1. An unwanted record avoided.
Had Torquay United lost to Woking and fallen to an eighth successive league defeat, then it would have equalled an unwanted club record. The Gulls had lost eight league games on the spin twice before in 1948 and 1995 respectively, but a 4-1 win over the Cards meant that Gary Johnson's United of 2019 avoided this fate.
2. Two in two for Asa and Ben.
By scoring United's equaliser in the 25th minute, Gulls' skipper Asa Hall made it two goals in two games since his return from injury as he followed up his effort against Yeovil on Boxing Day to level matters. In the second half, Ben Whitfield, who was also on target versus the Glovers, nodded home United's third - which was his sixth of the season in all competitions and moves him level with Jake Andrews as the Gulls' joint-second top scorer.
3. Reid heads into 2020 with 20 as a target.
United leading scorer Jamie Reid is now heading into 2020 with the return of 20 goals firmly in his sights after scoring his 19th of the season in all competitions to put the Gulls 2-1 up. This is in addition to the 32 goals that he scored in United's 2018-19 National League South title winning campaign - 31 of which he scored since Gary Johnson's arrival as manager, and his goal scoring figures under Johnson now stands at 50.
4. Almost the equivalent of a full team missing.
Heading into yesterday's game, Gary Johnson had nine players absent either through injury or suspension. Goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald, right-back Ben Wynter, central midfielder Matt Buse and winger Kalvin Kalala joined an injury list that already included Liam Davis, Opi Edwards, Armani Little and Frank Vincent plus Saikou Janneh was serving the second game of a three-match ban for his red card against Chesterfield.
5. United end Woking 'hoodoo'
Yesterday's encounter was the fifth time that United have faced Woking in the last two seasons, but their most recent meeting was the first of those five that has seen the Gulls come out on top. That sequence had consisted of three draws and one defeat, which came in the FA Cup first round last season. Arguably the most notable of those was the 3-3 draw at Kingfield last April - which proved to be crucial in helping United clinch the National League South title. Bizarrely enough that game was also refereed by James Durkin, who was in charge yesterday.
Sunday 29 December 2019
Friday 27 December 2019
WHERE ARE THEY NOW? THE TORQUAY UNITED SIDE THAT APPEARED IN THEIR FIRST GAME OF THE DECADE
On Saturday 2nd January 2010, Torquay United faced Brighton and Hove Albion then of League One, in their first competitive match of the current decade in the third round of the FA Cup.
As the decade draws to a close - and with United's final game of the decade coming tomorrow against Woking in the National League - we will now take a look at the Gulls' side who faced the Seagulls at Plainmoor.
Michael Poke - Then in the middle of his third loan spell with the Gulls from Southampton, Poke would later sign for United's opponents Brighton in 2010. After failing to make an appearance for the Seagulls, Poke arrived at Plainmoor on a permanent basis in the 2012-13 season and stayed for two seasons. He later appeared for Eastleigh and Woking in the National League.
Lee Mansell- Mansell was appointed as club captain midway through the 2010-11 season, and in the subsequent 2011-12 campaign he finished the season as United's joint-top scorer, won the club's player of the year award and was named in the PFA League Two team of the season. After leaving Plainmoor in 2014, after making over 300 appearances for the Gulls, Mansell joined Bristol Rovers, where he won back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One before retiring in 2017. Upon retirement, he remained at the Memorial Stadium and became Under-18's manager.
Mark Ellis - One of several players who featured that day who are still playing, Ellis left Plainmoor in 2012 to sign for Crewe Alexandra for £80,000. Ellis then moved onto Shrewsbury Town and then joined Carlisle United following two loan spells with the Cumbrians. Further loan stints with Forest Green Rovers and Leyton Orient followed before he joined his present club Tranmere Rovers in 2018.
Kieran Charnock - After losing his place in the United side following the arrival of Guy Branston, Charnock joined Morecambe during the 2010-11 season - a move that was made permanent following a successful loan spell. Charnock then remained in his native North West as he went onto appear for Fleetwood Town, Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Chester FC and Chorley.
Adam Smith - Then on loan from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, further loan spells followed at AFC Bournemouth and MK Dons before Smith made two appearances for Spurs in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. He was then loaned to Leeds United, Millwall and Derby County before he re-joined Bournemouth on a permanent basis under Eddie Howe, where he has remained a permanent following the Cherries' promotion to the Premier League. He has also capped by England at Under-21 level.
Wayne Carlisle - Northern Irishman Carlisle left the Gulls early in the 2010-11 season before he joined Truro City, where he later became assistant manager to his former Exeter City teammate and ex-Gulls right-back Steve Tully. In partnership with Tully, Carlisle won promotion to the National League South with Tully and is currently back at St James Park - working as assistant manager to Matt Taylor.
Chris Hargreaves - Chris Hargreaves' time at Torquay United as a manager came to an end later that month as he re-joined his former club Oxford United, who he helped to win promotion back to the Football League. At the end of the 2009-10 season, Hargreaves retired from playing following his release by Oxford and then embarked on a coaching career with AFC Bournemouth. He worked as development coach and first team coach with the Cherries before returning to Plainmoor as manager to succeed Alan Knill in January 2014. Hargreaves left his position with the Gulls at the end of the 2014-15 season, after being placed on gardening leave. He is currently Under-21's manager of Bristol Rovers and works as a pundit on BT Sport's coverage of the National League.
Tyrone Thompson - After he was released at the end of the 2009-10 season, Thompson had spells with Mansfield Town and Lincoln City in the National League before becoming a player's agent.
Jake Thomson - On loan from Southampton at the time of this fixture, Thomson went on to have a short spell with Exeter City in the 2010-11 season. He then dropped into non-league football with Forest Green Rovers and Newport County - prior to their promotions to the Football League.
Thomson is currently appearing for Fareham Town in the Wessex League.
Scott Rendell - Rendell was half way through a successful year-long loan spell with the Gulls with Peterborough United at the turn of the decade. During the summer of 2010, he signed for Wycombe Wanderers, who he helped to win promotion from League Two in the 2010-11 season. He then went on to play under United's then manager Paul Buckle at Bristol Rovers on loan and Luton Town. Whilst with the Hatters, Rendell scored the winning goal in their FA Cup fourth round win Norwich City, where they became the first non-league side to defeat top flight opposition in the cup since Sutton United beat Coventry City in 1989. He has since appeared in the National League with Woking, Aldershot Town and his current side Eastleigh.
Elliot Benyon - Benyon earned himself a £125,000 move to Swindon Town in January 2011 and later moved on to Southend United who he re-joined the Gulls from in 2013, initially on loan before signing permanently. He remained with United until 2015, where he failed to replicate the form he displayed in his first spell at the club. Benyon has remained in non-league football ever since and is currently appearing for Oxford City in National League South.
Subs:
Kevin Nicholson - Remained a key performer for United in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons - the latter saw him named in the PFA League Two team of the season - before he was released at the end of the 2013-14 campaign. After spells with Kidderminster Harriers and Bath City, he returned to Plainmoor in 2015 as player-manager and oversaw two great escapes. Currently head of coaching with Exeter City.
Tim Sills - Left United to join Stevenage in January 2010 and had spells with several clubs including Aldershot Town, Basingstoke Town, Gosport Borough (where he appeared in the FA Trophy final) and Weymouth Town. He is currently manager of Hamworthy United in the Wessex League, a role which he combines with working as a PE teacher.
Danny Stevens - Stayed at Plainmoor until the end of the 2012-13 campaign before returning briefly in the 2013-14 season. He later went on to play for Whitehawk in National League South.
As the decade draws to a close - and with United's final game of the decade coming tomorrow against Woking in the National League - we will now take a look at the Gulls' side who faced the Seagulls at Plainmoor.
