Joel Grant has followed in the footsteps of the names of Luis Figo, Nick Barmby and Sol Campbell who have joined their club's greatest rivals as he left Exeter City to join Plymouth Argyle.
The Jamaican international, 29, helped the Grecians reach the Skybet League Two Play-offs last season and becomes the first City to swap St James Park to Home Park since Jamie Mackie in January 2007 (Although Reuben Reid joined Exeter as a free agent following his release by Argyle manager Derek Adams several months elapsed during that time).
However, whereas the Grecians received a £145,000 transfer fee for Mackie's move, along with a later sell on clause, Grant's transfer has left a sour taste in some quarters as City fans raised £30,000 to help fund his wages during the 2015-16 season.
Nevertheless having had a taste of Championship football with Watford, at the start of his career, and with Yeovil Town in the 2013-14 season, Grant is signing for a team that are likely to be seen as a big club in League One and joining the Pilgrims could be seen a final opportunity to add to those figures.
Also the blow of losing a player to their greatest rivals would have no doubt been softened by the return to St James Park of former starlet Dean Moxey.
Tuesday 27 June 2017
Sunday 18 June 2017
A TRIBUTE TO NORMAN MEDHURST
Following the recent death of former Torquay United, Plymouth Argyle and England physio Norman Medhurst, we will now look back at his career in greater depth.
It is often said that every Torquay United manager must possess three things: contacts, contacts and contacts as owing to the club's geographical location recruitment is often harder than in other part of country.
In 1988, the then United manager Cyril Knowles pulled off arguably one of the club's greatest transfer coups - however his transfer target wasn't a player, but a physiotherapist in the form of the then England physio Norman Medhurst, who he recruited for the Gulls from Chelsea.
Medhurst, by his point, was a well known figure in London football having worked with Chelsea for a number of years after succeeding his father, Harry, a role which he combined with working as the physiotherapist for the England national team, which had seen him involved in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
After discussing the offer from Knowles with the then England boss the late Sir Bobby Robson, Medhurst agreed to accept the position at Plainmoor, which he would continue to combine with his role with the England set-up.
His first season with the Gulls proved to be a memorable one, as they became the first of the three Devon professional to play at Wembley when they reached the final of the Sherpa Van Trophy final against Bolton Wanderers.
There was more drama to follow for Norman a year later, this time with England at the 1990 World Cup final in Italy as he was present for England's penalty shoot-out defeat against West Germany in Turin in the semi-finals of the competition.
Anyone who witnessed to the shot of Bobby Robson's celebration in response to Gary Lineker's equaliser against the Germans will no doubt be able to spot Norman in the background.
Nevertheless, within a year penalty agony turned to penalty ecstasy as Norman was present for United's 5-4 shoot-out defeat of Blackpool, after drawing 2-2 in normal time, to win promotion from Division Four via Play-offs.
He remained at Plainmoor until 1995 when he left to join Plymouth Argyle where he remained for four years before returning to the United fold in 1999. Such was his popularity at Plainmoor, he was even awarded a testimonial in 1995 which saw two England All-stars sides - drawn from the managerial reigns of Ron Greenwood and Bobby Robson respectively - go head to head.
Norman eventually left Plainmoor for the final time in 2005, shortly after the Gulls' automatic promotion success under Leroy Rosenior, to embark on retirement in France. However, his heart remained with the Gulls and he even sent Leroy and the team a 'good luck' message ahead of their FA Cup third round tie with Birmingham City in 2006.
Even though 13 or so years have passed since his departure, the role of the United physio will forever be associated with himself and his successors from Graham McAnuff to Damien Davey to current physio Gareth Law will always be aware that they themselves are following in the footsteps of an iconic figure.
Law even cited Norman as being a big influence on his own career path and that his own interest in physiotherapy grew from the treatment that received from him during his brief time as a United player.
All players who received treatment from him spoke fondly of him, including the Gulls' all-time record appearance maker Kevin Hill, who described Norman as 'the nicest man in football.'
He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
It is often said that every Torquay United manager must possess three things: contacts, contacts and contacts as owing to the club's geographical location recruitment is often harder than in other part of country.
