After four years at Plainmoor, one-time Plymouth Argyle starlet Luke Young will be leaving Torquay United to join Wrexham in a move that contains a number of similarities to the departure of another United playmaker Alex Russell.
Like Young, Russell, who left the Gulls in 2005 to join Bristol City, had spent four years with United and had proved to be a big hit with the Plainmoor faithful.
Both players also saw the manager who brought them to Plainmoor (Chris Hargreaves first brought Young to Plainmoor in 2014 and Roy McFarland signed Russell for United after previously working with him at Cambridge United) depart the Gulls after the end of their first full season with the club.
Nevertheless they both stayed for a further three years to become a key component in the United side under the successors - Young under Kevin Nicholson and Gary Owers and Russell under Leroy Rosenior.
The pair's popularity was reflected by the fact that they both won the club's Player of the Year award - Russell received the award in 2003 whilst Young bagged a hat trick of awards in 2015 and 2017 before retaining it in 2018.
However, there is one major difference between the duo's spells at Plainmoor as Russell's stint with the Gulls coincided with one of the most successful periods in the club's history.
He was, of course, part of the United squad who won automatic promotion under Leroy Rosenior in 2003-04 and - on a personal level - he was named in the PFA Division Three team of the season in 2002-03 and 2003-04.
Unfortunately for Young his own time at Plainmoor came during one of the Gulls' most forgettable which culminated in relegation to the National League South last season. But Young has the chance to start afresh in North Wales with Wrexham who recently appointed former Swansea City and Wales defender Sam Ricketts as their new manager, following the end of the 2017-18 campaign that saw them miss out on the play-offs.
One of the ironies of his move to the Racecourse Stadium is that arguably his finest moment for the Gulls came against Wrexham on October 4th, 2014 when he scored with a stunning 35-yard volley which secured a 2-1 win for United.
If he can help the Red Dragons win promotion - as Russell did in 2006-07 at Ashton Gate - then he will be back in the Football League where many feel a player of his ability belongs.
Tuesday 29 May 2018
Monday 28 May 2018
STEVE PERRYMAN: A LIFETIME IN FOOTBALL
As Exeter City's League Two play-off final appearance against Coventry City marks the end of Grecians Director of Football Steve Perryman's 50 years in professional football, we will now look back at some of the key landmarks in his career.
1967: Perryman signs schoolboy forms with Tottenham Hotspur.
1969: He makes his debut for Spurs on September 27th, 1969 in a 1-0 defeat against Sunderland at White Hart Lane.
1970: Helps Spurs win the FA Youth Cup by beating Coventry City, by which time he had already broken into the first team.
1971: Bill Nicholson hands Perryman the captain's armband for the first time, and he also receives his first winners' medal as Spurs defeat Aston Villa to win the League Cup.
1972: Helps Spurs follow up their League Cup success with a UEFA Cup triumph, which was sealed with a win over fellow English side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
1973: Another League Cup winners' medal follows his first as Spurs beat Norwich City 1-0 at Wembley.
1976: Following the break-up of the 1973 League Cup winning side, Spurs are relegated from the First Division.
1977: He helps Spurs bounce straight back to the First Division at the first attempt as they finish as runners-up in the Second Division.
1981: Perryman wins his first FA Cup winners' medal as Spurs beat Manchester City after a replay thanks to a virtuoso display by Ricky Villa.
1982: Arguably the most successful year of Perryman's playing career as he wins the Football Writers' Player of the Year award and receives his first and only England cap in a friendly against Iceland. In addition to this, he also wins a second consecutive FA Cup winners' medal as Spurs beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 in another replay thanks to a Glenn Hoddle goal.
1984: Helps Spurs clinch a second UEFA Cup as they beat Anderlecht.
1986: Leaves Spurs - ending a near-20 year association with the club - to join Oxford United on a free transfer. However, his stay at the Manor Ground proves to be brief as he returned to London in the same year to become player-manager of Brentford.
1990: Perryman leaves Brentford to become manager of Watford where he stays for three years before returning to White Hart Lane as assistant manager to Ossie Ardiles.
1994: Briefly becomes caretaker manager of Spurs following the dismissal of Ardiles.
1999: After managing Start in Norway, Perryman moves to Japan to take charge of Shimizu Pulse who he leads to the J1 League second stage championship, which earns him the J-League Manager of the Year award.
2001: Begins his 17-year association with Exeter City, as he guides the Grecians away from the Division Three relegation zone whilst working as a consultant to then manager Noel Blake.
2003: Returns to Exeter City as Director of Football, following their relegation from the Football League, and as well as overseeing the club's return to the Football League also oversees the managerial appointments of Eamon Dolan, Alex Inglethorpe and Paul Tisdale.
2012: Whilst watching the Grecians final game of their League One campaign against Sheffield United, Perryman was rushed to hospital after feeling unwell and later underwent emergency heart surgery at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. He would later return to work after several months of recuperation.