Michael Poke - Then in the middle of his third loan spell with the Gulls from Southampton, Poke would later sign for United's opponents Brighton in 2010. After failing to make an appearance for the Seagulls, Poke arrived at Plainmoor on a permanent basis in the 2012-13 season and stayed for two seasons. He later appeared for Eastleigh and Woking in the National League.
Lee Mansell- Mansell was appointed as club captain midway through the 2010-11 season, and in the subsequent 2011-12 campaign he finished the season as United's joint-top scorer, won the club's player of the year award and was named in the PFA League Two team of the season. After leaving Plainmoor in 2014, after making over 300 appearances for the Gulls, Mansell joined Bristol Rovers, where he won back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One before retiring in 2017. Upon retirement, he remained at the Memorial Stadium and became Under-18's manager.
Mark Ellis - One of several players who featured that day who are still playing, Ellis left Plainmoor in 2012 to sign for Crewe Alexandra for £80,000. Ellis then moved onto Shrewsbury Town and then joined Carlisle United following two loan spells with the Cumbrians. Further loan stints with Forest Green Rovers and Leyton Orient followed before he joined his present club Tranmere Rovers in 2018.
Kieran Charnock - After losing his place in the United side following the arrival of Guy Branston, Charnock joined Morecambe during the 2010-11 season - a move that was made permanent following a successful loan spell. Charnock then remained in his native North West as he went onto appear for Fleetwood Town, Macclesfield Town, Stockport County, Chester FC and Chorley.
Adam Smith - Then on loan from Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur, further loan spells followed at AFC Bournemouth and MK Dons before Smith made two appearances for Spurs in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. He was then loaned to Leeds United, Millwall and Derby County before he re-joined Bournemouth on a permanent basis under Eddie Howe, where he has remained a permanent following the Cherries' promotion to the Premier League. He has also capped by England at Under-21 level.
Wayne Carlisle - Northern Irishman Carlisle left the Gulls early in the 2010-11 season before he joined Truro City, where he later became assistant manager to his former Exeter City teammate and ex-Gulls right-back Steve Tully. In partnership with Tully, Carlisle won promotion to the National League South with Tully and is currently back at St James Park - working as assistant manager to Matt Taylor.
Chris Hargreaves - Chris Hargreaves' time at Torquay United as a manager came to an end later that month as he re-joined his former club Oxford United, who he helped to win promotion back to the Football League. At the end of the 2009-10 season, Hargreaves retired from playing following his release by Oxford and then embarked on a coaching career with AFC Bournemouth. He worked as development coach and first team coach with the Cherries before returning to Plainmoor as manager to succeed Alan Knill in January 2014. Hargreaves left his position with the Gulls at the end of the 2014-15 season, after being placed on gardening leave. He is currently Under-21's manager of Bristol Rovers and works as a pundit on BT Sport's coverage of the National League.
Tyrone Thompson - After he was released at the end of the 2009-10 season, Thompson had spells with Mansfield Town and Lincoln City in the National League before becoming a player's agent.
Jake Thomson - On loan from Southampton at the time of this fixture, Thomson went on to have a short spell with Exeter City in the 2010-11 season. He then dropped into non-league football with Forest Green Rovers and Newport County - prior to their promotions to the Football League.
Thomson is currently appearing for Fareham Town in the Wessex League.
Scott Rendell - Rendell was half way through a successful year-long loan spell with the Gulls with Peterborough United at the turn of the decade. During the summer of 2010, he signed for Wycombe Wanderers, who he helped to win promotion from League Two in the 2010-11 season. He then went on to play under United's then manager Paul Buckle at Bristol Rovers on loan and Luton Town. Whilst with the Hatters, Rendell scored the winning goal in their FA Cup fourth round win Norwich City, where they became the first non-league side to defeat top flight opposition in the cup since Sutton United beat Coventry City in 1989. He has since appeared in the National League with Woking, Aldershot Town and his current side Eastleigh.
Elliot Benyon - Benyon earned himself a £125,000 move to Swindon Town in January 2011 and later moved on to Southend United who he re-joined the Gulls from in 2013, initially on loan before signing permanently. He remained with United until 2015, where he failed to replicate the form he displayed in his first spell at the club. Benyon has remained in non-league football ever since and is currently appearing for Oxford City in National League South.
Subs:
Kevin Nicholson - Remained a key performer for United in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons - the latter saw him named in the PFA League Two team of the season - before he was released at the end of the 2013-14 campaign. After spells with Kidderminster Harriers and Bath City, he returned to Plainmoor in 2015 as player-manager and oversaw two great escapes. Currently head of coaching with Exeter City.
Tim Sills - Left United to join Stevenage in January 2010 and had spells with several clubs including Aldershot Town, Basingstoke Town, Gosport Borough (where he appeared in the FA Trophy final) and Weymouth Town. He is currently manager of Hamworthy United in the Wessex League, a role which he combines with working as a PE teacher.
Danny Stevens - Stayed at Plainmoor until the end of the 2012-13 campaign before returning briefly in the 2013-14 season. He later went on to play for Whitehawk in National League South.
Wednesday 25 December 2019
TORQUAY UNITED TEAM OF THE DECADE 2010-2019: PART THREE
The final part of this trilogy concludes with the choice of substitutes and the manager.
SUBS:
Lee Mansell (2006-2014)- After spending much of the early part of this decade as a right-back, Mansell was moved to centre midfield by Martin Ling, following his arrival as successor to Paul Buckle in 2011, to great effective. Mansell went on to enjoy his best season to date - finishing the season as joint-top scorer with 14 goals, won the club's player of the year award for the second time and was named in the PFA League Two team of the season. After leaving Plainmoor in 2014, he joined Bristol Rovers, where he finished his career, and helped the Pirates win back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One
Kevin Nicholson (2007-2014, 2015-2017)- Kevin Nicholson can consider himself very unlucky not to get into this team. After forcing his way back into the side at the back end of the 2009-10 season, Nicholson enjoyed two memorable campaigns in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons - the latter saw him make the PFA League Two of the season - and his long range strike against Barnet in December 2011 will live long in the memory banks of those who witnessed it. He returned to the club as manager in 2015, following the resignation of Paul Cox, and he became a symbol of defiance in what was a difficult period for the club. After successfully steering the club away from relegation to National League South in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, he was dismissed four games into the 2017-18 campaign. Now rebuilding his coaching career at Exeter City as head of coaching and despite missing out on the starting eleven, he can take some solace in the fact that three of the players that he signed as manager made the cut for it.
Billy Kee (2010-2011)- Arriving on a free transfer from Leicester City, Billy Kee displayed glimpses of the form for the Gulls that saw him become a prolific scorer for Burton Albion and Accrington Stanley later in his career. He returned to the Midlands with the Brewers - who he would hit double figures for over the next three years - early in the 2011-12 season. Kee would later help Accrington Stanley win promotion from League Two before taking a break from the game in the summer due to personal reasons. While at Plainmoor, he was also capped by Northern Ireland at Under-21 level.
Michael Poke (2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-10), 2012-2014) - After enjoying three separate loan spells with the Gulls, Michael Poke finally joined United on a permanent basis in 2012 following Bobby Oleijnik's sale to Peterborough United. A fine shot stopper, who also commanded his area well, Poke would surely have played at a higher level had it not been for a series of injuries.
Nathan Smith (2015-2016)- Nathan Smith became the first loan player to win the club's player of the year award in the 2015-2016 season whilst on a season-long loan from Port Vale. Although he was only five feet ten inches tall, Smith still managed to win numerous aerial duels with players who were far taller than him, which he combined with fabulous positional sense. Since returning to Vale Park, he has been a regular for the Valiants in both Leagues One and Two.
Luke Young (2014-2018)- A stand-out performer in a struggling team during much of his stay at Plainmoor, Luke Young offered Gulls' fans a beacon of hope during what was a difficult time in the club's history. During his four years at the club, following his release by home-town club Plymouth Argyle in 2014, he was voted as the club's player of the year three times (2014-15, 2016-17 and 2017-18). His long range volley against Wrexham, the club he would later join in 2018, is regarded by many as one of the best goals ever seen at Plainmoor .