In 1988, the then United manager Cyril Knowles pulled off arguably one of the club's greatest transfer coups - however his transfer target wasn't a player, but a physiotherapist in the form of the then England physio Norman Medhurst, who he recruited for the Gulls from Chelsea.
Medhurst, by his point, was a well known figure in London football having worked with Chelsea for a number of years after succeeding his father, Harry, a role which he combined with working as the physiotherapist for the England national team, which had seen him involved in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
After discussing the offer from Knowles with the then England boss the late Sir Bobby Robson, Medhurst agreed to accept the position at Plainmoor, which he would continue to combine with his role with the England set-up.
His first season with the Gulls proved to be a memorable one, as they became the first of the three Devon professional to play at Wembley when they reached the final of the Sherpa Van Trophy final against Bolton Wanderers.
There was more drama to follow for Norman a year later, this time with England at the 1990 World Cup final in Italy as he was present for England's penalty shoot-out defeat against West Germany in Turin in the semi-finals of the competition.
Anyone who witnessed to the shot of Bobby Robson's celebration in response to Gary Lineker's equaliser against the Germans will no doubt be able to spot Norman in the background.
Nevertheless, within a year penalty agony turned to penalty ecstasy as Norman was present for United's 5-4 shoot-out defeat of Blackpool, after drawing 2-2 in normal time, to win promotion from Division Four via Play-offs.
He remained at Plainmoor until 1995 when he left to join Plymouth Argyle where he remained for four years before returning to the United fold in 1999. Such was his popularity at Plainmoor, he was even awarded a testimonial in 1995 which saw two England All-stars sides - drawn from the managerial reigns of Ron Greenwood and Bobby Robson respectively - go head to head.
Norman eventually left Plainmoor for the final time in 2005, shortly after the Gulls' automatic promotion success under Leroy Rosenior, to embark on retirement in France. However, his heart remained with the Gulls and he even sent Leroy and the team a 'good luck' message ahead of their FA Cup third round tie with Birmingham City in 2006.
Even though 13 or so years have passed since his departure, the role of the United physio will forever be associated with himself and his successors from Graham McAnuff to Damien Davey to current physio Gareth Law will always be aware that they themselves are following in the footsteps of an iconic figure.
Law even cited Norman as being a big influence on his own career path and that his own interest in physiotherapy grew from the treatment that received from him during his brief time as a United player.
All players who received treatment from him spoke fondly of him, including the Gulls' all-time record appearance maker Kevin Hill, who described Norman as 'the nicest man in football.'
He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Tuesday 13 June 2017
GOWLING AND PITTMAN SIGN FOR GULLS
Torquay United has further added to their squad with signing of central defender Josh Gowling and striker Jon-Paul Pittman.
Gowling, 33, who was released by Grimsby Town in the summer, who he helped win promotion back into the Football League, has played over 300 appearances in a career that includes a spell with AFC Bournemouth and a stint playing alongside Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson at Kidderminster Harriers.
Pittman is a former England C international, who also helped Grimsby to win promotion to League Two in 2016 with Gowling. With 68 goals in 256 appearances with a number of clubs including Crawley Town and Wycombe Wanderers, he joins a roster of strikers alongside Ruairi Keating and it is hoped his experience will hopefully rub off on the young Irishman.
Gowling, 33, who was released by Grimsby Town in the summer, who he helped win promotion back into the Football League, has played over 300 appearances in a career that includes a spell with AFC Bournemouth and a stint playing alongside Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson at Kidderminster Harriers.
Pittman is a former England C international, who also helped Grimsby to win promotion to League Two in 2016 with Gowling. With 68 goals in 256 appearances with a number of clubs including Crawley Town and Wycombe Wanderers, he joins a roster of strikers alongside Ruairi Keating and it is hoped his experience will hopefully rub off on the young Irishman.
THE JOY OF SIX
Whilst Britain was gripped by election fever last week, the Vanarama National League representatives had a different agenda on their mind as they voted to increase the number of teams involved in the end of season Play-offs from four to six.
Previously the second placed side in the division faced the team in fifth, and the side finished third played against the team in fourth over two legs followed by a Wembley final.
Now, under the new revamped system, there will now be a first round which will see the sides finishing fourth and seventh and fifth and sixth playing each in a one-off fixture with the highest placed teams gained home advantage.
