After waiting over a half a decade to see a player score a hat-trick, the Torquay United faithful have now seen a third player hit a treble in as many seasons - following Jamie Reid's triple strike against Eastbourne Borough.
Torquay-born Reid, who grew up supporting the Gulls, took his tally for the 2018-19 season to nine - eight of which have come since the appointment of Gary Johnson as successor to Gary Owers - against Eastbourne.
In completing this feat, he joins a list that includes Kieffer Moore (Solihull Moors at home in 2016-17) and former Cardiff City loanee Rhys Healey (at home to Guiseley in 2017-18) who have managed the feat for United in recent seasons.
Prior to the aforementioned two, the last time a player hit a hat-trick in a United shirt was Elliot Benyon against Stockport County in the FA Cup second round in the 2009-10 campaign.
Last season, Reid managed to find the back of the net a mere six times, which saw him finish the campaign as second top scorer behind Healey - and he has comfortably surpassed that figure this time around. In addition to this, as well as showing what he is truly capable of - thus far, he has demonstrated why a number of managers have shown faith in him throughout his career.
Not only has Johnson been prepared to show faith in his ability, and Owers before him, Kevin Nicholson and Chris Hargreaves were also prepared to play him. Paul Tisdale, his manager at his first club Exeter City, was always willing to reward him with a succession of new contracts - the last of which was due to expire at the end of this season before the Gulls took over his deal to make his loan move into a permanent one. Let's not also forget he was part of the Grecians side that drew 2-2 with Liverpool in the FA Cup third round in the 2015-16 season to force a replay.
It is also worth mentioning that during his managerial career, Johnson has a history of recognising and improving strikers. During his two spells with Yeovil Town, he spotted the potential of the late Adam Stansfield, Paddy Madden and Kieffer Moore and whilst in charge of Cheltenham Town he spotted Mohamed Eisa, who recently joined Bristol City after being plucked from Greenwich Borough in the Isthmian League by Johnson for the Gloucestershire club.
If Reid maintains his current form, he could also join what is an already illustrious list.
