Following the recent death of Reg Jenkins, South West Football looks back at his career, which saw him appear for all three of Devon's professional sides.
Reg Jenkins was one of a select band of players to have appeared for Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Torquay United during his career.
However, he would achieve greater acclaim when he headed north to join Rochdale who he helped to win their first ever promotion, from the Fourth Division, in the 1968-69 season.
After starting his career with Truro City, Reg joined Plymouth in October 1957 and made his debut for the Pilgrims on February 28th 1959 against Swindon Town. He was a member of the Argyle team which won promotion from the ‘old’ Third Division in the 1958-59 season. Reg found first team football harder to come by in the ‘old’ Division Two and joined Exeter City in 1960.
After making 20 appearances for the Grecians and scoring six goals he was snapped by Eric Webber on the eve of the 1961-62 season. Reg would end the campaign as the Gulls joint third highest goal scorer.
However, the season finished in disappointing fashion for Torquay as they were relegated back to Division Four following a final day defeat at the hands of Barnsley.
In Reg’s last season at Plainmoor, the 1962-63 campaign, the Gulls fell short of making an immediate return to the Third Division. They missed out on promotion by one point as they were forced to settle for a sixth place finish in the table.
The following summer saw Reg make the move to East Lancashire to sign for Rochdale after Dale manager and former Gulls winger Tony Collins paid the Gulls £3,000 for his services. His move to Spotland saw Reg play some of the best football of his career as he finished his first season at the club with 25 goals to his name.
During the 1968-69 campaign, he played a key role in helping Dale clinch their first promotion success. Reg bagged a brace in their 3-0 win on the final day of the season against Southend United, which secured their elevation to the ‘old’ Division Three.
By the time he had hung up his boots, Reg had made 305 League appearances for Rochdale and scored 119 goals.
His goal scoring tally remains a club record to this day.
Over 30 years later readers of the Rochdale Observer voted him as the greatest player ever to represent the club.
An abridged version of this article appeared in the Torquay United vs Rochdale programme on April 10th 2010.
Thursday 31 January 2013
Tuesday 29 January 2013
HOWE IS SPOT ON FOR GULLS
A 17th minute penalty from Rene Howe proved to be the difference between Torquay United and Exeter City in the 2012-13 campaign's fifth Devon derby.
Referee James Adcock pointed to the spot on 17 minutes after Billy Bodin was upended in the area by Grecians skipper, and former Gull, Steve Tully and Howe stepped up to convert from his spot-kick to score his 13th goal of the season.
Whereas in the first meeting at Plainmoor: Howe's effort from the spot was cancelled by Alan Gow's effort from 12-yards, it ultimately proved to be the difference on this occasion.
A stubborn rear guard display from the Gulls defence, most notably goalkeeper Michael Poke and central defensive pairing Brian Saah and Aaron Downes, saw Torquay protect their lead to become the first team in the 2012-13 season to win a Devon derby.
The win move the Gulls up to 13th place in the League Two table, leaving them six points short of the Play-Off zone and eight points behind the Grecians.
Also, in scoring the game’s decisive goal, Rene Howe is now only one goal behind his goal tally for the previous campaign, where he scored 14 times in all competitions
Referee James Adcock pointed to the spot on 17 minutes after Billy Bodin was upended in the area by Grecians skipper, and former Gull, Steve Tully and Howe stepped up to convert from his spot-kick to score his 13th goal of the season.
Whereas in the first meeting at Plainmoor: Howe's effort from the spot was cancelled by Alan Gow's effort from 12-yards, it ultimately proved to be the difference on this occasion.
A stubborn rear guard display from the Gulls defence, most notably goalkeeper Michael Poke and central defensive pairing Brian Saah and Aaron Downes, saw Torquay protect their lead to become the first team in the 2012-13 season to win a Devon derby.
The win move the Gulls up to 13th place in the League Two table, leaving them six points short of the Play-Off zone and eight points behind the Grecians.
Also, in scoring the game’s decisive goal, Rene Howe is now only one goal behind his goal tally for the previous campaign, where he scored 14 times in all competitions
Sunday 27 January 2013
TWICE IN A FORTNIGHT
For the second time in the space of a fortnight, Exeter City take on Torquay United in the latest installment of Npower League Two's Devon mini-league.
The first meeting at Plainmoor proved to be a tale of two penalties with Rene Howe and Alan Gow converting as the Gulls and Grecians shared the spoils.
Due to the adverse weather conditions which have hit the South West in recent weeks, neither side has kicked a ball in anger as their respective league fixtures last week were both postponed.
The Grecians will be without Liam Sercombe and John O'Flynn as the pair are both ruled out due to injury, but leading scorer Jamie Cureton is available for selection after completing a three-match suspension following the encounter at Plainmoor.
However, Paul Tisdale's side will be seeing the game, which is being broadcast live on Sky Sports, as an ideal opportunity to display their promotion credentials (Exeter are currently 4th in Npower League Two) in front of a wider audience.
In contrast, Martin Ling will see the game as the perfect opportunity for the Gulls to pick up their first win of 2013.
Torquay have virtually a full strength squad to choose from as only long term absentee Ian Morris unavailable due to injury.
Tomorrow's match, the 119th encounter between the two sides, will be their first league meeting at St James Park since August 26th 2002.
The Gulls won 2-1 on that occasion as David Graham and Tony Bedeau both found the target as James Coppinger replied for the Grecians.
It also proved to be Lee Sharpe's final appearance in English football as it turned out to be the last game of his four match stint with Exeter, after he had agreed a short-term deal with the club, as he left St James Park for a brief spell playing in Iceland before announcing his retirement.
This proved to be ironic as his first league start as a 16-year-old for Torquay in the 1987-88 season came against the Grecians.
The first meeting at Plainmoor proved to be a tale of two penalties with Rene Howe and Alan Gow converting as the Gulls and Grecians shared the spoils.
Due to the adverse weather conditions which have hit the South West in recent weeks, neither side has kicked a ball in anger as their respective league fixtures last week were both postponed.
The Grecians will be without Liam Sercombe and John O'Flynn as the pair are both ruled out due to injury, but leading scorer Jamie Cureton is available for selection after completing a three-match suspension following the encounter at Plainmoor.
However, Paul Tisdale's side will be seeing the game, which is being broadcast live on Sky Sports, as an ideal opportunity to display their promotion credentials (Exeter are currently 4th in Npower League Two) in front of a wider audience.
In contrast, Martin Ling will see the game as the perfect opportunity for the Gulls to pick up their first win of 2013.
Torquay have virtually a full strength squad to choose from as only long term absentee Ian Morris unavailable due to injury.
Tomorrow's match, the 119th encounter between the two sides, will be their first league meeting at St James Park since August 26th 2002.
The Gulls won 2-1 on that occasion as David Graham and Tony Bedeau both found the target as James Coppinger replied for the Grecians.
It also proved to be Lee Sharpe's final appearance in English football as it turned out to be the last game of his four match stint with Exeter, after he had agreed a short-term deal with the club, as he left St James Park for a brief spell playing in Iceland before announcing his retirement.
This proved to be ironic as his first league start as a 16-year-old for Torquay in the 1987-88 season came against the Grecians.
Friday 18 January 2013
SHERIDAN BRINGS IN REINFORCEMENTS
Plymouth Argyle manager John Sheridan has acted to strengthen the Pilgrims squad by bringing in two more recruits.
