Since the abolition of regionalisation in the Football League in 1958, the paths of Uniteds of Torquay and Hartlepool have crossed on a regular basis.
For several of those years Hartlepool went under the name of 'Hartlepools United' - the 's' reflecting that the team was representative of the boroughs of Hartlepool and West Hartlepool, and was eventually dropped in 1968 following the amalgamation of the two boroughs.
The 1965-66 season fixtures between the two sides saw Frank O'Farrell and Brian Clough face each in opposing managerial dugouts - six years before they would meet again the 'old' First Division as managers of Manchester United and Derby County.
Legendary goalkeeper Kenny Allen, who earned cult hero status amongst Torquay fans for his role in their 'Great Escape' of the 1986-87 season and their run to the Sherpa Van Trophy final in 1989, appeared for both clubs, and made his debut for Hartlepool against Torquay in 1968 and his debut for Torquay against Hartlepool in 1984.
Probably the most bizarre encounter between the two sides took place in the 1982-83 season at Plainmoor, which saw Hartlepool take a two-goal lead inside the opening 15 minutes. However, they contrived to lose 3-2 as they went down to eight men, as Roy Hogan, Trevor Smith and Kevin Johnson were dismissed - the latter two received their marching orders for arguing with each other.
In the 1990-91 season, Torquay and Hartlepool both won promotion from the 'old' Fourth Division and their meeting at Plainmoor on December 1st, 1990 saw then Gulls manager Dave Smith come up against his predecessor in the Torquay hot seat, the late Cyril Knowles.
On March 27th, 1999, one of most memorable meetings occurred - especially for Gulls' fans - on a day that two debutants by the names of Eifion Williams and Jean-Pierre Simb made their first starts for Torquay.
Williams, a Wales B international, had recently arrived at Plainmoor for a club record fee of £70,000 from League of Wales side Barry Town. He also came with Champions League pedigree, having netted for the south Wales side against Dynamo Kiev, who featured Andrei Shevchenko and Sergei Rebrov in their playing ranks, in the competition's qualifying stage earlier in the season.
Simb, on the other hand, was the first of a number of French players to join the Gulls and would prove to be something of a cult hero.
As well as these two, former Everton and Wales keeper Neville Southall kept goal for Torquay and ex Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle United striker Peter Beardsley was in the Hartlepool side.
The pair would have faced each other a countless number of times in a number of higher profile encounters, including Merseyside derbies and England versus Wales international fixtures.
Very few modern day League Two fixtures in recent seasons have seen two players, who were as highly decorated as those two, line up against each other.
Whilst Williams featured from the start, Simb entered the fray as a first half substitute for Mark Platts and had a hand in creating the first goal, as his cross was flicked on by Brian McGorry and Williams was on hand to open the scoring for the Gulls on 38 minutes.
In the second half, Williams completed his brace for the afternoon when nodded home a left wing cross from deep from Robbie Herrera in the 59th minute. Williams later completed his hat trick by latching onto a precision pass from Simb on 73 minutes to coolly slot home to mark his Football League debut with a treble.
It was real Roy of the Rovers stuff!
However, his time at Plainmoor never quite hit those heights again. Although he did score twice against Blackpool in injury time on August Bank Holiday Monday in 2000, Williams' highest goal return in a season for the Gulls was nine in the 1999-00 and 2000-01 campaigns.
Nevertheless, Williams' connections with Hartlepool didn't end there and then on that day, as Pools manager Chris Turner, who was also in charge of Hartlepool on the day in question, paid £30,000 to bring him to Victoria Park in March 2002. In the 2002-03 season, he helped them to win automatic promotion and two years later, he also helped them to reach the League One play-off final where they were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday on penalties.
Their most recent meeting came on April 21st, 2018 at Hartlepool's Victoria Park and ended in a 1-1 draw which saw the Gulls relegated to National League South.
With Torquay back in the National League and Hartlepool now on a sounder financial footing after a brush with liquidation in 2018, Saturday's encounter has the potential to match the previous memorable encounters between the two sides.
Friday 30 August 2019
Sunday 25 August 2019
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ALDERSHOT TOWN
1. The Gulls finally called the Shots over Aldershot.
In completing victory over the Shots, the Gulls secured their first win over the Shots since 2nd October 2012, when they recovered from being three goals down to win 4-3 thanks to goals from Billy Bodin, Ryan Jarvis, Ashley Yeoman and Rene Howe. It was also only their second win over Aldershot as a non-league team - their only previous National League triumph over them came early in the 207-08 when Tim Sills, Danny Stevens and Chris Zebroski struck to secure a 3-0 victory.
2. Reid is now joint top of the charts.
After finding the back of the net with a low, 25-yard strike in first half injury time, which was his fourth of the 2019-20 season, Jamie Reid is now the joint-top scorer in the National League.
It's a feat that he shares with former Gulls Nathan Blissett and Paul McCallum, now of Solihull Moors, Barrow's Scott Quigley, Simeon Akinola of Barnet and Chesterfield's Scott Boden.
3. Opi Edwards is displaying his full potential.
Despite making a promising start to his first loan spell from Bristol City last season injuries prevented Opi Edwards from displaying his true potential as United clinched the National League South title.
