1. The Gulls' injury list is mounting.
Heading into yesterday's encounter with Sutton United, Torquay United manager Gary Johnson was unable to call on Asa Hall, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Opi Edwards, Jake Andrews, Armani Little and Liam Davis due to injury - leaving him without a complete midfield and one of the division's leading left backs. Earlier in the season, Matt Buse, who was recently named as the National League player of the month for October, wasn't even making the squad and Frank Vincent was filling in as a makeshift left-back while Davis recovered from abdominal surgery, but in recent weeks they have formed United's central midfield pairing.
However, the injury list is now starting to take its toll as Johnson was dealt with the blow of losing Frank Vincent and Ben Whitfield, who were both carried off injured, which further depleted his squad. Johnson will be keeping his finger crossed that the duo are able to recover in time for next Saturday's trip to Chorley.
2. A magnificent seventh.
Left-back Ramarni Medford-Smith, who joined on loan from Reading as cover for Liam Davis, became the seventh loan signing to feature for the Gulls in the 2019-20 campaign. He joins a list that already includes Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Robbie Cundy and Saikou Janneh (all Bristol City); Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth) and Joe Lewis (Swansea City) who was absent due to international duty with Wales Under-21s.
3. Ben Wynter's display.
As well as scoring his first goal of the campaign, Gulls' right-back topped his display with receiving the sponsors' man of the match award. Wynter, who is one of only three ever presents in the United squad this season - along with Kyle Cameron and leading scorer Jamie Reid, has been amongst the Gulls' most consistent performers this season and successfully avoided a fifth yellow card, which would have earned him a one-match ban.
4. The league is wide open.
It is often said the Championship is the toughest league in English football to win promotion from, but the Vanarama National League has a strong case to rival it. The leadership of the division changed hands again following the latest round of matches as Barrow replaced Bromley as the league leaders. However, the Gulls are still only three points off the summit (they have 34 points whereas the Bluebirds have 37).
5. Sutton make it four wins out of five against the Gulls.
By defeating Torquay United on Saturday, Sutton United have now won four of their last five fixtures against the Gulls - a run that includes three wins at Plainmoor. Not since their 4-0 win over Chesterfield had the U's tasted victory in the National League - and prior to Saturday, they had gone seven league games without a win . It was also only the fourth time in total that Sutton had won in their league campaign.
Sunday 17 November 2019
Tuesday 12 November 2019
LEFT BACK IN TIME: FIVE MEMORABLE TORQUAY UNITED LEFT-BACKS
Torquay United's FA Cup first round defeat proved to be a bittersweet occasion for left-back Liam Davis, as the fixture also saw him make his 100th appearance for the Gulls. We will now take a closer look at several other left-backs who, like Davis, have also played in United's promotion winning/play-off sides.
John Uzzell (1989-1992)
When the late Cyril Knowles paid Plymouth Argyle £11,000 for the services of John Uzzell in 1989, he knew that he was getting excellent value for a very dedicated professional. Uzzell had spent 12 years with his hometown club during which time the Pilgrims had reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1984 and had won promotion in the 1985-86 season under the guidance of Dave Smith. Uzzell would put his experience to good use and was soon made captain and he remained a key figure at the club after Smith was appointed as Knowles' successor in late 1989.
Whilst at Plainmoor, he would play a part in another memorable FA Cup run as he helped the Gulls to reach the fourth round of the competition in the 1989-90 season - after beating West Ham United in the third round - and a promotion campaign in the following 1990-91 season. The latter saw a dramatic climax for United as they beat Blackpool on penalties, however a hamstring injury sustained in the Gulls' final league game against York City denied Uzzell the chance to play in the final at Wembley - as well as both legs of the play-off semi-finals versus Burnley.
In the 1991-92 season, Uzzell was appointed as joint-caretaker manager with team-mate Wes Saunders following the dismissal of John Impey as manager. Shortly afterwards his career as a player ended in tragic circumstances following a facial injury in a home match against Brentford following a challenge by Gary Blissett. Although his playing career ended, Uzzell remained involved football through his role as a sports analyst for the Press Association which saw him became a regular in the Plainmoor Press Box until 2016.
Paul Gibbs (1997-1998)
Despite only spending one season with Torquay United, Paul Gibbs proved to be something of a cult hero to the Gulls' faithful. As well as forming an iconic wing-back pairing with right wing-back Andy Gurney, Gibbs also chipped in with 10 goals - including numerous efforts from the penalty spot, and even went out with Soccer AM presenter and celebrity Gulls' fan Helen Chamberlain.