Central defender Anthony Charles, 31, has joined from Northampton Town on a deal until the end of the season, following his release by the Cobblers.
Sheridan has also moved to boost his attacking options by signing Gozie Ugwu on loan from Reading.
Ugwu, 19, was on loan at Yeovil Town earlier this season and scored three goals in 17 games for the Glovers and his arrival is a welcome boost for Sheridan, after it was announced Warren Feeney is set to out for six to eight weeks with a foot injury and Nick Chadwick will be absent until the end of February through suspension.
Central defender Anthony Charles, 31, has joined from Northampton Town on a deal until the end of the season, following his release by the Cobblers.
Sheridan has also moved to boost his attacking options by signing Gozie Ugwu on loan from Reading.
Ugwu, 19, was on loan at Yeovil Town earlier this season and scored three goals in 17 games for the Glovers and his arrival is a welcome boost for Sheridan, after it was announced Warren Feeney is set to out for six to eight weeks with a foot injury and Nick Chadwick will be absent until the end of February through suspension.
BUCKLAND BOWLED OUT BY GULLS
Buckland Athletic’s reign as holders of the St Lukes Devon Bowl came to an end as they beaten by Torquay United at the Quarter Final stage.
The Newton Abbot based side, who went into the match as defending champions after winning the competition in 2011 and 2012, lead through an early Simon Revell strike before an equaliser from Jack May and a Saul Halpin brace saw off their challenge.
It was also a case of third time lucky for the visiting Gulls as they had been eliminated by Buckland at this stage of the competition two years running.
In the opening minutes, a third straight win for Buckland looked likely when Revell latched onto a flick-on from Player-Manager Anthony Lynch to give them an 11th minute lead.
On 22 minutes, Gavin Hammon looked well placed to score a second for Buckland, only to be denied by a last gasp tackle from Gulls defender Angus MacDonald.
Two minutes later, Torquay equalised when second year apprentice May slotted home following good build up play involving Ashley Yeoman and Danny Sullivan.
In the second half, the Gulls moved up a gear and edged ahead in the 56th minute when a through ball from left back Tom Cruise picked out Halpin who raced clear on goal before rounding Buckland keeper Kenny Griffiths to tap home.
Halpin completed his brace on 64 minutes when he converted from the penalty spot after Yeoman was felled in the area by Luke Horrocks.
However, Buckland refused to go down without a fight as substitute Jamie Mudge brought the best out of Gulls keeper Martin Rice in the 74th minute.
With three minutes to go Horrocks had a volley tipped onto the cross bar by Rice and behind for a corner, much to the relief of the visitors who are currently awaiting the draw for the Semi-Finals to be made as much of the competition has been held up by the wet and rainy weather of recent months.
The Newton Abbot based side, who went into the match as defending champions after winning the competition in 2011 and 2012, lead through an early Simon Revell strike before an equaliser from Jack May and a Saul Halpin brace saw off their challenge.
It was also a case of third time lucky for the visiting Gulls as they had been eliminated by Buckland at this stage of the competition two years running.
In the opening minutes, a third straight win for Buckland looked likely when Revell latched onto a flick-on from Player-Manager Anthony Lynch to give them an 11th minute lead.
On 22 minutes, Gavin Hammon looked well placed to score a second for Buckland, only to be denied by a last gasp tackle from Gulls defender Angus MacDonald.
Two minutes later, Torquay equalised when second year apprentice May slotted home following good build up play involving Ashley Yeoman and Danny Sullivan.
In the second half, the Gulls moved up a gear and edged ahead in the 56th minute when a through ball from left back Tom Cruise picked out Halpin who raced clear on goal before rounding Buckland keeper Kenny Griffiths to tap home.
Halpin completed his brace on 64 minutes when he converted from the penalty spot after Yeoman was felled in the area by Luke Horrocks.
However, Buckland refused to go down without a fight as substitute Jamie Mudge brought the best out of Gulls keeper Martin Rice in the 74th minute.
With three minutes to go Horrocks had a volley tipped onto the cross bar by Rice and behind for a corner, much to the relief of the visitors who are currently awaiting the draw for the Semi-Finals to be made as much of the competition has been held up by the wet and rainy weather of recent months.
A TALE OF TWO PENALTIES
With four of this season’s six scheduled Devon derbies already taken place, and all ending in draws, none of the county’s three sides have yet to fully secure local bragging rights.
The latest instalment of the regional mini-league proved to be a tale of two penalties as Torquay United drew 1-1 with Exeter City at Plainmoor.
First up, Gulls leading scorer Rene Howe put Torquay when he converted from the spot on 12 minutes after Kevin Amankwaah was penalised for handling the ball inside the area.
However, just as it looked as though the Gulls would become the first team to win a Devon derby in the 2012-13 campaign, the Grecians were awarded a spot-kick of their own in the 85th minute, which substitute Alan Gow stepped up to score the equaliser after he had been felled by Joe Oastler.
The two sides will now meet again on January 28th, a game which will be shown live across the nation on Sky Sports on a Monday night.
This will be the Gulls' final chance to secure a Devon derby win, whilst the Grecians travel to Home Park on Easter Saturday, March 29th, for the last fixture of the Devon mini-league.
The latest instalment of the regional mini-league proved to be a tale of two penalties as Torquay United drew 1-1 with Exeter City at Plainmoor.
First up, Gulls leading scorer Rene Howe put Torquay when he converted from the spot on 12 minutes after Kevin Amankwaah was penalised for handling the ball inside the area.
However, just as it looked as though the Gulls would become the first team to win a Devon derby in the 2012-13 campaign, the Grecians were awarded a spot-kick of their own in the 85th minute, which substitute Alan Gow stepped up to score the equaliser after he had been felled by Joe Oastler.
The two sides will now meet again on January 28th, a game which will be shown live across the nation on Sky Sports on a Monday night.
This will be the Gulls' final chance to secure a Devon derby win, whilst the Grecians travel to Home Park on Easter Saturday, March 29th, for the last fixture of the Devon mini-league.
Monday 14 January 2013
THE DEVON MINI LEAGUE RESUMES
The next installment of the League Two's Devon mini league takes place tomorrow night at Plainmoor as Torquay United and Exeter City face each other in their first competitive meeting since 2008.
In their last encounter, the two sides were both striving to win promotion from the Blue Square Premier as they met over the two legged Play-Off semi-final.
Both games were televised live on the now defunct TV station Setanta and the Gulls seized the initiative after the first leg at St James Park, which they won 2-1 with goals from Tim Sills and Chris Zebroski finding the target.
Fast forward to the second leg, which was played at Plainmoor on a May Bank Holiday Monday, and Torquay looked destined for a place in the final when Kevin Hill, who was equalling the club's long standing club appearance record held by Dennis Lewis, struck on 59 minutes to put the Gulls 3-1 in front on aggregate.
However, just as Torquay seemed to be heading towards a chance of clinching promotion back League Two, at the first attempt following their relegation in 2007, disaster struck.
In the 70th minute, Ryan Harley pulled a goal back before Ben Watson levelled the scores on aggregate from the penalty 11 minutes later.
Two further late goals in the 89th and 90th minutes respectively from Richard Logan and Wayne Carlisle rounded off the Grecians' comeback as they completed a remarkable 5-3 aggregate win.