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (2018, 2018-2019, 2019 - present date) Now in his third loan spell at Plainmoor from Bristol City, after first joining under Gary Owers and returning twice more under Gary Johnson. It is probably fair to say that Connor Lemonheigh-Evans has become 'Torquay-fied' to borrow a phrase often used by Johnson. After joining at a time when the Gulls were relegated to National League South, he returned to help United win promotion back at the first attempt as champions. During his second loan spell, he also appeared for the Wales Under-21 squad and scored twice for them against their Swiss counterparts before returning to Plainmoor to do the same for the Gulls in a 4-1 FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie with Winchester City.
MANAGER: Gary Johnson
Despite strong challenges from Paul Buckle and Martin Ling, Gary Johnson gets the nod as manager.
Although the Gulls were at the lowest point in the history at the time of his arrival - namely 14th in the National League South - no manager in recent times has had a big an impact as Johnson. Let's not forget that following his arrival United went on a club record 16-match unbeaten run, which was only ended following a 3-2 defeat to Bath City in January 2019. Also United were ten points behind then leaders Woking but ended the campaign finishing ten points clear of the Cards as United secured their first league title in over 90 years. In the process Johnson also claimed a sixth career promotion to go with the ones that he won previously with Yeovil Town, Bristol City and Cheltenham Town. In spite of the Gulls' poor recent run, promotion to the Football League - which would see Johnson earn the seventh promotion - remains his long term aim.
Footnote: Whilst the likes of Ben Wynter, Kyle Cameron and Jake Andrews may have missed out on a place in this team, the 2020s could yet belong to them.
SUBS:
Lee Mansell (2006-2014)- After spending much of the early part of this decade as a right-back, Mansell was moved to centre midfield by Martin Ling, following his arrival as successor to Paul Buckle in 2011, to great effective. Mansell went on to enjoy his best season to date - finishing the season as joint-top scorer with 14 goals, won the club's player of the year award for the second time and was named in the PFA League Two team of the season. After leaving Plainmoor in 2014, he joined Bristol Rovers, where he finished his career, and helped the Pirates win back-to-back promotions from the National League to League One
Kevin Nicholson (2007-2014, 2015-2017)- Kevin Nicholson can consider himself very unlucky not to get into this team. After forcing his way back into the side at the back end of the 2009-10 season, Nicholson enjoyed two memorable campaigns in the 2010-11 and 2011-12 seasons - the latter saw him make the PFA League Two of the season - and his long range strike against Barnet in December 2011 will live long in the memory banks of those who witnessed it. He returned to the club as manager in 2015, following the resignation of Paul Cox, and he became a symbol of defiance in what was a difficult period for the club. After successfully steering the club away from relegation to National League South in the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons, he was dismissed four games into the 2017-18 campaign. Now rebuilding his coaching career at Exeter City as head of coaching and despite missing out on the starting eleven, he can take some solace in the fact that three of the players that he signed as manager made the cut for it.
Billy Kee (2010-2011)- Arriving on a free transfer from Leicester City, Billy Kee displayed glimpses of the form for the Gulls that saw him become a prolific scorer for Burton Albion and Accrington Stanley later in his career. He returned to the Midlands with the Brewers - who he would hit double figures for over the next three years - early in the 2011-12 season. Kee would later help Accrington Stanley win promotion from League Two before taking a break from the game in the summer due to personal reasons. While at Plainmoor, he was also capped by Northern Ireland at Under-21 level.
Michael Poke (2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-10), 2012-2014) - After enjoying three separate loan spells with the Gulls, Michael Poke finally joined United on a permanent basis in 2012 following Bobby Oleijnik's sale to Peterborough United. A fine shot stopper, who also commanded his area well, Poke would surely have played at a higher level had it not been for a series of injuries.
Nathan Smith (2015-2016)- Nathan Smith became the first loan player to win the club's player of the year award in the 2015-2016 season whilst on a season-long loan from Port Vale. Although he was only five feet ten inches tall, Smith still managed to win numerous aerial duels with players who were far taller than him, which he combined with fabulous positional sense. Since returning to Vale Park, he has been a regular for the Valiants in both Leagues One and Two.
Luke Young (2014-2018)- A stand-out performer in a struggling team during much of his stay at Plainmoor, Luke Young offered Gulls' fans a beacon of hope during what was a difficult time in the club's history. During his four years at the club, following his release by home-town club Plymouth Argyle in 2014, he was voted as the club's player of the year three times (2014-15, 2016-17 and 2017-18). His long range volley against Wrexham, the club he would later join in 2018, is regarded by many as one of the best goals ever seen at Plainmoor .
Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (2018, 2018-2019, 2019 - present date) Now in his third loan spell at Plainmoor from Bristol City, after first joining under Gary Owers and returning twice more under Gary Johnson. It is probably fair to say that Connor Lemonheigh-Evans has become 'Torquay-fied' to borrow a phrase often used by Johnson. After joining at a time when the Gulls were relegated to National League South, he returned to help United win promotion back at the first attempt as champions. During his second loan spell, he also appeared for the Wales Under-21 squad and scored twice for them against their Swiss counterparts before returning to Plainmoor to do the same for the Gulls in a 4-1 FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie with Winchester City.
MANAGER: Gary Johnson
Despite strong challenges from Paul Buckle and Martin Ling, Gary Johnson gets the nod as manager.
Although the Gulls were at the lowest point in the history at the time of his arrival - namely 14th in the National League South - no manager in recent times has had a big an impact as Johnson. Let's not forget that following his arrival United went on a club record 16-match unbeaten run, which was only ended following a 3-2 defeat to Bath City in January 2019. Also United were ten points behind then leaders Woking but ended the campaign finishing ten points clear of the Cards as United secured their first league title in over 90 years. In the process Johnson also claimed a sixth career promotion to go with the ones that he won previously with Yeovil Town, Bristol City and Cheltenham Town. In spite of the Gulls' poor recent run, promotion to the Football League - which would see Johnson earn the seventh promotion - remains his long term aim.
Footnote: Whilst the likes of Ben Wynter, Kyle Cameron and Jake Andrews may have missed out on a place in this team, the 2020s could yet belong to them.
Tuesday 24 December 2019
TORQUAY UNITED TEAM OF THE DECADE 2010-2019: PART TWO
Part two -which looks at the choices of midfielders and strikers.
RIGHT MIDFIELD: CHRIS ZEBROSKI (2007-08 & 2009-2011)
Following a season-long loan during the 2007-08 season from Millwall, Chris Zebroski re-joined the Gulls during the 2009-10 season as Paul Buckle looked to strengthen his side following their return to the Football League. Zebroski could play as a striker or as a winger, but gets the nod in this side on the right hand side of midfield. His finest season came in the 2010-11 campaign when he finished the season with 16 goals to his name as the Gulls reach the League Two play-off final, where they lost to Stevenage at Old Trafford. United's appearance at the 'Theatre of Dreams' proved to be his final appearance in a Torquay United shirt as shortly afterwards he followed Buckle to Bristol Rovers for a fee of £40,000. He is currently still playing for Chippenham Town in National League South.
CENTRE MIDFIELD: EUNAN O'KANE (2010-2012)
Arguably the Gulls' stand-out player of the past decade, Eunan O'Kane arrived at Plainmoor as a virtual unknown from Northern Irish side Coleraine - after being released by Everton earlier in his career - but left as a club legend. After establishing himself as a first team regular in the second half of the 2009-10 season and in the 2010-11 campaign, he demonstrated a passing ability not seen in a Gulls' midfielder since Alex Russell and Jason Fowler strutted their stuff during Leroy Rosenior's reign as manager. Whilst at Plainmoor he represented Northern Ireland at Under-21 level before switching his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland, who he later represented a full international level. His marquee display in a United shirt came on 19th November 2011 when he netted twice from distance to help seal a 3-1 Devon derby against Plymouth Argyle - the Gulls' first since the 1971-72 season. At the end of the 2011-12 campaign, after he was named in the League Two team of the season, he joined AFC Bournemouth, for a fee of £175,000, who he helped to win promotion to the Premier League under Eddie Howe before moving on to Leeds United.
