1. Mind the gap.
At the start of what could be a crucial seven days for Torquay United, the Gulls got off to the best possible start with a win over Wealdstone - which opens up a four-point gap between themselves and fellow title chasers Woking. This sets United up nicely for their forthcoming against play-off chasing Chelmsford City on Tuesday night and their eagerly anticipating 'six-pointer' against Woking.
2. Jamie Reid edges closer to the 30-goal mark.
Had Jamie Reid converted his 73rd minute penalty, which was saved by Wealdstone keeper Jonathan North, he would have become the first Torquay United to find the back of the net 30 times in one season since Robin Stubbs in the 1964-65 campaign. His 37th minute effort was his 29th of the season, but he will now have wait a little longer to hit the 30-goal mark.
3. Keating the creator.
After starting the game on the left wing, Ruairi Keating made an important contribution to the Gulls' cause - providing the assists for United's first and second goals by Kalvin Kalala and Jamie Reid.
For the first goal, after skipper Asa Hall played the ball to him, Keating picked out Kalala with a cross that the Frenchman volleyed home. With United's second, Keating played a ball over the top which Reid ran onto and broke clear of the Wealdstone defence before slotting home.
He has now undoubtedly proved that he can create goals as well as score them.
4. Is Ben Wynter the best right-back in National League South?
Early on in the season, many of the Plainmoor faithful were unsure about right-back Ben Wynter following a number of indifferent displays under previous manager Gary Owers. However, since the arrival of Gary Johnson as manager, Wynter's playing fortunes have been transformed and he's now equally comfortable defensively as he is going forward - like many modern day full-backs.
If anyone can think of a better right-back than him in National League South, please send their answers on a postcard? - you can also phone, text or tweet as well!
5. Kalvin Kalala is approaching double figures.
One of only a handful of new faces brought to Plainmoor by Gary Johnson, after starting the season under Johnson at Cheltenham Town, Kalvin Kalala netted his eighth goal of the season with the Gulls' opener against Wealdstone. He now needs two more goals to join Jamie Reid (29), Saikou Janneh (17) and Jake Andrews (10) in hitting double figures for the season - a unprecedented feat in United's recent history.
Extra time - Olaf Koszela, in signing his first professional contract before the game becomes the first Torquay United who was born after their final relegation decider against Barnet in the 2000-01 season to sign as a pro with the club.
Sunday 31 March 2019
Tuesday 26 March 2019
THE RUNNERS AND RIDERS TO REPLACE WAY
A 2-0 defeat away to MK Dons proved to be the end of Darren Way's reign as Yeovil Town manager - a result that sees the Glovers placed precariously above the League Two relegation zone.
Their loss in Milton Keynes was Yeovil's tenth loss in 12 games, a sequence which also included a loss at home to fellow strugglers Macclesfield Town. Prospective new owners Feliciana EFL Ltd - led by New Orleans based entrepreneur and politician Rob Couhig - who are set to complete the purchase of the club from current chairman John Fry, and fellow director Norman Hayward, have given their blessing to the decision.
For Plymouth-born Way, the decision brings the curtain down on a long association with the Huish Park club which began in the summer of 2000 when he joined the Glovers as a player, following his release from Norwich City. In the intervening 19 years - aside from an 18-month spell in South Wales with Swansea City - Way served Yeovil as a player, coach and as manager, from December 2015 until his recent dismissal, where he oversaw 19th, 20th and 19th place league finishes in League Two.
With seven games remaining to preserve the league status that they won in 2003, the Glovers have appointed Way's assistant Neale Marmon as caretaker manager before deciding on a permanent successor.
We will now take a look at some of the names being linked with the vacancy so far.
Darrell Clarke -
Former Bristol Rovers Clarke took charge of the Pirates in a situation not too dissimilar to the one in which the Glovers currently find themselves in the 2013-14 season when he succeeded John Ward. Clarke might have been unable to save Rovers from relegation to the Vanarama National League, but he then led them back into the Football League at the first attempt in the 2014-15 campaign - when they beat Grimsby Town in the Play-off final on penalties.
He then followed up this feat by leading Pirates to automatic promotion from League Two in the 2015-16 season before re-establishing them in League One and he also received a few admiring glances from several Championship sides before he was dismissed earlier this season and replaced by Graham Coughlan.
Jerry Gill -
Ex Yeovil defender Gill helped the Glovers win promotion from the Isthmian Premier Division in the 1996-97 season before moving on to Birmingham City, Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town amongst others. He is currently in charge of Bath City in National League South, where he is currently overseeing a Play-off challenge in his second season after replacing Gary Owers in September 2017. Prior to this he was also worked as a development coach at Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, an experience which could be useful in integrating players from the club's academy, which is starting to bear fruit with players like Gabby Rogers.