This set them up for a meeting with Cambridge United in the final, which they won 1-0 to seal their return to the Football League.
The Gulls would have to wait a further year before they booked their return to the League, which they also achieved after a Play-Off final win over Cambridge.
Much has changed for both sides since then in terms of personnel as only Lee Mansell, Kevin Nicholson, Danny Stevens and Martin Rice from the current Gulls' squad survive from that day and for the Grecians Steve Tully remains their only link with the team they fielded.
In their last encounter, the two sides were both striving to win promotion from the Blue Square Premier as they met over the two legged Play-Off semi-final.
Both games were televised live on the now defunct TV station Setanta and the Gulls seized the initiative after the first leg at St James Park, which they won 2-1 with goals from Tim Sills and Chris Zebroski finding the target.
Fast forward to the second leg, which was played at Plainmoor on a May Bank Holiday Monday, and Torquay looked destined for a place in the final when Kevin Hill, who was equalling the club's long standing club appearance record held by Dennis Lewis, struck on 59 minutes to put the Gulls 3-1 in front on aggregate.
However, just as Torquay seemed to be heading towards a chance of clinching promotion back League Two, at the first attempt following their relegation in 2007, disaster struck.
In the 70th minute, Ryan Harley pulled a goal back before Ben Watson levelled the scores on aggregate from the penalty 11 minutes later.
Two further late goals in the 89th and 90th minutes respectively from Richard Logan and Wayne Carlisle rounded off the Grecians' comeback as they completed a remarkable 5-3 aggregate win.
This set them up for a meeting with Cambridge United in the final, which they won 1-0 to seal their return to the Football League.
The Gulls would have to wait a further year before they booked their return to the League, which they also achieved after a Play-Off final win over Cambridge.
Much has changed for both sides since then in terms of personnel as only Lee Mansell, Kevin Nicholson, Danny Stevens and Martin Rice from the current Gulls' squad survive from that day and for the Grecians Steve Tully remains their only link with the team they fielded.
THE TASK AHEAD FOR ARGYLE
After achieving his initial target of winning his first game as Plymouth Argyle manager, John Sheridan can now plan ahead for the remaining 18 matches of the regular league campaign.
Their victory over Morecambe on Saturday lifted Argyle out of the drop zone and results elsewhere for the Pilgrims' relegation rivals indicated just how crucial those three points were.
Following the win at the weekend, Argyle are now on 27 points and realistically require another 23 points behind now until the end of the campaign to retain their status as a Football League side.
The Pilgrims' fellow relegation candidates Accrington Stanley, Dagenham & Redbridge and Barnet all visit Home Park between now and the season's end and Argyle also have to travel to Aldershot Town and AFC Wimbledon.
How they fare in these five matches will go a long way to determining their destiny come April 27th when the Pilgrims play their 46th match of the Npower League Two away at Rochdale.
Meanwhile, Sheridan has already set about strengthening his squad since his arrival after snapping up Ronan Murray on loan from Ipswich Town, until the end of the season, and experienced centre back Guy Branston, who previously enjoyed a loan spell at Home Park during the 1998-99 season, on a free transfer.
Both players made their debuts, or in the case of Branston his second debut, against Morecambe and could yet be more new faces featuring for the Pilgrims next Saturday when they face Southend United.
Their victory over Morecambe on Saturday lifted Argyle out of the drop zone and results elsewhere for the Pilgrims' relegation rivals indicated just how crucial those three points were.
Following the win at the weekend, Argyle are now on 27 points and realistically require another 23 points behind now until the end of the campaign to retain their status as a Football League side.
The Pilgrims' fellow relegation candidates Accrington Stanley, Dagenham & Redbridge and Barnet all visit Home Park between now and the season's end and Argyle also have to travel to Aldershot Town and AFC Wimbledon.
How they fare in these five matches will go a long way to determining their destiny come April 27th when the Pilgrims play their 46th match of the Npower League Two away at Rochdale.
Meanwhile, Sheridan has already set about strengthening his squad since his arrival after snapping up Ronan Murray on loan from Ipswich Town, until the end of the season, and experienced centre back Guy Branston, who previously enjoyed a loan spell at Home Park during the 1998-99 season, on a free transfer.
Both players made their debuts, or in the case of Branston his second debut, against Morecambe and could yet be more new faces featuring for the Pilgrims next Saturday when they face Southend United.
Sunday 13 January 2013
A BIT OF THE IRISH
As 2013 is now well and truly under way, football in the South West finds itself coming under a strong Irish influence, which was reflected in last Saturday’s results.
This influence was perhaps most strongly felt at Plymouth Argyle, now under the management of former Republic of Ireland midfielder John Sheridan, who defeated Morecambe 2-1 with their opening goal coming from their Cork-born, Eire Under-21 midfielder Conor Hourihane.
Another Republic Under-21 cap had a hand in the Pilgrims’ second goal as Ronan Murray, Sheridan’s first signing on loan from Ipswich Town currently managed by his former Republic team-mate Mick McCarthy, set up Paris Cowan-Hall for Argyle’s second goal as Argyle moved out of the relegation zone.
The Hibernian influence was also apparent for Exeter City and Yeovil Town as Irish strikers John O’Flynn and Paddy Madden both bagged braces for the Grecians and the Glovers in their respective victories over Southend United and Sheffield United.
Former Barnet front man O’Flynn struck with a goal in each half for the Grecians to help Exeter to a 3-0 win over Southend, which moves Paul Tisdale’s side into the automatic promotion places in League Two.
O’Flynn’s fellow countrymen Jimmy Keohane provided the assist for his second of the afternoon.
Meanwhile, at Bramall Lane, Madden’s double for Yeovil helped Glovers’ boss Gary Johnson celebrate the anniversary of his return to Huish Park with a 2-0 over the Blades, which helped to strengthen Yeovil’s Play-Off aspirations.
Madden, who joined the Glovers from Carlisle United on a permanent deal during the current transfer window; following a successful loan spell, opened the scoring on 50 minutes before he completed his brace in the 66th minute when he capitalising on a mistake from Blades’ keeper George Long.
Also featuring for Yeovil was Madden’s fellow countryman, and January acquisition, Kevin Dawson who Johnson recently signed from Shelbourne.
This influence was perhaps most strongly felt at Plymouth Argyle, now under the management of former Republic of Ireland midfielder John Sheridan, who defeated Morecambe 2-1 with their opening goal coming from their Cork-born, Eire Under-21 midfielder Conor Hourihane.
Another Republic Under-21 cap had a hand in the Pilgrims’ second goal as Ronan Murray, Sheridan’s first signing on loan from Ipswich Town currently managed by his former Republic team-mate Mick McCarthy, set up Paris Cowan-Hall for Argyle’s second goal as Argyle moved out of the relegation zone.
The Hibernian influence was also apparent for Exeter City and Yeovil Town as Irish strikers John O’Flynn and Paddy Madden both bagged braces for the Grecians and the Glovers in their respective victories over Southend United and Sheffield United.
Former Barnet front man O’Flynn struck with a goal in each half for the Grecians to help Exeter to a 3-0 win over Southend, which moves Paul Tisdale’s side into the automatic promotion places in League Two.
O’Flynn’s fellow countrymen Jimmy Keohane provided the assist for his second of the afternoon.