CENTRE MIDFIELD: DANNY RACCHI (2016)
Amongst the clutch of signings made by Kevin Nicholson in the January transfer of 2016 was central midfielder Danny Racchi, formerly of Huddersfield Town, Scottish side Kilmarnock and FC Valur of Iceland. His arrival helped to galvanise United and his debut away to Boreham Wood, which United won 1-0, proved to be the start of their first 'great escape' under Nicholson. Racchi's experience and know how proved to be important for the Gulls and although he only made 14 appearances in all - the club's financial situation at the time meant he wasn't able to commit to the club long term - his eye for a pass and ability to help break up play added some much needed grit to the United midfield. Unfortunately since leaving Plainmoor injuries have taken their toll on Racchi and he is currently playing for Grantham Town in the Northern Premier League.
LEFT MIDFIELD: MUSTAPHA CARAYOL (2008-2010)
The mercurial talents of Mustapha Carayol shone brightly but briefly for United in the second half of the 2009-10 season. His departure to Lincoln City in the summer of 2010 meant the Plainmoor faithful never got to see him display his talents over a prolonged period of time. However, he did show more than a few glimpses of the ability that saw him appear at Championship level with Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town amongst others. He has also had spells playing abroad with Cypriot side Apollon Limassol and in Turkey with his present club Adana Demirspor.
STRIKER: JAMIE REID (2015, 2016-2017, 2017- PRESENT)
For no player has the impact on the club made by current manager Gary Johnson perhaps been more evident than Jamie Reid. Torbay-born Reid had only scored 11 goals across his three separate spells with United prior to Johnson's appointment as successor to Gary Owers; since then Reid has taken his tally for United to 60 - following his recent brace against Aldershot Town in the FA Trophy - making him the Gulls' leading goal scorer in the 21st century in all competitions.
STRIKER: RENE HOWE (2011-2013)
After he was signed by Martin Ling on the eve of the 2011-12 season, Rene Howe marked his debut against Burton Albion on the opening day of the campaign against Burton Albion and went on to finish the season as joint-top scorer with Lee Mansell on 14 goals. Howe was amongst the goals again in the 2012-13 campaign as he found the back of the net a further 16 times before turning down the offer of a new contract and eventually signed for Burton Albion. As a target man with a 'good first touch for a big man' he would be the perfect foil for Reid in this team.
Part three to follow tomorrow, which contains the choices of seven substitutes and the manager of the team.
RIGHT MIDFIELD: CHRIS ZEBROSKI (2007-08 & 2009-2011)
Following a season-long loan during the 2007-08 season from Millwall, Chris Zebroski re-joined the Gulls during the 2009-10 season as Paul Buckle looked to strengthen his side following their return to the Football League. Zebroski could play as a striker or as a winger, but gets the nod in this side on the right hand side of midfield. His finest season came in the 2010-11 campaign when he finished the season with 16 goals to his name as the Gulls reach the League Two play-off final, where they lost to Stevenage at Old Trafford. United's appearance at the 'Theatre of Dreams' proved to be his final appearance in a Torquay United shirt as shortly afterwards he followed Buckle to Bristol Rovers for a fee of £40,000. He is currently still playing for Chippenham Town in National League South.
CENTRE MIDFIELD: EUNAN O'KANE (2010-2012)
Arguably the Gulls' stand-out player of the past decade, Eunan O'Kane arrived at Plainmoor as a virtual unknown from Northern Irish side Coleraine - after being released by Everton earlier in his career - but left as a club legend. After establishing himself as a first team regular in the second half of the 2009-10 season and in the 2010-11 campaign, he demonstrated a passing ability not seen in a Gulls' midfielder since Alex Russell and Jason Fowler strutted their stuff during Leroy Rosenior's reign as manager. Whilst at Plainmoor he represented Northern Ireland at Under-21 level before switching his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland, who he later represented a full international level. His marquee display in a United shirt came on 19th November 2011 when he netted twice from distance to help seal a 3-1 Devon derby against Plymouth Argyle - the Gulls' first since the 1971-72 season. At the end of the 2011-12 campaign, after he was named in the League Two team of the season, he joined AFC Bournemouth, for a fee of £175,000, who he helped to win promotion to the Premier League under Eddie Howe before moving on to Leeds United.
CENTRE MIDFIELD: DANNY RACCHI (2016)
Amongst the clutch of signings made by Kevin Nicholson in the January transfer of 2016 was central midfielder Danny Racchi, formerly of Huddersfield Town, Scottish side Kilmarnock and FC Valur of Iceland. His arrival helped to galvanise United and his debut away to Boreham Wood, which United won 1-0, proved to be the start of their first 'great escape' under Nicholson. Racchi's experience and know how proved to be important for the Gulls and although he only made 14 appearances in all - the club's financial situation at the time meant he wasn't able to commit to the club long term - his eye for a pass and ability to help break up play added some much needed grit to the United midfield. Unfortunately since leaving Plainmoor injuries have taken their toll on Racchi and he is currently playing for Grantham Town in the Northern Premier League.
LEFT MIDFIELD: MUSTAPHA CARAYOL (2008-2010)
The mercurial talents of Mustapha Carayol shone brightly but briefly for United in the second half of the 2009-10 season. His departure to Lincoln City in the summer of 2010 meant the Plainmoor faithful never got to see him display his talents over a prolonged period of time. However, he did show more than a few glimpses of the ability that saw him appear at Championship level with Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town amongst others. He has also had spells playing abroad with Cypriot side Apollon Limassol and in Turkey with his present club Adana Demirspor.
STRIKER: JAMIE REID (2015, 2016-2017, 2017- PRESENT)
For no player has the impact on the club made by current manager Gary Johnson perhaps been more evident than Jamie Reid. Torbay-born Reid had only scored 11 goals across his three separate spells with United prior to Johnson's appointment as successor to Gary Owers; since then Reid has taken his tally for United to 60 - following his recent brace against Aldershot Town in the FA Trophy - making him the Gulls' leading goal scorer in the 21st century in all competitions.
STRIKER: RENE HOWE (2011-2013)
After he was signed by Martin Ling on the eve of the 2011-12 season, Rene Howe marked his debut against Burton Albion on the opening day of the campaign against Burton Albion and went on to finish the season as joint-top scorer with Lee Mansell on 14 goals. Howe was amongst the goals again in the 2012-13 campaign as he found the back of the net a further 16 times before turning down the offer of a new contract and eventually signed for Burton Albion. As a target man with a 'good first touch for a big man' he would be the perfect foil for Reid in this team.
Part three to follow tomorrow, which contains the choices of seven substitutes and the manager of the team.
Monday 23 December 2019
TORQUAY UNITED TEAM OF THE DECADE 2010-2019: PART ONE
As the end of the 2010s approaches, I will now undertake the perhaps unenviable task of naming my ultimate eleven who have represented Torquay United between the years 2010 and 2019.
For Torquay United the past ten years have served up a number of delights: two play-off appearances, including the final at Old Trafford in the 2010-11 season and the National League South title triumph last term. However there have also been a number of disasters namely relegation from the Football League in 2013-14 and a further relegation from the National League four years later.
Throw into the mix a number of 'great escapes' in the 2012-13, 2015-16 and 2016-17 campaigns from two different leagues - League Two in 2012-13 and the National League in 2015-16 and 2016-17 - and it gives life to the proverb that life as a Torquay United fan isn't dull.