However, he did return to find the back of the net in their final game of the campaign as they beat St Albans City 4-0 and he has carried on where he left off last season, by scoring the second goal of his current loan spell against Aldershot yesterday.
4. Half century not out for Kyle.
In the wake of yesterday's victory, United defender Kyle Cameron revealed on Twitter that he has now made 51 appearances for the Gulls, with his 50th appearance coming last week against Dover Athletic. All of the Plainmoor faithful will no doubt be keen to see Cameron convert this half century into a century in the near to distant future.
5. United now above the line.
By winning automatic promotion last season, United therefore missed out on the new National League play-off format. The new system, which came into being in the 2017-18 season, now sees the side in fourth place face the team in seventh and the team in fifth play whoever finishes sixth before the National League runners-up and third placed teams enter the fray - with the highest placed team receiving home advantage each time.
Should the Gulls finish the 2019-20 campaign in their current position of seventh place, then they will be receiving their first taste of it. Of course they could replicate last season's achievements and avoid it all again!
In completing victory over the Shots, the Gulls secured their first win over the Shots since 2nd October 2012, when they recovered from being three goals down to win 4-3 thanks to goals from Billy Bodin, Ryan Jarvis, Ashley Yeoman and Rene Howe. It was also only their second win over Aldershot as a non-league team - their only previous National League triumph over them came early in the 207-08 when Tim Sills, Danny Stevens and Chris Zebroski struck to secure a 3-0 victory.
2. Reid is now joint top of the charts.
After finding the back of the net with a low, 25-yard strike in first half injury time, which was his fourth of the 2019-20 season, Jamie Reid is now the joint-top scorer in the National League.
It's a feat that he shares with former Gulls Nathan Blissett and Paul McCallum, now of Solihull Moors, Barrow's Scott Quigley, Simeon Akinola of Barnet and Chesterfield's Scott Boden.
3. Opi Edwards is displaying his full potential.
Despite making a promising start to his first loan spell from Bristol City last season injuries prevented Opi Edwards from displaying his true potential as United clinched the National League South title.
However, he did return to find the back of the net in their final game of the campaign as they beat St Albans City 4-0 and he has carried on where he left off last season, by scoring the second goal of his current loan spell against Aldershot yesterday.
4. Half century not out for Kyle.
In the wake of yesterday's victory, United defender Kyle Cameron revealed on Twitter that he has now made 51 appearances for the Gulls, with his 50th appearance coming last week against Dover Athletic. All of the Plainmoor faithful will no doubt be keen to see Cameron convert this half century into a century in the near to distant future.
5. United now above the line.
By winning automatic promotion last season, United therefore missed out on the new National League play-off format. The new system, which came into being in the 2017-18 season, now sees the side in fourth place face the team in seventh and the team in fifth play whoever finishes sixth before the National League runners-up and third placed teams enter the fray - with the highest placed team receiving home advantage each time.
Should the Gulls finish the 2019-20 campaign in their current position of seventh place, then they will be receiving their first taste of it. Of course they could replicate last season's achievements and avoid it all again!
Wednesday 21 August 2019
A TRIBUTE TO DOUGIE CLARKE
It is often said that because of their geographical location Torquay United often find it hard to attract players, but when they do persuade them to sign many of them never want to leave which proved to be the case with Dougie Clarke.
Bolton-born Clarke had spent his entire career in the North of England with spells at Darwen, Bury and ten years with Hull City before Frank O'Farrell enticed him to South Devon in 1965.
A vastly experienced winger, he had made 411 league and cup appearances for the Tigers and made a goal scoring debut in a 3-1 win against a West Ham United in November 1955 that included O'Farrell and his future Plainmoor colleague, the late John Bond.
The capture of Clarke proved to be a shrewd move by the Irishman - who displayed the three characteristics which former chairman Tony Boyce stated every United manager should possess, namely contacts, contacts and contacts - as United won promotion from the Fourth Division in Clarke's first season in the 1965-66 campaign. As well as their elevation to the third tier of English football being Torquay's second promotion since their election to the Football League in 1927, it was also the second promotion of Clarke's career as he had helped Hull win promotion from the 'old' Division Three - League One in new money - as runners-up in the 1958-59 season.
Following on from their promotion success, Clarke remained a key figure for United as they soon established themselves as a force in Division Three, and he was also part of the Torquay side that appeared on Match of the Day for the first time ever in March 1968 against his old club Bury, which United won 3-0.
The 1967-68 campaign proved to be Clarke's final season at Plainmoor as he was released by O'Farrell, after making 131 appearances in all competitions and scored 21 goals, and dropped into non-league football with Bath City.
He remained in Torquay following his retirement from playing, working as a carpet fitter. His son Stuart also had a brief spell with the Gulls in the late 1970s.
His achievements ensured that his status as a Gulls legend was secure in retirement, and he was amongst many former players who attended a legends evening held at Plainmoor by the Torquay United Supporters' Trust last October as part of a line-up that included his former teammate Robin Stubbs, Colin Lee, Paul Compton, Russell Musker, Tom Kelly, John Uzzell, Alex Watson and Kevin Hill.
