A week after Torquay United retained their National League status, a crowd of over 600 poured into Plainmoor to watch a team of former Gulls' youth team products, who were brought through by Paul Compton, face a team made up of players from United's 2003-04 promotion winning team.
The event, organised by former Gulls' apprentice Mark Forrester, raised over £6,300 for Rowcroft Hospice, through gate receipts and an auction, and saw former United favourite Darren Moore, later of West Bromwich Albion and Derby County, appear for Compton's side, along with former Truro City boss Steve Tully.
Amongst the players appearing for the 2003-04 promotion side were record appearance holder Kevin Hill, Alex Russell - who, at the age of 44, is still playing and will be representing England at the veteran's World Cup in Thailand next month - and Jo Kuffour.
Other guest players that featured included Paul Gibbs, Lee Russell and Guy Branston. Current United manager Kevin Nicholson and his assistant Robbie Herrera also made appearances.
Although events like these help to celebrate the past, but they could also a big part to play in the future.
Next year - 2018 - will mark the 30th anniversary of the 1987-88 season, which saw the Gulls reach the Play-offs for the first time ever under the late Cyril Knowles, where they lost out to Swansea City in a two-legged final, and the 20th anniversary of United's Wembley appearance against Colchester United, which they lost 1-0.
Both teams achieved those successes were both unexpected at the time that they occurred and came after several years of struggle for the Gulls.
Many of those involved in both campaigns were present on the day, including Tom Kelly, Mark Loram and Derek 'the Dude' Dawkins - even though the latter two didn't play - from the class of 1987-88 and from the class of 1997-98 Gibbs and Hill, who still plays for Exmouth Town in the South West Peninsula League, both played their part.
It would be a great idea if the club could create a similar event to commemorate what were two of the best ever seasons in United's eventful history.
