They said that a week is a long time in politics and it can also be just as lengthy in football.
Seven days ago, Gary Owers and Martin Kuhl were preparing their Torquay United side to face fellow strugglers Leyton Orient after having successfully seen off National League leaders Sutton United.
Now, after sealing a convincing 3-0 over Orient, they have the current league leaders Aldershot Town in what will be a third meeting so far this season with the Shots. It will also be the fourth time in the current calendar year that the two sides have faced each as they played out a 1-1 draw at the EBB Stadium towards the end of the 2016-17 season.
Those two previous encounters in the current campaign have both seen Aldershot come out on top by a single goal winning margin (3-2 in the league under Owers predecessor Kevin Nicholson and 1-0 in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round).
Nevertheless a point, or possibly even all three, against the Shots would be seen as a measure of real progress for the Gulls under Owers, as they have now closed the gap to safety at the time of writing to five points. A win would also give United a third successive victory in the league.
Next up for the Gulls after their reunion with the Shots they travel to Tranmere who they haven't beaten since September 1988. Their next league outing after their trip to Merseyside is a home fixture with Gateshead on a Tuesday night.
Three points against the Heed, another of Owers' former clubs - would set them up nicely for a double header against Eastleigh on Boxing Day and New Year's Day - with a trip to Boreham Wood in between - who are only eight points ahead of the Gulls.
Thursday 30 November 2017
Sunday 26 November 2017
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS LEYTON ORIENT
1. United have finally won at home on a Saturday afternoon.
Not since their 3-1 win over Gateshead on January 28th have Torquay United won at home on Saturday afternoon at 3pm. However, they did beat North Ferriby United on the final day of last season - but that was a midday kick off. United's only other victories this season have come on Tuesday nights (Maidenhead United home and Sutton United away).
2. Liam Davis is playing an important role at left back.
One question on the mind of most observers of recent Torquay United fixtures must surely be 'where would the Gulls be if Liam Davis had been fit since the start of the season?' Davis, who was appearing in the Championship for Yeovil Town during the 2013-14 season, has shown shades of the form which prompted Gary Johnson to secure his signature for the Glovers - and proving to be an important player in the 3-4-1-2 formation that manager Gary Owers is employing.
3. Luke Young and Damon Lathrope are forming an excellent partnership in the centre of midfield.
Another positive from United's 3-0 win over Leyton Orient was the central midfield displays of Luke Young and Damon Lathrope in what is proving to be an excellent ball-player, ball winner combination. In his first spell with the Gulls, Lathrope played a pivotal role in a midfield trio with Eunan O'Kane and Lee Mansell, and his partnership with Young could prove to be just as crucial to United's fortunes. Young also capped a fine display with a low strike from distance to score the Gulls' second of the afternoon - which is his third of the current campaign. He also seldom misplaced a pass, as he earned himself a place in the Non League Paper team of the week.
4. Ruairi Keating can create goals as well as score them.
After scoring his first goal since the end of August last Tuesday night against Sutton United, which was his fourth of the season, Ruairi Keating was in the thick of the goal scoring action again.
However, instead of being on the score sheet, this time he turned provider as the Leyton Orient defence failed to deal with his cross from the right for United's opener, which was turned home by Josh McQuoid. The Irishman also had a big part to play in the Gulls third as his flick on was read by strike partner Jamie Reid who slotted home to score his fourth of the season to take him level with Keating as United's leading scorer.
5. Gary Owers is building a rapport with the Plainmoor faithful.
As well as dedicating the win over Leyton Orient to the club's supporters, further evidence of a growing bond between manager Gary Owers and the Plainmoor faithful was signified as chants of 'Gary Owers' Yellow Army' could be heard from the Popular Side. With back-to-back wins now secured for the first time this season, Owers can etch his name further into Torquay United folklore if he can pull off what would be a third successive 'Great Escape' for the Gulls.
Not since their 3-1 win over Gateshead on January 28th have Torquay United won at home on Saturday afternoon at 3pm. However, they did beat North Ferriby United on the final day of last season - but that was a midday kick off. United's only other victories this season have come on Tuesday nights (Maidenhead United home and Sutton United away).
2. Liam Davis is playing an important role at left back.
One question on the mind of most observers of recent Torquay United fixtures must surely be 'where would the Gulls be if Liam Davis had been fit since the start of the season?' Davis, who was appearing in the Championship for Yeovil Town during the 2013-14 season, has shown shades of the form which prompted Gary Johnson to secure his signature for the Glovers - and proving to be an important player in the 3-4-1-2 formation that manager Gary Owers is employing.
3. Luke Young and Damon Lathrope are forming an excellent partnership in the centre of midfield.
Another positive from United's 3-0 win over Leyton Orient was the central midfield displays of Luke Young and Damon Lathrope in what is proving to be an excellent ball-player, ball winner combination. In his first spell with the Gulls, Lathrope played a pivotal role in a midfield trio with Eunan O'Kane and Lee Mansell, and his partnership with Young could prove to be just as crucial to United's fortunes. Young also capped a fine display with a low strike from distance to score the Gulls' second of the afternoon - which is his third of the current campaign. He also seldom misplaced a pass, as he earned himself a place in the Non League Paper team of the week.