Bolton-born Clarke had spent his entire career in the North of England with spells at Darwen, Bury and ten years with Hull City before Frank O'Farrell enticed him to South Devon in 1965.
A vastly experienced winger, he had made 411 league and cup appearances for the Tigers and made a goal scoring debut in a 3-1 win against a West Ham United in November 1955 that included O'Farrell and his future Plainmoor colleague, the late John Bond.
The capture of Clarke proved to be a shrewd move by the Irishman - who displayed the three characteristics which former chairman Tony Boyce stated every United manager should possess, namely contacts, contacts and contacts - as United won promotion from the Fourth Division in Clarke's first season in the 1965-66 campaign. As well as their elevation to the third tier of English football being Torquay's second promotion since their election to the Football League in 1927, it was also the second promotion of Clarke's career as he had helped Hull win promotion from the 'old' Division Three - League One in new money - as runners-up in the 1958-59 season.
Following on from their promotion success, Clarke remained a key figure for United as they soon established themselves as a force in Division Three, and he was also part of the Torquay side that appeared on Match of the Day for the first time ever in March 1968 against his old club Bury, which United won 3-0.
The 1967-68 campaign proved to be Clarke's final season at Plainmoor as he was released by O'Farrell, after making 131 appearances in all competitions and scored 21 goals, and dropped into non-league football with Bath City.
He remained in Torquay following his retirement from playing, working as a carpet fitter. His son Stuart also had a brief spell with the Gulls in the late 1970s.
His achievements ensured that his status as a Gulls legend was secure in retirement, and he was amongst many former players who attended a legends evening held at Plainmoor by the Torquay United Supporters' Trust last October as part of a line-up that included his former teammate Robin Stubbs, Colin Lee, Paul Compton, Russell Musker, Tom Kelly, John Uzzell, Alex Watson and Kevin Hill.
Wednesday 14 August 2019
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS MAIDENHEAD UNITED
1. Do the Gulls miss Saikou Janneh?
After last season's National League South title triumph, the close season saw Jake Andrews join the Gulls on a permanent basis and Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans return on loan, with Saikou Janneh being the only one of the Ashton Gate four who hasn't returned to Plainmoor in the 2019-20 campaign.
Janneh, who sustained an injury in pre-season with the Robins, formed a formidable partnership with Jamie Reid and found the back of the net 18 times and chipped in with 14 assists. Also, his pace was instrumental in helping to pull defenders out of position on several occasions.
A loan move to an unnamed League Two club did appear to be on the cards before his injury, but could Gary Johnson pull a rabbit out of the hat once he has recovered and bring him back to the United fold later on in the season.
2. Gary Johnson isn't afraid to make big changes.
Making substitutions early on is a trait that has been something of a hallmark of Gary Johnson's reign as Gulls manager, and on Tuesday against Maidenhead United he proved that he isn't afraid to make big changes as he substituted skipper Asa Hall on 58 minutes and sent on Manny Duku. However, on this occasion, this change - and the changes that he made later on in the game - didn't have the kind of effect that he was hoping for.
3. The goals against column is looking worrying.
As well as having a goal difference of minus four, United have now also conceded nine goals - a figure that averages at just over two per game - and they are yet to keep a clean sheet, which is another worrying statistic.
4. Goals change games.
Prior to Josh Kelly scoring Maidenhead's opener, the Gulls had enjoyed a period of dominance which they had failed to capitalise on. Jamie Reid and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans had both been denied by Magpies' keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond and Kyle Cameron had headed against the crossbar.
Had any of these chances found the back of the net could the outcome of the match have been different?
5. Have last season's achievements raised expectations?
In pre-season, the noises coming out of Plainmoor were that the Gulls were not heading into the National League, after winning promotion from National League South, to merely make up the numbers. For the first time in Gary Johnson's spell in charge at Plainmoor was there evidence of dissent amongst the home support and the players left the field to a chorus of boos, which rung around Plainmoor.
However, what those dissenting voices need to realise that many successful Torquay United side's have taken more than one year to build; These include Kevin Hodges' Division Three Play-off final side of 1998, Leroy Rosenior's automatic promotion winning side in 2004 and Paul Buckle's Conference Play-off winners in 2009. It also shouldn't be forgotten that the National League, with its two promotion spots - one automatic and one through the play-offs - is probably the most difficult league to win promotion from. But Gary Johnson has been there and done it twice with Yeovil Town (2003) and Cheltenham Town (2016) and is aiming for a hat-trick with the Gulls.
After last season's National League South title triumph, the close season saw Jake Andrews join the Gulls on a permanent basis and Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans return on loan, with Saikou Janneh being the only one of the Ashton Gate four who hasn't returned to Plainmoor in the 2019-20 campaign.
Janneh, who sustained an injury in pre-season with the Robins, formed a formidable partnership with Jamie Reid and found the back of the net 18 times and chipped in with 14 assists. Also, his pace was instrumental in helping to pull defenders out of position on several occasions.
A loan move to an unnamed League Two club did appear to be on the cards before his injury, but could Gary Johnson pull a rabbit out of the hat once he has recovered and bring him back to the United fold later on in the season.