Kevin Nolan -
Former Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United midfielder Nolan has plenty of experience of managing in League Two in recent seasons, with spells in charge of Leyton Orient and Notts County under his belt. The current vacancy at Huish Park could be the opportunity he needs to give his managerial career the kickstart that it needs.
Gary Johnson -
Arguably the Glovers' most successful manager ever, having overseen promotions from the National League, League Two and League One in 2003, 2005 and 2013 respectively over two spells. However, if Way's dismissal was seen as a break with the past, then re-employing Johnson for a third time would be seen as counterproductive. Plus, he has already distanced himself from the position - declaring that he is happy at Torquay United, who are currently aiming to clinch the National League South title.
Neale Marmon -
The man immediately tasked with keeping the Glovers in the Football League, Marmon has spent much of his career - both playing and managing - in Germany, aside from two playing spells with Torquay United and Colchester United. After declaring the Glovers' first team training sessions open to the fans, he is looking to re-engage with the Huish Park faithful and, in the short-term at least, help Yeovil get as many points on the board as possible while he is in charge.
Their loss in Milton Keynes was Yeovil's tenth loss in 12 games, a sequence which also included a loss at home to fellow strugglers Macclesfield Town. Prospective new owners Feliciana EFL Ltd - led by New Orleans based entrepreneur and politician Rob Couhig - who are set to complete the purchase of the club from current chairman John Fry, and fellow director Norman Hayward, have given their blessing to the decision.
For Plymouth-born Way, the decision brings the curtain down on a long association with the Huish Park club which began in the summer of 2000 when he joined the Glovers as a player, following his release from Norwich City. In the intervening 19 years - aside from an 18-month spell in South Wales with Swansea City - Way served Yeovil as a player, coach and as manager, from December 2015 until his recent dismissal, where he oversaw 19th, 20th and 19th place league finishes in League Two.
With seven games remaining to preserve the league status that they won in 2003, the Glovers have appointed Way's assistant Neale Marmon as caretaker manager before deciding on a permanent successor.
We will now take a look at some of the names being linked with the vacancy so far.
Darrell Clarke -
Former Bristol Rovers Clarke took charge of the Pirates in a situation not too dissimilar to the one in which the Glovers currently find themselves in the 2013-14 season when he succeeded John Ward. Clarke might have been unable to save Rovers from relegation to the Vanarama National League, but he then led them back into the Football League at the first attempt in the 2014-15 campaign - when they beat Grimsby Town in the Play-off final on penalties.
He then followed up this feat by leading Pirates to automatic promotion from League Two in the 2015-16 season before re-establishing them in League One and he also received a few admiring glances from several Championship sides before he was dismissed earlier this season and replaced by Graham Coughlan.
Jerry Gill -
Ex Yeovil defender Gill helped the Glovers win promotion from the Isthmian Premier Division in the 1996-97 season before moving on to Birmingham City, Northampton Town and Cheltenham Town amongst others. He is currently in charge of Bath City in National League South, where he is currently overseeing a Play-off challenge in his second season after replacing Gary Owers in September 2017. Prior to this he was also worked as a development coach at Norwich City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, an experience which could be useful in integrating players from the club's academy, which is starting to bear fruit with players like Gabby Rogers.
Kevin Nolan -
Former Bolton Wanderers and West Ham United midfielder Nolan has plenty of experience of managing in League Two in recent seasons, with spells in charge of Leyton Orient and Notts County under his belt. The current vacancy at Huish Park could be the opportunity he needs to give his managerial career the kickstart that it needs.
Gary Johnson -
Arguably the Glovers' most successful manager ever, having overseen promotions from the National League, League Two and League One in 2003, 2005 and 2013 respectively over two spells. However, if Way's dismissal was seen as a break with the past, then re-employing Johnson for a third time would be seen as counterproductive. Plus, he has already distanced himself from the position - declaring that he is happy at Torquay United, who are currently aiming to clinch the National League South title.
Neale Marmon -
The man immediately tasked with keeping the Glovers in the Football League, Marmon has spent much of his career - both playing and managing - in Germany, aside from two playing spells with Torquay United and Colchester United. After declaring the Glovers' first team training sessions open to the fans, he is looking to re-engage with the Huish Park faithful and, in the short-term at least, help Yeovil get as many points on the board as possible while he is in charge.
Sunday 24 March 2019
CAMERON PICKS PERFECT TIME TO OPEN ACCOUNT FOR GULLS
Torquay United central defender Kyle Cameron picked the perfect time to score his first goal of the season, as he scored the decisive goal in the Gulls' away victory over Concord Rangers.
