Sunday 30 July 2017

2017-18 SEASON PREVIEW: TORQUAY UNITED

The National League is a rough, tough world where young managers like Kevin Nicholson learn their trade alongside seasoned campaigners who have been there, done it and bought the T-shirt.

After surviving on the final day of last season with a 2-0 win over North Ferriby United, Nicholson has once again taken the same approach of his former manager Paul Buckle to build what is essentially ' a National League team for the National League'.

Whereas Buckle was able to recruit the likes of Tim Sills, Lee Phillips, Chris Todd, Chris Hargreaves and Nicholson himself for his first season in the Conference - as it was then known - none of those individuals had won promotion before in their careers before they arrived at Plainmoor.

Nicholson hasn't had many of the luxuries that Buckle was afforded during his four years in charge of the Gulls between 2007 and 2011 - there is no record of Buckle having to drive the players to an away game in a mini bus or of the players driving to away games in their own cars from that era!

Last season's takeover by Gaming International appears to have stabilised the club at present, but speculation persists over a possible ground move.

The key now for Nicholson is stability, which is reflected amongst his new recruits, which includes four players who've won promotion from the National League in the past: Ryan Clarke (Oxford United 2009-10), Jake Gosling (Bristol Rovers 2014-15) and Josh Gowling and Jon-Paul Pittman (Grimsby Town 2015-16).

Hopefully the experiences of those four will rub off on their team-mates, especially Gowling, a former colleague of Nicholson from their time at Kidderminster, who was Grimsby manager Paul Hurst's 'go to' man, who would sort problems out before he had to become involved, for the Mariners during their Play-off winning 2015-16 campaign.

Other players such as right-back Ryan Higgins, who arrived from Southport in the summer, defender Sean McGinty and Luke Young also have a relatively large number of games under their belts despite all three still being in their early to mid-twenties.

One statistic is quite damning from last season for the Gulls is that of their final points tally of 53 United won 25 of them against the top eight sides in the National League - champions Lincoln City were the only one of the leading teams in the division to complete the double over the Gulls.

However, in their matches against the remaining 15 sides United only picked up only 28, which included 16 that were gained against the bottom seven.

An inability to grind out results versus the National League's middle ranking sides proved to be the Gulls' achilles heal and it is hoped the additions of the likes of Gowling, Pittman and Clarke will help to ensure that the United of 2017-18 prove to be an ultimately tougher outfit to beat.

Whether the Gulls mount a challenge for the newly expanded National League Play-off system could depend on whether Nicholson can unearth a 30-goal partnership from Pittman, James Gray, Ruairi Keating and former Plymouth Argyle striker Rory Fallon who recently joined United on non-contract terms as he aims to help New Zealand qualify for the 2018 World Cup.

In: Josh Gowling (Grimsby Town), Jon-Paul Pittman (Harrogate Town), Jake Gosling (Bristol Rovers), Ryan Higgins (Southport),  Liam Davis (Cheltenham Town), Neal Osborn (Southampton), Ryan Clarke (Eastleigh),Yan Klukowski (York City), James Gray (Glenavon), Jamie Reid (Exeter City - loan), Jordan Lee (AFC Bournemouth - loan), Rory Fallon and Tallan Mitchell (Unattached)

Out: Brendan Moore (Rochdale), Brett Williams (Bromley), Courtney Richards (Macclesfield Town), Aman Verma (Tamworth), Lathaniel Rowe-Turner (Chester FC), Dan Sparkes (Dagenham & Redbridge), Giancarlo Gallifuoco (Dover Athletic), Shaun Harrad (Matlock Town), Ben Gerring (Truro City), Charlie Duke and Will Hancox (Rushall Olympic)

Signing of the Summer: Josh Gowling

As mentioned previously in this article, Gowling was Paul Hurst's 'go to' man to sort out any problems arising in the dressing room before he had to deal with them himself whilst at Grimsby Town. It is highly likely that Gowling will be looked upon to fulfil a similar role for his former Kidderminster Harriers' teammate Nicholson.