2. Gary Johnson isn't afraid to make big changes.
Making substitutions early on is a trait that has been something of a hallmark of Gary Johnson's reign as Gulls manager, and on Tuesday against Maidenhead United he proved that he isn't afraid to make big changes as he substituted skipper Asa Hall on 58 minutes and sent on Manny Duku. However, on this occasion, this change - and the changes that he made later on in the game - didn't have the kind of effect that he was hoping for.
3. The goals against column is looking worrying.
As well as having a goal difference of minus four, United have now also conceded nine goals - a figure that averages at just over two per game - and they are yet to keep a clean sheet, which is another worrying statistic.
4. Goals change games.
Prior to Josh Kelly scoring Maidenhead's opener, the Gulls had enjoyed a period of dominance which they had failed to capitalise on. Jamie Reid and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans had both been denied by Magpies' keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond and Kyle Cameron had headed against the crossbar.
Had any of these chances found the back of the net could the outcome of the match have been different?
5. Have last season's achievements raised expectations?
In pre-season, the noises coming out of Plainmoor were that the Gulls were not heading into the National League, after winning promotion from National League South, to merely make up the numbers. For the first time in Gary Johnson's spell in charge at Plainmoor was there evidence of dissent amongst the home support and the players left the field to a chorus of boos, which rung around Plainmoor.
However, what those dissenting voices need to realise that many successful Torquay United side's have taken more than one year to build; These include Kevin Hodges' Division Three Play-off final side of 1998, Leroy Rosenior's automatic promotion winning side in 2004 and Paul Buckle's Conference Play-off winners in 2009. It also shouldn't be forgotten that the National League, with its two promotion spots - one automatic and one through the play-offs - is probably the most difficult league to win promotion from. But Gary Johnson has been there and done it twice with Yeovil Town (2003) and Cheltenham Town (2016) and is aiming for a hat-trick with the Gulls.
Sunday 11 August 2019
IF THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT
Former Liverpool defender and Match of the Day pundit Alan Hansen made a statement that went down in footballing folklore when he said 'you can't win anything with kids' after Manchester United lost 3-1 to Aston Villa on the opening day of the 1995-96 before going on to win the double.
However, what is often forgotten is that the Class of 92 - which consisted of a 21-year old Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt who were all 20 and Phil Neville, who was aged 18 at time - also had a number of senior pros who helped to guide them. The Old Trafford dressing room also included experienced figures such as Peter Schmeichel, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and later on Eric Cantona - once he returned from his nine-month ban for attacking a Crystal Palace supporter.
Fast forward 24 years to 2019 and Gary Johnson is pining his hopes on the youthful exuberance of his Torquay United squad, as they aim for a return to the Football League. Johnson's Gulls have already given the lie to Mr Hansen's aforementioned statement by winning the National League South title last season.
It has been calculated that the players used by Johnson possess an average age of 21.5 - a figure slightly distorted by the fact that left-back Liam Davis and utility man Ryan Dickson, who are both 32, are yet to feature due to injury. Closer examination of the United squad reveals that skipper Asa Hall is only other player over the age of 30 at 32, and only goalkeeper Lucas Covolan (28) and strikers Manny Duku and Jamie Reid - 26 and 25 respectively - are over 25 years of age.
The squad also includes one millennial in the form of Olaf Koszela (17), who recently joined Southern Premier South outfit Tiverton Town on loan. He marked his debut for Tivvy with a goal in a 2-2 draw with Hayes and Yeading.
A trust in youth isn't something that is new to Johnson as the Yeovil Town side that he led into the Football League in the 2002-03 season was also made up largely of younger players, with Roy O'Brien at 28 and captain Terry Skiverton who was 27 being the oldest two players in the squad.
To succeed in the National League, the Gulls 'Class of 2019-20' will need to learn quickly as following a hard fought win over Boreham Wood, they have since lost 3-0 to last year's National League runners-up Solihull Moors before drawing with highly fancied Bromley at Hayes Lane.
Next up for United is a home encounter with Maidenhead United before a long trip to Dover Athletic which is followed by a televised clash with Aldershot Town on BT Sport at Plainmoor, ahead of an Easter Monday journey to Barnet. These are four fixtures which could all provide a number of clues as to how the season will pan out for Johnson and his young Gulls.
However, what is often forgotten is that the Class of 92 - which consisted of a 21-year old Ryan Giggs, David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt who were all 20 and Phil Neville, who was aged 18 at time - also had a number of senior pros who helped to guide them. The Old Trafford dressing room also included experienced figures such as Peter Schmeichel, Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and later on Eric Cantona - once he returned from his nine-month ban for attacking a Crystal Palace supporter.
Fast forward 24 years to 2019 and Gary Johnson is pining his hopes on the youthful exuberance of his Torquay United squad, as they aim for a return to the Football League. Johnson's Gulls have already given the lie to Mr Hansen's aforementioned statement by winning the National League South title last season.