2018: Perryman steps down from his position with the Grecians following a 3-1 League Two Play-off final defeat against Coventry City - their second appearance in the final in two years - to mark a retirement from a career in the game that he can be rightfully proud of.
1967: Perryman signs schoolboy forms with Tottenham Hotspur.
1969: He makes his debut for Spurs on September 27th, 1969 in a 1-0 defeat against Sunderland at White Hart Lane.
1970: Helps Spurs win the FA Youth Cup by beating Coventry City, by which time he had already broken into the first team.
1971: Bill Nicholson hands Perryman the captain's armband for the first time, and he also receives his first winners' medal as Spurs defeat Aston Villa to win the League Cup.
1972: Helps Spurs follow up their League Cup success with a UEFA Cup triumph, which was sealed with a win over fellow English side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
1973: Another League Cup winners' medal follows his first as Spurs beat Norwich City 1-0 at Wembley.
1976: Following the break-up of the 1973 League Cup winning side, Spurs are relegated from the First Division.
1977: He helps Spurs bounce straight back to the First Division at the first attempt as they finish as runners-up in the Second Division.
1981: Perryman wins his first FA Cup winners' medal as Spurs beat Manchester City after a replay thanks to a virtuoso display by Ricky Villa.
1982: Arguably the most successful year of Perryman's playing career as he wins the Football Writers' Player of the Year award and receives his first and only England cap in a friendly against Iceland. In addition to this, he also wins a second consecutive FA Cup winners' medal as Spurs beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 in another replay thanks to a Glenn Hoddle goal.
1984: Helps Spurs clinch a second UEFA Cup as they beat Anderlecht.
1986: Leaves Spurs - ending a near-20 year association with the club - to join Oxford United on a free transfer. However, his stay at the Manor Ground proves to be brief as he returned to London in the same year to become player-manager of Brentford.
1990: Perryman leaves Brentford to become manager of Watford where he stays for three years before returning to White Hart Lane as assistant manager to Ossie Ardiles.
1994: Briefly becomes caretaker manager of Spurs following the dismissal of Ardiles.
1999: After managing Start in Norway, Perryman moves to Japan to take charge of Shimizu Pulse who he leads to the J1 League second stage championship, which earns him the J-League Manager of the Year award.
2001: Begins his 17-year association with Exeter City, as he guides the Grecians away from the Division Three relegation zone whilst working as a consultant to then manager Noel Blake.
2003: Returns to Exeter City as Director of Football, following their relegation from the Football League, and as well as overseeing the club's return to the Football League also oversees the managerial appointments of Eamon Dolan, Alex Inglethorpe and Paul Tisdale.
2012: Whilst watching the Grecians final game of their League One campaign against Sheffield United, Perryman was rushed to hospital after feeling unwell and later underwent emergency heart surgery at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth. He would later return to work after several months of recuperation.
2018: Perryman steps down from his position with the Grecians following a 3-1 League Two Play-off final defeat against Coventry City - their second appearance in the final in two years - to mark a retirement from a career in the game that he can be rightfully proud of.
SKY BLUE THINKING SEES OFF GRECIANS AT WEMBLEY
As a Manchester United player Mark Robins is widely accredited as being partly responsible for helping Sir Alex Ferguson avoid the sack when he scored the Red Devils winning goal in an FA Cup third round replay against Nottingham Forest.
Now, as manager of Coventry City, Robins has added another string to his bow as he became the first man since the late Jimmy Hill to lead the Sky Blues to promotion following their League Two play-off final triumph against Exeter City.
It was also an historic day for the Grecians as Director of Football Steve Perryman was marking his retirement from the game, after over half a century of involvement, and manager Paul Tisdale had recently succeeded Arsene Wenger as the longest serving manager in the top four divisions and was seeking a third promotion to mark the occasion.
All of the goals, in what the final domestic fixture of the 2017-18 season, came in the second half with Coventry's Jordan Willis scoring the opener four minutes after the restart.
Six minutes later Jordan Shipley doubled the Sky Blues advantage with a shot that deflected over Grecians keeper Christy Pym.
A stunning strike from Jack Grimmer made it three for Coventry on 68 minutes, which effectively ended the game as a contest, before Kyle Edwards grabbed a consolation for Exeter in the 89th minute.
For the Grecians it is the end of an era as Perryman, who has done so much behind the scenes at St James Park since his appointment in 2003, retires from the game; but there is also uncertainty over the future of Tisdale - whose contract expires in November - and the latter issue could become clearer in the next few days.
Now, as manager of Coventry City, Robins has added another string to his bow as he became the first man since the late Jimmy Hill to lead the Sky Blues to promotion following their League Two play-off final triumph against Exeter City.