Meanwhile, at Bramall Lane, Madden’s double for Yeovil helped Glovers’ boss Gary Johnson celebrate the anniversary of his return to Huish Park with a 2-0 over the Blades, which helped to strengthen Yeovil’s Play-Off aspirations.
Madden, who joined the Glovers from Carlisle United on a permanent deal during the current transfer window; following a successful loan spell, opened the scoring on 50 minutes before he completed his brace in the 66th minute when he capitalising on a mistake from Blades’ keeper George Long.
Also featuring for Yeovil was Madden’s fellow countryman, and January acquisition, Kevin Dawson who Johnson recently signed from Shelbourne.
Wednesday 9 January 2013
YEOVIL BOW OUT OF JPT AGAINST ORIENT
Yeovil Town's invoolvement in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy came to an end last night as they were beaten by a late goal against Leyton Orient at the Matchroom Stadium.
Orient leading scorer David Mooney struck with the decisive goal for the hosts who were reduced to ten men in the second half following the dismissal of midfielder Anthony Griffith.
The Glovers were cheered on by over 800 fans who made the journey from South Somerset on free coaches, which were provided by the club to ensure that as many fans travelled to the game as possible.
For Yeovil, they can now look back on their run in their longest run in the competition, which has included wins over Bristol Rovers, Torquay United and Wycombe Wanderers.
They can also look ahead to the possibility of a Play-Off challenge as they are currently only three points behind 6th placed MK Dons in the league table.
Orient leading scorer David Mooney struck with the decisive goal for the hosts who were reduced to ten men in the second half following the dismissal of midfielder Anthony Griffith.
The Glovers were cheered on by over 800 fans who made the journey from South Somerset on free coaches, which were provided by the club to ensure that as many fans travelled to the game as possible.
For Yeovil, they can now look back on their run in their longest run in the competition, which has included wins over Bristol Rovers, Torquay United and Wycombe Wanderers.
They can also look ahead to the possibility of a Play-Off challenge as they are currently only three points behind 6th placed MK Dons in the league table.
RALPH BIRKETT REMEMBERED:
As today marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ralph Birkett, the only South Devon born footballer ever to represent England, we will now take a look back at his career.
Ralph James Birkett was born in Torquay, instead of Newton Abbot which is widely reported, on January 9th 1913 and first joined Torquay United as a 16-year-old amateur from Dartmouth United.
At this time, Torquay United were still establishing themselves in Division Three South, after being elected to the Football League in 1927 at the expense of Aberdare Athletic.
Their first season in the league, the 1927-28 campaign, had seen the Magpies, as they were then known, apply for re-election.
In January 1930, the club wasdealt a major off-field blowwhen the roof of the grandstand was blown off in a heavy storm.
This setback provided a serious threat to the club’s existence as Torquay were already heavily in debt and weren’t in a position to fund the cost of replacing the roof, but Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City offered to play friendly matches at Plainmoor, which helped to pay for the reconstruction.
Whilst they had a number of off-field problems to worry about, they also had a few on-field concerns too, namely the fact that by March 1930, Torquay were still seeking their first win of the new decade.
However, that was soon to change when they faced Bournemouth on March 8th 1930, the game that saw Ralph handed his Football League debut by Magpies’ manager Frank Womack on the right wing.
It proved to be an inspired move by Womack as Torquay won 7-0 with Ralph laying on four of them. The Magpies also had a further four efforts disallowed for offside and missed a penalty.
Following the victory over Bournemouth, Ralph was quickly signed professional terms with United and soon became a regular in the Torquay starting eleven
He went to make a further 94 league appearances for the Magpies and three in the FA Cup before he was snapped up by the legendary Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman in April 1933 for a fee of £1,500.
On arriving at Highbury, Ralph found himself appearing alongside fellow Devonians Ray Bowden and Cliff Bastin, who had both joined the Gunners from Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City.
At this time Arsenal were the dominant force in English football and Ralph helped Arsenal to win the First Division title in the 1933-34 campaign, his first full campaign with the Gunners.
However, Ralph’s arrival at Highbury served to inject a new lease of life into the player he was signed to replace, Joe Hulme.
He was later sold by George Allison, who replaced Herbert Chapman as manager following his death in 1934, to Middlesbrough in 1935 for £5,000.
Whilst at Ayresome Park, Ralph became a star for Boro and scored 35 goals in 93 appearances during his stay on Teeside.
In October 1935, he was received his first and only England cap, becoming the first former Torquay United player to receive this honour, as well as being the first South Devon born player to do so, in a friendly against Northern Ireland, which England won 3-1.
Ralph impressed the England selectors sufficiently to be selected for their next international fixture against Germany, but he missed the match through injury and was replaced by a young winger by the name of Stanley Matthews.
His next transfer move saw him remain in the North East as he signed for Newcastle United for a fee of £5,800 in 1938.
Sadly for Ralph, as with many players of his generation, the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 saw his playing days interrupted and robbed him of what possibly could have been the best years of his career.
During the conflict, he served as a Physical Training instructor in the Army and made guest appearances for Darlington, Fulham, Chester, Middlesbrough, Chelsea and Reading as well as playing in a war time international for England against Scotland.
Following the end of the war, Ralph made one more appearance for Torquay, at the age of 33, in the 1945-46 interim season before the Football League officially resumed in 1946.
After retiring from playing, Ralph later returned to South Devon where he remained until his death in 2002 at the age of 89.
Footnote: Ralph is one of four Torquay United players to have gone on to play for England, the other three are Don Welsh, Lee Sharpe and Keith Curle.
Ralph James Birkett was born in Torquay, instead of Newton Abbot which is widely reported, on January 9th 1913 and first joined Torquay United as a 16-year-old amateur from Dartmouth United.
At this time, Torquay United were still establishing themselves in Division Three South, after being elected to the Football League in 1927 at the expense of Aberdare Athletic.
Their first season in the league, the 1927-28 campaign, had seen the Magpies, as they were then known, apply for re-election.
In January 1930, the club wasdealt a major off-field blowwhen the roof of the grandstand was blown off in a heavy storm.
This setback provided a serious threat to the club’s existence as Torquay were already heavily in debt and weren’t in a position to fund the cost of replacing the roof, but Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City offered to play friendly matches at Plainmoor, which helped to pay for the reconstruction.
Whilst they had a number of off-field problems to worry about, they also had a few on-field concerns too, namely the fact that by March 1930, Torquay were still seeking their first win of the new decade.
However, that was soon to change when they faced Bournemouth on March 8th 1930, the game that saw Ralph handed his Football League debut by Magpies’ manager Frank Womack on the right wing.
It proved to be an inspired move by Womack as Torquay won 7-0 with Ralph laying on four of them. The Magpies also had a further four efforts disallowed for offside and missed a penalty.
Following the victory over Bournemouth, Ralph was quickly signed professional terms with United and soon became a regular in the Torquay starting eleven
He went to make a further 94 league appearances for the Magpies and three in the FA Cup before he was snapped up by the legendary Arsenal manager Herbert Chapman in April 1933 for a fee of £1,500.
On arriving at Highbury, Ralph found himself appearing alongside fellow Devonians Ray Bowden and Cliff Bastin, who had both joined the Gunners from Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City.
At this time Arsenal were the dominant force in English football and Ralph helped Arsenal to win the First Division title in the 1933-34 campaign, his first full campaign with the Gunners.
However, Ralph’s arrival at Highbury served to inject a new lease of life into the player he was signed to replace, Joe Hulme.