It has been calculated that the players used by Johnson possess an average age of 21.5 - a figure slightly distorted by the fact that left-back Liam Davis and utility man Ryan Dickson, who are both 32, are yet to feature due to injury. Closer examination of the United squad reveals that skipper Asa Hall is only other player over the age of 30 at 32, and only goalkeeper Lucas Covolan (28) and strikers Manny Duku and Jamie Reid - 26 and 25 respectively - are over 25 years of age.
The squad also includes one millennial in the form of Olaf Koszela (17), who recently joined Southern Premier South outfit Tiverton Town on loan. He marked his debut for Tivvy with a goal in a 2-2 draw with Hayes and Yeading.
A trust in youth isn't something that is new to Johnson as the Yeovil Town side that he led into the Football League in the 2002-03 season was also made up largely of younger players, with Roy O'Brien at 28 and captain Terry Skiverton who was 27 being the oldest two players in the squad.
To succeed in the National League, the Gulls 'Class of 2019-20' will need to learn quickly as following a hard fought win over Boreham Wood, they have since lost 3-0 to last year's National League runners-up Solihull Moors before drawing with highly fancied Bromley at Hayes Lane.
Next up for United is a home encounter with Maidenhead United before a long trip to Dover Athletic which is followed by a televised clash with Aldershot Town on BT Sport at Plainmoor, ahead of an Easter Monday journey to Barnet. These are four fixtures which could all provide a number of clues as to how the season will pan out for Johnson and his young Gulls.
Sunday 4 August 2019
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS BOREHAM WOOD
1. Jamie Reid proved he can make the step up from the National League South.
As Torquay United made a winning return to National League life against Boreham Wood, there was a certain irony that Jamie Reid would score the winning goal - as he also scored the winning goal in United's last victory prior to their relegation to National League South against FC Halifax Town on 6th April 2018. His effort against the Shaymen was Reid's sixth of the 2017-18 campaign, but - whilst he may not find the back of the net 32 times as he did last season - in a team that plays fast, attacking football that creates plenty of chances he is more than capable of hitting double figures in the 2019-20 campaign.
2. The Ashton Gate connection is as strong as ever.
Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans returned from Bristol City as two of four 11th hour signings made by Gary Johnson ahead of Saturday's encounter with Boreham Wood - Matt Buse on a free transfer and the loan signing of Momodou Touray from Newport County were the other two - and they both made big impact. The pair were introduced from the bench in the 55th minute in place of Jake Andrews and Manny Duku respectively, and Lemonheigh-Evans combined well with Jamie Reid on the left hand side as he enabled Reid to produce the cross which Edwards tapped home.
There is a strong possibility that the duo will be in line for a place in the United starting line-up against Solihull Moors on Tuesday night.
3. United aren't the Man City of the National League.
In his post-match interview, United boss Gary Johnson warned his side not to rest on their laurels and was quick to point out that the Gulls aren't the Man City of the National League.
“We are not the Man City of this league," said Johnson. "We were the Man City of the last league (National League South), so every game we play we are going to have to play well otherwise the opposition are going to punish us.”
Despite playing with ten men following the dismissal of Jamal Fyfield on 30 minutes, Boreham Wood still gave a good account of themselves as they gave United a late scare when former Gulls' striker Tyrone Marsh netted with a debut strike in the dying minutes of the game.
United finished last season ten points clear of second placed Woking, but they are unlikely to have it all their own way this time around and a number of the 'icebergs' that Johnson often refers to are likely to be lurking in the background.
On this evidence, the 2019-20 National League campaign could yet turn out to be the toughest and most competitive of recent times.
4. A measure of progress.
Torquay United's opening day encounter with Boreham Wood was the fourth time that the two sides have faced each other in the past two years. The Wood completed the double over the Gulls in the 2017-18 season - winning 4-2 at Plainmoor and 2-0 at Meadow Park, the first of those results proved to be Kevin Nicholson's last game in charge.
They also met in the FA Trophy 1st round where the Wood won 3-1 after extra time after the Gulls were reduced to nine men following the dismissal of Ruairi Keating and Kyle Cameron.
United's victory over the Wood, their third in nine attempts, can certainly be seen as a measure of progress.
5. Riding high in the table - on and off the field.
Saturday's win over Boreham Wood not only puts United in sixth place in the provisional National League table, but their attendance of 3,138 puts them in fourth place in the National League average attendance table. Only Hartlepool United versus Sutton United (3,812), Chesterfield versus Dover Athletic (4,332) and Stockport County versus Maidenhead United (4,626) attracted more spectators.
The crowd at Plainmoor was also higher than Forest Green Rovers versus Oldham Athletic (2,541) and Morecambe versus Grimsby Town (2,872) in League Two.
As Torquay United made a winning return to National League life against Boreham Wood, there was a certain irony that Jamie Reid would score the winning goal - as he also scored the winning goal in United's last victory prior to their relegation to National League South against FC Halifax Town on 6th April 2018. His effort against the Shaymen was Reid's sixth of the 2017-18 campaign, but - whilst he may not find the back of the net 32 times as he did last season - in a team that plays fast, attacking football that creates plenty of chances he is more than capable of hitting double figures in the 2019-20 campaign.
