It is often said that a week is a long time in politics, and it has proved to be equally true for Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll in his first seven days in charge at Huish Park.
Former Stevenage boss Sarll quickly made Luke Wilkinson, a central defender who previously served under him at Broadhall Way, his first signing. This was later followed by the signings of Rhys Murphy, who scored 28 goals in National League South for Chelmsford City in the 2018-19 campaign, and versatile defender Lee Collins - formerly of Forest Green Rovers.
There have also been players travelling in the opposite direction out of Huish Park with highly-rated Wales Under-21 central defender Tom James, who was the subject of a bid from West Bromwich Albion in the summer of 2018, has joined Scottish Premier League side Hibernian for an undisclosed fee.
This was followed by the termination of the contract of experienced defender Gary Warren, who saw his 2018-19 season with the Glovers end prematurely through injury.
Meanwhile, striker Alex Fisher - released by Yeovil at the end of the 2018-19 campaign - has joined Exeter City on a free transfer.
Thursday 27 June 2019
Wednesday 26 June 2019
FOUR POSSIBLE LOAN SIGNINGS FROM BRISTOL CITY FOR TORQUAY UNITED IN 2019-20
After Jake Andrews completed his permanent move to Torquay United from Bristol City, following a successful loan spell at Plainmoor in the 2018-19 campaign, we will now take a closer look at four players who could follow in the footsteps of Andrews, Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh in the 2019-20 season.
Aden Baldwin (centre-back/right-back)
No stranger to Torquay manager Gary Johnson from his time in charge of Cheltenham Town, where he previously signed him on loan, Baldwin is a centre back who can also provide cover at right back. With Jean Yves Koue Niate and Kyle Cameron the only recognised central defenders currently at Plainmoor and Ben Wynter the sole right back - Baldwin could tick a number of boxes for Johnson.
He would also be amongst a number of familiar faces if he were to sign for United on loan; as well as his former Ashton Gate colleague Jake Andrews - he would also be reunited with his former Cheltenham teammates Manny Duku and Kalvin Kalala - the latter whom he arrived at Whaddon Road at the same time ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
Tom Harrison (centre back)
Tom Harrison has the experience of winning at Plainmoor last season whilst on loan at Weston Super Mare from Bristol City when the Seagulls won 2-1 against United in early March. He was also part of the Bristol City Under-23 side that won 3-1 in the Gulls' pre-season friendly against the young Robins. In addition to his loan spell at Weston, he also spent a month on loan at Hereford FC in National League North in September 2018.
Whilst a loan spell in the National League is likely to be beneficial for Harrison, the fact that he is a left-sided defender could mean that he doesn't fit Gary Johnson's immediate plans as vice-captain Kyle Cameron currently fulfils that role for United. However, if the former Newcastle United was sustain an injury over the course of the season, Harrison could be the ideal short-term replacement should that scenario arise.
Opi Edwards (right wing)
Of the Gulls' former three Bristol City loanees who are remain at Ashton Gate, Opi Edwards is arguably the most likely to return to Plainmoor in the 2019-20 season. During their National League South title winning campaign, Edwards scored three goals in 17 appearances - the third of which came on the final day of the season against St Albans City - in what was an injury hit season for the Ghanaian-born wide man.
Edwards has previously had a loan spell in the National League with Solihull Moors in the 2017-18 campaign, and a full season with United could help to aid his development further.
Rory Holden (right wing/striker)
Northern Ireland Under-21 international Rory Holden signed a two-year deal with the Robins earlier this summer and will be looking to add to the experience that he gained last season from loan spells with Barrow and Rochdale. Holden, who joined the Robins from his hometown club Derry City in 2017, can play as a right winger, or as a centre forward and a second striker.
He also scored on his debut for Northern Ireland Under-21's on his debut against Luxembourg in September 2018. Lee Johnson has already hinted that Holden will sent out on loan again - could Plainmoor be a possible destination?
Aden Baldwin (centre-back/right-back)
No stranger to Torquay manager Gary Johnson from his time in charge of Cheltenham Town, where he previously signed him on loan, Baldwin is a centre back who can also provide cover at right back. With Jean Yves Koue Niate and Kyle Cameron the only recognised central defenders currently at Plainmoor and Ben Wynter the sole right back - Baldwin could tick a number of boxes for Johnson.