He was later sold by George Allison, who replaced Herbert Chapman as manager following his death in 1934, to Middlesbrough in 1935 for £5,000.
Whilst at Ayresome Park, Ralph became a star for Boro and scored 35 goals in 93 appearances during his stay on Teeside.
In October 1935, he was received his first and only England cap, becoming the first former Torquay United player to receive this honour, as well as being the first South Devon born player to do so, in a friendly against Northern Ireland, which England won 3-1.
Ralph impressed the England selectors sufficiently to be selected for their next international fixture against Germany, but he missed the match through injury and was replaced by a young winger by the name of Stanley Matthews.
His next transfer move saw him remain in the North East as he signed for Newcastle United for a fee of £5,800 in 1938.
Sadly for Ralph, as with many players of his generation, the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939 saw his playing days interrupted and robbed him of what possibly could have been the best years of his career.
During the conflict, he served as a Physical Training instructor in the Army and made guest appearances for Darlington, Fulham, Chester, Middlesbrough, Chelsea and Reading as well as playing in a war time international for England against Scotland.
Following the end of the war, Ralph made one more appearance for Torquay, at the age of 33, in the 1945-46 interim season before the Football League officially resumed in 1946.
After retiring from playing, Ralph later returned to South Devon where he remained until his death in 2002 at the age of 89.
Footnote: Ralph is one of four Torquay United players to have gone on to play for England, the other three are Don Welsh, Lee Sharpe and Keith Curle.
Monday 7 January 2013
SHERIDAN CONFIRMED AS ARGYLE BOSS
John Sheridan has been officially confirmed as manager of Plymouth Argyle in succession to Carl Fletcher.
The former Republic of Ireland midfielder becomes the eighth manager to take charge of the Pilgrims in the last eight years.
With only one win in their last 16 matches in all competitions, Sheridan’s first target on taking over at Home Park will be to steer Argyle, who find themselves in 23rd position in Npower League Two, out of the relegation zone.
Another of the tasks facing the ex-Oldham Athletic and Chesterfield manager will be to find a replacement for experienced defender Darren Purse who joined Argyle’s opponents last Saturday, Port Vale.
Frenchman Maxime Blanchard, Curtis Nelson and rookie Jamie Richards are currently the only central defenders in the Pilgrims’ squad following Purse’s departure.
Sheridan will also need to address is the Pilgrims’ record in front of goal.
After scoring 29 goals in the league this season, Argyle are the fourth lowest scoring team in League Two.
At the time of writing, Paris Cowan-Hall is Argyle’s top scorer with four goals, whilst the Pilgrims’ next top scorers, Warren Feeney and Rhys Griffiths, have only found the back of the net three times each.
He will also be starting his new reign without the services of Nick Chadwick who was dismissed against Port Vale on Saturday.
After scoring 29 goals in the league this season, Argyle are the fourth lowest scoring team in League Two.
Thirdly, he will need to try and turn Home Park into a fortress again.
In their last 82 home league matches, from the start of the 2009-10 season to the present date, Argyle have only 23 games during this time.
One key factor in Argyle’s rise through the leagues under Paul Sturrock between 2001 and 2004 was the fact that Home Park was a difficult place to come to for visiting teams.
During this time, the Pilgrims won 47 of their 69 home league games.
With a 40 % win ratio during his career as a manager, this is something that Sheridan will no doubt be keen to improve on, starting with his first game in charge next Saturday against Morecambe.
The former Republic of Ireland midfielder becomes the eighth manager to take charge of the Pilgrims in the last eight years.
With only one win in their last 16 matches in all competitions, Sheridan’s first target on taking over at Home Park will be to steer Argyle, who find themselves in 23rd position in Npower League Two, out of the relegation zone.
Another of the tasks facing the ex-Oldham Athletic and Chesterfield manager will be to find a replacement for experienced defender Darren Purse who joined Argyle’s opponents last Saturday, Port Vale.
Frenchman Maxime Blanchard, Curtis Nelson and rookie Jamie Richards are currently the only central defenders in the Pilgrims’ squad following Purse’s departure.
Sheridan will also need to address is the Pilgrims’ record in front of goal.
After scoring 29 goals in the league this season, Argyle are the fourth lowest scoring team in League Two.
At the time of writing, Paris Cowan-Hall is Argyle’s top scorer with four goals, whilst the Pilgrims’ next top scorers, Warren Feeney and Rhys Griffiths, have only found the back of the net three times each.
He will also be starting his new reign without the services of Nick Chadwick who was dismissed against Port Vale on Saturday.
After scoring 29 goals in the league this season, Argyle are the fourth lowest scoring team in League Two.
Thirdly, he will need to try and turn Home Park into a fortress again.
In their last 82 home league matches, from the start of the 2009-10 season to the present date, Argyle have only 23 games during this time.
One key factor in Argyle’s rise through the leagues under Paul Sturrock between 2001 and 2004 was the fact that Home Park was a difficult place to come to for visiting teams.
During this time, the Pilgrims won 47 of their 69 home league games.
With a 40 % win ratio during his career as a manager, this is something that Sheridan will no doubt be keen to improve on, starting with his first game in charge next Saturday against Morecambe.
Friday 4 January 2013
SHERIDAN SET TO TAKE CHARGE OF PILGRIMS
John Sheridan is set to be named as Carl Fletcher’s successor as manager of Plymouth Argyle.
The former Republic of Ireland international was part of a three-man shortlist to succeed Fletcher, which included two ex Argyle players: the former Rochdale and Barnsley manager Keith Hill and current Bury manager Kevin Blackwell.
He is expected to be unveiled as the Pilgrims’ new manager on Monday.
Caretaker duo Romain Larrieu and Kevin Nancekivell will take charge of the Pilgrim’s League Two meeting at Port Vale tomorrow.
It will be Sheridan’s third managerial appointment after having previously managed Oldham Athletic between 2006 and 2009 and Chesterfield from 2009 to 2012.
His managerial career, of course, followed his successful playing days with Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, where he scored the winning goal in the 1991 League Cup final against Manchester United, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Doncaster Rovers and Oldham.
In addition to this, he also won 34 caps for the Republic of Ireland and scored five goals and was named in Jack Charlton’s squads for Euro 88, Italia 90 and USA 94.
On entering management, he enjoyed his most successful spell whilst in charge of Chesterfield during which time he led the Spireites to the League Two title in the 2010-11 season.
In the following campaign, despite being relegated from League One, the Spireites won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after overcoming Paolo Di Canio’s Swindon Town 1-0 in the final at Wembley.
His reign in charge at the Proact Stadium ended three games into the current season and he was eventually replaced by current Spireites’ boss Paul Cook.
John Sheridan honours: (as a player)
Rumbelows Cup Winner: 1991 (Sheffield Wednesday)
Nationwide First Division Championship Winner: 1996-97 season (Bolton Wanderers)
(as a manager) all Chesterfield
Npower League Two Champions: 2010-11 season
Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Winners: 2011-12 season
The former Republic of Ireland international was part of a three-man shortlist to succeed Fletcher, which included two ex Argyle players: the former Rochdale and Barnsley manager Keith Hill and current Bury manager Kevin Blackwell.
He is expected to be unveiled as the Pilgrims’ new manager on Monday.
Caretaker duo Romain Larrieu and Kevin Nancekivell will take charge of the Pilgrim’s League Two meeting at Port Vale tomorrow.
