Followers of Torquay United and South Devon football were left saddened by the passing of former Gulls' stalwart Ian Twitchin earlier this year.
Teignmouth-born Twitchin, who was 65, appeared 435 times for United between 1969 and 1981 after rising through the ranks as an apprentice at Plainmoor and appearing for England at Schoolboy level.
He is only one of five players ever to have made over 400 appearances for the Gulls - Ron Shaw, Dennis Lewis, Tommy Northcott and Kevin Hill are the other four.
Whilst he made his debut for United during one of the most successful eras in the club's history, which he remained one of the last remaining links with the Frank O'Farrell- Allan Brown years, in which the Gulls held in their own in what is now League One, until he was released at the end of the 1980-81 season.
Although Ian probably wasn't one of the most talented players to have ever pulled a Gulls shirt, he more than made up for it with his work-rate and tenacity. He was usually one of the leaders of the pack when the players were put through their paces on the notoriously gruelling Maidencombe run during pre-season training.
He was also perhaps unfortunate to have featured in a time in which the Gulls never seriously mounted a promotion challenge - aside from a few near misses towards the end of the 1970s under Mike Green, one of several managers that Ian served with distinction. However, he is one of several players from that spell who possibly deserved to be part of a promotion winning side, including goalkeeper John Turner, midfielder Clint Boulton and the deadly strike force of Steve Cooper and Les Lawrence.
As for ideas of how to honour him, they could range from an award for an outstanding young player to have progressed through the club's now revamped academy bearing his name - recognising local talent made good who have demonstrated the attributes that he himself displayed.
Or how about naming a stand after him, Bristow's Bench is already taken, but the Family Stand and Popular Side are up for grabs.
Either method would be a great way to give recognition to someone who gave the best year's of his life in the colours and the cause of Torquay United Football Club.