4. Ruairi Keating can create goals as well as score them.
After scoring his first goal since the end of August last Tuesday night against Sutton United, which was his fourth of the season, Ruairi Keating was in the thick of the goal scoring action again.
However, instead of being on the score sheet, this time he turned provider as the Leyton Orient defence failed to deal with his cross from the right for United's opener, which was turned home by Josh McQuoid. The Irishman also had a big part to play in the Gulls third as his flick on was read by strike partner Jamie Reid who slotted home to score his fourth of the season to take him level with Keating as United's leading scorer.
5. Gary Owers is building a rapport with the Plainmoor faithful.
As well as dedicating the win over Leyton Orient to the club's supporters, further evidence of a growing bond between manager Gary Owers and the Plainmoor faithful was signified as chants of 'Gary Owers' Yellow Army' could be heard from the Popular Side. With back-to-back wins now secured for the first time this season, Owers can etch his name further into Torquay United folklore if he can pull off what would be a third successive 'Great Escape' for the Gulls.
Thursday 23 November 2017
JIM MCNICHOL, BRYN THE POLICE DOG AND ALL THAT
With the
news that a New York-based production company has expressed an interest in
making a documentary for Netflix about Torquay United's Bryn the Police Dog
inspired Great Escape of the 1986-87 season, we will now take a closer look at
the events that unfolded on that infamous day.
After being saved from relegation to the Football League by virtue of re-election after finishing bottom of Division Four in the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons, Torquay United would not be getting a third reprieve if they found themselves at the foot of the table at the end of the 1986-87 campaign.
The Football League had decided to replace the re-election system with automatic promotion between Division Four and the Conference. This meant that the winners of the Conference would replace the team at the foot of the Division Four table at the end of the season.
The Gulls were one of three teams – including Burnley and Lincoln City – who were looking to avoid this fate. On the final day of the campaign the Gulls would host Crewe Alexandra, whilst Burnley faced Leyton Orient and Lincoln entertained Swansea City.
A 3-2 defeat in their penultimate fixture against Leyton Orient meant that Torquay’s future in the football league hinged on the outcome of their final league fixture against Crewe. They needed to better either the Claret’s result or that of Lincoln’s encounter with Swansea to stay up.
Such was the excitement generated by the occasion that there were still United fans pouring into the ground ten minutes after kick-off, but luckily those who were late didn’t miss any action of note.
Crewe who contained two future England internationals in their side, in the form of Geoff Thomas and David Platt, settled more quickly than United and forced a corner inside the opening minute.
From the resulting flag-kick, Cutler was penalised for a challenge on Gulls’ keeper Kenny Allen.
United’s first real chance of the match came in the eighth minute when Mark Loram, who had returned to Plainmoor on loan from Queens Park Rangers after failing to settle in West London, set up Paul Dobson with a cross from the left-hand side, which forced a save from Crewe keeper Brian Parkin.
Jim McNichol volleyed narrowly wide for United on 14 minutes, but he was to have a far bigger influence on the proceedings in the second half.
Four minutes later Loram fired wide from 16-yards as United once again stretched the Crewe backline.
Meanwhile, Burnley’s clash with Leyton Orient at Turf had been delayed by 15 minutes to allow a large crowd of 15,000 to enter the ground.
In the meantime for the Gulls, Dobson had a shot deflected wide on 25 minutes, which forced United’s first corner of the game.
A minute later, Mario Walsh received a warning from referee Howard King for a late challenge on Alex defender Goodison.
On 29 minutes United central defender Dave Cole connected with a Mark Gardiner corner but headed wide.
A minute later Dobson flicked a corner from McNichol into the path of on-loan midfielder Alan McLoughlin, whose headed effort was tipped behind by Parkin.
From Gardiner’s resulting corner, Cole hit the bar for the Gulls with a left footed volley.
In the 35th minute, McNichol fired over from 25-yards as United increased their pressure.
On 39 minutes the Gulls conceded a foul on the edge of the penalty area when McNichol felled Thomas, which ultimately proved to be costly.
From the resulting free-kick Terry Milligan touched the ball to Peter Bodak who then curled it past Gulls’ keeper Allen from 20-yards to open the scoring.
Four minutes later Crewe ensured that they would be going into the half-time break with a two-goal cushion, as Platt connected with a long pass from full-back John Pemberton and beat Allen to score his 24th goal of the season – despite the appeals from United players and fans alike for an offside.
United needed to get a goal in the second half, and they did so three minutes after the restart through a 20-yard free-kick from McNichol after Milligan was adjudged to have fouled McLoughlin.
It was a timely boost for United – especially as Burnley had just taken the lead against Leyton Orient through Neil Grewcock in the 44th minute.
In the 55th minute, McNichol went close again with another free-kick – this time from 25-yards – which forced a diving save from Parkin.