Former Newcastle United starlet Cameron connected with a corner from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans to open his account for the Gulls at arguably the most crucial of times - fellow title challengers Woking had slipped to defeat against Slough Town - to inflict what was only Concord's second home defeat of the season.
It has also been revealed that Gulls manager Gary Johnson offered to bare his backside in the branch in the well-known Italian restaurant chain!
It's a method that Johnson also used earlier in his career when he was in charge of Bristol City in a bid to encourage central defender Liam Fontaine to find the target.
By finding the back of the net, Cameron has now avoided the unwanted record of being United's only regular starter not to find the back of the net this season - an unwanted record that was held by Jamie Robinson in the 1997-98 season.
Robinson, a central defender like Cameron, was the only regular outfield starter in Kevin Hodges' side not to score a goal as United reached the Third Division Play-offs - only to be denied by Colchester United in the final at Wembley.
However, in 2019, the Gulls' National League South title bid remains firmly on track and with home games against Wealdstone and Chelmsford City to come before their showdown at Kingfield against Woking. They now have the chance to put some serious daylight between themselves at the Cards.
Former Newcastle United starlet Cameron connected with a corner from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans to open his account for the Gulls at arguably the most crucial of times - fellow title challengers Woking had slipped to defeat against Slough Town - to inflict what was only Concord's second home defeat of the season.
It has also been revealed that Gulls manager Gary Johnson offered to bare his backside in the branch in the well-known Italian restaurant chain!
It's a method that Johnson also used earlier in his career when he was in charge of Bristol City in a bid to encourage central defender Liam Fontaine to find the target.
By finding the back of the net, Cameron has now avoided the unwanted record of being United's only regular starter not to find the back of the net this season - an unwanted record that was held by Jamie Robinson in the 1997-98 season.
Robinson, a central defender like Cameron, was the only regular outfield starter in Kevin Hodges' side not to score a goal as United reached the Third Division Play-offs - only to be denied by Colchester United in the final at Wembley.
However, in 2019, the Gulls' National League South title bid remains firmly on track and with home games against Wealdstone and Chelmsford City to come before their showdown at Kingfield against Woking. They now have the chance to put some serious daylight between themselves at the Cards.
Sunday 17 March 2019
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS DARTFORD
1. They only need ten men!
Despite losing central defender Jean Yves Koue Niate in the 13th minute to a straight red card for a professional foul on Dartford striker Darren McQueen, Torquay United still managed to seal all three points. Three times this season, Eastbourne Borough away and Truro City home and away, the Gulls have come from behind to win - but they now they can say that they have also won with ten men, which further reflects the strength of character with the squad under Gary Johnson.
2. United controlled the centre of the park.
After going down to ten men, Johnson required the remaining ten players on the pitch to give an extra 10% and this was exemplified by the displays of central midfielders Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Asa Hall. On going a man down, Johnson switched to a 4-2-3 formation, with Jamie Reid playing as a central striker with Saikou Janneh and Kalvin Kalala playing either side of him as part of a front three in front of Lemonheigh-Evans and Hall. Lemonheigh Evans also made a vital contribution on 49 minutes when he cleared a goal bound from Darts midfielder Joe Healy off the line, which helped give United the platform they needed to score their second goal through Jamie Reid in the 62nd minute.
3. Jamie Sendles-White slotted in seamlessly at the back.
Following Jean Yves Koue Niate's dismissal, Gary Johnson sent Jamie Sendles-White on as a substitute and he fitted in seamlessly alongside Kyle Cameron in the centre of defence. Sendles-White, who is looking to get his career back on track following spells at Swindon Town and Leyton Orient, will now be hoping to use any impending ban for Niate as a potential chance to further impress Johnson and his coaching team.
4. Ryan Dickson's experience could come into play.
As United head into the closing stages of the 2018-19 National League South, which sees them now trail Woking by one point with a game in hand, the importance of their senior pros will come into play - including Ryan Dickson, who made an impressive cameo appearance after replacing Kalvin Kalala against . Dickson, 31, as one of United's more experienced players, has the experience of winning promotion earlier in his career from League Two - with Brentford in 2009 - and League Two - with Southampton in 2011 - and his memories of those campaigns could yet prove to be hugely helpful to Torquay United in 2019.
5. Jamie Reid's brace makes him the fourth highest Gulls' goal scorer of this century.
By netting a brace yesterday, with a goal in each half, Jamie Reid took his tally for the season to 28 goals. Reid is also up to fourth in the list of top Torquay United goal scorers in his century, with 38 to his name. His double against Dartford lifted him above club record appearance holder Kevin Hill - who scored 37 of his 52 goals for the Gulls from 2000 onwards.
Reid is now fourth behind Tim Sills with 41, Chris Zebroski is in second place with 42 and David Graham who found the back of the net 49 times between 2001 and 2005.
