgrims, Grecians and Gulls will all be plying their trade in Npower League Two.
It is now nine years since the Glovers won promotion to the Football League and seven years have passed since they lifted the League Two title, thus winning promotion to League One where they have remained to the present day.
The architect of those successes was current manager Gary Johnson, who originally left Huish Park midway through the 2005-06 season, is now back at the helm at Huish Park after returning to the Glovers earlier in the campaign after replacing Terry Skiverton, who has now reverted to being his assistant.
Johnson has been kept busy in the close season, persuading out of contract members of his squad to commit their futures to the Glovers' cause. Amongst those to have agreed new deals with Yeovil are Ed Upson, Gavin Williams, Luke Ayling and Dominic Blizzard.
Those heading for pastures new include last season's top scorer Andy Williams, who has signed for Paolo Di Canio's Swindon Town and captain Paul Huntington, who has returned north to join Preston North End.
New arrivals at Huish include Keanu-Marsh Brown and Sam Foley who have left Oldham Athletic and Newport County respectively to take up employment at Yeovil, whilst Johnson has also moved to re-sign defender Richard Hinds, after the defender originally looked set for a return to his native north.
But if the same person had said that the Glovers would be in a league above all three Devon teams, then you may have started to think that they had sampled something stronger!
However, from next season the aforementioned scenario will be a reality as Yeovil will be playing in Npower League One in the 2012-13, whilst the Pilgrims, Grecians and Gulls will all be plying their trade in Npower League Two.
It is now nine years since the Glovers won promotion to the Football League and seven years have passed since they lifted the League Two title, thus winning promotion to League One where they have remained to the present day.
The architect of those successes was current manager Gary Johnson, who originally left Huish Park midway through the 2005-06 season, is now back at the helm at Huish Park after returning to the Glovers earlier in the campaign after replacing Terry Skiverton, who has now reverted to being his assistant.
Johnson has been kept busy in the close season, persuading out of contract members of his squad to commit their futures to the Glovers' cause. Amongst those to have agreed new deals with Yeovil are Ed Upson, Gavin Williams, Luke Ayling and Dominic Blizzard.
Those heading for pastures new include last season's top scorer Andy Williams, who has signed for Paolo Di Canio's Swindon Town and captain Paul Huntington, who has returned north to join Preston North End.
New arrivals at Huish include Keanu-Marsh Brown and Sam Foley who have left Oldham Athletic and Newport County respectively to take up employment at Yeovil, whilst Johnson has also moved to re-sign defender Richard Hinds, after the defender originally looked set for a return to his native north.
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