Despite producing attack after attack, the ball wouldn’t go in for United, with McLoughlin forcing a save from Parkin and substitute Adie Mann also hitting the bar.
Elsewhere in Division Four Lincoln were losing to Swansea thanks in no small part to a strike from veteran midfielder Tommy Hutchinson, so an equaliser would have done United’s cause the world of good.
Then, in a bizarre twist of fate, they were handed a life-line when Bryn the Police Dog – in the excitement of the occasion - broke free from his handler, PC John Harris, and sank his teeth into McNichol’s leg.
Whilst Gulls’ Physio Alan Morris and club doctor Ray Foster were attending to McNichol’s injury, Morgan addressed his players, telling them: “Lads, the news is not good, Burnley are winning. We need the draw, we need the goal.”
In the injury time added on for McNichol’s treatment, Crewe’s Milligan was caught dallying on the ball by Dobson, who needed no second invitation, as he pounced to score his 17th goal of the season.
It proved to be the goal that would preserve Torquay United’s league status on goal difference at the expense of Lincoln – who had lost 2-0 to Swansea. Burnley managed to win their match with Leyton Orient to secure their own safety. United’s ‘Great Escape’ was complete.
After the match, McNichol admitted that there were ‘no hard feelings’ towards Bryn, who was rewarded with a steak by Gulls’ Chairman Lew Pope.
It may not have been a case of divine intervention, but it was definitely ‘canine intervention’ that helped to preserve the Gulls’ league status!
Torquay United (4-4-2): Allen; McNichol, Cole, Dawkins, Kelly; Dobson, Myers (Mann 58), McLoughlin, Gardiner; Walsh, Loram
Crewe Alexandra (4-3-3): Parkin; Goodison, Davis, Wright, Pemberton; Bodak, Thomas, Milligan; Platt, Jarvis (Power 77), Cutler
Attendance: 3,493
A full account of this fixture, plus many more memorable games in United's history can be found in the book: Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches which is available from http://torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com/
After being saved from relegation to the Football League by virtue of re-election after finishing bottom of Division Four in the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons, Torquay United would not be getting a third reprieve if they found themselves at the foot of the table at the end of the 1986-87 campaign.
The Football League had decided to replace the re-election system with automatic promotion between Division Four and the Conference. This meant that the winners of the Conference would replace the team at the foot of the Division Four table at the end of the season.
The Gulls were one of three teams – including Burnley and Lincoln City – who were looking to avoid this fate. On the final day of the campaign the Gulls would host Crewe Alexandra, whilst Burnley faced Leyton Orient and Lincoln entertained Swansea City.
A 3-2 defeat in their penultimate fixture against Leyton Orient meant that Torquay’s future in the football league hinged on the outcome of their final league fixture against Crewe. They needed to better either the Claret’s result or that of Lincoln’s encounter with Swansea to stay up.
Such was the excitement generated by the occasion that there were still United fans pouring into the ground ten minutes after kick-off, but luckily those who were late didn’t miss any action of note.
Crewe who contained two future England internationals in their side, in the form of Geoff Thomas and David Platt, settled more quickly than United and forced a corner inside the opening minute.
From the resulting flag-kick, Cutler was penalised for a challenge on Gulls’ keeper Kenny Allen.
United’s first real chance of the match came in the eighth minute when Mark Loram, who had returned to Plainmoor on loan from Queens Park Rangers after failing to settle in West London, set up Paul Dobson with a cross from the left-hand side, which forced a save from Crewe keeper Brian Parkin.
Jim McNichol volleyed narrowly wide for United on 14 minutes, but he was to have a far bigger influence on the proceedings in the second half.
Four minutes later Loram fired wide from 16-yards as United once again stretched the Crewe backline.
Meanwhile, Burnley’s clash with Leyton Orient at Turf had been delayed by 15 minutes to allow a large crowd of 15,000 to enter the ground.
In the meantime for the Gulls, Dobson had a shot deflected wide on 25 minutes, which forced United’s first corner of the game.
A minute later, Mario Walsh received a warning from referee Howard King for a late challenge on Alex defender Goodison.
On 29 minutes United central defender Dave Cole connected with a Mark Gardiner corner but headed wide.
A minute later Dobson flicked a corner from McNichol into the path of on-loan midfielder Alan McLoughlin, whose headed effort was tipped behind by Parkin.
From Gardiner’s resulting corner, Cole hit the bar for the Gulls with a left footed volley.
In the 35th minute, McNichol fired over from 25-yards as United increased their pressure.
On 39 minutes the Gulls conceded a foul on the edge of the penalty area when McNichol felled Thomas, which ultimately proved to be costly.
From the resulting free-kick Terry Milligan touched the ball to Peter Bodak who then curled it past Gulls’ keeper Allen from 20-yards to open the scoring.
Four minutes later Crewe ensured that they would be going into the half-time break with a two-goal cushion, as Platt connected with a long pass from full-back John Pemberton and beat Allen to score his 24th goal of the season – despite the appeals from United players and fans alike for an offside.