In the next stage the winner of the fourth vs seventh encounter will play the side in second place and the fifth versus sixth winner would play the team in third in another single leg match, with the highest placed side once again enjoying the luxury of playing at home before a final at Wembley.
Under the old system every team entering the Play-offs had an equal chance of winning promotion, but under the new format all Play-off contenders have the incentive of trying to finish as high as possible in the National League table to secure the soon to be much coveted advantage of acting as hosts.
Your correspondent once wrote an article concerning proposed changes to the Football League Play-off for Gullsworld Magazine - the now defunct Official Magazine of Torquay United Football Club - which would have seen a similar change to the Football League Play-offs in 2003. Those proposals were rejected by the Football League Chairmen of the time - including the then Torquay United Chairman Mike Bateson, who described them as 'unnecessary and merely complicates a good system.'
One possible criticism of the new system would be that it opens up the possibility of a team finishing seventh winning promotion at the expense of whoever finished second in the table - a total of 20 points separated seventh placed Barrow (75) from National League runners-up Tranmere Rovers (95) this season.
However, it would be extremely difficult for a team in seventh to do this though as they would have to successfully negotiate two away games just order to reach the final itself, let alone win promotion.
Regardless of the new changes, it could be argued that the biggest criticism of the National League promotion system is that in practically any other league Tranmere would be assured promotion with a total of 95 points (although they would have still have finished second to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership).
A second automatic promotion remains a long-term ambition for the National League and an extended Play-off system could be key to the league achieving that goal - especially if it was to help convince Football League clubs that they would have a greater opportunity to win back a lost league status.
Previously the second placed side in the division faced the team in fifth, and the side finished third played against the team in fourth over two legs followed by a Wembley final.
Now, under the new revamped system, there will now be a first round which will see the sides finishing fourth and seventh and fifth and sixth playing each in a one-off fixture with the highest placed teams gained home advantage.
In the next stage the winner of the fourth vs seventh encounter will play the side in second place and the fifth versus sixth winner would play the team in third in another single leg match, with the highest placed side once again enjoying the luxury of playing at home before a final at Wembley.
Under the old system every team entering the Play-offs had an equal chance of winning promotion, but under the new format all Play-off contenders have the incentive of trying to finish as high as possible in the National League table to secure the soon to be much coveted advantage of acting as hosts.
Your correspondent once wrote an article concerning proposed changes to the Football League Play-off for Gullsworld Magazine - the now defunct Official Magazine of Torquay United Football Club - which would have seen a similar change to the Football League Play-offs in 2003. Those proposals were rejected by the Football League Chairmen of the time - including the then Torquay United Chairman Mike Bateson, who described them as 'unnecessary and merely complicates a good system.'
One possible criticism of the new system would be that it opens up the possibility of a team finishing seventh winning promotion at the expense of whoever finished second in the table - a total of 20 points separated seventh placed Barrow (75) from National League runners-up Tranmere Rovers (95) this season.
However, it would be extremely difficult for a team in seventh to do this though as they would have to successfully negotiate two away games just order to reach the final itself, let alone win promotion.
Regardless of the new changes, it could be argued that the biggest criticism of the National League promotion system is that in practically any other league Tranmere would be assured promotion with a total of 95 points (although they would have still have finished second to Celtic in the Scottish Premiership).
A second automatic promotion remains a long-term ambition for the National League and an extended Play-off system could be key to the league achieving that goal - especially if it was to help convince Football League clubs that they would have a greater opportunity to win back a lost league status.
Wednesday 7 June 2017
GOSLING BECOMES A GULLS
Of all the players listed in the five players Torquay United should consider
signing list on Sunday Jake Gosling was probably a player who could have been
regarded as a long shot.
Having been released by Bristol Rovers who are, of course, a League One club it wouldn't have been a huge shock if Gosling - a Gibraltar international - had looked to stay in the Football League.
However, given his connections to the South West having grown up in Cornwall before starting his career as a youth team player at Plymouth Argyle and later moved on to Exeter City and Bristol Rovers.