The challenge now is to name a best XI from the many players to have represented United during this period. Due to the increased frequency of the signing of loan players in recent years longer term loan signings are eligible for selection, but short term loans aren't. Unfortunately this means the likes of Adam Smith, Kieffer Moore and Rhys Healey miss out.
Here's part one of the team, which focuses on the goalkeeper and defence.
TORQUAY UNITED 2010-19: 4-4-2
GOALKEEPER: BOBBY OLEJNIK (2011-2012)
Despite only spending one season at Plainmoor after being signed by Martin Ling from Falkirk in the 2011-12 season, Austrian Bobby Olejnik made a large and lasting impact. After keeping 23 clean sheets and saving three penalties, Olejnik earned a PFA League Two team of the year nomination before joining Peterborough United for a fee of £250,000 in the summer of 2012.
RIGHT-BACK: DURRELL BERRY (2014, 2015-2016)
Durrell Berry spent two spells with Torquay United in the 2010s; his first came in the 2014-15 season when he joined the Gulls on a non-contract basis after leaving Plymouth Argyle. However, United manager Chris Hargreaves was unable to offer him a full contract to due to budgetary constraints and he signed for Cheltenham Town. Berry later re-joined United in the 2015-16 campaign in between Paul Cox's ten game spell in the charge and the arrival of Kevin Nicholson. Berry went on to become a regular for the Gulls in 'Great Escape 1' under Nicholson - with arguably his best game coming in their 4-1 win on Boxing Day which he scored his only goal for the club.
Sadly a broken leg sustained in an away fixture with Dover Athletic towards the end of the 2015-16 season ended his season early and ultimately brought the curtain down on his United career. Nevertheless he did just enough to narrowly edge out Ben Wynter who looks set to come into his own in the coming decade.
CENTRE-BACK: ANGUS MACDONALD (2012, 2012-13 & 2014-2016)
After enjoying two loan spells with the Gulls under Martin Ling, Angus MacDonald joined the Gulls on a permanent basis following their relegation from the Football League in 2014 as United aimed for an immediate return. Unfortunately, despite a promising start to the 2014-15 campaign United floundered and they ended the season in 13th place. MacDonald then found himself playing under three different managers in a short space of time and Chris Hargreaves and Paul Cox both departed in a short space of time before Kevin Nicholson was appointed. MacDonald was handed the captain's armband by Nicholson following and he proved to be another influential figure during Nicholson's first great escape. He was one of United's key performers, despite having the threat of a three-match ban for receiving a 15th yellow card hanging over him for much of the time towards the end of the 2015-16 season. His efforts later earned him a £100,000 move to Barnsley and he has since appeared for Hull City and was recently given the all-clear following a battle with bowel cancer.
CENTRE-BACK: GUY BRANSTON (2010-2011)
When Guy Branston first arrived at Plainmoor on loan from Burton Albion, there were a few question marks hanging over his head as during the previous six months with the Brewers he had acquired three red cards. However, he answered those questions emphatically with a level of professionalism and leadership that saw him play a key role in a United side that moved away from the relegation zone and went on to reach the play-offs in the following after he had signed on a permanent basis. He also won the club's player of the year award in the 2010-11 and was also named in the PFA League Two team of the season for the 2010-11 campaign.
LEFT-BACK: LIAM DAVIS (2017- PRESENT)
Over the years Torquay United have been blessed with a number of fine left-backs and it was a fiercely contested position in this team. Therefore, by a hair's breadth, Kevin Nicholson misses out to a player that he signed during his reign as manager in Liam Davis. Despite missing the first 13 games of the 2017-18 season - due to a heel injury - Davis was an ever-present for the remainder of the campaign as United dropped into National League South. He then went on to be a key figure in a United side that won the National League South title - and not only did he only play in every game of the 2018-19 campaign, but he also played in practically every minute as well, as his overlapping runs helped to set up numerous attacks. His absence has been strongly felt during United's recent poor run.
For Torquay United the past ten years have served up a number of delights: two play-off appearances, including the final at Old Trafford in the 2010-11 season and the National League South title triumph last term. However there have also been a number of disasters namely relegation from the Football League in 2013-14 and a further relegation from the National League four years later.
Throw into the mix a number of 'great escapes' in the 2012-13, 2015-16 and 2016-17 campaigns from two different leagues - League Two in 2012-13 and the National League in 2015-16 and 2016-17 - and it gives life to the proverb that life as a Torquay United fan isn't dull.
The challenge now is to name a best XI from the many players to have represented United during this period. Due to the increased frequency of the signing of loan players in recent years longer term loan signings are eligible for selection, but short term loans aren't. Unfortunately this means the likes of Adam Smith, Kieffer Moore and Rhys Healey miss out.
Here's part one of the team, which focuses on the goalkeeper and defence.
TORQUAY UNITED 2010-19: 4-4-2
GOALKEEPER: BOBBY OLEJNIK (2011-2012)
Despite only spending one season at Plainmoor after being signed by Martin Ling from Falkirk in the 2011-12 season, Austrian Bobby Olejnik made a large and lasting impact. After keeping 23 clean sheets and saving three penalties, Olejnik earned a PFA League Two team of the year nomination before joining Peterborough United for a fee of £250,000 in the summer of 2012.
RIGHT-BACK: DURRELL BERRY (2014, 2015-2016)
Durrell Berry spent two spells with Torquay United in the 2010s; his first came in the 2014-15 season when he joined the Gulls on a non-contract basis after leaving Plymouth Argyle. However, United manager Chris Hargreaves was unable to offer him a full contract to due to budgetary constraints and he signed for Cheltenham Town. Berry later re-joined United in the 2015-16 campaign in between Paul Cox's ten game spell in the charge and the arrival of Kevin Nicholson. Berry went on to become a regular for the Gulls in 'Great Escape 1' under Nicholson - with arguably his best game coming in their 4-1 win on Boxing Day which he scored his only goal for the club.
Sadly a broken leg sustained in an away fixture with Dover Athletic towards the end of the 2015-16 season ended his season early and ultimately brought the curtain down on his United career. Nevertheless he did just enough to narrowly edge out Ben Wynter who looks set to come into his own in the coming decade.
CENTRE-BACK: ANGUS MACDONALD (2012, 2012-13 & 2014-2016)
After enjoying two loan spells with the Gulls under Martin Ling, Angus MacDonald joined the Gulls on a permanent basis following their relegation from the Football League in 2014 as United aimed for an immediate return. Unfortunately, despite a promising start to the 2014-15 campaign United floundered and they ended the season in 13th place. MacDonald then found himself playing under three different managers in a short space of time and Chris Hargreaves and Paul Cox both departed in a short space of time before Kevin Nicholson was appointed. MacDonald was handed the captain's armband by Nicholson following and he proved to be another influential figure during Nicholson's first great escape. He was one of United's key performers, despite having the threat of a three-match ban for receiving a 15th yellow card hanging over him for much of the time towards the end of the 2015-16 season. His efforts later earned him a £100,000 move to Barnsley and he has since appeared for Hull City and was recently given the all-clear following a battle with bowel cancer.
CENTRE-BACK: GUY BRANSTON (2010-2011)
When Guy Branston first arrived at Plainmoor on loan from Burton Albion, there were a few question marks hanging over his head as during the previous six months with the Brewers he had acquired three red cards. However, he answered those questions emphatically with a level of professionalism and leadership that saw him play a key role in a United side that moved away from the relegation zone and went on to reach the play-offs in the following after he had signed on a permanent basis. He also won the club's player of the year award in the 2010-11 and was also named in the PFA League Two team of the season for the 2010-11 campaign.
LEFT-BACK: LIAM DAVIS (2017- PRESENT)
Over the years Torquay United have been blessed with a number of fine left-backs and it was a fiercely contested position in this team. Therefore, by a hair's breadth, Kevin Nicholson misses out to a player that he signed during his reign as manager in Liam Davis. Despite missing the first 13 games of the 2017-18 season - due to a heel injury - Davis was an ever-present for the remainder of the campaign as United dropped into National League South. He then went on to be a key figure in a United side that won the National League South title - and not only did he only play in every game of the 2018-19 campaign, but he also played in practically every minute as well, as his overlapping runs helped to set up numerous attacks. His absence has been strongly felt during United's recent poor run.