Despite losing central defender Jean Yves Koue Niate in the 13th minute to a straight red card for a professional foul on Dartford striker Darren McQueen, Torquay United still managed to seal all three points. Three times this season, Eastbourne Borough away and Truro City home and away, the Gulls have come from behind to win - but they now they can say that they have also won with ten men, which further reflects the strength of character with the squad under Gary Johnson.
2. United controlled the centre of the park.
After going down to ten men, Johnson required the remaining ten players on the pitch to give an extra 10% and this was exemplified by the displays of central midfielders Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Asa Hall. On going a man down, Johnson switched to a 4-2-3 formation, with Jamie Reid playing as a central striker with Saikou Janneh and Kalvin Kalala playing either side of him as part of a front three in front of Lemonheigh-Evans and Hall. Lemonheigh Evans also made a vital contribution on 49 minutes when he cleared a goal bound from Darts midfielder Joe Healy off the line, which helped give United the platform they needed to score their second goal through Jamie Reid in the 62nd minute.
3. Jamie Sendles-White slotted in seamlessly at the back.
Following Jean Yves Koue Niate's dismissal, Gary Johnson sent Jamie Sendles-White on as a substitute and he fitted in seamlessly alongside Kyle Cameron in the centre of defence. Sendles-White, who is looking to get his career back on track following spells at Swindon Town and Leyton Orient, will now be hoping to use any impending ban for Niate as a potential chance to further impress Johnson and his coaching team.
4. Ryan Dickson's experience could come into play.
As United head into the closing stages of the 2018-19 National League South, which sees them now trail Woking by one point with a game in hand, the importance of their senior pros will come into play - including Ryan Dickson, who made an impressive cameo appearance after replacing Kalvin Kalala against . Dickson, 31, as one of United's more experienced players, has the experience of winning promotion earlier in his career from League Two - with Brentford in 2009 - and League Two - with Southampton in 2011 - and his memories of those campaigns could yet prove to be hugely helpful to Torquay United in 2019.
5. Jamie Reid's brace makes him the fourth highest Gulls' goal scorer of this century.
By netting a brace yesterday, with a goal in each half, Jamie Reid took his tally for the season to 28 goals. Reid is also up to fourth in the list of top Torquay United goal scorers in his century, with 38 to his name. His double against Dartford lifted him above club record appearance holder Kevin Hill - who scored 37 of his 52 goals for the Gulls from 2000 onwards.
Reid is now fourth behind Tim Sills with 41, Chris Zebroski is in second place with 42 and David Graham who found the back of the net 49 times between 2001 and 2005.
Sunday 10 March 2019
GULLS REMAIN NECK AND NECK WITH CARDS
Kalvin Kalala proved to be a super sub for Torquay United as he came off the bench to help the Gulls defeat ten man Billericay Town.
With the game looking destined to end goalless, the Frenchman broke the deadlock for United in the 80th minute, with his seventh of the campaign, after being set up by fellow sub Ryan Dickson.
Two minutes later, leading scorer Jamie Reid took his tally for the season to 26 goals with a shot from the edge of the penalty area - which proved to be decisive. A minute later, the hosts were reduced to ten men when defender Charlie Wassmer was dismissed for a 'headbutt' on Saikou Janneh.
The win keeps United level on points with leaders Woking, who won 2-0 against Chippenham Town, on 69 points, ahead of what looks set to be another crucial weekend in the National League South promotion race.
Next weekend, the Gulls host fifth-placed Dartford at Plainmoor while the Cards travel to third-placed Welling United, who currently have the best home record in the division.
For both sides, it looks set to be another fixture that looks set to be crucial in deciding the destination of the National League South title.
United are still currently awaiting a re-arranged date for their home fixture with Chelmsford City, which was rained off in midweek, and, of course, travel to the Kingfield Stadium to face Woking in early April.
Either side of that fixture, the Cards are away to Bath City and play host to Chelmsford, following the Gulls', visit in a run that could prove to be season defining.
With the game looking destined to end goalless, the Frenchman broke the deadlock for United in the 80th minute, with his seventh of the campaign, after being set up by fellow sub Ryan Dickson.
Two minutes later, leading scorer Jamie Reid took his tally for the season to 26 goals with a shot from the edge of the penalty area - which proved to be decisive. A minute later, the hosts were reduced to ten men when defender Charlie Wassmer was dismissed for a 'headbutt' on Saikou Janneh.
The win keeps United level on points with leaders Woking, who won 2-0 against Chippenham Town, on 69 points, ahead of what looks set to be another crucial weekend in the National League South promotion race.
Next weekend, the Gulls host fifth-placed Dartford at Plainmoor while the Cards travel to third-placed Welling United, who currently have the best home record in the division.