United needed to get a goal in the second half, and they did so three minutes after the restart through a 20-yard free-kick from McNichol after Milligan was adjudged to have fouled McLoughlin.
It was a timely boost for United – especially as Burnley had just taken the lead against Leyton Orient through Neil Grewcock in the 44th minute.
In the 55th minute, McNichol went close again with another free-kick – this time from 25-yards – which forced a diving save from Parkin.
Despite producing attack after attack, the ball wouldn’t go in for United, with McLoughlin forcing a save from Parkin and substitute Adie Mann also hitting the bar.
Elsewhere in Division Four Lincoln were losing to Swansea thanks in no small part to a strike from veteran midfielder Tommy Hutchinson, so an equaliser would have done United’s cause the world of good.
Then, in a bizarre twist of fate, they were handed a life-line when Bryn the Police Dog – in the excitement of the occasion - broke free from his handler, PC John Harris, and sank his teeth into McNichol’s leg.
Whilst Gulls’ Physio Alan Morris and club doctor Ray Foster were attending to McNichol’s injury, Morgan addressed his players, telling them: “Lads, the news is not good, Burnley are winning. We need the draw, we need the goal.”
In the injury time added on for McNichol’s treatment, Crewe’s Milligan was caught dallying on the ball by Dobson, who needed no second invitation, as he pounced to score his 17th goal of the season.
It proved to be the goal that would preserve Torquay United’s league status on goal difference at the expense of Lincoln – who had lost 2-0 to Swansea. Burnley managed to win their match with Leyton Orient to secure their own safety. United’s ‘Great Escape’ was complete.
After the match, McNichol admitted that there were ‘no hard feelings’ towards Bryn, who was rewarded with a steak by Gulls’ Chairman Lew Pope.
It may not have been a case of divine intervention, but it was definitely ‘canine intervention’ that helped to preserve the Gulls’ league status!
Torquay United (4-4-2): Allen; McNichol, Cole, Dawkins, Kelly; Dobson, Myers (Mann 58), McLoughlin, Gardiner; Walsh, Loram
Crewe Alexandra (4-3-3): Parkin; Goodison, Davis, Wright, Pemberton; Bodak, Thomas, Milligan; Platt, Jarvis (Power 77), Cutler
Attendance: 3,493
A full account of this fixture, plus many more memorable games in United's history can be found in the book: Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches which is available from http://torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com/
ORIENT HEAD WEST TO PLAINMOOR FOR FIRST MEETING WITH GULLS IN A DECADE
The last time Torquay United played Leyton Orient it was an FA Cup replay in December 2007 which saw on-loan striker Jordan Robertson score twice to set up a clash with Southampton in round three.
Fast forward to 2017 and the Gulls face Orient as non-league clubs looking to avoid relegation from the Vanarama National League.
Whilst United have completed two great escapes in the past two seasons (2015-16 & 2016-17) after they were relegated from the Football League in 2014, Orient's decline, following the instability of the ownership of Francesco Becchetti, has been more swifter.
At the end of the 2013-14 season, Orient agonisingly lost out to Rotherham United on penalties in the League One Play-off final. What followed has turned out to be a sad decline for a once proud club.
Chairman Barry Hearn sold his stake in Orient, which he had held since 1995, to Italian businessman Becchetti and amongst his first acts was to fire manager Russell Slade. It was a decision that was followed by 12 managerial appointments - both permanent and interim - and two relegations which saw Orient lose their league status after 112 years at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.
Following their demotion to the National League, Orient were taken over by Nigel Travis and former Orient and one-time Gulls manager Martin Ling was appointed as Director of Football.
Amongst their first acts was to appoint former Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis as Head Coach. However, after a promising start, Davis was dismissed after a 2-1 defeat away at Ebbsfleet and at the time of writing have only won once in their last 13 league encounters.
They will be facing a resurgent Gulls side won have won twice in their last six matches, including a 1-0 win on Tuesday night away at Sutton United courtesy of a fourth goal of the season for Ruairi Keating. Victory for Sutton would have seen them go up of the National League, whilst defeat for United would have kept them bottom of the division.
It is fair to say that the outcome of Saturday's match will be crucial for both sides.
Fast forward to 2017 and the Gulls face Orient as non-league clubs looking to avoid relegation from the Vanarama National League.
Whilst United have completed two great escapes in the past two seasons (2015-16 & 2016-17) after they were relegated from the Football League in 2014, Orient's decline, following the instability of the ownership of Francesco Becchetti, has been more swifter.
At the end of the 2013-14 season, Orient agonisingly lost out to Rotherham United on penalties in the League One Play-off final. What followed has turned out to be a sad decline for a once proud club.
Chairman Barry Hearn sold his stake in Orient, which he had held since 1995, to Italian businessman Becchetti and amongst his first acts was to fire manager Russell Slade. It was a decision that was followed by 12 managerial appointments - both permanent and interim - and two relegations which saw Orient lose their league status after 112 years at the end of the 2016-17 campaign.