Sunday 22 December 2019
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CHESTERFIELD
1. An experienced centre back should be high on Gary Johnson's agenda.
If Torquay United manager Gary Johnson is compiling a wish list of prospective signings over the festive period, it would not be a great surprise if an experienced centre back wasn't near the top of his list. The Gulls are currently on a run of six straight league defeats in which they've conceded 16 goals. However, it's worth remembering that diagnosing the symptoms is often easier than prescribing the cure. Many fans may point to the signing of Guy Branston midway through the 2009-10 season as an example of the calibre of player required by Johnson, but part of the reason that Paul Buckle was able to sign Branston was due to the fact that he had been discarded by Burton Albion after receiving three red cards after arriving in the summer of 2009 - which took his career tally to 18! Therefore any prospective signing could arrive with similar baggage. For the record, Branston, who initially joined United on loan before making the move permanent, was voted as the club's player of the year for the 2010-11 season and was named in the PFA League Two team of the year for 2010-11 as well - and was never shown a red once by any referee throughout his 18 months at Plainmoor.
2. The effect of the injuries on United's form still shouldn't be underestimated.
United's defeat to Chesterfield saw the absence of Jamie Reid, Jake Andrews, Liam Davis and Armani Little. To put it another way, it would be like Leroy Rosenior's automatic promotion winning side of 2003-04 going into a game with David Graham, Kevin Hill, Brian McGlinchey and Jason Fowler all unavailable. To be without four important players is nearly always likely to have a detrimental effect on a team's pattern of play and the end result was there for all to see yesterday.
3. Saikou Janneh's red card was a turning point.
Saikou Janneh's dismissal for a red card following an alleged off-the-ball incident that saw Chesterfield's Laurence Maguire - brother of Manchester United and England defender Harry - require treatment proved to be a turning point in the game. Whether United would have managed to turn things around with eleven men on the pitch we will never know. However, Gary Johnson has said that he will receive the video evidence of the incident before taking the matter further.
4. Chesterfield become the second team to complete the double over the Gulls.
By coming away from Plainmoor with a 3-0 victory, Chesterfield join Eastleigh in becoming the second team so far this season to complete the double over the Gulls.
5. Is the 'Shezzarection mark 2' on for Chesterfield?
After experiencing Torquay United's two 'great escapes' under Kevin Nicholson many of the Plainmoor faithful will be able to relate to the struggles of Chesterfield as the Spireites find themselves battling relegation for the second season in a row. However, assistant manager Marc Crossley identified in the post-match interview that if Chesterfield can repeat their run of nine clean sheets from their final 20 league games, which they achieved last season, then they stand a chance of emulating their achievement of last season by staying in the National League.
It will also go a long way to maintaining manager John Sheridan's reputation as a managerial 'red adair' as he has also led Plymouth Argyle, Newport County, Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town to safety during his career in management.
If Torquay United manager Gary Johnson is compiling a wish list of prospective signings over the festive period, it would not be a great surprise if an experienced centre back wasn't near the top of his list. The Gulls are currently on a run of six straight league defeats in which they've conceded 16 goals. However, it's worth remembering that diagnosing the symptoms is often easier than prescribing the cure. Many fans may point to the signing of Guy Branston midway through the 2009-10 season as an example of the calibre of player required by Johnson, but part of the reason that Paul Buckle was able to sign Branston was due to the fact that he had been discarded by Burton Albion after receiving three red cards after arriving in the summer of 2009 - which took his career tally to 18! Therefore any prospective signing could arrive with similar baggage. For the record, Branston, who initially joined United on loan before making the move permanent, was voted as the club's player of the year for the 2010-11 season and was named in the PFA League Two team of the year for 2010-11 as well - and was never shown a red once by any referee throughout his 18 months at Plainmoor.
2. The effect of the injuries on United's form still shouldn't be underestimated.
United's defeat to Chesterfield saw the absence of Jamie Reid, Jake Andrews, Liam Davis and Armani Little. To put it another way, it would be like Leroy Rosenior's automatic promotion winning side of 2003-04 going into a game with David Graham, Kevin Hill, Brian McGlinchey and Jason Fowler all unavailable. To be without four important players is nearly always likely to have a detrimental effect on a team's pattern of play and the end result was there for all to see yesterday.
3. Saikou Janneh's red card was a turning point.
Saikou Janneh's dismissal for a red card following an alleged off-the-ball incident that saw Chesterfield's Laurence Maguire - brother of Manchester United and England defender Harry - require treatment proved to be a turning point in the game. Whether United would have managed to turn things around with eleven men on the pitch we will never know. However, Gary Johnson has said that he will receive the video evidence of the incident before taking the matter further.
4. Chesterfield become the second team to complete the double over the Gulls.
By coming away from Plainmoor with a 3-0 victory, Chesterfield join Eastleigh in becoming the second team so far this season to complete the double over the Gulls.
5. Is the 'Shezzarection mark 2' on for Chesterfield?
After experiencing Torquay United's two 'great escapes' under Kevin Nicholson many of the Plainmoor faithful will be able to relate to the struggles of Chesterfield as the Spireites find themselves battling relegation for the second season in a row. However, assistant manager Marc Crossley identified in the post-match interview that if Chesterfield can repeat their run of nine clean sheets from their final 20 league games, which they achieved last season, then they stand a chance of emulating their achievement of last season by staying in the National League.
It will also go a long way to maintaining manager John Sheridan's reputation as a managerial 'red adair' as he has also led Plymouth Argyle, Newport County, Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town to safety during his career in management.
Sunday 15 December 2019
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ALDERSHOT TOWN IN THE FA TROPHY
1. Saikou Janneh is back on form.
Saturday's FA Trophy tie saw Saikou Janneh display the kind of form in front of goal that he displayed in his first loan spell at Plainmoor in the 2018-19 season. Janneh netted his first goals of his second loan stint from Bristol City and also provided the assist for Jamie Reid's second of the afternoon on 70th minute, which helped to earn him the sponsor's man of the match award. It was also the first time that Janneh and Reid had scored for United since their memorable 3-3 draw away to Woking last season.
2. The new signings are settling in well.
The Plainmoor faithful also got to see the first glimpse of Gary Johnson's two latest recruits in the form of central midfielder Lloyd James and winger Aaron Nemane. Both made significant contributions as James, a former Wales Under-21 international who joins on loan from Forest Green Rovers, started the move that led to Janneh's opener and provided the assist for Ruairi Keating's fourth goal. Former Manchester City Nemane, who has also appeared for Glasgow Rangers and Go Eagles in Holland amongst others, went on a mazy run before providing the pass to Saikou Janneh helped to enable Jamie Reid to score United's third.
James' loan spell at Plainmoor and Nemane initial deal with the Gulls are both for one-month, but there is every chance that their respective stays with United could last beyond that period.
3. Joe Lewis filled in well at left-back.
In the absence of Liam Davis through injury, Swansea City loanee Joe Lewis filled in at left-back. Despite being played out of position, Wales Under-21 international Lewis, who is primarily a centre back - and a right-sided one too, was one of United's leading performers on the day and as well as being defensively strong, he also offered an outlet going forward with a number of overlapping runs.
4. Could Ruairi Keating become Torquay United's answer to David Fairclough?
In the mid-to-late 1970's and early 1980's, David Fairclough carved out a niche for himself in Liverpool's all-conquering European Cup and league title winning sides as a 'super sub'. The question now is in the 2019-20 season, could Ruairi Keating perform a similar role for the Gulls? Keating found the back of the net in the 73rd minutes, just two minutes after coming off the bench with what was only his second touch of the ball. Could his cameo display have given Gary Johnson food for thought?