Player with a point to prove: James Gray

Former Northern Ireland Under-21 international Gray, the son of former Sunderland and Northern Ireland striker Phil Gray, made the headlines for the wrong reasons in 2016 whilst with Wrexham after being bitten by a venomous spider and was caught drink driving later in the same year.
However, if his pre-season form is anything to go by he could be making the headlines of the back pages for the right reasons, especially if he can replicate the form which saw him net braces against Bristol City and Truro City.

2017-2018 SEASON PREVIEW: YEOVIL TOWN

When Irish midfielder Kevin Dawson left Huish Park to sign for former manager Gary Johnson at Cheltenham Town it signalled the departure of Yeovil Town's final link with their 2013-14 Championship campaign.

Dawson was the last remaining player to represent the Glovers in their solitary season in the second tier of English football and the challenge now facing Darren Way is create new glories.

Way was a key member of the Yeovil team that not only won promotion into the Football League in 2003, but also the side that followed it up by winning promotion from League Two in 2005.

In the 2004-05 season the Glovers were very much a team on the up, but now it's fair to say that Way's biggest achivement since replacing Paul Sturrock has been to help Yeovil to avoid a third straight relegation in 2015-16, which would have seen the Glovers return to non-league football.

It is also worth noting that Yeovil haven't finished in the top half of any division since their League One Play-off success of the 2012-13 campaign.

To get the Glovers back on the right track, Way has recruited a mixture of youth and experience over the close season. Whilst the departures of Dawson and Matty Dolan would have been a disappointment for the Huish Park faithful, the signings of Connor Smith - a promotion winner from League Two with AFC Wimbledon and Plymouth Argyle - and James Bailey will hopefully fill the void.

Way has also made use of the loan market again in acquiring Keston Davies and Olufela Olemola from Swansea City and Southampton respectively. If Olemola - a striker - can form a useful partnership with experienced frontman Francois Zoko then the Glovers have the potential to cause a few surprises.

A top-half finish should be achievable for Way's side and injuries permitting a Play-off push may not be out of the question.

In: Rhys Browne (Grimsby Town), Stephane Zubar (Weymouth), Jake Gray (Luton Town), Connor Smith (Plymouth Argyle), James Bailey (Carlisle United), Olufela Olemola (Southampton - loan), Keston Davies (Swansea City - loan), Alefe Santos (Derby County), Daniel Alfei (Swansea City)

Out: Matty Dolan (Newport County), Alex Lacey & Tom Eaves (Gillingham), Alex Lawless (Leyton Orient), Kevin Dawson (Cheltenham Town), Liam Shephard (Peterborough United)

Signing of the Summer: Connor Smith

Having won promotion twice in the last two seasons with AFC Wimbledon and Plymouth Argyle, former Republic of Ireland Under-21 certainly has a fair idea of what it takes to succeed at League Two level. His experience will also hopefully fill the void left by the summer departures of Matty Dolan and Kevin Dawson.

Player with a point to prove: Stephane Zubar

After joining from Southern League side Weymouth Town Stephane Zubar will be looking to mark his return to the professional ranks with an impressive season with the Glovers. Zubar, who experienced his first taste of English football with Plymouth Argyle in 2010, suffered a cruciate ligament injury in 2015 whilst with AFC Bournemouth. He joined the Terras last season on non-contract forms and his experience could prove to be beneficial to Way's side.

Wednesday 26 July 2017

FIVE FACTS ABOUT RORY FALLON

After he agreed a non-contract deal with Torquay United, we will now take a closer look at the career of striker Rory Fallon and reveal five facts about the Kiwi striker.

1. On November 14th, 2009, whilst with Plymouth Argyle, Fallon scored the All Whites' decisive goal in a World Cup qualifying Play-off against Bahrain at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington, which they won 1-0, to secure their passage to South Africa 2010. He was also ever present for New Zealand in all three of their group matches at the tournament, which included a 1-1 draw with Italy.

2. His father Kevin Fallon was the New Zealand national team assistant manager during their 1982 World Cup campaign and later managed the All Whites between 1985 and 1989.