Following their demotion to the National League, Orient were taken over by Nigel Travis and former Orient and one-time Gulls manager Martin Ling was appointed as Director of Football.
Amongst their first acts was to appoint former Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis as Head Coach. However, after a promising start, Davis was dismissed after a 2-1 defeat away at Ebbsfleet and at the time of writing have only won once in their last 13 league encounters.
They will be facing a resurgent Gulls side won have won twice in their last six matches, including a 1-0 win on Tuesday night away at Sutton United courtesy of a fourth goal of the season for Ruairi Keating. Victory for Sutton would have seen them go up of the National League, whilst defeat for United would have kept them bottom of the division.
It is fair to say that the outcome of Saturday's match will be crucial for both sides.
Monday 13 November 2017
ARGYLE SECURE WIN IN CAREY'S ABSENCE
Plymouth Argyle proved that they are far from being a one man team after beating Bradford City despite being without the EFL League One Player of the Month Graham Carey.
The Irish playmaker won the award after scoring three times in five matches, due a one-match ban for receiving five yellow cards, but the Pilgrims still managed to come away with a 1-0 win in what will be the first of two meetings in the space of a month with the Bantams- the two sides will meet again in the second round of the FA Cup.
Jake Jervis proved to be Argyle's hero as he turned home a right wing cross from Lionel Ainsworth on 35 minutes to score what proved to be the vital goal of the game.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Remi Matthews, currently on loan from Norwich City, pulled a number top drawer saves as he denied Paul Taylor in the 39th and 45th minutes respectively before saving a second half penalty from Tony McMahon on 78 minutes.
The win moves the Pilgrims off the foot of the League One table and three points away from safety.
The Irish playmaker won the award after scoring three times in five matches, due a one-match ban for receiving five yellow cards, but the Pilgrims still managed to come away with a 1-0 win in what will be the first of two meetings in the space of a month with the Bantams- the two sides will meet again in the second round of the FA Cup.
Jake Jervis proved to be Argyle's hero as he turned home a right wing cross from Lionel Ainsworth on 35 minutes to score what proved to be the vital goal of the game.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the pitch, goalkeeper Remi Matthews, currently on loan from Norwich City, pulled a number top drawer saves as he denied Paul Taylor in the 39th and 45th minutes respectively before saving a second half penalty from Tony McMahon on 78 minutes.
The win moves the Pilgrims off the foot of the League One table and three points away from safety.
Sunday 12 November 2017
COULD PLYMOUTH ARGYLE'S ALEX FLETCHER BE THE ANSWER TO TORQUAY UNITED'S GOALSCORING WOES?
One thing that stood out like a sore thumb during Torquay United's latest National League defeat at the hands of Maidstone United was the need for goal scorer in the Gulls' ranks.
With Rhys Murphy and Jon-Paul Pittman currently recovering from injury, strikers is a position within the United squad where manager Gary Owers is light on numbers.
Whilst it is pleasing to see the Gulls create the chances that they've created despite being second from bottom in the division, it would bring a greater level of delight to the Plainmoor faithful if they were able to convert a few of them.
This is where Plymouth Argyle starlet Alex Fletcher, a South Devon native who hails from Newton Abbot, could be the answer for Owers.
It's a scenario which could be a win-win situation for both the Gulls and the Pilgrims, as it is believed that Argyle boss Derek Adams is potentially keen for Fletcher to go out on loan at a non-league club to gain more experience.
Despite the fact that he only signed his first professional contract - after the winning the EFL League Two apprentice of the year award for the 2016-17 season - he already has some goal scoring pedigree.
After making his debut from the substitutes bench against Newport County in the FA Cup second round last season, as a replacement for Craig Tanner, Fletcher has netted three times in seven matches for the Pilgrims - including two goals in two minutes against Chelsea's Under-23 side in the Checkatrade Trophy.
He then went on to net his first league goal for Argyle in their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Fleetwood Town in October, which - by all accounts - was a well executed finish.
It was almost a year ago when the Gulls drafted in Kieffer Moore, another South Devonian who had built a professional reputation for himself elsewhere, on loan from Forest Green Rovers.
Moore made a big impact during his four-match stay at Plainmoor - scoring on his debut against Wrexham before netting a hat-trick against Solihull Moors, which was followed by a further effort against Dagenham & Redbridge.
It was a run of form that not only earned United some valuable points but prompted Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy, on the advice of former Gulls midfield maestro Steve McCall, now Chief Scout for the Tractor Boys, to beat United to Moore's signature for a permanent transfer once the January 2017 transfer window opened.
If Fletcher, or whoever Owers, and his assistant Martin Kuhl, have in their sights can have a similar impact to Moore, or even half of it, the Gulls' survival National League survival hopes would receive a massive boost.
With Rhys Murphy and Jon-Paul Pittman currently recovering from injury, strikers is a position within the United squad where manager Gary Owers is light on numbers.