He would also be amongst a number of familiar faces if he were to sign for United on loan; as well as his former Ashton Gate colleague Jake Andrews - he would also be reunited with his former Cheltenham teammates Manny Duku and Kalvin Kalala - the latter whom he arrived at Whaddon Road at the same time ahead of the 2018-19 campaign.
Tom Harrison (centre back)
Tom Harrison has the experience of winning at Plainmoor last season whilst on loan at Weston Super Mare from Bristol City when the Seagulls won 2-1 against United in early March. He was also part of the Bristol City Under-23 side that won 3-1 in the Gulls' pre-season friendly against the young Robins. In addition to his loan spell at Weston, he also spent a month on loan at Hereford FC in National League North in September 2018.
Whilst a loan spell in the National League is likely to be beneficial for Harrison, the fact that he is a left-sided defender could mean that he doesn't fit Gary Johnson's immediate plans as vice-captain Kyle Cameron currently fulfils that role for United. However, if the former Newcastle United was sustain an injury over the course of the season, Harrison could be the ideal short-term replacement should that scenario arise.
Opi Edwards (right wing)
Of the Gulls' former three Bristol City loanees who are remain at Ashton Gate, Opi Edwards is arguably the most likely to return to Plainmoor in the 2019-20 season. During their National League South title winning campaign, Edwards scored three goals in 17 appearances - the third of which came on the final day of the season against St Albans City - in what was an injury hit season for the Ghanaian-born wide man.
Edwards has previously had a loan spell in the National League with Solihull Moors in the 2017-18 campaign, and a full season with United could help to aid his development further.
Rory Holden (right wing/striker)
Northern Ireland Under-21 international Rory Holden signed a two-year deal with the Robins earlier this summer and will be looking to add to the experience that he gained last season from loan spells with Barrow and Rochdale. Holden, who joined the Robins from his hometown club Derry City in 2017, can play as a right winger, or as a centre forward and a second striker.
He also scored on his debut for Northern Ireland Under-21's on his debut against Luxembourg in September 2018. Lee Johnson has already hinted that Holden will sent out on loan again - could Plainmoor be a possible destination?
Friday 21 June 2019
JAKE PEGS HIS FUTURE TO THE GULLS
After playing a key role in helping Torquay United to win the National League South title in the 2018-19 season while on loan from Bristol City, Jake Andrews has now joined the Gulls on a permanent basis.
Andrews, 21, who joined United on loan from Bristol City in September 2018, initially under Gary Johnson's predecessor Gary Owers, scored 12 times in 32 appearances, including the Gulls' second goal in their 2-0 win over Eastbourne Borough which clinched the title, and chipped in with many more assists.
He has agreed a pre-contract agreement on a two-year deal, as he looks to continue his development under Johnson, who he also worked under during a loan spell with Cheltenham Town in the 2017-18 season.
His arrival also provides another addition to the ex-Robins personnel currently at Plainmoor, which now stands at five players (Liam Davis, Asa Hall, Kalvin Kalala, Manny Duku and Andrews himself) and three non-playing staff (Johnson, assistant manager Aaron Downes and Head of Recruitment Pete Johnson).
Andrews could have seen out another year which he had to run on his contract at Ashton Gate, but decided against spending another 12 months in Under-23 football, with the possibility of a further loan spell, to sign for United as they aim for a return to the Football League.
Andrews, 21, who joined United on loan from Bristol City in September 2018, initially under Gary Johnson's predecessor Gary Owers, scored 12 times in 32 appearances, including the Gulls' second goal in their 2-0 win over Eastbourne Borough which clinched the title, and chipped in with many more assists.
He has agreed a pre-contract agreement on a two-year deal, as he looks to continue his development under Johnson, who he also worked under during a loan spell with Cheltenham Town in the 2017-18 season.
His arrival also provides another addition to the ex-Robins personnel currently at Plainmoor, which now stands at five players (Liam Davis, Asa Hall, Kalvin Kalala, Manny Duku and Andrews himself) and three non-playing staff (Johnson, assistant manager Aaron Downes and Head of Recruitment Pete Johnson).
Andrews could have seen out another year which he had to run on his contract at Ashton Gate, but decided against spending another 12 months in Under-23 football, with the possibility of a further loan spell, to sign for United as they aim for a return to the Football League.
Thursday 13 June 2019
MANNY BECOMES TORQUAY'S FLYING DUTCHMAN
Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has completed his third signing by returning to his old club Cheltenham Town to sign Dutch striker Manny Duku.