He was also on target in the Gulls' 4-1 play-off semi-final, second leg win over Scarborough which sealed United's place in the final itself against Colchester United - the club who had released him prior to his move to Plainmoor. The final at Wembley proved to be his final appearance for the club as he followed manager Kevin Hodges and his assistant Steve McCall to Plymouth Argyle.
Robbie Herrera (1992,1993, 1998-2001, 2001)
Torquay-born Robbie Herrera originally left Plainmoor to sign for Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 1986. He briefly returned on loan during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons before Wes Saunders paid Fulham £35,000 to bring him home in 1998, as a replacement for the Home Park bound Paul Gibbs. Herrera's impact was instant as he won the man of the match award on his third debut for the Gulls on the opening day of the 1998-99 campaign against Cambridge United.
He was a mainstay in the United side for the next three seasons before he was released at the end of the 2000-01 season, but he would return briefly at the start of the 2001-02 campaign on non-contract forms under Roy McFarland. In later years he undertook numerous roles in the club's youth department before becoming assistant manager to Kevin Nicholson between 2015-2017 and even a had a six-match spell as caretaker manager following Nicholson's dismissal early in the 2017-18 season.
Brian McGlinchey (2003-2006)
Considered by many to be the missing piece in the jigsaw in Leroy Rosenior's 2003-04 automatic promotion winning team, Brian McGlinchey was one of a number of players to make the journey from Home Park to Plainmoor in the early 2000s when he arrived on loan from the Pilgrims in September 2003. A former Northern Ireland Under-21 international who started his career with Manchester City, McGlinchey made the move permanent in January 2004 and his understanding with Kevin Hill on United's left flank was one of the most underrated strengths of Leroy's side. As well as being strong on the overlap, he was also sound defensively and his man-marking job on Bristol City winger Scott Murray when United went to Ashton Gate on the opening day of the 2004-05 season ensured that the Scotsman had a very quiet afternoon. Unfortunately a back problem curtailed his involvement towards the end of the 2004-05 campaign, as he missed the end of season showdown which saw the Gulls relegated on the final day of the season on goal difference. The same injury would also force him to retire at the end of the 2005-06 season at the age of 28.
Kevin Nicholson (2007-2014, 2015-2017)
One of the most popular players to have appeared for the Gulls in recent times, Kevin Nicholson's association with Torquay United began in the summer of 2007 when Paul Buckle signed him from Forest Green Rovers as he aimed to lead United back into the Football League.
Nicholson played a key role in helping to make the Gulls into a more competitive outfit, as he chipped in with numerous assists with his delivery from set pieces as United won promotion to the Football League in 2009 with victory over Cambridge in the Blue Square Premier play-off final.
On returning to the Football League, Nicholson, who had appeared in the league for Northampton Town and Notts County earlier in his career - as well as managing one appearance in the Premier League with Sheffield Wednesday, remained a regular for United.
In the 2011-12 campaign, he enjoyed what was without question one of his finest seasons in football as he helped the Gulls to reach the League Two play-offs under Martin Ling and was also named in the PFA League Two team of the season, alongside fellow teammates Bobby Olejnik, Lee Mansell and Eunan O'Kane.
Nicholson remained at Plainmoor for two more years before he was released at the end of the 2013-14 campaign. However, early in the 2015-16 season, he returned to Plainmoor as player-manager and during one of the most difficult periods in the club's history he led the club to safety in the National League in the 2015-16 campaign with three games to spare - despite being bottom of the league at Christmas. He would repeat the feat again in the 2016-17 season before he was dismissed four games into the 2017-18 campaign. After a spell as manager of South West Peninsula League side Mousehole, Nicholson is currently working for Exeter City as director of coaching.
John Uzzell (1989-1992)
When the late Cyril Knowles paid Plymouth Argyle £11,000 for the services of John Uzzell in 1989, he knew that he was getting excellent value for a very dedicated professional. Uzzell had spent 12 years with his hometown club during which time the Pilgrims had reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup in 1984 and had won promotion in the 1985-86 season under the guidance of Dave Smith. Uzzell would put his experience to good use and was soon made captain and he remained a key figure at the club after Smith was appointed as Knowles' successor in late 1989.
