FOUR THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED'S GREAT ESCAPE 2

1. The Plainmoor faithful have a passion for their club

The 4,026 crowd that poured into Plainmoor to witness the Gulls retain their National League status against North Ferriby United ensured that the encounter was the highest attended National League fixture of the final day of the campaign. Owners Gaming International and Chairman Clarke Osborne have stated that their aim is to maintain the club's full-time status and win promotion back to the Football League, many fans remain sceptical of their intentions - although Osborne has said that United won't be leaving Plainmoor until any proposed new stadium is ready.
However, the message that should be made loud and clear to Osborne should be: 'If this is the sort of crowd that United can attract when they stay up, imagine what gates they would get if they went up!'

2. Jordan Lee is a name to watch out for

Young Jordan Lee, who first arrived at Plainmoor in January on loan from Bournemouth, has blossomed as a player during his time with the Gulls. From his indifferent club debut against Woking in January, he has emerged as a key performer in the final weeks of the campaign, scoring his first senior goal at home to Braintree and was awarded the Man of the Match prize by the match sponsors against North Ferriby.


3. Luke Young joins a select group of Gulls

In winning United's Player of the Year award for a second time, Luke Young joins a select group of players that also includes Mike Mahoney (1973-74 and 1974-75), Colin Anderson (1982-83 and 1983-84), Kevin Hill (1999-00 and 2005-06) and Lee Mansell (2006-07 and 2011-12). Young won the award for the first time in the 2014-15 season and was awarded the prize again for a second time following the Gulls' 2-0 victory over North Ferriby. The majority of Gulls' followers will be hoping that his name is at the top of any future retained list.

4. Escapology is a speciality of Torquay United

North Ferriby United 2017 now joins a list that includes the 'Bryn the Police Dog' match against Crewe in 1987 (nearly 30 years to the day of the latest instalment in the series), Carlisle 1993, Barnet 2001, Carlisle 2006 and Bromley 2016 of late season 'Houdini acts' pulled off by the Gulls.
Nevertheless, now that the dust has settled, the realisation needs to be made that United are at a crossroads. They could follow the route taken by clubs such as Lincoln City and Aldershot Town who have won the National League title and reached the Play-offs respectively, or they could take the road that Stockport County, once of the Football League but now of National League North, and others have gone down. Hopefully the Gulls will take the direction of the former clubs and not the latter.

THE GULLS ARE STAYING UP

Nearly 30 years to the day since their Bryn the Police Dog inspired Great Escape, Torquay United secured their National League status in style against already relegated North Ferriby United at Plainmoor.

Skipper Aman Verma struck with the Gulls opener on 58 minutes after Myles Anderson connected with a Luke Young free-kick which North Ferriby keeper Owen Evans tipped onto the bar and the former Kidderminster man reacted quickest to turn home the rebound.

The match was ended as a contest in the 86th minute when Anderson headed home a cross from Luke Young to seal a third successive win for the Gulls, as they retained their place in the National League at the expense of York City, who could only draw with Forest Green Rovers.

NORTH FERRIBY IS THE GULLS NUMBER ONE PRIORITY

Following their victory last week away at Dover Athletic, which secured their fourth double of the campaign, Torquay United manager Kevin Nicholson remained grounded and insisted that there were no 'well dones' or 'pats on the back."

And with the knowledge that only a win will over already relegated North Ferriby United can give the Gulls any real confidence of avoiding the drop outright he has a very good reason to do so.

United currently stand on fifty points - a figure achieved by earning 25 points against the top eight in the division and 25 against the remaining 15 sides - and with relegation rivals Guiseley also on 50, York City on 49 and Braintree Town on 48 another three points would keep them out of their reach.

Guiseley, managed by former Gulls loanee Adam Lockwood, are at home to Solihull Moors, York host Forest Green Rovers in front of the BT Sport cameras and Braintree travel to Aldershot Town, who are already assured of the league's final Play-off spot.

Parallels can be drawn between United's current situation and that of Boreham Wood last season. The Wood hosted an already relegated Welling United on the final day of the 2015-16 campaign and were one of four clubs who could have potentially gone down. However, Luke Garrard's side won 3-0 to preserve their National League status and a similar score line for the Gulls this time around would do nicely.

United's history has been punctuated with numerous final day escape acts, notable ones include the 'Bryn the Police Dog' encounter against Crewe Alexandra in 1987 and the 'loser loses all' match with Barnet in 2001.

Saturday's clash has the potential to rank alongside both of the aforementioned matches.