It will be Sheridan’s third managerial appointment after having previously managed Oldham Athletic between 2006 and 2009 and Chesterfield from 2009 to 2012.
His managerial career, of course, followed his successful playing days with Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, where he scored the winning goal in the 1991 League Cup final against Manchester United, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Doncaster Rovers and Oldham.
In addition to this, he also won 34 caps for the Republic of Ireland and scored five goals and was named in Jack Charlton’s squads for Euro 88, Italia 90 and USA 94.
On entering management, he enjoyed his most successful spell whilst in charge of Chesterfield during which time he led the Spireites to the League Two title in the 2010-11 season.
In the following campaign, despite being relegated from League One, the Spireites won the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy after overcoming Paolo Di Canio’s Swindon Town 1-0 in the final at Wembley.
His reign in charge at the Proact Stadium ended three games into the current season and he was eventually replaced by current Spireites’ boss Paul Cook.
John Sheridan honours: (as a player)
Rumbelows Cup Winner: 1991 (Sheffield Wednesday)
Nationwide First Division Championship Winner: 1996-97 season (Bolton Wanderers)
(as a manager) all Chesterfield
Npower League Two Champions: 2010-11 season
Johnstone’s Paint Trophy Winners: 2011-12 season
Thursday 3 January 2013
PILGRIMS' CHOICE
Throughout their history, the catchment area and potential of Plymouth Argyle has helped to attract a vast array of different managers to Home Park.
These have ranged from the maverick (Malcolm Allison & Ian Holloway), the future international manager (Billy Bingham & Tony Waiters), the serial promotion winner (Dave Smith, Neil Warnock & Paul Sturrock), the former international star (Peter Shilton & Peter Reid) and the ex-player (Ellis Stuttard, Bobby Saxton, Johnny Hore, David Kemp, Kevin Hodges, Paul Mariner and, until recently, Carl Fletcher).
All of the previously aforementioned individuals experienced varying degrees of success during the respective reigns in the Home Park hot seat.
The more successful ones have contributed to the eight promotions, which includes four divisional titles, the Pilgrims have won and the three cup semi-finals that they have also reached (two in the League Cup in 1965 & 1974 and one in the FA Cup in 1984) in the club’s 126-year history.
However, the one thing that has eluded Argyle throughout their existence has been top-flight football.
The city of Plymouth has held the title of the largest city in Europe never to have hosted top-flight football since 2008, when Hull City relinquished the title by beating Bristol City in the Championship Play-Off final to win promotion to the Premiership under Phil Brown, who is believed to be on the shortlist to succeed Fletcher.
Whilst the Premiership may seem like a very distant dream to the Pilgrims at the moment, let’s not forget that Swansea City were in not too different situation to Argyle not that long ago.
In 2003, the Swans secured their Football League status by beating Hull City 4-2 on the final day of the 2002-03 campaign, but fast forward eight years to 2011 and the Swans were winning promotion to the Premiership.
Meanwhile, back to Argyle’s current position and if James Brent and the current board can get the appointment of Carl Fletcher’s successor right, then the Pilgrims could rise again through the leagues in the near future.
These have ranged from the maverick (Malcolm Allison & Ian Holloway), the future international manager (Billy Bingham & Tony Waiters), the serial promotion winner (Dave Smith, Neil Warnock & Paul Sturrock), the former international star (Peter Shilton & Peter Reid) and the ex-player (Ellis Stuttard, Bobby Saxton, Johnny Hore, David Kemp, Kevin Hodges, Paul Mariner and, until recently, Carl Fletcher).
All of the previously aforementioned individuals experienced varying degrees of success during the respective reigns in the Home Park hot seat.
The more successful ones have contributed to the eight promotions, which includes four divisional titles, the Pilgrims have won and the three cup semi-finals that they have also reached (two in the League Cup in 1965 & 1974 and one in the FA Cup in 1984) in the club’s 126-year history.
However, the one thing that has eluded Argyle throughout their existence has been top-flight football.
The city of Plymouth has held the title of the largest city in Europe never to have hosted top-flight football since 2008, when Hull City relinquished the title by beating Bristol City in the Championship Play-Off final to win promotion to the Premiership under Phil Brown, who is believed to be on the shortlist to succeed Fletcher.
Whilst the Premiership may seem like a very distant dream to the Pilgrims at the moment, let’s not forget that Swansea City were in not too different situation to Argyle not that long ago.
In 2003, the Swans secured their Football League status by beating Hull City 4-2 on the final day of the 2002-03 campaign, but fast forward eight years to 2011 and the Swans were winning promotion to the Premiership.
Meanwhile, back to Argyle’s current position and if James Brent and the current board can get the appointment of Carl Fletcher’s successor right, then the Pilgrims could rise again through the leagues in the near future.
Tuesday 1 January 2013
SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES
A number of similarities can be found between Carl Fletcher and his former Bournemouth teammate Eddie Howe.
Both of them started their playing careers with the Cherries after they emerged through the club’s youth ranks.
They were also both also handed their first managerial vacancies at the age of 31 of the club’s in Administration, Howe with Bournemouth in 2008 and Fletcher when he was appointed as Caretaker Manager at Home Park following the dismissal of Peter Reid in September 2011.
This is also the point where the similarities between the two men differ slightly.
Prior to entering the hot seat at the Fitness First Stadium for the first time in 2008, Howe had spent a number of seasons coaching the club’s reserve and youth teams following his premature retirement from playing due to injury after having starting to take his coaching badges in his early 20’s.
Whereas Howe had spent a number of years preparing himself for taking charge of the Cherries, Fletcher was still registered as a player at Argyle and had had little in the way of coaching experience, at least not on the same scale that Howe had.
Nevertheless, Fletcher initially equipped himself well to the demands of the position, winning his first game in charge, a 2-0 home win over Macclesfield Town.
At this stage of the season, Argyle only had registered one point in the league and they gradually improved to the point whereby they guaranteed their League status with a 1-1 draw with Oxford United in their penultimate home game of the campaign.
Courage in the face of adversity was something that Fletcher never lacked, which was reflected by the way he faced the assembled media to give his post match interview, following the Bristol Rovers defeat, after he had been dismissed. He also threatened to lead the players out on strike to come up with some wages for the club's staff who were being forced to defer their monthly pay as part of the Administration process.
Whether Fletcher would have been more successful at Home Park if he had been given ample time to learn his trade we will never know.
However, there is nothing to suggest that he doesn’t still have something to offer the game after guiding the Pilgrims to safety last season, if he can take the positives from the experience, his reign as Argyle manager lasted a similar length of time to that of Ian Holloway, he could yet still have a lengthy career in football ahead of him.
One legacy he leaves his successor is the group of promising youngsters currently at Home Park, which includes Luke Young, Matt Lecointe, Tyler Harvey and Paris Cowan-Hall, all of whom could yet play a key role in a future Argyle revival.
Both of them started their playing careers with the Cherries after they emerged through the club’s youth ranks.
They were also both also handed their first managerial vacancies at the age of 31 of the club’s in Administration, Howe with Bournemouth in 2008 and Fletcher when he was appointed as Caretaker Manager at Home Park following the dismissal of Peter Reid in September 2011.
This is also the point where the similarities between the two men differ slightly.