Also as a team mate of Lee Mansell, who is still a good friend of Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson, at Bristol Rovers, and having played under Paul Tisdale at Exeter, Gosling would have a good idea about what kind of a club Torquay United are and Nicholson would have enough knowledge of him both as a player and as a person to make an informed decision about him.
He could be soon be joined by a player with the same initials as him in the form of Josh Gowling, an experienced centre defender who was released by Grimsby Town at the end of last season and was a teammate of Nicholson at Kidderminster Harriers.
Footnote: Arguably Jake Gosling's greatest claim to fame, aside from his two goals for Gibraltar, was scoring the winning goal for Dorchester Town in their 2012-13 FA Cup 1st round victory over a Plymouth Argyle side that contained current Torquay United Player of the Year Luke Young.
Having been released by Bristol Rovers who are, of course, a League One club it wouldn't have been a huge shock if Gosling - a Gibraltar international - had looked to stay in the Football League.
However, given his connections to the South West having grown up in Cornwall before starting his career as a youth team player at Plymouth Argyle and later moved on to Exeter City and Bristol Rovers.
Also as a team mate of Lee Mansell, who is still a good friend of Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson, at Bristol Rovers, and having played under Paul Tisdale at Exeter, Gosling would have a good idea about what kind of a club Torquay United are and Nicholson would have enough knowledge of him both as a player and as a person to make an informed decision about him.
He could be soon be joined by a player with the same initials as him in the form of Josh Gowling, an experienced centre defender who was released by Grimsby Town at the end of last season and was a teammate of Nicholson at Kidderminster Harriers.
Footnote: Arguably Jake Gosling's greatest claim to fame, aside from his two goals for Gibraltar, was scoring the winning goal for Dorchester Town in their 2012-13 FA Cup 1st round victory over a Plymouth Argyle side that contained current Torquay United Player of the Year Luke Young.
Sunday 4 June 2017
FIVE POSSIBLE SIGNINGS FOR TORQUAY UNITED
As Torquay United manager Kevin Nicholson sets about building a competitive squad for the Gulls 2017-18 National League campaign, we will now look at five players who could potentially be of interest to the Gulls' boss.
Alex Lawless (central midfield):
Many of the Plainmoor faithful will remember Alex Lawless as a right-back/right midfielder who made 16 appearances for the Gulls during the 2005-06 season and received international recognition for Wales Under-21 level - becoming the first Torquay United contracted to represent one of the home nations at senior or Under-21 level.
Since then Lawless has re-invented himself as a holding midfielder, whilst he can also fill in as a right or left winger or at right-back, and has appeared for Forest Green Rovers, York City, Luton Town - who helped to win promotion back to the Football League in 2014 - and Yeovil Town, who he appeared for last season, since he was released by Ian Atkins in the summer of 2006.
With Aman Verma having departed and Courtney Richards still uncertain over his future, Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson, who was a teammate of Lawless during the 2005-06 season at Forest Green, arguably needs an experienced head in the centre of the play and there are surely worst options than enticing Lawless back to Plainmoor for a second spell.
Anthony Jeffery (winger):
Released by Forest Green Rovers at the end of last season, former Arsenal youngster Anthony Jeffery is a proven player at National League level having made 24 appearances for Boreham Wood last season and scored three goals. Jeffery can play on either wing as well as upfront and would provide a much needed injection of pace into Nicholson's side if he did end up at Plainmoor.
Louis Rooney (striker):
From John Uzzell and John Matthews in 1989 to Luke Young in 2014, many players in recent times have swapped the green of Plymouth Argyle for the yellow of Torquay United.
With Ruairi Keating the only striker currently under contract with the Gulls at the moment, the need to strengthen United's attacking options is a must and Northern Ireland Under-21 international Rooney, who has previously had loan spells with Truro City and Hartlepool United as well as his appearances for Argyle, is a player who, like Keating, is young, hungry and keen to prove himself.
Corey Jordan (central defender):
Over the last few years, Torquay United has provided a temporary home for young players on loan from Premier League side AFC Bournemouth such as Baily Cargill, Josh Wakefield, Josh Carmichael, Joe Quigley and Jordan Lee.