Footnote: Much has been made in recent week's about the Gulls' record against the National League's top eight which reads: Played 16, won six , drawn seven and lost three with a return of 25 points.
However, United's record against the league's bottom eight has seen them pick up 19 points from a possible 45, which includes six wins. Wouldn't it be a great way to even things up by increasing that figure to 22.

FOUR THINGS WE LEARNED FROM YEOVIL TOWN LADIES VS LIVERPOOL LADIES

Last Sunday saw Yeovil Town Ladies begin their Women's Super League One Spring Series campaign against Liverpool Ladies, we will now look at four things that we learned from their encounter at Huish Park.

1. Form is temporary whereas class is permanent

Sarah Wiltshire announced her return to the Lady Glovers' fold following the birth of her daughter, Alexa-Rose, in spectacular style by scoring Yeovil Town Ladies' first ever goal in the top-flight of the women's game after coming on as second half substitute. Wiltshire had been on maternity leave from the Lady Glovers since she announced her pregnancy midway through last season following a 4-1 victory over Durham Women. She had returned to action with Cambridge United Ladies only three weeks after giving birth and joined up with the Glovers earlier than originally intended.
There could yet be more goals to come from Wiltshire over the course of the Spring Series.

2. Could Jessie Jones be a star in the making?

Like Wiltshire, Jessie Jones also appeared from the substitute's bench and also produced an impressive cameo. An England Under 17 international, Jones has looked at home in her new surroundings thus far and she is definitely one to watch for the remainder of the Spring Series.

3. Mistakes do happen.

Anyone who was at Huish Park on Sunday afternoon could be forgiven for seeing double, but in fact they weren't. As Liverpool forgot to pack their kit, instead of being a case of the green and white of Yeovil against the red of Liverpool, it became the green and white of Yeovil against the yellow and green of Yeovil as the visitors borrowed the hosts away kit.
However, it didn't unduly affect their performance as they came away as 4-1 winners.


4. Huish Park was packed

A club record 1,897 spectators poured into Huish Park to witness Jamie Sherwood's side make history against Liverpool. Unfortunately their season opener will be the only Spring Series matches taking place at Huish Park, with the Lady Glovers' remaining home fixtures being held at the respective homes of Taunton Town and Bridgwater Town as the club look to engage with their fan base. Regardless of their venue, it wouldn't be a surprise to see their attendance beaten again in the future.

THE PILGRIMS ARE GOING UP

In the 1970s it was Tony Waiters, Dave Smith in the 1980s, Neil Warnock in the 1990s, Paul Sturrock in the noughties and now Derek Adams becomes the promotion winning Plymouth Argyle manager of the present decade.

After missing out in the League Two Play-off final last season against AFC Wimbledon, the Pilgrims clinched automatic promotion in style with a 6-1 win over relegation threatened Newport County.

What makes Adams' achievement seem even more remarkable is that Argyle's success was achieved with virtually a brand new squad with only skipper Luke McCormick, vice captain Gary Sawyer, midfield maestro Graham Carey and Jake Jervis remaining from the Pilgrims' class of 2016.

With three games to go, Argyle are only three points behind leaders Doncaster Rovers, managed - of course - by Adams' childhood friend Darren Ferguson (Adams' father, George, was the first player to be signed Sir Alex Ferguson at his first club East Stirlingshire - Darren's famous dad - and also served under him as a youth coach at Aberdeen).

The last time Argyle won promotion from this level in 2002 under Sturrock, who was part of Ferguson senior's Scotland squad at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, they won promotion to the Championship two years later. It wouldn't be too big a surprise if they enjoyed a similar descent back to the second tier of English football this time around.

FOUR THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED'S EASTER MONDAY WIN OVER BRAINTREE

1. The answer could yet be in the building.

Torquay United owner Clarke Osborne's decision not to allow manager Kevin Nicholson was met by criticism from the United faithful, meaning Nicholson has often been including himself on the subs bench in recent weeks, but Brett Williams could yet prove to be Torquay's talisman.
The former Aldershot and Forest Green striker netted twice for the Gulls against Braintree and was denied a hat-trick in the most controversial of circumstances, as he had a 37th minute effort flagged offside before he netted his brace. In the Gulls' great escape of the 2005-06 season under Ian Atkins, Jo Kuffour scored five times in United's last five league fixtures and if Williams can score another three in their remaining two matches it would be a massive help to the Gulls' cause.