3. Although Fallon has won 24 caps for New Zealand, he represented England at youth level from the Under 16 to Under 20 age groups where he was the strike partner of a certain Jermaine Defoe.

4. A committed Christian, Fallon has carried out charity for the 'Faith in Football' movement along with a number of fellow professionals, including former Gulls' defender Darren Moore.

5. Fallon has also set up his own ice cream business called The Cowlick Creamery with his wife Carly, which he is taking a step back from as he looks to try and revive his career with United.

Saturday 22 July 2017

WATKINS EARNS GRECIANS A RECORD PAYDAY

Ollie Watkins swapped the red and white stripes of Exeter City for the red and white stripes of Brentford and earned the Grecians a club record fee.

Watkins, 20, who won the EFL Young Player of the Year award for the 2016-17 season, has joined the Bees for a fee believed to be in the region of £1.8million - slightly higher than the £1.75million City earned from Matt Grimes' move to Swansea City in January 2015.

After months of speculation linking him with moves to several leading sides in the Championship, including Aston Villa, Derby County and Leeds United, Watkins opted for a move to the West London side.

Whilst Brentford may not be as illustrious a club as some of those that Watkins was linked with, the Bees have a strong tradition of giving young players a chance to shine. Therefore it is highly likely that Watkins will be involved in Brentford manager Dean Smith's first team squad, rather than being placed in an Under 23 development squad.

Like all players who progress through the Grecians' youth system, the fans take those players to their hearts and Watkins is no exception.

Highlights of his time at St James Park include netting a spectacular double that helped secure City the double over Plymouth Argyle in the 2015-16 campaign and helping the Grecians make the Play-offs last season - which have served to strengthen the affection that the St James faithful have for him.

As the comedian, and City fan, Ade Edmondson said in a speech at the Southgate Hotel following Watkins' departure to the Bees: "It's the kind of club we are. He'll still be ours, that's part of the ethos of the community trust. Even though he's in Brentford, he's still ours."

Sunday 16 July 2017

21ST CENTURY BOY

Following his move to Chelsea, former Exeter City starlet Ethan Ampadu could be set to return to St James Park next season after the Blues' Under-23 side were drawn in the same Checkatrade Trophy group as the Grecians, Plymouth Argyle and Yeovil Town.

We will now attempt to tell you in more detail about Ampadu the player.

Ampadu, now that name sounds familiar?

Yes, his father Kwame is a former Grecians midfielder who also played for Swansea and represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 in a career which began in the late 1980s with Arsenal.

So he has some pedigree then. Does that the fact that his father has played for the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level mean he can represent more than one country?

Yes, he is in fact eligible to play for England, Wales, Ghana and the Republic of Ireland but has so far pledged his international allegiance to the Welsh. He has represented them at Under-17 and Under-19 level and was invited by manager Chris Coleman to train alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey on the eve of Euro 2016. He also received a similar invitation ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifier with Serbia last May, which he was able to attend as it was during his half-term holidays - owing to the fact that he is still only 16!

How many appearances has he made for the Grecians?

13 in all competitions, including a Man of the Match display on his debut against Championship side Brentford in the EFL Cup. By appearing in that fixture he surpassed the former Arsenal record goal scorer Cliff Bastin in becoming the Grecians' youngest ever player - a record that stood for 87 years.

What position does he play?

He has been used in defence and midfield by Grecians' manager Paul Tisdale, but his preferred position is as a defensive midfielder.

And was there more than one club interested in him?

Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all displayed interest in him and the Gunners seemed to be the most likely destination as his father, Kwame, works as a youth coach at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Chelsea have won the race for his signature and negotiations over his fee remain ongoing.

So he could become a legend then?

The signs are that he could surpass other former Grecians' alumni, including George Friend, Matt Grimes and another current starlet Ollie Watkins. Barring serious injury he could find his way to the Blues' first team in a few years, via a loan spell with in Holland possibly. He has already shown great levels of maturity, which saw him win the respect of his former teammates when he was introduced to the first team set up at St James Park.