Whilst at Plainmoor, he would play a part in another memorable FA Cup run as he helped the Gulls to reach the fourth round of the competition in the 1989-90 season - after beating West Ham United in the third round - and a promotion campaign in the following 1990-91 season. The latter saw a dramatic climax for United as they beat Blackpool on penalties, however a hamstring injury sustained in the Gulls' final league game against York City denied Uzzell the chance to play in the final at Wembley - as well as both legs of the play-off semi-finals versus Burnley.
In the 1991-92 season, Uzzell was appointed as joint-caretaker manager with team-mate Wes Saunders following the dismissal of John Impey as manager. Shortly afterwards his career as a player ended in tragic circumstances following a facial injury in a home match against Brentford following a challenge by Gary Blissett. Although his playing career ended, Uzzell remained involved football through his role as a sports analyst for the Press Association which saw him became a regular in the Plainmoor Press Box until 2016.
Paul Gibbs (1997-1998)
Despite only spending one season with Torquay United, Paul Gibbs proved to be something of a cult hero to the Gulls' faithful. As well as forming an iconic wing-back pairing with right wing-back Andy Gurney, Gibbs also chipped in with 10 goals - including numerous efforts from the penalty spot, and even went out with Soccer AM presenter and celebrity Gulls' fan Helen Chamberlain.
He was also on target in the Gulls' 4-1 play-off semi-final, second leg win over Scarborough which sealed United's place in the final itself against Colchester United - the club who had released him prior to his move to Plainmoor. The final at Wembley proved to be his final appearance for the club as he followed manager Kevin Hodges and his assistant Steve McCall to Plymouth Argyle.
Robbie Herrera (1992,1993, 1998-2001, 2001)
Torquay-born Robbie Herrera originally left Plainmoor to sign for Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 1986. He briefly returned on loan during the 1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons before Wes Saunders paid Fulham £35,000 to bring him home in 1998, as a replacement for the Home Park bound Paul Gibbs. Herrera's impact was instant as he won the man of the match award on his third debut for the Gulls on the opening day of the 1998-99 campaign against Cambridge United.
He was a mainstay in the United side for the next three seasons before he was released at the end of the 2000-01 season, but he would return briefly at the start of the 2001-02 campaign on non-contract forms under Roy McFarland. In later years he undertook numerous roles in the club's youth department before becoming assistant manager to Kevin Nicholson between 2015-2017 and even a had a six-match spell as caretaker manager following Nicholson's dismissal early in the 2017-18 season.
Brian McGlinchey (2003-2006)
Considered by many to be the missing piece in the jigsaw in Leroy Rosenior's 2003-04 automatic promotion winning team, Brian McGlinchey was one of a number of players to make the journey from Home Park to Plainmoor in the early 2000s when he arrived on loan from the Pilgrims in September 2003. A former Northern Ireland Under-21 international who started his career with Manchester City, McGlinchey made the move permanent in January 2004 and his understanding with Kevin Hill on United's left flank was one of the most underrated strengths of Leroy's side. As well as being strong on the overlap, he was also sound defensively and his man-marking job on Bristol City winger Scott Murray when United went to Ashton Gate on the opening day of the 2004-05 season ensured that the Scotsman had a very quiet afternoon. Unfortunately a back problem curtailed his involvement towards the end of the 2004-05 campaign, as he missed the end of season showdown which saw the Gulls relegated on the final day of the season on goal difference. The same injury would also force him to retire at the end of the 2005-06 season at the age of 28.
Kevin Nicholson (2007-2014, 2015-2017)
One of the most popular players to have appeared for the Gulls in recent times, Kevin Nicholson's association with Torquay United began in the summer of 2007 when Paul Buckle signed him from Forest Green Rovers as he aimed to lead United back into the Football League.
Nicholson played a key role in helping to make the Gulls into a more competitive outfit, as he chipped in with numerous assists with his delivery from set pieces as United won promotion to the Football League in 2009 with victory over Cambridge in the Blue Square Premier play-off final.
On returning to the Football League, Nicholson, who had appeared in the league for Northampton Town and Notts County earlier in his career - as well as managing one appearance in the Premier League with Sheffield Wednesday, remained a regular for United.
In the 2011-12 campaign, he enjoyed what was without question one of his finest seasons in football as he helped the Gulls to reach the League Two play-offs under Martin Ling and was also named in the PFA League Two team of the season, alongside fellow teammates Bobby Olejnik, Lee Mansell and Eunan O'Kane.
