One of the mantra’s of the late Tony Boyce, who was Chairman of Torquay United between 1964 and 1984, was that any prospective manager of the Gulls should have three things: contacts, contacts and contacts.
In 1981, the then United manager Frank O’Farrell – in his second spell in charge of the Gulls following spells with Leicester City, Manchester United, Cardiff City and the Iranian national side – used his contacts to entice former West Bromwich Albion striker Tony Brown to Plainmoor.
Brown, who was also capped for England, wasn’t the only
former top-flight star with the Gulls at the time. Former Aston Villa, Derby
County, Everton and Scotland midfielder Bruce Rioch was combining playing with
acting as O’Farrell’s assistant.
As part of the deal to sign Brown, he was granted a
testimonial – which was to be played against Manchester United during the ‘big
freeze’ of 1981 that rendered many pitches across the country unplayable.
By a quirk of nature, Plainmoor was still relatively
unscathed and a match with the Red Devils was hastily arranged, along with
other friendlies against Nottingham Forest and Birmingham City.
The Red Devils – then managed by Ron Atkinson – sent down a
full strength squad, which included the likes of Bryan Robson, Ray Wilkins,
Frank Stapleton et al. It was a decade on from their previous visit to Plainmoor when O’Farrell brought his Red Devils side to play the Gulls in a pre-season friendly, which ended in a goalless draw.
Scotland defender Martin Buchan - who was brought to Old Trafford by O’Farrell in 1972 – was only survivor from that meeting to feature for either side.
A crowd of over 7,000 poured into Plainmoor to witness the
occasion on December 7th 1981 and the Gulls took an early lead
through David Butler – a free transfer signing from Wolves - on five minutes.
Willie Young then doubled their advantage twelve minutes,
thanks to good work from Donal Murphy.
Brown then turned provider to increase their lead to three
when he set up strike partner Steve Cooper in the 20th minute.
Nine minutes later and Butler completed his brace as a major
shock appeared to be on the cards.
However, the Red Devils rallied in the second half to reduce
their deficit to two goals, as Wilkins and Lou Macari struck in the 48th
and 55th minutes respectively. Eight years later they returned to Plainmoor for a third visit, as part of the deal that took Lee Sharpe to Old Trafford in 1989 – which was also drawn – as the Gulls maintained their ‘unbeaten run’ against the Red Devils.
Torquay United 4
Butler (5), (29), Young (17), Cooper (20)
Manchester United 2
Wilkins (48),
Macari (55)