Prior to entering the hot seat at the Fitness First Stadium for the first time in 2008, Howe had spent a number of seasons coaching the club’s reserve and youth teams following his premature retirement from playing due to injury after having starting to take his coaching badges in his early 20’s.
Whereas Howe had spent a number of years preparing himself for taking charge of the Cherries, Fletcher was still registered as a player at Argyle and had had little in the way of coaching experience, at least not on the same scale that Howe had.
Nevertheless, Fletcher initially equipped himself well to the demands of the position, winning his first game in charge, a 2-0 home win over Macclesfield Town.
At this stage of the season, Argyle only had registered one point in the league and they gradually improved to the point whereby they guaranteed their League status with a 1-1 draw with Oxford United in their penultimate home game of the campaign.
Courage in the face of adversity was something that Fletcher never lacked, which was reflected by the way he faced the assembled media to give his post match interview, following the Bristol Rovers defeat, after he had been dismissed. He also threatened to lead the players out on strike to come up with some wages for the club's staff who were being forced to defer their monthly pay as part of the Administration process.
Whether Fletcher would have been more successful at Home Park if he had been given ample time to learn his trade we will never know.
However, there is nothing to suggest that he doesn’t still have something to offer the game after guiding the Pilgrims to safety last season, if he can take the positives from the experience, his reign as Argyle manager lasted a similar length of time to that of Ian Holloway, he could yet still have a lengthy career in football ahead of him.
One legacy he leaves his successor is the group of promising youngsters currently at Home Park, which includes Luke Young, Matt Lecointe, Tyler Harvey and Paris Cowan-Hall, all of whom could yet play a key role in a future Argyle revival.
FLETCHER AND ARGYLE PART COMPANY
Plymouth Argyle have parted company with manager Carl Fletcher following their New Years’ Day defeat against Bristol Rovers.
As a player, Carl Fletcher should be remembered as a Plymouth Argyle great.
During his four-year stint as a player and manager with the Pilgrims, Fletcher captained the Pilgrims with great distinction, winning the club’s Player of the Year award in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.
However, these were not particular happy times for the Pilgrims as during these two seasons they experienced back-to-back relegations as they fell from the Championship to League Two in consecutive seasons and also experienced a lengthy spell in Administration, which threatened the very existence of the club.
Fletcher was one of many of Argyle’s playing and non-playing staff who were forced to defer their wages for seven months in order to keep the club alive.
It was as a result of the aforementioned circumstances that saw the manager’s job thrust upon him following the departure of former Everton and England midfielder Peter Reid.
Despite conducting himself in an impeccable manner, Reid couldn’t arrest the Pilgrims decline and at one stage, he even dipped into his own pocket to pay the club’s heating bill and even made his 1986 FA Cup runners-up medal available for auction.
After only securing one point from the Pilgrims’ opening nine league games of the 2011-12 season, Reid was dismissed and Fletcher installed as caretaker manager with Romain Larrieu and Kevin Nancekivell assisting him.
In his first game in charge, Fletcher oversaw a 2-0 victory over Macclesfield and was installed as manager on a permanent basis once James Brent’s takeover of the club was completed.
However, the road to league survival proved to be a rocky one as the Pilgrims remained bottom of the league until the beginning of December and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Southern League side Stourbridge in the first round.
He then set about strengthening his squad as experienced individuals such as Darren Purse, Maxime Blanchard and Nick Chadwick were recruited.
In January transfer window of 2012, former club captain Paul Wotton returned to Home Park from Yeovil Town and Fletcher also made a number of astute loan signings, including Ashley Hemmings and Alex MacDonald.
With the new signings on board, Argyle then started to look like a different team and they proved to be difficult to beat at home as they only lost three times at Home Park from January onwards.
Survival was secured in their penultimate home game of the season in a 1-1 draw with Oxford United and Fletcher could rightfully claim to have accomplished the mission that he set out to achieve.
However, the Pilgrims were unable to build on this during the 2012-13 campaign.
At the turn of the year they now find themselves in 21st place, the same league position where they finished the previous season, with only seven league wins and another FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league opposition, this time to Dorchester Town.
With the nature of football management being a results driven business, Fletcher paid the price, as the Pilgrims began 2013 with a defeat against Bristol Rovers, with his dismissal.
Following his departure, Fletcher now joins a list that includes Dave Kemp, Kevin Hodges and Paul Mariner, all of whom were great servants to Argyle as players, but failed to emulate those achievements when they were appointed as manager.
As a player, Carl Fletcher should be remembered as a Plymouth Argyle great.
During his four-year stint as a player and manager with the Pilgrims, Fletcher captained the Pilgrims with great distinction, winning the club’s Player of the Year award in the 2009-10 and 2010-11 seasons.
However, these were not particular happy times for the Pilgrims as during these two seasons they experienced back-to-back relegations as they fell from the Championship to League Two in consecutive seasons and also experienced a lengthy spell in Administration, which threatened the very existence of the club.
Fletcher was one of many of Argyle’s playing and non-playing staff who were forced to defer their wages for seven months in order to keep the club alive.
It was as a result of the aforementioned circumstances that saw the manager’s job thrust upon him following the departure of former Everton and England midfielder Peter Reid.
Despite conducting himself in an impeccable manner, Reid couldn’t arrest the Pilgrims decline and at one stage, he even dipped into his own pocket to pay the club’s heating bill and even made his 1986 FA Cup runners-up medal available for auction.
After only securing one point from the Pilgrims’ opening nine league games of the 2011-12 season, Reid was dismissed and Fletcher installed as caretaker manager with Romain Larrieu and Kevin Nancekivell assisting him.
In his first game in charge, Fletcher oversaw a 2-0 victory over Macclesfield and was installed as manager on a permanent basis once James Brent’s takeover of the club was completed.
However, the road to league survival proved to be a rocky one as the Pilgrims remained bottom of the league until the beginning of December and were knocked out of the FA Cup by Southern League side Stourbridge in the first round.
He then set about strengthening his squad as experienced individuals such as Darren Purse, Maxime Blanchard and Nick Chadwick were recruited.
In January transfer window of 2012, former club captain Paul Wotton returned to Home Park from Yeovil Town and Fletcher also made a number of astute loan signings, including Ashley Hemmings and Alex MacDonald.
With the new signings on board, Argyle then started to look like a different team and they proved to be difficult to beat at home as they only lost three times at Home Park from January onwards.
Survival was secured in their penultimate home game of the season in a 1-1 draw with Oxford United and Fletcher could rightfully claim to have accomplished the mission that he set out to achieve.
However, the Pilgrims were unable to build on this during the 2012-13 campaign.
At the turn of the year they now find themselves in 21st place, the same league position where they finished the previous season, with only seven league wins and another FA Cup exit at the hands of non-league opposition, this time to Dorchester Town.
With the nature of football management being a results driven business, Fletcher paid the price, as the Pilgrims began 2013 with a defeat against Bristol Rovers, with his dismissal.
Following his departure, Fletcher now joins a list that includes Dave Kemp, Kevin Hodges and Paul Mariner, all of whom were great servants to Argyle as players, but failed to emulate those achievements when they were appointed as manager.
NEW DATE FOR GULLS VS GRECIANS CLASH
The first league meeting between Torquay United and Exeter City since 2003, which was due to take place on December 22nd 2012, has been rescheduled for Tuesday January 15th 2013 with a 8pm kick-off.