It was also an historic day for the Grecians as Director of Football Steve Perryman was marking his retirement from the game, after over half a century of involvement, and manager Paul Tisdale had recently succeeded Arsene Wenger as the longest serving manager in the top four divisions and was seeking a third promotion to mark the occasion.
All of the goals, in what the final domestic fixture of the 2017-18 season, came in the second half with Coventry's Jordan Willis scoring the opener four minutes after the restart.
Six minutes later Jordan Shipley doubled the Sky Blues advantage with a shot that deflected over Grecians keeper Christy Pym.
A stunning strike from Jack Grimmer made it three for Coventry on 68 minutes, which effectively ended the game as a contest, before Kyle Edwards grabbed a consolation for Exeter in the 89th minute.
For the Grecians it is the end of an era as Perryman, who has done so much behind the scenes at St James Park since his appointment in 2003, retires from the game; but there is also uncertainty over the future of Tisdale - whose contract expires in November - and the latter issue could become clearer in the next few days.
Saturday 26 May 2018
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
For the second year in a row sporting fans from the city of Exeter have descended on the capital at the end of the football and rugby seasons.
Last year Exeter Chiefs defeated Wasps at Twickenham to win Rugby Union's Aviva Premiership, which they failed to retain this year after losing to Saracens, and now Exeter City find themselves needing to beat Coventry City, whose Ricoh Arena home is shared with Wasps, to win the League Two play-off final.
Whilst the Chiefs were celebrating Premier League glory in 2017, the Grecians succumbed 2-1 to Blackpool in what was their first appearance in the play-offs as a Football League club and they will be looking to erase the memory of that occasion by going one better.
City can also draw inspiration of their promotion from the Conference under Paul Tisdale in the 2007-08 season. After losing 2-1 to Morecambe in the 2006-07 final, the Grecians went one better a year later when they beat Cambridge United 1-0, with player-coach Rob Edwards getting the vital goal.
Meanwhile their opponents Coventry City - managed by former Manchester United striker Mark Robins - are looking to kickstart a revival of their own. The Sky Blues, who won the FA Cup in 1987 and were a Premier League club as recently as 2001, achieved their first top-six finish in any division since 1970 by finishing sixth in the League Two table this season.
They will also be aiming to win their first promotion since the late Jimmy Hill led them into the top-flight, which proved to be the start of their 34-year spell, in the 1966-67 season.
The game will also be the last game in professional football for Grecians Director of Football Steve Perryman, who will be retiring after spending 50 years in the game. There is also speculation that it could be Tisdale's last as manager, with his contract set to expire in November and there has been no word regarding an extension of it.
Last year Exeter Chiefs defeated Wasps at Twickenham to win Rugby Union's Aviva Premiership, which they failed to retain this year after losing to Saracens, and now Exeter City find themselves needing to beat Coventry City, whose Ricoh Arena home is shared with Wasps, to win the League Two play-off final.
Whilst the Chiefs were celebrating Premier League glory in 2017, the Grecians succumbed 2-1 to Blackpool in what was their first appearance in the play-offs as a Football League club and they will be looking to erase the memory of that occasion by going one better.
City can also draw inspiration of their promotion from the Conference under Paul Tisdale in the 2007-08 season. After losing 2-1 to Morecambe in the 2006-07 final, the Grecians went one better a year later when they beat Cambridge United 1-0, with player-coach Rob Edwards getting the vital goal.
Meanwhile their opponents Coventry City - managed by former Manchester United striker Mark Robins - are looking to kickstart a revival of their own. The Sky Blues, who won the FA Cup in 1987 and were a Premier League club as recently as 2001, achieved their first top-six finish in any division since 1970 by finishing sixth in the League Two table this season.
They will also be aiming to win their first promotion since the late Jimmy Hill led them into the top-flight, which proved to be the start of their 34-year spell, in the 1966-67 season.
The game will also be the last game in professional football for Grecians Director of Football Steve Perryman, who will be retiring after spending 50 years in the game. There is also speculation that it could be Tisdale's last as manager, with his contract set to expire in November and there has been no word regarding an extension of it.
Wednesday 23 May 2018
FIVE POSSIBLE CLOSE SEASON SIGNINGS FOR TORQUAY UNITED
In preparation for their first season in the Vanarama National League South, Torquay United have signed midfielder Bobson Bawling to their squad and have agreed new deals with striker Brett Williams and central defender Jakub Sokolik. We will now take a look at a number of players who could be of interest to Gulls manager Gary Owers.
Kurtis Guthrie: Released by Colchester United towards the end of the 2017-18 season, Kurtis Guthrie has previous experience of playing in the National League South with Bath City and Welling United - and also won promotion with the latter. Guthrie - a former trainee electrician whose sister Serena was part of the England Netball team that won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games - has also featured for Forest Green Rovers in the National League where he briefly formed a fairly successful partnership with Brett Williams towards the end of the 2015-16 campaign.