Amsterdam-born Duku, 26, was originally signed for the Robins by Johnson from Hayes and Yeading after spending much of his career in the South East non-league scene with a variety of clubs including Chesham United, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley and Banbury United.
Prior to his move to Whaddon Road, Duku, who started his career as a youth team player with Heerenveen in his homeland, had scored 37 goals in all competitions in the 2017-18 season for Hayes.
After scoring what proved to be his only goal for the Robins in a 1-1 draw with Macclesfield Town - in what proved to be Johnson's final match in charge of Cheltenham.
He then fell out of favour with Johnson's successor Michael Duff and found himself loaned out to Barnet and then to FC Halifax Town, both in the National League, and was also linked with a loan move to Plainmoor midway through last season.
While with the Bees he scored four goals in 11 appearances and he netted three times in 12 for the Shaymen.
Duku becomes the Gulls' third summer signing, following the acquisitions of Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Covolan -who looks set to provide ample competition to Shaun MacDonald - and Armani Little, the former Woking loanee who is looking to fashion a midfield partnership with skipper Asa Hall.
In addition to this, he also joins a growing list of ex-Cheltenham personnel currently with United that includes Johnson, assistant manager Aaron Downes, head of recruitment Pete Johnson, left-back Liam Davis, Hall and French winger Kalvin Kalala.
Amsterdam-born Duku, 26, was originally signed for the Robins by Johnson from Hayes and Yeading after spending much of his career in the South East non-league scene with a variety of clubs including Chesham United, Hemel Hempstead, Kings Langley and Banbury United.
Prior to his move to Whaddon Road, Duku, who started his career as a youth team player with Heerenveen in his homeland, had scored 37 goals in all competitions in the 2017-18 season for Hayes.
After scoring what proved to be his only goal for the Robins in a 1-1 draw with Macclesfield Town - in what proved to be Johnson's final match in charge of Cheltenham.
He then fell out of favour with Johnson's successor Michael Duff and found himself loaned out to Barnet and then to FC Halifax Town, both in the National League, and was also linked with a loan move to Plainmoor midway through last season.
While with the Bees he scored four goals in 11 appearances and he netted three times in 12 for the Shaymen.
Duku becomes the Gulls' third summer signing, following the acquisitions of Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Covolan -who looks set to provide ample competition to Shaun MacDonald - and Armani Little, the former Woking loanee who is looking to fashion a midfield partnership with skipper Asa Hall.
In addition to this, he also joins a growing list of ex-Cheltenham personnel currently with United that includes Johnson, assistant manager Aaron Downes, head of recruitment Pete Johnson, left-back Liam Davis, Hall and French winger Kalvin Kalala.
Sunday 9 June 2019
FIVE FACTS ABOUT RYAN LOWE
After Ryan Lowe was confirmed as Derek Adams's successor as Plymouth Argyle, following his departure from Bury, we will now take a closer look at the new Pilgrims' boss with five facts about him.
1. Liverpool are in his blood.
As well as being a life-long Liverpool fan, Lowe, 40, also had two spells in the Reds' youth set-up in his teens. It was at this time he met and formed a friendship with legendary Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard.
2. A late starter.
Despite starting out with Liverpool, he was a late entrant into professional football and didn't enter the pro ranks until the age of 22. This was the age he was when he joined Shrewsbury Town from Merseyside non-leaguers Burscough after being recommended to the then Shrews manager Kevin Ratcliffe by Howard Kendall following a trial with Everton.
3. Promotion at the first attempt.
Lowe tasted the first professional success of his career in the 2003-04 season when he helped Shrewsbury win promotion back to the Football League, following their relegation to the National Conference in the 2002-03 campaign when they beat Aldershot Town to win promotion via the play-offs at the first attempt.
4. North West Frontiersmen.
Other than spells with Shrewsbury, MK Dons and Sheffield Wednesday, Lowe spent virtually the entirety of his playing career in the North West with Chester City, Crewe Alexandra,(three times), Stockport County, Bury (twice) and Tranmere Rovers.
5. A 'Gung-ho' playing style which has won many friends, including one very famous one.
Lowe guided Bury to second place in League Two last season with an attacking style of play that has won him many admirers, including Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp following a pre-season friendly against the Reds. Under Lowe's guidance, the Shakers employed a 3-1-4-2 formation, which saw him use two numbers 10's in the form of Dara O'Shea and Danny Mayor and attacking wing-backs.
With Graham Carey currently mulling over the offer of a new contract, could the idea of being part of such an attack-minded set-up help convince the Irishman into staying at Home Park?