Whilst it is pleasing to see the Gulls create the chances that they've created despite being second from bottom in the division, it would bring a greater level of delight to the Plainmoor faithful if they were able to convert a few of them.
This is where Plymouth Argyle starlet Alex Fletcher, a South Devon native who hails from Newton Abbot, could be the answer for Owers.
It's a scenario which could be a win-win situation for both the Gulls and the Pilgrims, as it is believed that Argyle boss Derek Adams is potentially keen for Fletcher to go out on loan at a non-league club to gain more experience.
Despite the fact that he only signed his first professional contract - after the winning the EFL League Two apprentice of the year award for the 2016-17 season - he already has some goal scoring pedigree.
After making his debut from the substitutes bench against Newport County in the FA Cup second round last season, as a replacement for Craig Tanner, Fletcher has netted three times in seven matches for the Pilgrims - including two goals in two minutes against Chelsea's Under-23 side in the Checkatrade Trophy.
He then went on to net his first league goal for Argyle in their 2-1 defeat at the hands of Fleetwood Town in October, which - by all accounts - was a well executed finish.
It was almost a year ago when the Gulls drafted in Kieffer Moore, another South Devonian who had built a professional reputation for himself elsewhere, on loan from Forest Green Rovers.
Moore made a big impact during his four-match stay at Plainmoor - scoring on his debut against Wrexham before netting a hat-trick against Solihull Moors, which was followed by a further effort against Dagenham & Redbridge.
It was a run of form that not only earned United some valuable points but prompted Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy, on the advice of former Gulls midfield maestro Steve McCall, now Chief Scout for the Tractor Boys, to beat United to Moore's signature for a permanent transfer once the January 2017 transfer window opened.
If Fletcher, or whoever Owers, and his assistant Martin Kuhl, have in their sights can have a similar impact to Moore, or even half of it, the Gulls' survival National League survival hopes would receive a massive boost.
Thursday 9 November 2017
FALLON LOOKING TO HELP ALL WHITES REACH RUSSIA
After former Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United striker Rory Fallon was named in the New Zealand to face Peru in their 2018 World Cup Play-off, we will now look back at the part Fallon played in helping the All Whites reach the 2010 finals in South Africa.
A small piece of sporting and personal history was created by Rory Fallon when he scored the decisive goal forNew Zealand
in their 1-0 World Cup Play-Off victory over Bahrain
Fallon was an ever present in an All Whites squad that drew with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay to finish their tournament campaign with three draws and the only unbeaten record in the finals.
A small piece of sporting and personal history was created by Rory Fallon when he scored the decisive goal for
The win secured the
Kiwis passage to South
Africa
It was fitting that
Fallon senior was amongst the 35,000 crowd in Wellington
“People said he was
crying before the game, so I think the whole thing was a bit overwhelming for
him,” said Fallon. “But I saw him afterwards and he was the happiest man in the
world. When you score for your country you’ve got the hopes of a nation behind
you. You know how much it means to everybody and to give them what they want is
just the best.”
Following the match Fallon
has received the kind of praise normally reserved for the country’s Rugby Union
stars. The striker, who currently plies his trade for Plymouth Argyle in the
Coca-Cola Championship, will be carrying the entire hopes of a nation on his
shoulders when he heads to South
Africa
In a country with a
huge Rugby playing tradition, football is often overlooked by sports fans in New Zealand Middlesbrough striker Chris Killen,
will be looking to change all that this summer.
"I think New Zealand
It is worth noting had
it not been for a FIFA rule change, Fallon would not have been on the pitch to
score against Bahrain England
However, FIFA amended
their rules in June 2009 to enable any player who hadn’t won a senior cap for
the country they had previously represented to change their allegiance. It was
a decision that pleased Fallon who jumped at the chance to represent the All
Whites when he was approached by All Whites manager Ricki Herbert.
"When I heard about it, I knew this
was my chance. As soon as [coach] Ricki Herbert rang and asked me, I said, 'I'm
there'. I was playing again with guys I played with as a kid. It was
brilliant."
In 1982, New
Zealand were paired in a group that contained Scotland , Brazil
and the USSR and returned home
from Spain Italy , Paraguay
and Slovakia South Africa and is drawing inspiration from the
achievements of Senegal
“One of the underdogs always does well in a
World Cup.” he said. “Look at when Senegal
beat France
Fallon was an ever present in an All Whites squad that drew with Slovakia, Italy and Paraguay to finish their tournament campaign with three draws and the only unbeaten record in the finals.
CONOR AND EUNAN GEAR UP FOR WORLD CUP PLAY OFF
On January 2nd, 2012 Conor Hourihane and Eunan O'Kane lined up against each for Plymouth Argyle and Torquay United at Home Park in the 48th Devon derby between the two sides.
Fast forward to 2017, the duo are part of Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland squad ahead of their two-legged World Cup 2018 Play-off campaign against Denmark.
If the Republic are able to see off the challenge of the Danes - appearing in next summer's finals in Russia would represent a remarkable career highlight for two players who successfully revived their playing careers in Devon.