Towards the end of last season the aforementioned Lee grew in stature, following an indifferent debut, and scored his first senior goal and won the sponsor's man of the match award in United's final two home games against Braintree Town and North Ferriby United respectively, a fact that would have impressed Cherries manager Eddie Howe when giving the seal of approval to sending his young charges out on loan. Another such player he could have earmarked for such a move is Corey Jordan, a young central defender who made one appearance for Bournemouth in the EFL Cup and is a player who could benefit from a similar arrangement to the one that saw Lee flourish as a player in the 2016-17 campaign.
Jake Gosling (winger):
No stranger to the South West after coming through the youth ranks with Exeter City before joining Bristol Rovers, as well as spending time on loan with Dorchester Town, Gloucester City and Forest Green Rovers at different stages of his career, Jake Gosling is a player for whom geography probably wouldn't be an issue for if he wished to sign for Torquay United.
In addition to this, he is to undoubtedly familiar with the National League after helping Bristol Rovers win an immediate return to the Football League in the 2014-15 season and he appeared for Forest Green during their promotion winning campaign last season.
He is also a Gibraltar international, having won 11 caps for the island.
Alex Lawless (central midfield):
Many of the Plainmoor faithful will remember Alex Lawless as a right-back/right midfielder who made 16 appearances for the Gulls during the 2005-06 season and received international recognition for Wales Under-21 level - becoming the first Torquay United contracted to represent one of the home nations at senior or Under-21 level.
Since then Lawless has re-invented himself as a holding midfielder, whilst he can also fill in as a right or left winger or at right-back, and has appeared for Forest Green Rovers, York City, Luton Town - who helped to win promotion back to the Football League in 2014 - and Yeovil Town, who he appeared for last season, since he was released by Ian Atkins in the summer of 2006.
With Aman Verma having departed and Courtney Richards still uncertain over his future, Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson, who was a teammate of Lawless during the 2005-06 season at Forest Green, arguably needs an experienced head in the centre of the play and there are surely worst options than enticing Lawless back to Plainmoor for a second spell.
Anthony Jeffery (winger):
Released by Forest Green Rovers at the end of last season, former Arsenal youngster Anthony Jeffery is a proven player at National League level having made 24 appearances for Boreham Wood last season and scored three goals. Jeffery can play on either wing as well as upfront and would provide a much needed injection of pace into Nicholson's side if he did end up at Plainmoor.
Louis Rooney (striker):
From John Uzzell and John Matthews in 1989 to Luke Young in 2014, many players in recent times have swapped the green of Plymouth Argyle for the yellow of Torquay United.
With Ruairi Keating the only striker currently under contract with the Gulls at the moment, the need to strengthen United's attacking options is a must and Northern Ireland Under-21 international Rooney, who has previously had loan spells with Truro City and Hartlepool United as well as his appearances for Argyle, is a player who, like Keating, is young, hungry and keen to prove himself.
Corey Jordan (central defender):
Over the last few years, Torquay United has provided a temporary home for young players on loan from Premier League side AFC Bournemouth such as Baily Cargill, Josh Wakefield, Josh Carmichael, Joe Quigley and Jordan Lee.
Towards the end of last season the aforementioned Lee grew in stature, following an indifferent debut, and scored his first senior goal and won the sponsor's man of the match award in United's final two home games against Braintree Town and North Ferriby United respectively, a fact that would have impressed Cherries manager Eddie Howe when giving the seal of approval to sending his young charges out on loan. Another such player he could have earmarked for such a move is Corey Jordan, a young central defender who made one appearance for Bournemouth in the EFL Cup and is a player who could benefit from a similar arrangement to the one that saw Lee flourish as a player in the 2016-17 campaign.
Jake Gosling (winger):
No stranger to the South West after coming through the youth ranks with Exeter City before joining Bristol Rovers, as well as spending time on loan with Dorchester Town, Gloucester City and Forest Green Rovers at different stages of his career, Jake Gosling is a player for whom geography probably wouldn't be an issue for if he wished to sign for Torquay United.
In addition to this, he is to undoubtedly familiar with the National League after helping Bristol Rovers win an immediate return to the Football League in the 2014-15 season and he appeared for Forest Green during their promotion winning campaign last season.
He is also a Gibraltar international, having won 11 caps for the island.
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