1. Liverpool are in his blood.
As well as being a life-long Liverpool fan, Lowe, 40, also had two spells in the Reds' youth set-up in his teens. It was at this time he met and formed a friendship with legendary Liverpool and England midfielder Steven Gerrard.
2. A late starter.
Despite starting out with Liverpool, he was a late entrant into professional football and didn't enter the pro ranks until the age of 22. This was the age he was when he joined Shrewsbury Town from Merseyside non-leaguers Burscough after being recommended to the then Shrews manager Kevin Ratcliffe by Howard Kendall following a trial with Everton.
3. Promotion at the first attempt.
Lowe tasted the first professional success of his career in the 2003-04 season when he helped Shrewsbury win promotion back to the Football League, following their relegation to the National Conference in the 2002-03 campaign when they beat Aldershot Town to win promotion via the play-offs at the first attempt.
4. North West Frontiersmen.
Other than spells with Shrewsbury, MK Dons and Sheffield Wednesday, Lowe spent virtually the entirety of his playing career in the North West with Chester City, Crewe Alexandra,(three times), Stockport County, Bury (twice) and Tranmere Rovers.
5. A 'Gung-ho' playing style which has won many friends, including one very famous one.
Lowe guided Bury to second place in League Two last season with an attacking style of play that has won him many admirers, including Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp following a pre-season friendly against the Reds. Under Lowe's guidance, the Shakers employed a 3-1-4-2 formation, which saw him use two numbers 10's in the form of Dara O'Shea and Danny Mayor and attacking wing-backs.
With Graham Carey currently mulling over the offer of a new contract, could the idea of being part of such an attack-minded set-up help convince the Irishman into staying at Home Park?
Friday 7 June 2019
TORQUAY UNITED CONNECTIONS WITH WOMEN'S FOOTBALL
With the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup now underway in France, we will now take a close look at three former Torquay United personnel who have made a significant contribution to the women's game.
Tommy Sermanni:
After starting his career with Albion Rovers in his native Scotland, Tommy Sermanni joined United from Blackpool in 1979 and remained until 1982 when he returned north of the border to sign Dunfermline. Highlights of his stay at Plainmoor included finding the back of the net in a 4-2 win over Manchester United in Tony Brown's Testimonial in December 1981 (David Butler (twice) and Steve Cooper were the other scorers).
He then embarked on a globe-trotting career which has seen him manage the women's national sides of the United States (twice), Australia and Canada and he will be taking charge of New Zealand national side in this summer's competition.
Don O'Riordan:
Having enjoyed a career that took in a variety of different clubs including Derby County, Preston North End, Carlisle United, Middlesbrough, Grimsby Town and Notts County Don O'Riordan was brought to United by Neil Warnock to help him complete the Gulls' 'Great Escape' of the 1992-93 season.
After Warnock decided against taking the manager's job on a permanent basis, the Irishman was installed in the Plainmoor hot-seat in the summer of 1993. In his first season in charge, he led the Gulls to the Division Three Play-offs where they were beaten in the semi-finals by Preston North End.
In his second campaign in charge, the 1994-95 season, he guided United to the 13th place finish, but the departures of a number of key players such as Darren Moore and Paul Trollope, who both went on to play in the top-flight, soon took their toll and he was dismissed in October 1995, following an 8-1 home defeat by Scunthorpe United.
His coaching career then took him far and wide as he returned to his native Republic of Ireland to manage Galway United and Sligo Rovers before he was reunited with Warnock at Sheffield United in 2004. He would later head to China to coach the Chegdu Blades, a team in China who had been bought out by Sheffield United's ownership, in 2007 and his work with the Blades would later see O'Riordan invited to work with the Chinese national women's teams during their 2008 Beijing Olympics campaign.
He then remained in the women's game as he helped to coach the South Africa women's national team before making another return to Ireland to manage Galway United Women in 2014.
Jamie Sherwood:
Former Torquay United youth team player Jamie Sherwood, who was an apprentice under Paul Compton in the mid-1990's, has played in a key role in the development of the women's game in recent years. After managing Cardiff City Ladies in the FA Women's Premier League, he joined the coaching staff of Yeovil Town Ladies in Women's Super League Two in 2014 and became manager later that year after Sarah Lawler stood down.
Under Sherwood, the Lady Glovers emerged a serious force in WSL Two and lifted the league title in 2016 to win promotion to the top-flight of the women's game for the first time ever.