2. Jordan Lee has come of age.

It's fair to say that Jordan Lee didn't have the best of debuts after joining on loan from AFC Bournemouth as he conceded a penalty six minutes into his first start for the Gulls against Woking in January. However, in recent weeks, Lee has been a valuable member of Nicholson's squad and scored a deserved first senior career goal late on against Braintree.

3. Four points can be enough to secure survival.

Four points from their remaining two matches against Dover Athletic and North Ferriby a final total of 51 points and with their superior goal difference any team looking to topple them would therefore require 52 points. Two wins would be perfect, but just three points would leave them keeping their fingers crossed regarding outcomes of matches elsewhere.

4. The Gulls are still a big draw.

A season high crowd of 2,580 witnessed the Gulls put Braintree to the sword on Easter Monday, which was higher than the home attendances of Accrington Stanley, Barnet and Morecambe in League Two. It is not inconceivable that United could attract a similar gate or higher against North Ferriby on the final day of the campaign. Also over the Easter weekend, the club issued a statement in response to an article in the Guardian, which quoted London-based former Commercial Manager Alan Merson over allegations of the player's wages, the conditions in which they are accommodated in the Gulls' Lodge which houses a number of the United playing squad and the club's lack of transfer activity. Make no mistake, there is a strong passion towards the Gulls from their supporters.

GULLS LOOKING TO BOUNCE BACK QUICKLY

Good Friday proved to be a Black Friday for Torquay United at Sincil Bank as they went down to defeat against league leaders Lincoln City but now they have the chance to put things against Braintree Town at Plainmoor.

The Gulls would have needed to beat their fellow strugglers the Iron regardless of the outcome of their encounter against the Imps, managed by former Braintree boss Danny Cowley, but the importance of winning all three points has increased with results elsewhere going against Torquay.

One factor that could provide Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson with a big boost would be the return to fitness of Dan Sparkes who has sat out United's last two fixtures with Aldershot Town and Lincoln and will be facing his former club if selected.

Four years ago, United were in a similar situation as they faced their final three fixtures of the 2012-13 season under the interim managership of Alan Knill, after Martin Ling had gone absent through illness. Following a narrow 1-0 defeat to champions elect Gillingham - note the similarities to the present day - before beating fellow relegation candidates Barnet 3-2 and Morecambe 1-0 before drawing 3-3 with Bristol Rovers on the final day at home to make survival mathematically certain.

A repeat of that points return in 2017 would more than likely be enough, and another parallel to be found is that the Gulls were in 22nd place in the League Two table - their current position in the National League at the time of writing.

Can lightning strike twice for United?

BOOK REVIEW: IT'S ONLY BANTER BY LEROY ROSENIOR

Leroy Rosenior is best remembered for his now infamous ten-minute spell in charge of Torquay United and his role as pundit on the BBC's Football League Show.

However, as his autobiography ‘It’s Only Banter’ proves there is certainly more to Leroy than meets the eye.

After growing up in South London as son of parents who had emigrated to Britain from Sierra Leone in the 1950’s, Leroy went on to carve out a varied career in football as a player, coach, manager and pundit.

The book also acts a social commentary which views the way that both football and society view racism and therefore it differs from the average footballer’s autobiography and makes it a more engaging read as a result.

It charts the lives of Leroy’s father, Willie, who survived an racially motivated attack by a group of teddy boys in a South London; Leroy himself who was subjected to Nazi salutes from opposing fans and was even racially abused by one of his on-field opponents in the 1980’s – which left him questioning his future in the game - and his son Liam, a current professional player with Brighton and Hove Albion looking to embark on a career in management himself.

Ghostwriter Leo Moynihan’s writing style and turn of phrase excellently captures Leroy’s voice and the intelligence and eloquent manner that has seen him successfully make the transition to becoming a pundit.

Leroy also lifts the lid on the tale behind his now infamously brief return to Torquay in 2007.

The idea that he is best remembered for this and not his first spell, which saw him become the first manager to lead the Gulls to automatic promotion since Frank O’Farrell, who – like Leroy – was also an ex-West Ham player, is also a tad frustrating. He achieved this by using a brand of passing football not to dissimilar to the present day Swansea City and Bournemouth sides and it did seem at one stage that he might follow a similar career trajectory as O’Farrell who, of course, went on to manage Manchester United amongst others.

Nevertheless, his account of his two-match spell in charge of the Sierra Leone national team also makes you question whether the England manager’s job really is an impossible job!

However, there is the occasional factual inaccuracy – in Leroy’s first season in charge at Torquay they beat Exeter 2-1 and 1-0, not 3-1 as stated in the book (But don’t worry Leroy, it was the first time the Gulls had completed the double over the Grecians since the 1987-88 season so we forgive you!)