Imagine the damage he and Williams could do if they were to link up again at Plainmoor.
Callum Rose: Last season the Gulls went down the route of signing younger players on loan who were fresh out of Under-23/development who found the nitty gritty of National League difficult at times. However, Brixham-born former Plymouth Argyle defender Callum Rose who that may possibly not apply. As a regular in the Pilgrims' Carlsberg South West Peninsula League in the past few and with a loan spell at Dorchester Town in the Southern League Premier Division under his belt, the same could not be said of Rose.
He has also had a trial with Bolton Wanderers towards the end of last season, after being informed by Plymouth boss Derek Adams that his contract wouldn't be extended beyond the season just gone.
Charlie Clough: Should United not be able to agree a new deal with skipper Sean McGinty to stay at the Gulls, then Charlie Clough could make an excellent choice to replace the one-time Manchester United starlet. Clough, who was given a free transfer by Barnet following their relegation from League Two, has previous experience of appearing in the National League South with Dorchester Town and Sutton United before going on to play in the National League with Forest Green.
Bradley Ash: Bradley Ash was a goal scoring sensation in the National League South with Weston Super Mare as a teenager, which prompted Barnsley to splash the cash to bring him to Oakwell in 2016. However, he was released by the Tykes at the end of the 2017-18 campaign following their relegation back to League One - in which he had a season-long loan spell with Boreham Wood cut short due to injury. As a young, hungry with a point to prove could a move to Plainmoor for Ash be one that suits all parties?
James Bittner: With Vincent Dorel currently considering a new contract offer from the Gulls, former United keeper James Bittner could provide a possible alternative to the Frenchman. He has appeared at non-league level for Exeter City, Woking, Salisbury City, Hereford United and Forest Green, and played in the league for Plymouth Argyle (where he played under Gary Owers) and Newport County, who he was released by at the end of the previous season. He has also worked as a player-goalkeeper coach, so he could be the ideal mentor to a younger keeper.
Kurtis Guthrie: Released by Colchester United towards the end of the 2017-18 season, Kurtis Guthrie has previous experience of playing in the National League South with Bath City and Welling United - and also won promotion with the latter. Guthrie - a former trainee electrician whose sister Serena was part of the England Netball team that won gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games - has also featured for Forest Green Rovers in the National League where he briefly formed a fairly successful partnership with Brett Williams towards the end of the 2015-16 campaign.
Imagine the damage he and Williams could do if they were to link up again at Plainmoor.
Callum Rose: Last season the Gulls went down the route of signing younger players on loan who were fresh out of Under-23/development who found the nitty gritty of National League difficult at times. However, Brixham-born former Plymouth Argyle defender Callum Rose who that may possibly not apply. As a regular in the Pilgrims' Carlsberg South West Peninsula League in the past few and with a loan spell at Dorchester Town in the Southern League Premier Division under his belt, the same could not be said of Rose.
He has also had a trial with Bolton Wanderers towards the end of last season, after being informed by Plymouth boss Derek Adams that his contract wouldn't be extended beyond the season just gone.
Charlie Clough: Should United not be able to agree a new deal with skipper Sean McGinty to stay at the Gulls, then Charlie Clough could make an excellent choice to replace the one-time Manchester United starlet. Clough, who was given a free transfer by Barnet following their relegation from League Two, has previous experience of appearing in the National League South with Dorchester Town and Sutton United before going on to play in the National League with Forest Green.
Bradley Ash: Bradley Ash was a goal scoring sensation in the National League South with Weston Super Mare as a teenager, which prompted Barnsley to splash the cash to bring him to Oakwell in 2016. However, he was released by the Tykes at the end of the 2017-18 campaign following their relegation back to League One - in which he had a season-long loan spell with Boreham Wood cut short due to injury. As a young, hungry with a point to prove could a move to Plainmoor for Ash be one that suits all parties?
James Bittner: With Vincent Dorel currently considering a new contract offer from the Gulls, former United keeper James Bittner could provide a possible alternative to the Frenchman. He has appeared at non-league level for Exeter City, Woking, Salisbury City, Hereford United and Forest Green, and played in the league for Plymouth Argyle (where he played under Gary Owers) and Newport County, who he was released by at the end of the previous season. He has also worked as a player-goalkeeper coach, so he could be the ideal mentor to a younger keeper.
Tuesday 22 May 2018
SHERWOOD CAN LOOK BACK ON LADY GLOVERS SPELL WITH PRIDE
They may have finished the season having scored only two goals and gained two points, but Yeovil Town Ladies can look back at the 2017-18 Women's Super League season with plenty of pride.
As can manager Jamie Sherwood who stood down as manager after four years in charge of the Lady Glovers. During those four years the club have made some incredible strides, from entering Women's Super Two under Sherwood's predecessor Sarah Lawler in 2014.