He remained in charge at Yeovil until 2018 when he stood down after it was announced that the Lady Glovers would be making the switch from being part-time to full-time.
Tommy Sermanni:
After starting his career with Albion Rovers in his native Scotland, Tommy Sermanni joined United from Blackpool in 1979 and remained until 1982 when he returned north of the border to sign Dunfermline. Highlights of his stay at Plainmoor included finding the back of the net in a 4-2 win over Manchester United in Tony Brown's Testimonial in December 1981 (David Butler (twice) and Steve Cooper were the other scorers).
He then embarked on a globe-trotting career which has seen him manage the women's national sides of the United States (twice), Australia and Canada and he will be taking charge of New Zealand national side in this summer's competition.
Don O'Riordan:
Having enjoyed a career that took in a variety of different clubs including Derby County, Preston North End, Carlisle United, Middlesbrough, Grimsby Town and Notts County Don O'Riordan was brought to United by Neil Warnock to help him complete the Gulls' 'Great Escape' of the 1992-93 season.
After Warnock decided against taking the manager's job on a permanent basis, the Irishman was installed in the Plainmoor hot-seat in the summer of 1993. In his first season in charge, he led the Gulls to the Division Three Play-offs where they were beaten in the semi-finals by Preston North End.
In his second campaign in charge, the 1994-95 season, he guided United to the 13th place finish, but the departures of a number of key players such as Darren Moore and Paul Trollope, who both went on to play in the top-flight, soon took their toll and he was dismissed in October 1995, following an 8-1 home defeat by Scunthorpe United.
His coaching career then took him far and wide as he returned to his native Republic of Ireland to manage Galway United and Sligo Rovers before he was reunited with Warnock at Sheffield United in 2004. He would later head to China to coach the Chegdu Blades, a team in China who had been bought out by Sheffield United's ownership, in 2007 and his work with the Blades would later see O'Riordan invited to work with the Chinese national women's teams during their 2008 Beijing Olympics campaign.
He then remained in the women's game as he helped to coach the South Africa women's national team before making another return to Ireland to manage Galway United Women in 2014.
Jamie Sherwood:
Former Torquay United youth team player Jamie Sherwood, who was an apprentice under Paul Compton in the mid-1990's, has played in a key role in the development of the women's game in recent years. After managing Cardiff City Ladies in the FA Women's Premier League, he joined the coaching staff of Yeovil Town Ladies in Women's Super League Two in 2014 and became manager later that year after Sarah Lawler stood down.
Under Sherwood, the Lady Glovers emerged a serious force in WSL Two and lifted the league title in 2016 to win promotion to the top-flight of the women's game for the first time ever.
He remained in charge at Yeovil until 2018 when he stood down after it was announced that the Lady Glovers would be making the switch from being part-time to full-time.
Sunday 2 June 2019
WHERE DOES THEIR NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH TITLE TRIUMPH UNDER GARY JOHNSON RANK IN THE HISTORY OF TORQUAY UNITED?
Now that the dust has settled on Torquay United's National League South title winning the 2018-19 campaign, the question remains as to where the scale of Gary Johnson's achievement in winning the league lies in terms of United's history?
Johnson joins a list of managers who have led United to promotions - since they first entered the Football League in 1927 that includes Eric Webber (1960), Frank O'Farrell (1966), John Impey (1991), Leroy Rosenior (2004) and Paul Buckle (2009).
It is worth noting that the promotion successes of Messrs Webber, O'Farrell, Impey and Rosenior were all achieved at what is known as League Two; in the case of O'Farrell, it proved to be the start of arguably the most successful spells in the Gulls' history as United began a period in which saw them hold their own in the 'old' Third Division - League One in new money - for a period of six years until 1972. The Gulls' most recent promotion triumph, prior to their title success this season, came in 2009 in the National League (the league that United will be competing in next season) when they beat Cambridge United 2-0 at Wembley to secure a return to the Football League.
While the National League South is a division which is lower in the footballing pyramid than either League Two or the National League, it was the first time that United have competed in regional non-football since they were elected to the Football League at the expense of Aberdare Athletic in 1927, the achievement of Johnson's side in clinching the National League South title shouldn't be discounted.
United entered the 2018-19 season at something of a crossroads after being relegated to the National League following two successive seasons of avoiding relegation.