The Gulls won 2-1 that day to complete their first league double over the Pilgrims in 40 years, and O'Kane was instrumental in helping them to achieve this feat after netting a stunning brace in the first meeting at Plainmoor in the previous November.
O'Kane would eventually move to AFC Bournemouth for £175,000 on the eve of the 2012-13 season, where he helped the Cherries to eventually win promotion to the Premier League under Eddie Howe in the 2014-15 campaign before moving to his present club Leeds United in August 2016.
It is a career path that represented a remarkable turnaround for a player who returned to Coleraine in his native Ulster after being released by Everton as a youngster.
Hourihane, meanwhile, had joined Argyle in the summer of 2011 whilst the Pilgrims were still in Administration. His career had previously taken him to Sunderland and Ipswich Town, where he was signed on both occasions by current Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane.
However, after a slow start Peter Reid, the manager who signed him, was dismissed after Argyle picked up only one point from their opening ten league fixtures. His successor Carl Fletcher was appointed as player-manager and led the Pilgrims to safety with Hourihane a regular in the centre of the Pilgrims midfield.
Over time Hourihane added more consistency to his game and was handed the captain's armband by Fletcher's successor John Sheridan - a Republic of Ireland international himself - before earning a £200,000 move to Barnsley in the summer of 2014.
During his time with the Tykes, Hourihane was a Wembley victor twice during the 2015-16 season as he helped Barnsley win the Football League Trophy 3-2 against Oxford United. He later returned to Wembley at the end of the campaign in the League One Play-off final, in which the Tykes beat Millwall 3-1 to clinch a return to the Championship.
After helping Barnsley to re-establish themselves in the second tier of English football, he then earned himself a big money move to the recently relegated Aston Villa in the January 2017 transfer window.
Securing a successful passage to Russia would be a fantastic achievement for two players whose clubs sides, Leeds United and Aston Villa, could yet have a big say in the Skybet Championship promotion race.
Also featuring in O'Neill's squad for the two-legged affair is Millwall striker Aiden O'Brien who had a brief loan spell at Plainmoor during the 2013-14 season.
Two other players with Torquay United connections are also involved in World Cup Play-off action. Jamie Ward is set to feature for Northern Ireland against Switzerland and Rory Fallon, who was released from a short term deal with the Gulls earlier this season, is included in the New Zealand squad to face Peru.
Fast forward to 2017, the duo are part of Martin O'Neill's Republic of Ireland squad ahead of their two-legged World Cup 2018 Play-off campaign against Denmark.
If the Republic are able to see off the challenge of the Danes - appearing in next summer's finals in Russia would represent a remarkable career highlight for two players who successfully revived their playing careers in Devon.
The Gulls won 2-1 that day to complete their first league double over the Pilgrims in 40 years, and O'Kane was instrumental in helping them to achieve this feat after netting a stunning brace in the first meeting at Plainmoor in the previous November.
O'Kane would eventually move to AFC Bournemouth for £175,000 on the eve of the 2012-13 season, where he helped the Cherries to eventually win promotion to the Premier League under Eddie Howe in the 2014-15 campaign before moving to his present club Leeds United in August 2016.
It is a career path that represented a remarkable turnaround for a player who returned to Coleraine in his native Ulster after being released by Everton as a youngster.
Hourihane, meanwhile, had joined Argyle in the summer of 2011 whilst the Pilgrims were still in Administration. His career had previously taken him to Sunderland and Ipswich Town, where he was signed on both occasions by current Republic of Ireland assistant manager Roy Keane.
However, after a slow start Peter Reid, the manager who signed him, was dismissed after Argyle picked up only one point from their opening ten league fixtures. His successor Carl Fletcher was appointed as player-manager and led the Pilgrims to safety with Hourihane a regular in the centre of the Pilgrims midfield.
Over time Hourihane added more consistency to his game and was handed the captain's armband by Fletcher's successor John Sheridan - a Republic of Ireland international himself - before earning a £200,000 move to Barnsley in the summer of 2014.
During his time with the Tykes, Hourihane was a Wembley victor twice during the 2015-16 season as he helped Barnsley win the Football League Trophy 3-2 against Oxford United. He later returned to Wembley at the end of the campaign in the League One Play-off final, in which the Tykes beat Millwall 3-1 to clinch a return to the Championship.
After helping Barnsley to re-establish themselves in the second tier of English football, he then earned himself a big money move to the recently relegated Aston Villa in the January 2017 transfer window.
Securing a successful passage to Russia would be a fantastic achievement for two players whose clubs sides, Leeds United and Aston Villa, could yet have a big say in the Skybet Championship promotion race.
Also featuring in O'Neill's squad for the two-legged affair is Millwall striker Aiden O'Brien who had a brief loan spell at Plainmoor during the 2013-14 season.
Two other players with Torquay United connections are also involved in World Cup Play-off action. Jamie Ward is set to feature for Northern Ireland against Switzerland and Rory Fallon, who was released from a short term deal with the Gulls earlier this season, is included in the New Zealand squad to face Peru.