It was at this point when former Torquay United youth team player Sherwood came in towards the end of the 2014 campaign, initially as a coach and then as interim manager before being appointed as manager on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
This was then followed by promotion to WSL One two years in 2016, as they clinched the league title with a final day victory over Sheffield FC by pipping Bristol City Women on goal difference.
The club's motto reads: 'achieve by unity' and as a group they more than fulfilled the virtues of that phrase.
Next up was the WSL Spring Series, which was used to bridge the gap between a summer and a winter programme for the league and gave Sherwood and his team a taster of what was to come when the main action got underway.
As well as presenting challenges on the field, the top flight of the women's also presented obstacles off it. After winning promotion on merit, the Lady Glovers were told that they needed to find £350,000 to continue to play in WSL One and turn full-time.
However, with no backing from a wealthy men's Premier League side to fall back on, a lot of work went into successfully rising to this challenge and Tier One status was successfully obtained.
Another challenge that Sherwood has had to face is losing several talented players, including Sarah Wiltshire, Lucy Quinn and Angharad James who all moved on to pastures following the Spring Series.
Nevertheless, players such as Jessie Jones stepped up to the mark - a midfielder who looked at home against some of the leading lights of the league - and goalkeeper Megan Walsh staked a possible claim for Phil Neville's Lionesses squad.
And that's not to say nothing of the many younger faces who featured in the green and white of Yeovil, including Thierry-Jo Gauvin and Libby Piggott - the latter being the scorer of the Lady Glovers' first goal in WSL One against Everton Ladies.
For Sherwood's successor - the future is bright, the future is green and white.
As can manager Jamie Sherwood who stood down as manager after four years in charge of the Lady Glovers. During those four years the club have made some incredible strides, from entering Women's Super Two under Sherwood's predecessor Sarah Lawler in 2014.
It was at this point when former Torquay United youth team player Sherwood came in towards the end of the 2014 campaign, initially as a coach and then as interim manager before being appointed as manager on a permanent basis at the end of the season.
This was then followed by promotion to WSL One two years in 2016, as they clinched the league title with a final day victory over Sheffield FC by pipping Bristol City Women on goal difference.
The club's motto reads: 'achieve by unity' and as a group they more than fulfilled the virtues of that phrase.
Next up was the WSL Spring Series, which was used to bridge the gap between a summer and a winter programme for the league and gave Sherwood and his team a taster of what was to come when the main action got underway.
As well as presenting challenges on the field, the top flight of the women's also presented obstacles off it. After winning promotion on merit, the Lady Glovers were told that they needed to find £350,000 to continue to play in WSL One and turn full-time.
However, with no backing from a wealthy men's Premier League side to fall back on, a lot of work went into successfully rising to this challenge and Tier One status was successfully obtained.
Another challenge that Sherwood has had to face is losing several talented players, including Sarah Wiltshire, Lucy Quinn and Angharad James who all moved on to pastures following the Spring Series.
Nevertheless, players such as Jessie Jones stepped up to the mark - a midfielder who looked at home against some of the leading lights of the league - and goalkeeper Megan Walsh staked a possible claim for Phil Neville's Lionesses squad.
And that's not to say nothing of the many younger faces who featured in the green and white of Yeovil, including Thierry-Jo Gauvin and Libby Piggott - the latter being the scorer of the Lady Glovers' first goal in WSL One against Everton Ladies.
For Sherwood's successor - the future is bright, the future is green and white.
Wednesday 16 May 2018
TISDALE LOOKS TO SECURE SECOND WEMBLEY VISIT FOR GRECIANS
Now that the baton of the longest serving manager in senior English football passed from Arsene Wenger to Paul Tisdale, the Exeter City manager's attentions have now switched to securing a second successive Wembley appearance for the Grecians.
In the same weekend that Wenger watched Arsenal beat Huddersfield Town 1-0 at the John Smith's Stadium, to bring down the curtain on his 22-year reign in charge, Tisdale was leading Exeter to a goalless draw in their play-off final first leg against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.
City will have home advantage in their second leg - just as they did last season when they famously defeated Carlisle United 1-0 - after drawing 3-3 in the first meeting at Brunton Park - to book their place in the final against Blackpool, which they lost 2-1 with David Wheeler, now of Queens Park Rangers, on target for the Grecians.
Whilst the experience that they gained last season provides Tisdale's Exeter with an advantage the Imps shouldn't be underestimated.
Since manager Danny Cowley swapped Braintree Town for Lincoln in the summer of 2016, the Imps have enjoyed an unprecedented level of success, having won the Vanarama National League title in the 2016-17 season and reached the Quarter finals of the FA Cup in the same campaign.
This season they have already appeared at Wembley when they defeated Shrewsbury Town to clinch the Checkatrade Trophy, and they are now aiming to emulate what Tisdale achieved with the Grecians between 2007 and 2009 by completing back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League One.