Although the game has made considerable progress since Leroy’s playing days, the book illustrates that there is still a way to go on the managerial front.

When Leroy was first appointed as Torquay manager in 2002, he was one of three BAME manager in the Football League – along with the late Keith Alexander and Carlton Palmer - and there is one fewer managing in the league at the time of writing following Marcus Bignot’s recent sacking as Grimsby Town manager.

Although the final paragraph shows Leroy’s own delight that he persevered in the face of the abuse that he received, the book also leaves the reader wondering if there is possibly more that he could offer the game – possibly as a coach of one of the England Youth sides perhaps, a role which could enable him to become a role model and mentor for future BAME coaches.

Especially if he could recreate the style of play from his first spell with the Gulls.

WATKINS JOIN ILLUSTRIOUS LIST

Exeter City starlet Ollie Watkins has followed in the footsteps of Gareth Bale and Dele Alli to win the EFL Young Player of the Year award for the 2016-17 season.

Watkins, 21, who has scored 14 times in all competitions for the Grecians this season - and was heavily linking with several Championship clubs in the January 2017 transfer window - beat off Oxford United's Ryan Ledson and Reading's John Swift.

As well as his success being a testament to both Watkins' ability and temperament, it also underlines the hard work that Exeter City put into producing young players and the quality of coaching that they receive, as both Ledson and Swift have featured for England at age group level and former Everton youngster Ledson was part of the England Under-17 side that won the European Championship in 2014. Swift also started his career with Chelsea, but left Stamford Bridge to join the Royals in search of first team football.

In addition to this individual award, Watkins was also named in the Skybet League Two team of the season for 2016-17, as well as included Plymouth Argyle duo Sonny Bradley and Graham Carey, which is voted for by the local journalists who cover each of the 24 clubs in the division.

However, this is not to be confused with the PFA team of the year, which is decided by the votes of the player's fellow professionals and has yet to be announced.

Should Watkins be named in the PFA XI he will be the first Grecians' player to feature since fellow youth product Matt Grimes, a player that Watkins could also emulate in sealing a move to the Championship side in the future.

STATS SHOW SURPRISE IN GULLS RESULTS

What I'm about to tell you certainly surprised me and I'm sure they'll surprise you as well.

If you were to divide the Vanarama National League into thirds, over the course of the 2016-17 season Torquay United have as many points off the top eight in the division than the middle and lower thirds put together.

The Gulls' record reads as below:

Lincoln City                       H L 1-2, A still to play 0pts

Tranmere Rovers               H 0-0, A L 1-2 1pt

Forest Green Rovers          H W 4-3, A D 5-5 4pts

Dagenham & Redbridge    H W 1-0, A W 1-0 6pts

Aldershot Town                 H D 0-0, A 1-1 2pts

Dover Athletic                   H W 2-1, A still to play 3pts

Barrow                               H D 1-1, A 0-0 2pts

Gateshead                          H W 3-1, A 0-0 4pts

 

Which brings a grand total of 22 points.

 

However, against the teams in the middle third of the table, it reads like this:

 

Macclesfield Town            H D 1-1, A L 0-2 1pts

Boreham Wood                 H L 0-1, A L 0-2 0pts

Bromley                            H W 1-0, A L 0-1 3pts

Wrexham                          H D 1-1, A 1-1 2pts

Eastleigh                          H L 2-3, A 0-3 0pts

Chester FC                      H L 0-1, A L 0-1 0pts

Sutton United                   H L 2-3, A L 0-2 0pts

Maidstone United            H L 2-3, A L 1-2 0pts

 

Against the middle third teams, United have yielded a meagre return of just six points.

 

However, their games against the lower third they have fared better.

 

Guiseley                          H L 1-2, A L 0-2 0pts

Solihull Moors                H W 3-0, A W 1-0 6pts

York City                        H W 2-0, A D 0-0 4pts

Woking                           H L 1-2, A L 1-3 0pts

Braintree Town              H still to play, A W 3-1 3pts

North Ferriby United     H still to play, A L 0-1 0pts

Southport                       H L 1-2, A W 2-1 3pts

 

Which gives the Gulls a return of 16 points, and a factor that could yet be in the Gulls' favour is all their remaining fixtures are against sides in the top and lower thirds of the division who they have won most of their points against.

 

However, their home encounters with Braintree and North Ferriby could yet rank amongst crucial in the club's history.