Sunday 5 November 2017
FRIDAY NIGHTS UNDER THE LIGHTS
Friday night football at Plainmoor could become a regular thing for Torquay United under new ideas put forward by the club.
The Gulls first championed the idea in the late 1960's under the management of Frank O'Farrell - mainly for two reasons.
Firstly, the then United Chairman the late Tony Boyce believed that Friday evening kick offs - and Saturday evening kick offs, which United also pioneered - would give local amateurs players the chance to watch the team after finishing their matches. Secondly, many of the games used to take place in the spring and autumn times to attract holidaying visitors to the bay who fancied watching a football match as part of their holiday package.
It was an plan that lasted until the mid-1980's that was finally curtailed after crowd trouble during a league fixture between the Gulls and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1986-87 season.
United were not alone in doing this; Stockport County and Tranmere Rovers also introduced a similar scheme to avoid clashing with the fixtures of the larger, more illustrious sides in Manchester and Merseyside. Colchester United also followed suit to miss out on competing with East Anglia neighbours Ipswich Town.
In fact Tranmere's Friday fixtures proved to the inspiration for the song 'Friday Night And The Gates Are Low' by Birkenhead based band, and staunch Super White Army fans, Half Man Half Biscuit.
Meanwhile in 2017, the Gulls have been competing in recent seasons against the twin attraction of Plymouth Argyle and the Exeter Chiefs rugby side, who many of their Saturday home fixture have clashed with. With the Chiefs in particular now ranked as one of the leading rugby sides in the country, if not Europe, the draw of the oval ball in the South West is now stronger than possibly ever before, with many making the journey from South Devon to Sandy Park.
Moving some such games could give an indication of the long-term viability of the idea.
However, it would still require the consent of the prospective visiting teams who will, of course, have the issues of overnight stays and travel plans to consider. Earlier this season, the Maidenhead United team bus was delayed by an accident on the M5, which resulted in a delayed kick off.
The Gulls first championed the idea in the late 1960's under the management of Frank O'Farrell - mainly for two reasons.
Firstly, the then United Chairman the late Tony Boyce believed that Friday evening kick offs - and Saturday evening kick offs, which United also pioneered - would give local amateurs players the chance to watch the team after finishing their matches. Secondly, many of the games used to take place in the spring and autumn times to attract holidaying visitors to the bay who fancied watching a football match as part of their holiday package.
It was an plan that lasted until the mid-1980's that was finally curtailed after crowd trouble during a league fixture between the Gulls and Wolverhampton Wanderers in the 1986-87 season.
United were not alone in doing this; Stockport County and Tranmere Rovers also introduced a similar scheme to avoid clashing with the fixtures of the larger, more illustrious sides in Manchester and Merseyside. Colchester United also followed suit to miss out on competing with East Anglia neighbours Ipswich Town.
In fact Tranmere's Friday fixtures proved to the inspiration for the song 'Friday Night And The Gates Are Low' by Birkenhead based band, and staunch Super White Army fans, Half Man Half Biscuit.
Meanwhile in 2017, the Gulls have been competing in recent seasons against the twin attraction of Plymouth Argyle and the Exeter Chiefs rugby side, who many of their Saturday home fixture have clashed with. With the Chiefs in particular now ranked as one of the leading rugby sides in the country, if not Europe, the draw of the oval ball in the South West is now stronger than possibly ever before, with many making the journey from South Devon to Sandy Park.
Moving some such games could give an indication of the long-term viability of the idea.
However, it would still require the consent of the prospective visiting teams who will, of course, have the issues of overnight stays and travel plans to consider. Earlier this season, the Maidenhead United team bus was delayed by an accident on the M5, which resulted in a delayed kick off.
Saturday 4 November 2017
ARGYLE BACK ON CUP TRAIL
After taking Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool to a replay in the third round of the FA Cup last season, Plymouth Argyle started their 2017-18 cup campaign with a win over Grimsby Town.
An curling left footed strike from Irish playmaker Graham Carey - his third goal in the space of five matches - in the ninth minute proved to be all that separated the two sides, as Argyle will now look forward to Monday's draw.
The Pilgrims will be joined by Yeovil Town after the Glovers - famed for their giant killing acts as a non-league side - claimed a scalp of sorts as they defeated League One side Southend United 1-0 courtesy of an Otis Khan penalty.
Tomorrow Exeter City host Heybridge Swifts whilst Truro City travel to Charlton Athletic as they aim to join them in the next stage.
An curling left footed strike from Irish playmaker Graham Carey - his third goal in the space of five matches - in the ninth minute proved to be all that separated the two sides, as Argyle will now look forward to Monday's draw.
The Pilgrims will be joined by Yeovil Town after the Glovers - famed for their giant killing acts as a non-league side - claimed a scalp of sorts as they defeated League One side Southend United 1-0 courtesy of an Otis Khan penalty.
Tomorrow Exeter City host Heybridge Swifts whilst Truro City travel to Charlton Athletic as they aim to join them in the next stage.
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