Failure to win promotion at the first attempt could have seen them marooned in National League South, in much the same way that Stockport County were in National League North - prior to their own title triumph this season, which ended their six-year stay in the division - as well as two other of the Gulls' former Football League contemporaries Kidderminster Harriers and York City, who will be spending their fourth and third seasons at that level heading into the 2019-20 campaign.
At the time of Johnson's appointment, the Gulls were 14th in the National League South table and three points off the play-offs and, perhaps most pertinently, ten points behind the then leaders Woking, who United would eventually finish ten points clear of at the end of the season.
To find examples of where a manager has been able to transform the fortunes of the Gulls in such as short space of time, you need to look back to the managerial reigns of Cyril Knowles (1987-1989) and Dave Smith (1989-1991) - both of which your correspondent is too young to remember by the way!
Knowles took the team who survived the drop at the end of the 1986-87 season, in the wake of the infamous 'Bryn the Police Dog game' against Crewe Alexandra, and led them to the play-offs at the end of the 1987-88 campaign where they lost to Swansea City in a two-legged final. It was achieved with the only the additions of Phil Lloyd, Sean Haslegrave and Dave Caldwell - plus the emerging talents of a certain Lee Sharpe.
Smith succeeded Knowles early in the 1989-90 campaign, at which point the Gulls were second bottom of the 'old Division Four, and led them to the 15th place finish in the league by the end of the season. There was also the added bonus of an FA Cup giant-killing against West Ham United thrown in, as Smith then went on to lay the foundations of the side that would win promotion at Wembley against Blackpool in 1991 under John Impey.
Although the promotion from National League South under Johnson was earned at a lower rung in the football pyramid, it is no less important in the context of United's history.
Johnson joins a list of managers who have led United to promotions - since they first entered the Football League in 1927 that includes Eric Webber (1960), Frank O'Farrell (1966), John Impey (1991), Leroy Rosenior (2004) and Paul Buckle (2009).
It is worth noting that the promotion successes of Messrs Webber, O'Farrell, Impey and Rosenior were all achieved at what is known as League Two; in the case of O'Farrell, it proved to be the start of arguably the most successful spells in the Gulls' history as United began a period in which saw them hold their own in the 'old' Third Division - League One in new money - for a period of six years until 1972. The Gulls' most recent promotion triumph, prior to their title success this season, came in 2009 in the National League (the league that United will be competing in next season) when they beat Cambridge United 2-0 at Wembley to secure a return to the Football League.
While the National League South is a division which is lower in the footballing pyramid than either League Two or the National League, it was the first time that United have competed in regional non-football since they were elected to the Football League at the expense of Aberdare Athletic in 1927, the achievement of Johnson's side in clinching the National League South title shouldn't be discounted.
United entered the 2018-19 season at something of a crossroads after being relegated to the National League following two successive seasons of avoiding relegation.
Failure to win promotion at the first attempt could have seen them marooned in National League South, in much the same way that Stockport County were in National League North - prior to their own title triumph this season, which ended their six-year stay in the division - as well as two other of the Gulls' former Football League contemporaries Kidderminster Harriers and York City, who will be spending their fourth and third seasons at that level heading into the 2019-20 campaign.
At the time of Johnson's appointment, the Gulls were 14th in the National League South table and three points off the play-offs and, perhaps most pertinently, ten points behind the then leaders Woking, who United would eventually finish ten points clear of at the end of the season.
To find examples of where a manager has been able to transform the fortunes of the Gulls in such as short space of time, you need to look back to the managerial reigns of Cyril Knowles (1987-1989) and Dave Smith (1989-1991) - both of which your correspondent is too young to remember by the way!
Knowles took the team who survived the drop at the end of the 1986-87 season, in the wake of the infamous 'Bryn the Police Dog game' against Crewe Alexandra, and led them to the play-offs at the end of the 1987-88 campaign where they lost to Swansea City in a two-legged final. It was achieved with the only the additions of Phil Lloyd, Sean Haslegrave and Dave Caldwell - plus the emerging talents of a certain Lee Sharpe.
Smith succeeded Knowles early in the 1989-90 campaign, at which point the Gulls were second bottom of the 'old Division Four, and led them to the 15th place finish in the league by the end of the season. There was also the added bonus of an FA Cup giant-killing against West Ham United thrown in, as Smith then went on to lay the foundations of the side that would win promotion at Wembley against Blackpool in 1991 under John Impey.
Although the promotion from National League South under Johnson was earned at a lower rung in the football pyramid, it is no less important in the context of United's history.
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