The game will also be Director of Football Steve Perryman's last home game with the Grecians before his retirement.
In the same weekend that Wenger watched Arsenal beat Huddersfield Town 1-0 at the John Smith's Stadium, to bring down the curtain on his 22-year reign in charge, Tisdale was leading Exeter to a goalless draw in their play-off final first leg against Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.
City will have home advantage in their second leg - just as they did last season when they famously defeated Carlisle United 1-0 - after drawing 3-3 in the first meeting at Brunton Park - to book their place in the final against Blackpool, which they lost 2-1 with David Wheeler, now of Queens Park Rangers, on target for the Grecians.
Whilst the experience that they gained last season provides Tisdale's Exeter with an advantage the Imps shouldn't be underestimated.
Since manager Danny Cowley swapped Braintree Town for Lincoln in the summer of 2016, the Imps have enjoyed an unprecedented level of success, having won the Vanarama National League title in the 2016-17 season and reached the Quarter finals of the FA Cup in the same campaign.
This season they have already appeared at Wembley when they defeated Shrewsbury Town to clinch the Checkatrade Trophy, and they are now aiming to emulate what Tisdale achieved with the Grecians between 2007 and 2009 by completing back-to-back promotions from the Conference to League One.
The game will also be Director of Football Steve Perryman's last home game with the Grecians before his retirement.
Sunday 13 May 2018
END OF AN ERA FOR ARGYLE AS MCCORMICK LEAVES
One notable name in the list of players not be retained for the 2018-19 season was that of goalkeeper Luke McCormick.
However, the departure of McCormick, 34, who was also the Pilgrims' club captain, is probably not a big surprise to some, as he had missed a large chunk of the 2017-18 campaign due to injuries to his ankle and shoulder and only appeared ten times.
Nevertheless it still brings down the curtain on a long association with the club that began in the 2000-01 season, when he was handed his debut by the then Pilgrims' boss Paul Sturrock on the final day of the campaign against Rochdale.
His stay at Home Park then continued under Sturrock, as Argyle won the 2001-02 Third Division and 2003-04 Second Division titles before establishing themselves in the Championship under Tony Pulis and Ian Holloway.
On June 7th, 2008, an event occurred that would change McCormick's life forever. He was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving on the M6 motorway - a crime that he later jailed for - following the deaths of Aaron and Ben Peak aged ten and eight respectively, near Keele services in Staffordshire whilst returning from the wedding of former Pilgrims' teammate David Norris.
Upon his release in 2012, he appeared for Truro City and Oxford United before returning to Home Park at the start of the 2013-14 season. His second spell with the Pilgrims saw him enjoy more success, as he helped Argyle to reach the play-offs in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons - the latter of which saw them lose to AFC Wimbledon at Wembley - before winning automatic promotion in the 2016-17 campaign.
During this time, he was also appointed as club captain - following the departure of Curtis Nelson to Oxford United in 2016 - and was also named in the League Two team of the year for the 2016-17 season.
Another notable departures from Home Park include former Wales striker Simon Church, who was part of Chris Coleman's squad for Euro 2016, and right-back Gary Miller who also played under manager Derek Adams at Ross County.
The number one goalkeeper's position is now up for grabs at Home Park, whilst Gary Sawyer, who led the Pilgrims in McCormick's absence, is now favourite to replace him as club captain, with David Fox and Sonny Bradley also possible candidates for the role.
Out of contract, offered new contract: Alex Battle, Jordan Bentley, Sonny Bradley, Alex Fletcher, David Fox, Kyle Letheren, Dan Rooney, Gary Sawyer, Yann Songo'o, Oscar Threlkeld.
Out of contract, released: Nathan Blissett, Simon Church, Luke McCormick, Gary Miller, Paul Paton, Callum Rose, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Robbert te Loeke.
Apprentices offered professional contract: Harry Hodges, Luke Jephcott, Ryan Law, Cameron Sangster.
However, the departure of McCormick, 34, who was also the Pilgrims' club captain, is probably not a big surprise to some, as he had missed a large chunk of the 2017-18 campaign due to injuries to his ankle and shoulder and only appeared ten times.
Nevertheless it still brings down the curtain on a long association with the club that began in the 2000-01 season, when he was handed his debut by the then Pilgrims' boss Paul Sturrock on the final day of the campaign against Rochdale.
His stay at Home Park then continued under Sturrock, as Argyle won the 2001-02 Third Division and 2003-04 Second Division titles before establishing themselves in the Championship under Tony Pulis and Ian Holloway.
On June 7th, 2008, an event occurred that would change McCormick's life forever. He was arrested and charged with causing death by dangerous driving on the M6 motorway - a crime that he later jailed for - following the deaths of Aaron and Ben Peak aged ten and eight respectively, near Keele services in Staffordshire whilst returning from the wedding of former Pilgrims' teammate David Norris.