5. The losing streak is over, but have United's affiliations with the Trophy just begun?
Victory on Saturday ended Torquay United's run of six straight defeats in all competitions, but could United's interest in the FA Trophy have only just begun? Manager Gary Johnson has won the National League twice with Yeovil Town in the 2002-03 season and Cheltenham Town in the 2015-16 campaign - is their potential this season to add another FA Trophy to his CV next to the one that he won with the Glovers in 2002? Johnson sets his teams up to attack, which is a method that favours cup football, so watch this space.
Saturday's FA Trophy tie saw Saikou Janneh display the kind of form in front of goal that he displayed in his first loan spell at Plainmoor in the 2018-19 season. Janneh netted his first goals of his second loan stint from Bristol City and also provided the assist for Jamie Reid's second of the afternoon on 70th minute, which helped to earn him the sponsor's man of the match award. It was also the first time that Janneh and Reid had scored for United since their memorable 3-3 draw away to Woking last season.
2. The new signings are settling in well.
The Plainmoor faithful also got to see the first glimpse of Gary Johnson's two latest recruits in the form of central midfielder Lloyd James and winger Aaron Nemane. Both made significant contributions as James, a former Wales Under-21 international who joins on loan from Forest Green Rovers, started the move that led to Janneh's opener and provided the assist for Ruairi Keating's fourth goal. Former Manchester City Nemane, who has also appeared for Glasgow Rangers and Go Eagles in Holland amongst others, went on a mazy run before providing the pass to Saikou Janneh helped to enable Jamie Reid to score United's third.
James' loan spell at Plainmoor and Nemane initial deal with the Gulls are both for one-month, but there is every chance that their respective stays with United could last beyond that period.
3. Joe Lewis filled in well at left-back.
In the absence of Liam Davis through injury, Swansea City loanee Joe Lewis filled in at left-back. Despite being played out of position, Wales Under-21 international Lewis, who is primarily a centre back - and a right-sided one too, was one of United's leading performers on the day and as well as being defensively strong, he also offered an outlet going forward with a number of overlapping runs.
4. Could Ruairi Keating become Torquay United's answer to David Fairclough?
In the mid-to-late 1970's and early 1980's, David Fairclough carved out a niche for himself in Liverpool's all-conquering European Cup and league title winning sides as a 'super sub'. The question now is in the 2019-20 season, could Ruairi Keating perform a similar role for the Gulls? Keating found the back of the net in the 73rd minutes, just two minutes after coming off the bench with what was only his second touch of the ball. Could his cameo display have given Gary Johnson food for thought?
5. The losing streak is over, but have United's affiliations with the Trophy just begun?
Victory on Saturday ended Torquay United's run of six straight defeats in all competitions, but could United's interest in the FA Trophy have only just begun? Manager Gary Johnson has won the National League twice with Yeovil Town in the 2002-03 season and Cheltenham Town in the 2015-16 campaign - is their potential this season to add another FA Trophy to his CV next to the one that he won with the Glovers in 2002? Johnson sets his teams up to attack, which is a method that favours cup football, so watch this space.
Friday 13 December 2019
ADAMS RETURNS TO HOME PARK FOR FIRST TIME SINCE PILGRIMS' DEPARTURE
Plymouth Argyle's first competitive league fixture in front of their newly redeveloped Mayflower stand will see the man currently hoping to lead the Pilgrims to their next promotion against the man who won their last.
Present Argyle boss Ryan Lowe will be going head to head with his predecessor Derek Adams when the Pilgrims host Morecambe, and Lowe will be also be hoping to emulate Adams' achievement of the 2016-17 season by leading Argyle to promotion from League Two.
Adams, however, is facing a very different task in his current role with the Shrimps, who are currently bottom of the division on goal difference, after succeeding the AFC Fylde-bound Jim Bentley, who had spent the last eight years in charge at the Globe Arena, last month.
It will be the first time that Adams has returned to Home Park since his dismissal last April which brought his four-year spell in charge of the Pilgrims to an end.
Whereas promotion was Adams' main brief when he first took over of Argyle, the Pilgrims also lost in the 2016 League Two play-off final to AFC Wimbledon in his first season in charge before they finished as runners-up in the 2016-17 campaign, his main challenge with Morecambe is to keep them in League Two.
The Shrimps are currently the longest serving club in the fourth tier of English football after winning promotion from the Conference National in the 2006-07 season when they beat the Pilgrims' arch-rivals Exeter City in the play-off final.
Whilst the size of the two clubs and the challenge of both jobs might be different, both managers will be eager to secure the three points on offer, which they both need for differing reasons.
Present Argyle boss Ryan Lowe will be going head to head with his predecessor Derek Adams when the Pilgrims host Morecambe, and Lowe will be also be hoping to emulate Adams' achievement of the 2016-17 season by leading Argyle to promotion from League Two.
Adams, however, is facing a very different task in his current role with the Shrimps, who are currently bottom of the division on goal difference, after succeeding the AFC Fylde-bound Jim Bentley, who had spent the last eight years in charge at the Globe Arena, last month.
It will be the first time that Adams has returned to Home Park since his dismissal last April which brought his four-year spell in charge of the Pilgrims to an end.
Whereas promotion was Adams' main brief when he first took over of Argyle, the Pilgrims also lost in the 2016 League Two play-off final to AFC Wimbledon in his first season in charge before they finished as runners-up in the 2016-17 campaign, his main challenge with Morecambe is to keep them in League Two.
The Shrimps are currently the longest serving club in the fourth tier of English football after winning promotion from the Conference National in the 2006-07 season when they beat the Pilgrims' arch-rivals Exeter City in the play-off final.
Whilst the size of the two clubs and the challenge of both jobs might be different, both managers will be eager to secure the three points on offer, which they both need for differing reasons.
Thursday 12 December 2019
THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY BEGINS FOR THE GULLS AND THE GLOVERS
For Torquay United and Yeovil Town all roads will point to Wembley this weekend as the Gulls and the Glovers both enter the FA Trophy fray.
Torquay host fellow National League outfit Aldershot Town, who they beat 2-0 in front of the BT Sport cameras in August, and Yeovil face National League South side Welling United at Huish Park.
Both sides have pedigree in the competition during this century as current United manager Gary Johnson led Yeovil to Trophy glory in 2002 with a 2-0 win over Stevenage at Villa Park; the Gulls marked their first season following relegation from the Football League by reaching the 2008 final where they lost to Ebbsfleet United.
However, with the National League play-offs now widened to include the division's top seven, has success in the Trophy become a lesser priority for a number of National League clubs?
Last season's competition proved to be an exception to this trend as the 2019 final was contested by the 2018-19 National League beaten play-off finalists AFC Fylde and champions Leyton Orient - which Fylde won 3-0. This was in direct contrast to the previous season as 2017-18 champions Macclesfield Town and play-off winners Tranmere Rovers both went out in the first round.
The prize money that clubs receive for competing in the Trophy isn't as lucrative as the money that they receive for making progress in the FA Cup, and with the competition operating on a national format from the second round onwards the cost can begin to add up.
Also there is the effect that it has on the fixture list - if either United or the Glovers progress beyond the second round and then all the way to the final they would need to re-arrange four league fixtures to accommodate their quarter final and two-legged semi-final.
One way of increasing interest in the Trophy could be to involve National League sides in the earlier rounds. It would give the clubs playing in the lower reaches of the non-league game an extra chance to earn a plum draw against a former league side.
Another idea could be to regionalise the competition all the way through in a similar way that the leasing.com Trophy, in its current guise, was before the introduction of Premier League Under-21 sides. This would reduce the cost of travelling for the teams remaining in the Trophy. It would the eliminate the possibility of the Gulls travelling away to Blyth Spartans in early January, which would have been the prize if they had overcome Boreham Wood in the first round of last season's Trophy.