The original fixture had been called off because the pitch at Plainmoor was waterlogged and the new date comes 13 days ahead of the return fixture at St James Park, which was moved to a Monday night for live television coverage on Sky Sports.
For the Gulls, the new date for the meeting at Plainmoor will also be a day ahead of another local derby of a different kind as they travel to Buckland Athletic on January 16th in the St Lukes Devon Bowl.
The original fixture had been called off because the pitch at Plainmoor was waterlogged and the new date comes 13 days ahead of the return fixture at St James Park, which was moved to a Monday night for live television coverage on Sky Sports.
For the Gulls, the new date for the meeting at Plainmoor will also be a day ahead of another local derby of a different kind as they travel to Buckland Athletic on January 16th in the St Lukes Devon Bowl.
OUT WITH THE OLD AND IN WITH THE NEW
As we say goodbye to 2012 and hello to 2013, we will now look back at a number of games from the past year with significant links with South West Football.
January 2nd 2012 Plymouth Argyle 1 Torquay United 2 Npower League Two
For the first time since 1971, Torquay United completed the double over neighbours Plymouth Argyle.
After winning at Plainmoor in a Eunan O'Kane inspired 3-1 victory, the Gulls completed their second victory over the Pilgrims by winning 2-1 at Home Park.
Billy Bodin and Lee Mansell both found the net for the visitors before Luke Young pulled a goal back for Argyle.
February 26th 2012 Cardiff City 2 Liverpool 2 (3-2 to Liverpool on penalties) Carling Cup Final
Following his move to Cardiff City from Plymouth Argyle in the summer of 2012 would have predicted that Joe Mason would have lined up against Liverpool in a Carling Cup final, nevermind score the opening goal of the contest.
However, that is exactly what the Plymouth-born Republic of Ireland Under-21 international did when he latched onto a pass from Kenny Miller and coolly slotted the ball past Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina in the 19th minute of the match.
In doing so. Joe became the first former Pilgrims player to scored in a major final since Mike Trebilcock netted twice for Everton in the 1966 FA Cup final.
April 21st 2012 Plymouth Argyle 1 Oxford United 1 Npower League Two
When Carl Fletcher replaced Peter Reid as manager of Plymouth Argyle, the Pilgrims only had one point to their name after ten games and were still in Administration.
By the end of April, Argyle had been taken over by James Brent and secured their Football League status with a point against Oxford United at Home Park.
The Pilgrims were in front after 80 seconds through a free-kick from Robbie Williams before Asa Hall levelled for the U's on 36 minutes as Argyle got the point they needed to guarantee their safety.
August 25th 2012 Torquay United 4 Rochdale 2 Npower League Two
As well as being Torquay's first win of the 2012-13 campaign, their victory over Rochdale was also significant as it saw the full debut of teenage winger Niall Thompson and the debut of Nathan Craig.
Both players both arrived at Plainmoor via very different routes, Thompson emerged from the club's new, revamped youth system, whilst Craig came to Plainmoor from North Wales after spells with Everton, where he made an appearance in the Europa League, and Caernarfon Town whom he joined the Gulls from.
The duo could have a big part to play for Torquay in the next few years.
November 14th 2012 Sweden 4 England 2 International Friendly
England's recent friendly against Sweden is always likely to be remembered for the goals scored for Sweden by Zlatan Ibrahamovic, but it also marked the England debut of former Yeovil Town loanee Steven Caulker.
Three years earlier, Caulker joined the Glovers on a youth loan from his current club Tottenham Hotspur and then went on to become a regular at Huish Park and virtually swept the board at the club's end of season Player of the Year awards in the 2009-10 campaign.
His footballing education then continued with loans at Bristol City and Swansea City and he also earned a call-up to Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad before he was selected for the Team GB squad at this summer's Olympic games.
He was an ever-present for Team GB as they reached the Quarter Finals of the competition and his performances caught the eye of England manager Roy Hodgson who handed his first start against Sweden in Stockholm.
As well as making his debut in the match, he also found the target when, in the 38th minute, he headed home a free-kick from Steven Gerrard to give England a 2-1 lead, which they held until he was substituted on 74 minutes, after which it became 'the Ibrahamovic show'.
January 2nd 2012 Plymouth Argyle 1 Torquay United 2 Npower League Two
For the first time since 1971, Torquay United completed the double over neighbours Plymouth Argyle.
After winning at Plainmoor in a Eunan O'Kane inspired 3-1 victory, the Gulls completed their second victory over the Pilgrims by winning 2-1 at Home Park.
Billy Bodin and Lee Mansell both found the net for the visitors before Luke Young pulled a goal back for Argyle.
February 26th 2012 Cardiff City 2 Liverpool 2 (3-2 to Liverpool on penalties) Carling Cup Final
Following his move to Cardiff City from Plymouth Argyle in the summer of 2012 would have predicted that Joe Mason would have lined up against Liverpool in a Carling Cup final, nevermind score the opening goal of the contest.
However, that is exactly what the Plymouth-born Republic of Ireland Under-21 international did when he latched onto a pass from Kenny Miller and coolly slotted the ball past Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina in the 19th minute of the match.
In doing so. Joe became the first former Pilgrims player to scored in a major final since Mike Trebilcock netted twice for Everton in the 1966 FA Cup final.
April 21st 2012 Plymouth Argyle 1 Oxford United 1 Npower League Two
When Carl Fletcher replaced Peter Reid as manager of Plymouth Argyle, the Pilgrims only had one point to their name after ten games and were still in Administration.
By the end of April, Argyle had been taken over by James Brent and secured their Football League status with a point against Oxford United at Home Park.
The Pilgrims were in front after 80 seconds through a free-kick from Robbie Williams before Asa Hall levelled for the U's on 36 minutes as Argyle got the point they needed to guarantee their safety.
August 25th 2012 Torquay United 4 Rochdale 2 Npower League Two
As well as being Torquay's first win of the 2012-13 campaign, their victory over Rochdale was also significant as it saw the full debut of teenage winger Niall Thompson and the debut of Nathan Craig.
Both players both arrived at Plainmoor via very different routes, Thompson emerged from the club's new, revamped youth system, whilst Craig came to Plainmoor from North Wales after spells with Everton, where he made an appearance in the Europa League, and Caernarfon Town whom he joined the Gulls from.
The duo could have a big part to play for Torquay in the next few years.
November 14th 2012 Sweden 4 England 2 International Friendly
England's recent friendly against Sweden is always likely to be remembered for the goals scored for Sweden by Zlatan Ibrahamovic, but it also marked the England debut of former Yeovil Town loanee Steven Caulker.
Three years earlier, Caulker joined the Glovers on a youth loan from his current club Tottenham Hotspur and then went on to become a regular at Huish Park and virtually swept the board at the club's end of season Player of the Year awards in the 2009-10 campaign.
His footballing education then continued with loans at Bristol City and Swansea City and he also earned a call-up to Stuart Pearce's England Under-21 squad before he was selected for the Team GB squad at this summer's Olympic games.
He was an ever-present for Team GB as they reached the Quarter Finals of the competition and his performances caught the eye of England manager Roy Hodgson who handed his first start against Sweden in Stockholm.
As well as making his debut in the match, he also found the target when, in the 38th minute, he headed home a free-kick from Steven Gerrard to give England a 2-1 lead, which they held until he was substituted on 74 minutes, after which it became 'the Ibrahamovic show'.
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