Nicholson remained at Plainmoor for two more years before he was released at the end of the 2013-14 campaign. However, early in the 2015-16 season, he returned to Plainmoor as player-manager and during one of the most difficult periods in the club's history he led the club to safety in the National League in the 2015-16 campaign with three games to spare - despite being bottom of the league at Christmas. He would repeat the feat again in the 2016-17 season before he was dismissed four games into the 2017-18 campaign. After a spell as manager of South West Peninsula League side Mousehole, Nicholson is currently working for Exeter City as director of coaching.
Sunday 10 November 2019
A LESSON FROM THE PAST
The names might have changed but the outlook remains very much the same.
For David Graham read Jamie Reid, for Jo Kuffour read Saikou Janneh (at least for now), for Alex Russell and Jason Fowler read Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Jake Andrews- albeit younger versions, of course.
Gary Johnson's current Torquay United side of the 2019-20 campaign, who are currently aiming for promotion from the National League by attempting to play their way out of the division, bare more than a slight similarity to Leroy Rosenior's 2003-04 automatic promotion winners. It could even be said that the current Gulls' crop are the spiritual successors to Leroy's class of 2004.
However, whilst the flair and attacking of the likes of messrs Graham, Russell, Fowler and Kuffour earned the United of 2003-04 much praise from opposite managers, another parallel can be found here with FC Halifax manager Pete Wild recently described United as the best team his side has faced this season, there were a number of unsung players in that side who also played their part.
The centre back pairing of Steve Woods and Craig Taylor rank amongst the defensive partnerships to have appeared for the Gulls in recent seasons and left-back Brian McGlinchey was widely considered to have been the 'missing piece' in the jigsaw when he made his loan move from Plymouth Argyle permanent.
Matt Hockley and Kevin Hill are also worthy of an honourable mentions. Hockley's qualities as a ball-winning midfielder complemented the likes of Russell and Fowler. Hill also chipped in with a number of goals from midfield and his ability to outjump players who were far taller than his five foot nine inch frame also gave United another outlet when playing the ball out of defence.
You also have to wonder if United could have achieved promotion under Leroy a year earlier if Taylor had managed to extend his initial loan spell from Plymouth Argyle in March 2003 for the remainder of the 2002-03 campaign. Taylor, then 29, made his debut away against Cambridge United on 1st March 2003 in a 1-0 win for the Gulls, which was followed by a 0-0 draw with Swansea City and three successive 1-1 draws with Scunthorpe United, Hull City and AFC Bournemouth.
Of course in the following summer he made the move permanent and then went on to captain United to their first automatic promotion in 38 years. It makes you wonder what impact a similar type of signing could have on the fortunes of the present day United side.
For David Graham read Jamie Reid, for Jo Kuffour read Saikou Janneh (at least for now), for Alex Russell and Jason Fowler read Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Jake Andrews- albeit younger versions, of course.
Gary Johnson's current Torquay United side of the 2019-20 campaign, who are currently aiming for promotion from the National League by attempting to play their way out of the division, bare more than a slight similarity to Leroy Rosenior's 2003-04 automatic promotion winners. It could even be said that the current Gulls' crop are the spiritual successors to Leroy's class of 2004.
However, whilst the flair and attacking of the likes of messrs Graham, Russell, Fowler and Kuffour earned the United of 2003-04 much praise from opposite managers, another parallel can be found here with FC Halifax manager Pete Wild recently described United as the best team his side has faced this season, there were a number of unsung players in that side who also played their part.
The centre back pairing of Steve Woods and Craig Taylor rank amongst the defensive partnerships to have appeared for the Gulls in recent seasons and left-back Brian McGlinchey was widely considered to have been the 'missing piece' in the jigsaw when he made his loan move from Plymouth Argyle permanent.
Matt Hockley and Kevin Hill are also worthy of an honourable mentions. Hockley's qualities as a ball-winning midfielder complemented the likes of Russell and Fowler. Hill also chipped in with a number of goals from midfield and his ability to outjump players who were far taller than his five foot nine inch frame also gave United another outlet when playing the ball out of defence.
You also have to wonder if United could have achieved promotion under Leroy a year earlier if Taylor had managed to extend his initial loan spell from Plymouth Argyle in March 2003 for the remainder of the 2002-03 campaign. Taylor, then 29, made his debut away against Cambridge United on 1st March 2003 in a 1-0 win for the Gulls, which was followed by a 0-0 draw with Swansea City and three successive 1-1 draws with Scunthorpe United, Hull City and AFC Bournemouth.
Of course in the following summer he made the move permanent and then went on to captain United to their first automatic promotion in 38 years. It makes you wonder what impact a similar type of signing could have on the fortunes of the present day United side.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)