For both sides, it looks set to be another fixture that looks set to be crucial in deciding the destination of the National League South title.
United are still currently awaiting a re-arranged date for their home fixture with Chelmsford City, which was rained off in midweek, and, of course, travel to the Kingfield Stadium to face Woking in early April.
Either side of that fixture, the Cards are away to Bath City and play host to Chelmsford, following the Gulls', visit in a run that could prove to be season defining.
Sunday 3 March 2019
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS WESTON SUPER MARE
1. The Seagulls succeeded where others failed.
In beating Torquay United at home, Weston Super Mare succeeded where the likes of Woking and Billericay Town have failed in inflicting a home defeat on the Gulls under Gary Johnson reign as manager. Not since the final home game of Gary Owers' tenure on September 8th, 2019 have United tasted defeat at home in the league.
2. Friends Reunited.
As well as the United line-up featuring Jake Andrews, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh - all on loan from Bristol City - the Seagulls also featured three loanees from Ashton Gate as well.
Their centre back pairing of Aaron Parsons and Tom Harrison are both on loan at Weston from Bristol City, along with their left winger George Nurse. Interestingly Harrison was also responsible for the foul on Janneh, which led to the awarding of United's penalty on 70 minutes that was converted by Jamie Reid!
3. Target practice required.
Throughout the 90 minute, the Gulls won seven corners, which they were unable to take full advantage from. United's centre backs Jean Yves Koue Niate and Kyle Cameron could do a lot worse than to learn from United's assistant manager Aaron Downes and first team coach Shaun Taylor on how to attack the ball in the box from a corner. Downes scored 15 goals in 109 appearances in playing career with the Gulls between 2012 and 2015 and Taylor famously scored 13 goals for Swindon Town in the 1992-93 season, when they won promotion to the Premier League, many of which came from getting on the end of corners and other set pieces.
4. Packing in the crowds.
United's crowd of 2,682 was the highest crowd in Vanarama National Leagues North and South, apart from Stockport County versus Spennymoor United which attracted 6,311. The attendance at Plainmoor was also bigger than any crowd in the National League other than Eastleigh versus FC Halifax Town (3,323) and Wrexham versus Chesterfield (7,106).
5. It's a funny old game!
Despite their defeat United remain top of the league, albeit on goal difference, as Woking failed to beat Hungerford Town. Other promotion hopefuls Chelmsford City, Welling United and Bath City all drew with Concord Rangers, St Albans City and Truro City respectively while Billericay Town lost away to East Thurrock United. In fact no side in the top half of National League South managed to record a victory. As former Spurs and England striker Jimmy Greaves would say: "It's a funny old game."
In beating Torquay United at home, Weston Super Mare succeeded where the likes of Woking and Billericay Town have failed in inflicting a home defeat on the Gulls under Gary Johnson reign as manager. Not since the final home game of Gary Owers' tenure on September 8th, 2019 have United tasted defeat at home in the league.
2. Friends Reunited.
As well as the United line-up featuring Jake Andrews, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh - all on loan from Bristol City - the Seagulls also featured three loanees from Ashton Gate as well.
Their centre back pairing of Aaron Parsons and Tom Harrison are both on loan at Weston from Bristol City, along with their left winger George Nurse. Interestingly Harrison was also responsible for the foul on Janneh, which led to the awarding of United's penalty on 70 minutes that was converted by Jamie Reid!
3. Target practice required.
Throughout the 90 minute, the Gulls won seven corners, which they were unable to take full advantage from. United's centre backs Jean Yves Koue Niate and Kyle Cameron could do a lot worse than to learn from United's assistant manager Aaron Downes and first team coach Shaun Taylor on how to attack the ball in the box from a corner. Downes scored 15 goals in 109 appearances in playing career with the Gulls between 2012 and 2015 and Taylor famously scored 13 goals for Swindon Town in the 1992-93 season, when they won promotion to the Premier League, many of which came from getting on the end of corners and other set pieces.
4. Packing in the crowds.
United's crowd of 2,682 was the highest crowd in Vanarama National Leagues North and South, apart from Stockport County versus Spennymoor United which attracted 6,311. The attendance at Plainmoor was also bigger than any crowd in the National League other than Eastleigh versus FC Halifax Town (3,323) and Wrexham versus Chesterfield (7,106).
5. It's a funny old game!
Despite their defeat United remain top of the league, albeit on goal difference, as Woking failed to beat Hungerford Town. Other promotion hopefuls Chelmsford City, Welling United and Bath City all drew with Concord Rangers, St Albans City and Truro City respectively while Billericay Town lost away to East Thurrock United. In fact no side in the top half of National League South managed to record a victory. As former Spurs and England striker Jimmy Greaves would say: "It's a funny old game."