2. The Ashton Gate connection is as strong as ever.
Opi Edwards and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans returned from Bristol City as two of four 11th hour signings made by Gary Johnson ahead of Saturday's encounter with Boreham Wood - Matt Buse on a free transfer and the loan signing of Momodou Touray from Newport County were the other two - and they both made big impact. The pair were introduced from the bench in the 55th minute in place of Jake Andrews and Manny Duku respectively, and Lemonheigh-Evans combined well with Jamie Reid on the left hand side as he enabled Reid to produce the cross which Edwards tapped home.
There is a strong possibility that the duo will be in line for a place in the United starting line-up against Solihull Moors on Tuesday night.
3. United aren't the Man City of the National League.
In his post-match interview, United boss Gary Johnson warned his side not to rest on their laurels and was quick to point out that the Gulls aren't the Man City of the National League.
“We are not the Man City of this league," said Johnson. "We were the Man City of the last league (National League South), so every game we play we are going to have to play well otherwise the opposition are going to punish us.”
Despite playing with ten men following the dismissal of Jamal Fyfield on 30 minutes, Boreham Wood still gave a good account of themselves as they gave United a late scare when former Gulls' striker Tyrone Marsh netted with a debut strike in the dying minutes of the game.
United finished last season ten points clear of second placed Woking, but they are unlikely to have it all their own way this time around and a number of the 'icebergs' that Johnson often refers to are likely to be lurking in the background.
On this evidence, the 2019-20 National League campaign could yet turn out to be the toughest and most competitive of recent times.
4. A measure of progress.
Torquay United's opening day encounter with Boreham Wood was the fourth time that the two sides have faced each other in the past two years. The Wood completed the double over the Gulls in the 2017-18 season - winning 4-2 at Plainmoor and 2-0 at Meadow Park, the first of those results proved to be Kevin Nicholson's last game in charge.
They also met in the FA Trophy 1st round where the Wood won 3-1 after extra time after the Gulls were reduced to nine men following the dismissal of Ruairi Keating and Kyle Cameron.
United's victory over the Wood, their third in nine attempts, can certainly be seen as a measure of progress.
5. Riding high in the table - on and off the field.
Saturday's win over Boreham Wood not only puts United in sixth place in the provisional National League table, but their attendance of 3,138 puts them in fourth place in the National League average attendance table. Only Hartlepool United versus Sutton United (3,812), Chesterfield versus Dover Athletic (4,332) and Stockport County versus Maidenhead United (4,626) attracted more spectators.
The crowd at Plainmoor was also higher than Forest Green Rovers versus Oldham Athletic (2,541) and Morecambe versus Grimsby Town (2,872) in League Two.
Friday 2 August 2019
2019-20 SUMMER TRANSFER MOVES IN THE SOUTH WEST
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Torquay United:
In: Lucas Covolan (Worthing FC), Manny Duku (Cheltenham
Town), Armani Little (Oxford United), Jake Andrews (Bristol City), Frank
Vincent (Bournemouth, season long loan), Joe Lewis (Swansea City, season long
loan), Matt Buse (Taunton Town), Momodou Touray (Newport County), Connor
Lemonheigh-Evans and Opi Edwards (Both Bristol City, loan)
Out: Jamie Sendles-White, George Burton, George Essuman,
Jason Banton, Samir Nabi, Jon-Paul Pittman
Yeovil Town:
In: Luke Wilkinson (Stevenage), Lee Collins (Forest Green
Rovers), Rhys Murphy (Chelmsford City), Tom Bradbury (Dundee), Albi Skendi
(Stratford Town), Tom Whelan (Salisbury FC), Myles Hippolyte (Dunfermline), Remeao
Hutton and Olly McKoy (Both Birmingham City, loan), Lewis Driscoll (Reading,
loan)
Out: Tom James (Hibernian, undisclosed fee), Omar Souwumni
(Colchester United, undisclosed fee), Alex Fisher and Gary Warren (both Exeter
City), Jonny Maddison & Rhys Browne (Port Vale) Sessi D’Almeida
(Valenciennes), Francois Zoko, Yoann Arquin, Bevis Mugabi,
LEAGUE TWO
Exeter City:
In: Tom Parkes (Carlisle United), Nigel Atatanga (Cheltenham
Town), Alex Fisher and Gary Warren (Yeovil Town), Nicky Ajose (Charlton
Athletic), Jonny Maxted (Accrington Stanley), Lewis Ward (Reading), Robbie
Cundy (Bristol City, loan)
Out: Christy Pym (Peterborough United), Hiram Boateng (MK
Dons), James Hamon (Truro City), Will Dean (Truro City, loan), Troy Brown
Plymouth Argyle:
In: Joe Edwards (Walsall), Danny Mayor, Will Aimson, Callum
McFadzean, Dom Telford, Byron Moore (all Bury), Ollie Palmer (West Bromwich Albion, loan),
Jose Baxter (Oldham Athletic),
Out: Freddie Ladapo (Rotherham United, £500,000), Ryan
Edwards (Blackpool), Yann Songo’o (Scunthorpe United), Graham Carey (CSKA
Sofia), Ruben Lameiras (FC Famalicao), Ashley Smith-Brown (Oldham Athletic, loan), Luke Jephcott and Ryan Law (Both Truro City, loan), David Fox,
2019-20 SEASON PREVIEW: YEOVIL TOWN
Yeovil Town will be embarking on their first campaign as a non-league club since the 2002-03 season and they are sure to find the National League a very different proposition to the Nationwide Conference that Gary Johnson guided them out of.