Upon his release in 2012, he appeared for Truro City and Oxford United before returning to Home Park at the start of the 2013-14 season. His second spell with the Pilgrims saw him enjoy more success, as he helped Argyle to reach the play-offs in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 seasons - the latter of which saw them lose to AFC Wimbledon at Wembley - before winning automatic promotion in the 2016-17 campaign.
During this time, he was also appointed as club captain - following the departure of Curtis Nelson to Oxford United in 2016 - and was also named in the League Two team of the year for the 2016-17 season.
Another notable departures from Home Park include former Wales striker Simon Church, who was part of Chris Coleman's squad for Euro 2016, and right-back Gary Miller who also played under manager Derek Adams at Ross County.
The number one goalkeeper's position is now up for grabs at Home Park, whilst Gary Sawyer, who led the Pilgrims in McCormick's absence, is now favourite to replace him as club captain, with David Fox and Sonny Bradley also possible candidates for the role.
Out of contract, offered new contract: Alex Battle, Jordan Bentley, Sonny Bradley, Alex Fletcher, David Fox, Kyle Letheren, Dan Rooney, Gary Sawyer, Yann Songo'o, Oscar Threlkeld.
Out of contract, released: Nathan Blissett, Simon Church, Luke McCormick, Gary Miller, Paul Paton, Callum Rose, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair, Robbert te Loeke.
Apprentices offered professional contract: Harry Hodges, Luke Jephcott, Ryan Law, Cameron Sangster.
Wednesday 2 May 2018
FIVE TALKING POINTS FROM THE 2017-18 SEASON FOR TORQUAY UNITED
1. 41 players used - 17 of which were loan signings
The only times in recent memory when Torquay United have used more players than the current campaign was 43 in the 1995-96 campaign, when their league status was saved by Stevenage's Broadhall Way home not being up to league standard, and 42 in the 2006-07 season when they were relegated from the Football League, during which time Mike Bateson sold the club to Chris Roberts before reacquiring it.
A sizeable chunk of these signings were loan acquisitions - 17 to be precise - along with five non-contract signings: Rory Fallon, Andy Haworth, Chinua Cole, Jennison Myrie-Williams and Guy Gnabouyou.
Some of those 17 excelled, such as Elliott Romain, George Dowling, Michee Efete, Alex Davey, Aaron Barnes, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Rhys Murphy, whilst others, including Josh McQuoid, Rhys Murphy and Callum Evans, came and went without leaving a lasting impression.
A number of younger loanees also found it hard to make the transition from Under-23 development football to the demands of playing in the National League.
If manager Gary Owers is to be successful in ensuring that the Gulls bounce back from National League South at the first attempt - he would probably be better looking at younger players who have previous experience of being on loan at clubs at National League South level or lower.
2. Robbie Herrera
When Robbie Herrera was first appointed as caretaker manager following the dismissal of Kevin Nicholson after just four games, I think both he and the Plainmoor wouldn't have expected his temporary reign to have lasted as long as it did (six weeks in total).
Although United did drop points during his six-match spell in charge against Guiseley away, Solihull Moors at home and Chester FC at home, Herrera never hid from the responsibility of managing his hometown club and his post-match interviews were always very honest in terms of his assessment of the game. He was also responsible for the permanent signings of Vincent Dorel and also brought in Michee Efete and George Dowling on loan - who all continued to feature in the first team under Owers, and Dowling even won the club's Young Player of the Year award.
3. Luke Young and Sean McGinty
The only two players to have been ever present for the Gulls in the 2017-18 season were Player of the Year Luke Young and skipper Sean McGinty. Results aside, the only way the season could have gone any better for Young would have been if he finished the season with a higher goals tally than the five that he scored. Both players featured on Owers' end of season retained list, however Young has already been linked with moves to Cheltenham Town and Yeovil Town, so it remains to be seen if both players will remain at Plainmoor for next season.
4. Rhys Healey
Had the transfer window been open when Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock arranged for Rhys Healey to go on loan to Torquay United at the end of March 2018, then the move may never have come about. Healey had been a target for Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams last season and he demonstrated his undoubted class by scoring six goals in seven appearances. It was a goal return that left many of the Plainmoor faithful wondering what could have happened if the move had come about a few weeks earlier. With the Pilgrims potentially on the lookout for more attacking options next season - don't be surprised if he returns to Devon to sign for Argyle next season.
5. Damon Lathrope and Ryan Higgins
It is always a sad occasion when a player is forced to retire prematurely through injury or illness, but this season two players who appeared for the Gulls in the 2017-18 campaign were forced to quit the game for those very reasons.
Damon Lathrope suffered a badly broken leg during a game for Woking, who joined in January 2018 after leaving Plainmoor, against Boreham Wood that caused damage to a number of major arteries and veins, which forced him to retire.