Saturday 2 March 2019
WHY THE INTERVENTION OF BRYN THE POLICE DOG GAVE TORQUAY UNITED A SHOT AT REDEMPTION
With the documentary 'the Jaws of Victory', focusing on Bryn the Police Dog's part in helping Torquay United avoid relegation from the Football League, currently being streamed on Netflix we will now look at how the events of that day gave the Gulls a shot at redemption.
Far from being a stay of execution, Torquay United’s final day survival in the 1986-87 season, which was aided by the intervention of Bryn the Police Dog, ended up giving the Gulls a shot at redemption.
Each of the three sides were also looking to stop their own individual rots. The Gulls had fallen on hard times following the heady days of the Frank O’Farrell and Alan Brown era of the late 1960s and early 1970s – when they missed out to promotion to the ‘old’ Second Division.
They had needed re-election to retain their Football League status in the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons after the late Tony Boyce, who had been chairman of the club for 20 years, sold up to former Chelsea defender Dave Webb in 1984.
During this period, Webb combined the role of manager with becoming the club’s first managing director as he passed the managerial reins over to John Sims, for just 30 days, and then to Stuart Morgan, who had previously been a youth team coach at Bournemouth with Webb and appeared on loan for United in the late-1960s. They also fielded a number of players recruited from local amateur football and saw the capacity of Plainmoor reduced to 4,999 – following a fire in May 1985.
However, following Webb’s departure from the club in 1986, Morgan did manage to acquire some useful players on a modest budget including striker Paul Dobson and defenders Tom Kelly and Jim McNichol. He also managed to re-sign mercurial winger Mark Loram on loan from Queens Park Rangers after Loram failed to settle at Loftus Road.
Burnley, league champions as recently as 1960, were keen to avoid earning the tag of becoming the former winners of the ‘old’ First Division to be relegated from the Football League. The days of Jimmy McIlroy and Jimmy Adamson must have seemed like a distant memory to most Clarets’ fans – and they were a long way from the top-flight status that they currently enjoy under Sean Dyche.
However, McIlroy could still be found at Turf Moor reporting on the Clarets’ fortunes for the Burnley Express newspaper.
Meanwhile Lincoln were looking to avoid a second successive relegation after being demoted from the ‘old’ Third Division in the season before.
As well as seeing the Gulls host Crewe, the final round of Division Four fixtures would also see Burnley play host Leyton Orient whilst Lincoln entertained Swansea City.
Such was the level of interest generated in East Lancashire that a crowd of 15,000 poured into Turf Moor causing kick off to be delayed by 15 minutes.
At Plainmoor, the Gulls made a slow start and found themselves 2-0 down by half-time as Peter Bodak and future England international David Platt struck in the 39th and 43rd minutes respectively.
Early in the second half, Jim McNichol pulled one back for the Gulls – however, he would later have a more significant part to play – which proved to be a timely boost as Burnley had taken the lead against Orient through Neil Grewcock.
Meanwhile at Sincil Bank, Lincoln were losing to Swansea, thanks to a strike from veteran Scottish midfielder Tommy Hutchinson, which meant an equaliser was now a necessity for United.
Finally, United were handed a life-line – in a bizarre twist of fate - when Bryn the Police Dog broke free of his handler, PC John Harris, and sunk his teeth into McNichol’s leg, which resulted in more extra time being added on.
To show that there were no hard feelings, McNichol even shook Bryn’s paw after the game and chairman Lew Pope presented him with a steak.
However, achieving the great escape wasn’t enough to keep Stuart Morgan as he was replaced by former Tottenham and England defender Cyril Knowles in the summer of 1987.
Knowles’ arrival heralded an immediate change in fortunes as they defeated Wrexham 6-1 on the opening day of the 1987-88 season, in which Dobson – scorer of the crucial goal against Crewe – grabbed a hat-trick.
This was then followed up a memorable 1-0 win over Knowles’ former club Spurs, who included the likes of Ray Clemence, Gary Mabbutt, Ossie Ardiles and Chris Waddle amongst their ranks, in the Littlewoods Cup. The game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw when Derek ‘the Dude’ Dawkins struck with a late winner – unfortunately Spurs won the second leg 3-0 at White Hart Lane.
Dawkins also combined playing with coaching the club’s youth side, where one of his charges was a 16-year old winger from Halesowen who had been rejected by Birmingham City called Lee Sharpe.
Sharpe, who chronicled his spell at Plainmoor in Chapter three of his 2005 autobiography My Idea of Fun, made 19 appearances and scored three goals in all competitions for the Gulls before joining Manchester United for a fee which eventually rose to £185,000 – a record for a teenager at the time.