For starters, most of the teams in the current National League are full-time whereas the Conference division of 2002-03 was largely part-time, and it is against this backdrop that new manager Darren Sarll is looking to lead the Glovers back into the Football League.
Sarll, who has experience of managing at League Two level with Stevenage, is taking over a club who haven't finished in the top half of any division that they have played in since they won promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 campaign.
Since then three relegations in six years have followed in a decline that Gary Johnson, Terry Skiverton, Paul Sturrock, Darren Way and Neale Marmon have all been unable to arrest.
As well as Sarll's appointment this summer, there were also changes at boardroom level with Chairman John Fry and director Norman Hayward agreeing a deal with a new consortium headed by Scott Priestall and Erroll Pope, which is still to be completed.
Overall the Glovers seem to be in better shape than Notts County, who came down with them from League Two and spent most of the close season battling a winding up order over an unpaid tax bill. With a central defensive partnership of Luke Wilkinson and Lee Collins conceding too many goals may not be too much of a problem for Yeovil.
Up front, Rhys Murphy, formerly of Arsenal, Telstar, Dagenham and Redbridge and Forest Green Rovers, has the potential to continue the form he showed for Chelmsford City in the National League South last season. Murphy found the back of the net 28 times in all competitions for the Clarets, and if he can score 20 or more for the Glovers he will become the first player to do so since Paddy Madden in the 2012-13 campaign.
All in all, if Yeovil are able to make an immediate return to the Football League it will be most likely be via the play-offs, which will see six clubs scrambling for a place in League Two to secure promotion alongside the champions of the division.
For starters, most of the teams in the current National League are full-time whereas the Conference division of 2002-03 was largely part-time, and it is against this backdrop that new manager Darren Sarll is looking to lead the Glovers back into the Football League.
Sarll, who has experience of managing at League Two level with Stevenage, is taking over a club who haven't finished in the top half of any division that they have played in since they won promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 campaign.
Since then three relegations in six years have followed in a decline that Gary Johnson, Terry Skiverton, Paul Sturrock, Darren Way and Neale Marmon have all been unable to arrest.
As well as Sarll's appointment this summer, there were also changes at boardroom level with Chairman John Fry and director Norman Hayward agreeing a deal with a new consortium headed by Scott Priestall and Erroll Pope, which is still to be completed.
Overall the Glovers seem to be in better shape than Notts County, who came down with them from League Two and spent most of the close season battling a winding up order over an unpaid tax bill. With a central defensive partnership of Luke Wilkinson and Lee Collins conceding too many goals may not be too much of a problem for Yeovil.
Up front, Rhys Murphy, formerly of Arsenal, Telstar, Dagenham and Redbridge and Forest Green Rovers, has the potential to continue the form he showed for Chelmsford City in the National League South last season. Murphy found the back of the net 28 times in all competitions for the Clarets, and if he can score 20 or more for the Glovers he will become the first player to do so since Paddy Madden in the 2012-13 campaign.
All in all, if Yeovil are able to make an immediate return to the Football League it will be most likely be via the play-offs, which will see six clubs scrambling for a place in League Two to secure promotion alongside the champions of the division.
Thursday 1 August 2019
2019-20 SEASON PREVIEW: LEAGUE TWO
Plymouth Argyle:
Imagine the scenario, a manager leaves club he has just guided to promotion; said manager then becomes manager of recently relegated Plymouth Argyle and returns to former club to sign a number of players and leads them to promotion at the first time of asking.
The exact same scenario happened in the 1995-96 season when Neil Warnock led the Pilgrims to a Division Three play-off final triumph over Darlington, one year after leaving Huddersfield Town, who he had just led to promotion from what is now League One, and that is the challenge facing Ryan Lowe in 2019-20.
Lowe, 40, led Bury to second place in League Two last season but following a seismic financial collapse, which meant he and his squad went three and a half months of the 2018-19 campaign, him, his playing staff and much of his backroom staff were forced to look for pastures new. Such is the extent of the Shakers off-field woes that they will start their forthcoming campaign in League One with a 12-point deduction with their opening day clash with MK Dons suspended.
As well as his former assistant manager Steven Schumacher following him to Home Park and his fitness coach John Lucas, Lowe has also secured the signatures of five players who were an instrumental part of his success at Gigg Lane. Danny Mayor, Will Aimson, Dom Telford, Callum McFadzean and Byron Moore have all followed Lowe to Home Park and, like Lowe, they will have a second successive promotion firmly in their sights.
The signing of Mayor is arguably the pick of the Shakers quintet, as he was believed to have been attracting interest from League One side Ipswich Town.
Amongst other new arrivals for the Pilgrims is former Everton starlet Jose Baxter, who arrives on a six-month proven yourself deal. There were many at Goodison Park who had high hopes for Baxter before his career was curtailed by a drugs ban, but Lowe has out handed him a second chance in new surroundings.