Summer signing Ryan Higgins, who joined United from Southport, made 16 appearances for the Gulls before returning to his native Merseyside for family reasons. It later transpired that his sister had been rushed to hospital with a serious heart condition, which was turned out was hereditary. Unfortunately for Ryan, after being screened for the condition himself, he was also diagnosed with it; one of the consequences of this was that Ryan was forced to retire from playing football immediately.
Had it not been detected in time, Ryan could potentially have suffered the same fate as former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who had a heart attack on the pitch whilst playing for the Trotters against Tottenham Hotspur in March 2012.
Since the announcement of the duo's retirement - the club have staged a number of collections and auctions to raise money for the pair and there will even be a charity game taking place at Plainmoor this Sunday for Damon Lathrope. Their charitable response to their conditions is arguably one of only a handful of positives that have come out of the campaign.
The only times in recent memory when Torquay United have used more players than the current campaign was 43 in the 1995-96 campaign, when their league status was saved by Stevenage's Broadhall Way home not being up to league standard, and 42 in the 2006-07 season when they were relegated from the Football League, during which time Mike Bateson sold the club to Chris Roberts before reacquiring it.
A sizeable chunk of these signings were loan acquisitions - 17 to be precise - along with five non-contract signings: Rory Fallon, Andy Haworth, Chinua Cole, Jennison Myrie-Williams and Guy Gnabouyou.
Some of those 17 excelled, such as Elliott Romain, George Dowling, Michee Efete, Alex Davey, Aaron Barnes, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Rhys Murphy, whilst others, including Josh McQuoid, Rhys Murphy and Callum Evans, came and went without leaving a lasting impression.
A number of younger loanees also found it hard to make the transition from Under-23 development football to the demands of playing in the National League.
If manager Gary Owers is to be successful in ensuring that the Gulls bounce back from National League South at the first attempt - he would probably be better looking at younger players who have previous experience of being on loan at clubs at National League South level or lower.
2. Robbie Herrera
When Robbie Herrera was first appointed as caretaker manager following the dismissal of Kevin Nicholson after just four games, I think both he and the Plainmoor wouldn't have expected his temporary reign to have lasted as long as it did (six weeks in total).
Although United did drop points during his six-match spell in charge against Guiseley away, Solihull Moors at home and Chester FC at home, Herrera never hid from the responsibility of managing his hometown club and his post-match interviews were always very honest in terms of his assessment of the game. He was also responsible for the permanent signings of Vincent Dorel and also brought in Michee Efete and George Dowling on loan - who all continued to feature in the first team under Owers, and Dowling even won the club's Young Player of the Year award.
3. Luke Young and Sean McGinty
The only two players to have been ever present for the Gulls in the 2017-18 season were Player of the Year Luke Young and skipper Sean McGinty. Results aside, the only way the season could have gone any better for Young would have been if he finished the season with a higher goals tally than the five that he scored. Both players featured on Owers' end of season retained list, however Young has already been linked with moves to Cheltenham Town and Yeovil Town, so it remains to be seen if both players will remain at Plainmoor for next season.
4. Rhys Healey
Had the transfer window been open when Cardiff City manager Neil Warnock arranged for Rhys Healey to go on loan to Torquay United at the end of March 2018, then the move may never have come about. Healey had been a target for Plymouth Argyle manager Derek Adams last season and he demonstrated his undoubted class by scoring six goals in seven appearances. It was a goal return that left many of the Plainmoor faithful wondering what could have happened if the move had come about a few weeks earlier. With the Pilgrims potentially on the lookout for more attacking options next season - don't be surprised if he returns to Devon to sign for Argyle next season.
5. Damon Lathrope and Ryan Higgins
It is always a sad occasion when a player is forced to retire prematurely through injury or illness, but this season two players who appeared for the Gulls in the 2017-18 campaign were forced to quit the game for those very reasons.
Damon Lathrope suffered a badly broken leg during a game for Woking, who joined in January 2018 after leaving Plainmoor, against Boreham Wood that caused damage to a number of major arteries and veins, which forced him to retire.
Summer signing Ryan Higgins, who joined United from Southport, made 16 appearances for the Gulls before returning to his native Merseyside for family reasons. It later transpired that his sister had been rushed to hospital with a serious heart condition, which was turned out was hereditary. Unfortunately for Ryan, after being screened for the condition himself, he was also diagnosed with it; one of the consequences of this was that Ryan was forced to retire from playing football immediately.
Had it not been detected in time, Ryan could potentially have suffered the same fate as former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who had a heart attack on the pitch whilst playing for the Trotters against Tottenham Hotspur in March 2012.
Since the announcement of the duo's retirement - the club have staged a number of collections and auctions to raise money for the pair and there will even be a charity game taking place at Plainmoor this Sunday for Damon Lathrope. Their charitable response to their conditions is arguably one of only a handful of positives that have come out of the campaign.
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