At the end of the 1987-88 season, United reached the Play-offs for the first time in their history where they were beaten 5-4 by Swansea City over two legs (in the days before play-off finals were contested at Wembley).
What was more remarkable about their achievements of the Gulls under Knowles during his first campaign in charge was that it was achieved with more or less the same team that he had inherited Only Sharpe, Phil Lloyd, a defender who had followed him to Plainmoor from his previous club Darlington, player-assistant manager Sean Haslegrave and barnstorming Scottish striker David Caldwell had been added to the side by Knowles.
The following 1988-89 season saw United finish mid-table in the league, but it was in the Sherpa Van Trophy where they would excel. The Gulls reached the Southern Area final of the competition where they faced a Wolverhampton Wanderers side – spearheaded by Steve Bull and Andy Mutch – who were heading back towards a level of respectably.
After losing the first leg 2-1 at Plainmoor, very few people gave United a chance of causing an upset at Molineux in the second leg. However, the Gulls managed to upset the odds as they kept Bull and Mutch quiet and won 2-0 thanks to a free-kick from Mark Loram and another effort from Wolverhampton-born Dean Edwards, who had stood on the terraces at Molineux as a youngster.
The game at Molineux was also notable for the performance of goalkeeper Kenny Allen, who had been called out of retirement to play by Knowles due to a shortage of goalkeeping options.
In the final United were beaten 4-1 by Bolton Wanderers, despite taking the lead through Edwards, but in the eyes of many reaching Wembley was an achievement in itself.
Early in the following 1989-90 season Knowles left the club and was replaced by former Plymouth Argyle manager Dave Smith. Smith’s appointment saw an upturn in fortunes as the Gulls’ league form improved and they even managed to knock West Ham United out of the FA Cup at the third round stage through a goal from young striker Paul Hirons.
With additional finance made available following the takeover of the club by Mike Bateson in 1990, Smith laid the foundations for the side that would contest the 1991 Division Four Play-off final against Blackpool under his predecessor John Impey.
After drawing 2-2 against the Tangerines at the end of normal time and extra time, the Gulls triumphed 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out to win promotion for the first time since the 1965-66 season.
And they achieved it with a side that featured Mark Loram and Chris Myers, who were both part of the team that drew 2-2 against Crewe in 1987. This achievement, and the others that preceded it, can be traced back to that May afternoon when an act of ‘canine intervention’ came to United’s aid when they needed it most.
A full account of the Gulls' great escape and other matches featured in this article can be found in Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches at https://torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com/product/torquay-united-a-history-in-50-matches
Far from being a stay of execution, Torquay United’s final day survival in the 1986-87 season, which was aided by the intervention of Bryn the Police Dog, ended up giving the Gulls a shot at redemption.
Each of the three sides were also looking to stop their own individual rots. The Gulls had fallen on hard times following the heady days of the Frank O’Farrell and Alan Brown era of the late 1960s and early 1970s – when they missed out to promotion to the ‘old’ Second Division.
They had needed re-election to retain their Football League status in the 1984-85 and 1985-86 seasons after the late Tony Boyce, who had been chairman of the club for 20 years, sold up to former Chelsea defender Dave Webb in 1984.
During this period, Webb combined the role of manager with becoming the club’s first managing director as he passed the managerial reins over to John Sims, for just 30 days, and then to Stuart Morgan, who had previously been a youth team coach at Bournemouth with Webb and appeared on loan for United in the late-1960s. They also fielded a number of players recruited from local amateur football and saw the capacity of Plainmoor reduced to 4,999 – following a fire in May 1985.
However, following Webb’s departure from the club in 1986, Morgan did manage to acquire some useful players on a modest budget including striker Paul Dobson and defenders Tom Kelly and Jim McNichol. He also managed to re-sign mercurial winger Mark Loram on loan from Queens Park Rangers after Loram failed to settle at Loftus Road.
Burnley, league champions as recently as 1960, were keen to avoid earning the tag of becoming the former winners of the ‘old’ First Division to be relegated from the Football League. The days of Jimmy McIlroy and Jimmy Adamson must have seemed like a distant memory to most Clarets’ fans – and they were a long way from the top-flight status that they currently enjoy under Sean Dyche.
However, McIlroy could still be found at Turf Moor reporting on the Clarets’ fortunes for the Burnley Express newspaper.
Meanwhile Lincoln were looking to avoid a second successive relegation after being demoted from the ‘old’ Third Division in the season before.
As well as seeing the Gulls host Crewe, the final round of Division Four fixtures would also see Burnley play host Leyton Orient whilst Lincoln entertained Swansea City.