Another change the 'Green Army' are likely to see is a change in approach from Lowe. Whereas his predecessor Derek Adams often preferred to play one up front- either as part of a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-5-1 formation, Lowe prefers a more attacking, high energy 3-1-4-2 system. This system resulted in quite a few high scoring games for the Shakers last season and even won praise for his style of play from Jurgen Klopp after playing Liverpool in a pre-season friendly.
Lowe's magic formula paid dividends for Bury last season, and the early signs suggest that it will also do the same for the Pilgrims in the 2019-20 campaign.
Exeter City:
After being chosen to succeed the long serving Paul Tisdale as Exeter City manager last summer, Matt Taylor had some big shoes to fill - but he has certainly gone about doing the job his own way.
Tisdale, a close friend of Ray Kelvin - the founder of the clothing company Ted Baker, was famed for his matchday attire, however Taylor's choice of apparel hasn't attracted the same level of attention, but the Grecians are still considered a force to be reckoned with in League Two.
Prior to Tisdale's departure for MK Dons, City had been beaten in the League Two play-off final in 2017 and 2018 against Blackpool and Coventry City respectively. Until Jayden Stockley's departure for Preston North End for a fee believed to be in the region of £750,000, an automatic promotion challenge appeared to be on the cards before they eventually finished in 9th place - one point off the play-off zone.
If Taylor can unearth a 30-40 a season partnership from his current roster of strikers that includes Nicky Ajose, Ryan Bowman, Alex Fisher and Matt Jay then another promotion challenge could be a distinct possibility.
And in young midfielder Archie Collins, the Grecians have another product of their youth set-up who could follow in the footsteps of the likes of Dean Moxey (now back at St James Park), Danny Seaborne, George Friend, Matt Grimes and Ollie Watkins.
Imagine the scenario, a manager leaves club he has just guided to promotion; said manager then becomes manager of recently relegated Plymouth Argyle and returns to former club to sign a number of players and leads them to promotion at the first time of asking.
The exact same scenario happened in the 1995-96 season when Neil Warnock led the Pilgrims to a Division Three play-off final triumph over Darlington, one year after leaving Huddersfield Town, who he had just led to promotion from what is now League One, and that is the challenge facing Ryan Lowe in 2019-20.
Lowe, 40, led Bury to second place in League Two last season but following a seismic financial collapse, which meant he and his squad went three and a half months of the 2018-19 campaign, him, his playing staff and much of his backroom staff were forced to look for pastures new. Such is the extent of the Shakers off-field woes that they will start their forthcoming campaign in League One with a 12-point deduction with their opening day clash with MK Dons suspended.
As well as his former assistant manager Steven Schumacher following him to Home Park and his fitness coach John Lucas, Lowe has also secured the signatures of five players who were an instrumental part of his success at Gigg Lane. Danny Mayor, Will Aimson, Dom Telford, Callum McFadzean and Byron Moore have all followed Lowe to Home Park and, like Lowe, they will have a second successive promotion firmly in their sights.
The signing of Mayor is arguably the pick of the Shakers quintet, as he was believed to have been attracting interest from League One side Ipswich Town.
Amongst other new arrivals for the Pilgrims is former Everton starlet Jose Baxter, who arrives on a six-month proven yourself deal. There were many at Goodison Park who had high hopes for Baxter before his career was curtailed by a drugs ban, but Lowe has out handed him a second chance in new surroundings.
Another change the 'Green Army' are likely to see is a change in approach from Lowe. Whereas his predecessor Derek Adams often preferred to play one up front- either as part of a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-5-1 formation, Lowe prefers a more attacking, high energy 3-1-4-2 system. This system resulted in quite a few high scoring games for the Shakers last season and even won praise for his style of play from Jurgen Klopp after playing Liverpool in a pre-season friendly.
Lowe's magic formula paid dividends for Bury last season, and the early signs suggest that it will also do the same for the Pilgrims in the 2019-20 campaign.
Exeter City:
After being chosen to succeed the long serving Paul Tisdale as Exeter City manager last summer, Matt Taylor had some big shoes to fill - but he has certainly gone about doing the job his own way.
Tisdale, a close friend of Ray Kelvin - the founder of the clothing company Ted Baker, was famed for his matchday attire, however Taylor's choice of apparel hasn't attracted the same level of attention, but the Grecians are still considered a force to be reckoned with in League Two.
Prior to Tisdale's departure for MK Dons, City had been beaten in the League Two play-off final in 2017 and 2018 against Blackpool and Coventry City respectively. Until Jayden Stockley's departure for Preston North End for a fee believed to be in the region of £750,000, an automatic promotion challenge appeared to be on the cards before they eventually finished in 9th place - one point off the play-off zone.
If Taylor can unearth a 30-40 a season partnership from his current roster of strikers that includes Nicky Ajose, Ryan Bowman, Alex Fisher and Matt Jay then another promotion challenge could be a distinct possibility.
And in young midfielder Archie Collins, the Grecians have another product of their youth set-up who could follow in the footsteps of the likes of Dean Moxey (now back at St James Park), Danny Seaborne, George Friend, Matt Grimes and Ollie Watkins.
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