Sunday 2 July 2017

TORQUAY UNITED: A HISTORY IN 50 MATCHES

Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches is a unique take on the history of Torquay United Football Club in which Steve Harris takes a closer look at half-a-century of important matches from the club’s 118-year existence.

Once described by one of their former managers as ‘a small club with a big heart’, the Gulls have enjoyed many great highs and some incredible lows during that time and Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches takes a detailed look at some of these events.

From a personal point of view, writing a book on the history of the club which I’ve supported as long as I can remember has been a long held ambition of mine. I also wanted to use a format that hadn’t been used before and a list of 50 matches – which included a description of the context of each game as well as the line-ups and an account of the match itself – became the preferred choice when looking to produce an account of the club’s history.

To add some extra flavour to the story, I approached former Gulls defender and one-time joint caretaker manager John Uzzell to write the foreword for it. Not only was John involved in a number of the games featured as a player, most notably the 1-0 FA Cup win over West Ham United in 1990 which he makes reference to in the foreword, he also witnessed several of the more recent games from the Plainmoor Press Box in his latter role as a Sports Analyst for the Press Association.
The many subjects covered include the club’s election to the Football League in the 1920s; their halcyon days under Frank O’Farrell in the 1960s, the Bryn the Police Dog assisted ‘great escape’ under Stuart Morgan in 1987, followed by the Cyril Knowles inspired revival and the Wembley appearances in the 1980s and 1990s. The stories of their automatic promotion success under the stewardship of Leroy Rosenior, relegation from the Football League and swift return under Paul Buckle through to the present day under Kevin Nicholson are also featured.

Whilst certain matches picked themselves – personal favourites of mine such as the final day decider against Barnet in 2001 and winning automatic promotion against Southend United in 2004 are two such games – others required a bit more thought.
There are several matches that failed to make the cut – most notably from the managerial reigns of Messrs Knowles, Rosenior and Buckle – but the choice of matches will always be a subjective one.

I have decided to embrace online technology and marketing, which most fans will feel at home with these days. Copies of the book are currently available to buy from www.torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com priced at £10.99, plus £2.00 postage and packing. 

An abridged version of this article appeared in the Sunday Independent on July 2nd, 2017.  

Saturday 1 July 2017

WHY GRAHAM CAREY MADE THE RIGHT DECISION TO STAY AT HOME PARK

Although manager Derek Adams has signed seven new players over the close season, Plymouth Argyle fans will still no doubt regard Adams' key move of the summer to be the retention of Graham Carey.

Irishman Carey, 27, who was the Pilgrims' top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions in the 2016-17 season as they won promotion from League Two, has agreed what has been described as a 'significantly improved' deal with Argyle.

There had been speculation linking him with a possible move to the Championship, but it is your correspondent's belief that the Irish playmaker has made the right decision to remain at Home Park.

Carey's performances last season brought back memories of another golden Graham who played a key role in helping another Devon side win promotion from the Football League's basement division - former Torquay United striker David Graham.

Former Rangers and Scotland Under-21 starlet Graham was the Gulls' leading scorer with 23 goals in all competitions in the 2003-04 season, helped United to win automatic promotion and was named in the Division Three team of the year - just as Carey was for Argyle in the campaign just gone - and earned himself a move to Wigan Athletic.

At Plainmoor Graham was guaranteed regular first team football and enjoyed a strong relationship with the then Gulls manager Leroy Rosenior. However at the JJB Stadium he found himself playing second fiddle to the Championship's most prolific strike partnership of Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts, as the Latics won promotion to the Premier League for the first time ever.

Graham then found himself sold to Sheffield Wednesday on the eve of the 2005-06 campaign and, aside from a loan spell with Huddersfield Town, he was never able to reach the standard he reached at Plainmoor between 2001 and 2004.

Where Carey's tale differs from that of Graham is that he is currently with a club that has plenty of potential who he can grow with as a player - rather than him trying to fit in with another team's philosophy.

Also he will be continuing to serve under a manager in Derek Adams who knows how to motivate him and how to make the best use of his undoubted ability, as he also played under Adams at Ross County.

And this is the major reason why he has made the right decision to remain a Pilgrim.