Such was the level of interest generated in East Lancashire that a crowd of 15,000 poured into Turf Moor causing kick off to be delayed by 15 minutes.
At Plainmoor, the Gulls made a slow start and found themselves 2-0 down by half-time as Peter Bodak and future England international David Platt struck in the 39th and 43rd minutes respectively.
Early in the second half, Jim McNichol pulled one back for the Gulls – however, he would later have a more significant part to play – which proved to be a timely boost as Burnley had taken the lead against Orient through Neil Grewcock.
Meanwhile at Sincil Bank, Lincoln were losing to Swansea, thanks to a strike from veteran Scottish midfielder Tommy Hutchinson, which meant an equaliser was now a necessity for United.
Finally, United were handed a life-line – in a bizarre twist of fate - when Bryn the Police Dog broke free of his handler, PC John Harris, and sunk his teeth into McNichol’s leg, which resulted in more extra time being added on.
To show that there were no hard feelings, McNichol even shook Bryn’s paw after the game and chairman Lew Pope presented him with a steak.
However, achieving the great escape wasn’t enough to keep Stuart Morgan as he was replaced by former Tottenham and England defender Cyril Knowles in the summer of 1987.
Knowles’ arrival heralded an immediate change in fortunes as they defeated Wrexham 6-1 on the opening day of the 1987-88 season, in which Dobson – scorer of the crucial goal against Crewe – grabbed a hat-trick.
This was then followed up a memorable 1-0 win over Knowles’ former club Spurs, who included the likes of Ray Clemence, Gary Mabbutt, Ossie Ardiles and Chris Waddle amongst their ranks, in the Littlewoods Cup. The game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw when Derek ‘the Dude’ Dawkins struck with a late winner – unfortunately Spurs won the second leg 3-0 at White Hart Lane.
Dawkins also combined playing with coaching the club’s youth side, where one of his charges was a 16-year old winger from Halesowen who had been rejected by Birmingham City called Lee Sharpe.
Sharpe, who chronicled his spell at Plainmoor in Chapter three of his 2005 autobiography My Idea of Fun, made 19 appearances and scored three goals in all competitions for the Gulls before joining Manchester United for a fee which eventually rose to £185,000 – a record for a teenager at the time.
At the end of the 1987-88 season, United reached the Play-offs for the first time in their history where they were beaten 5-4 by Swansea City over two legs (in the days before play-off finals were contested at Wembley).
What was more remarkable about their achievements of the Gulls under Knowles during his first campaign in charge was that it was achieved with more or less the same team that he had inherited Only Sharpe, Phil Lloyd, a defender who had followed him to Plainmoor from his previous club Darlington, player-assistant manager Sean Haslegrave and barnstorming Scottish striker David Caldwell had been added to the side by Knowles.
The following 1988-89 season saw United finish mid-table in the league, but it was in the Sherpa Van Trophy where they would excel. The Gulls reached the Southern Area final of the competition where they faced a Wolverhampton Wanderers side – spearheaded by Steve Bull and Andy Mutch – who were heading back towards a level of respectably.
After losing the first leg 2-1 at Plainmoor, very few people gave United a chance of causing an upset at Molineux in the second leg. However, the Gulls managed to upset the odds as they kept Bull and Mutch quiet and won 2-0 thanks to a free-kick from Mark Loram and another effort from Wolverhampton-born Dean Edwards, who had stood on the terraces at Molineux as a youngster.
The game at Molineux was also notable for the performance of goalkeeper Kenny Allen, who had been called out of retirement to play by Knowles due to a shortage of goalkeeping options.
In the final United were beaten 4-1 by Bolton Wanderers, despite taking the lead through Edwards, but in the eyes of many reaching Wembley was an achievement in itself.
Early in the following 1989-90 season Knowles left the club and was replaced by former Plymouth Argyle manager Dave Smith. Smith’s appointment saw an upturn in fortunes as the Gulls’ league form improved and they even managed to knock West Ham United out of the FA Cup at the third round stage through a goal from young striker Paul Hirons.
With additional finance made available following the takeover of the club by Mike Bateson in 1990, Smith laid the foundations for the side that would contest the 1991 Division Four Play-off final against Blackpool under his predecessor John Impey.
After drawing 2-2 against the Tangerines at the end of normal time and extra time, the Gulls triumphed 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out to win promotion for the first time since the 1965-66 season.
And they achieved it with a side that featured Mark Loram and Chris Myers, who were both part of the team that drew 2-2 against Crewe in 1987. This achievement, and the others that preceded it, can be traced back to that May afternoon when an act of ‘canine intervention’ came to United’s aid when they needed it most.
A full account of the Gulls' great escape and other matches featured in this article can be found in Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches at https://torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com/product/torquay-united-a-history-in-50-matches
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