Torquay host fellow National League outfit Aldershot Town, who they beat 2-0 in front of the BT Sport cameras in August, and Yeovil face National League South side Welling United at Huish Park.
Both sides have pedigree in the competition during this century as current United manager Gary Johnson led Yeovil to Trophy glory in 2002 with a 2-0 win over Stevenage at Villa Park; the Gulls marked their first season following relegation from the Football League by reaching the 2008 final where they lost to Ebbsfleet United.
However, with the National League play-offs now widened to include the division's top seven, has success in the Trophy become a lesser priority for a number of National League clubs?
Last season's competition proved to be an exception to this trend as the 2019 final was contested by the 2018-19 National League beaten play-off finalists AFC Fylde and champions Leyton Orient - which Fylde won 3-0. This was in direct contrast to the previous season as 2017-18 champions Macclesfield Town and play-off winners Tranmere Rovers both went out in the first round.
The prize money that clubs receive for competing in the Trophy isn't as lucrative as the money that they receive for making progress in the FA Cup, and with the competition operating on a national format from the second round onwards the cost can begin to add up.
Also there is the effect that it has on the fixture list - if either United or the Glovers progress beyond the second round and then all the way to the final they would need to re-arrange four league fixtures to accommodate their quarter final and two-legged semi-final.
One way of increasing interest in the Trophy could be to involve National League sides in the earlier rounds. It would give the clubs playing in the lower reaches of the non-league game an extra chance to earn a plum draw against a former league side.
Another idea could be to regionalise the competition all the way through in a similar way that the leasing.com Trophy, in its current guise, was before the introduction of Premier League Under-21 sides. This would reduce the cost of travelling for the teams remaining in the Trophy. It would the eliminate the possibility of the Gulls travelling away to Blyth Spartans in early January, which would have been the prize if they had overcome Boreham Wood in the first round of last season's Trophy.
Monday 9 December 2019
LIKE ROME, TORQUAY UNITED PROMOTION WINNING TEAMS WEREN'T BUILT IN A DAY
Like the city of Rome most Torquay United promotion winning sides were not built in a day.
To give you the first of two examples three years passed between the Gulls' final day relegation against Barnet in 2001 to their first automatic promotion in 38 years which was secured with a 2-1 win over Southend United in the last fixture of the 2003-04 season. During this time Roy McFarland in the 2001-02 campaign and then Leroy Rosenior in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons cultivated a side that played a brand of football widely considered to be the most exciting seen at Plainmoor in many a year.
It also took Paul Buckle two years to transform a club that had just been relegated from the Football League for the first time in its history into one that made a swift return by beating Cambridge United 2-0 in the 2009 Conference play-off final. Buckle then needed another two years to turn his Blue Square Premier play-offs into League Two play-off contenders, as United were beaten by Stevenage at Old Trafford in the 2010-11 play-off final at Old Trafford in what proved to be Buckle's final game in charge.
Which is why Gary Johnson needs to be given time as he attempts to turn the 2019-20 Torquay United from National League South champions into would be National League promotion winners.
Johnson performed the footballing equivalent of alchemy when he took a side that was 14th in the National League South at the time of the departure of his predecessor Gary Owers from the Plainmoor hot seat to the league title with three games to spare.
Now after a promising start that saw the Gulls mount a challenge for a second successive promotion, United have now run into one of the icebergs that Johnson has often referred to during his time in charge as they have now lost six straight games in all competitions.
In isolation, the last of those losses to date, which was a 2-1 defeat away to Harrogate Town, is no disaster but after a five-match losing run it feels slightly more painful.
However, there are mitigating circumstances in the form of an injury crisis that has led to Johnson increasing the number of loan players currently at the club to eight: Robbie Cundy, Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh (all Bristol City), Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth), Joe Lewis (Swansea City), Ramarni Medford-Smith (Reading) and most recently Amrit Balsan-McNulty (Queens Park Rangers).
Such are the problems facing Johnson that many of the loan players that he has brought in are currently, along with senior pros skipper Asa Hall and left-back Liam Davis.
With a busy festive period approaching, Johnson is now faced with the task of building a bridge over increasingly troubled waters. Nevertheless he has already starting shuffling his pack as Dutch striker Manny Duku has already departed for pastures as he searches for that winning combination that will improve United's fortunes.
To give you the first of two examples three years passed between the Gulls' final day relegation against Barnet in 2001 to their first automatic promotion in 38 years which was secured with a 2-1 win over Southend United in the last fixture of the 2003-04 season. During this time Roy McFarland in the 2001-02 campaign and then Leroy Rosenior in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons cultivated a side that played a brand of football widely considered to be the most exciting seen at Plainmoor in many a year.
It also took Paul Buckle two years to transform a club that had just been relegated from the Football League for the first time in its history into one that made a swift return by beating Cambridge United 2-0 in the 2009 Conference play-off final. Buckle then needed another two years to turn his Blue Square Premier play-offs into League Two play-off contenders, as United were beaten by Stevenage at Old Trafford in the 2010-11 play-off final at Old Trafford in what proved to be Buckle's final game in charge.
Which is why Gary Johnson needs to be given time as he attempts to turn the 2019-20 Torquay United from National League South champions into would be National League promotion winners.
Johnson performed the footballing equivalent of alchemy when he took a side that was 14th in the National League South at the time of the departure of his predecessor Gary Owers from the Plainmoor hot seat to the league title with three games to spare.
Now after a promising start that saw the Gulls mount a challenge for a second successive promotion, United have now run into one of the icebergs that Johnson has often referred to during his time in charge as they have now lost six straight games in all competitions.
In isolation, the last of those losses to date, which was a 2-1 defeat away to Harrogate Town, is no disaster but after a five-match losing run it feels slightly more painful.
However, there are mitigating circumstances in the form of an injury crisis that has led to Johnson increasing the number of loan players currently at the club to eight: Robbie Cundy, Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Saikou Janneh (all Bristol City), Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth), Joe Lewis (Swansea City), Ramarni Medford-Smith (Reading) and most recently Amrit Balsan-McNulty (Queens Park Rangers).
Such are the problems facing Johnson that many of the loan players that he has brought in are currently, along with senior pros skipper Asa Hall and left-back Liam Davis.
With a busy festive period approaching, Johnson is now faced with the task of building a bridge over increasingly troubled waters. Nevertheless he has already starting shuffling his pack as Dutch striker Manny Duku has already departed for pastures as he searches for that winning combination that will improve United's fortunes.
Thursday 5 December 2019
KIEFFER HOPING TO FIRE DRAGONS TO EURO GLORY
For Jamie Ward with Northern Ireland in Euro 2016, you could potentially read Kieffer Moore with Wales in Euro 2020.
If selected by Welsh boss Ryan Giggs for the European wide tournament next summer, former Torquay United loanee Moore, 27, will join the list of former Gulls player to have featured in major tournaments.
Torbay-born Moore, who currently plays his club football for Wigan Athletic in the Championship, can look back at his brief, but prolific loan spell with his hometown club midway through the 2016-17 season as the point that helped to propel him to his current level.
Moore spent four games on loan at Plainmoor from Forest Green Rovers, which included a goal on his debut against Wrexham that secured a 1-1 draw. This was soon followed by a hat-trick in a 3-0 home win against Solihull Moors and a further headed effort was instrumental in sealing a 1-0 win away at Dagenham & Redbridge.
His loan spell came to an end following 2-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers - in which Moore was handed the captain's by then United manager Kevin Nicholson. After his return to the New Lawn, a permanent return to South Devon appeared to be on the cards but little did we know that former United player-assistant manager Steve McCall who, after seeing Moore in action at Dagenham, had alerted Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy to his talents, and the Tractor Boys paid Forest Green £15,000 to take him to Portman Road.
Earlier in his career Moore had spent the 2013-14 season with Yeovil Town in the Championship under current United manager Gary Johnson and was keen to prove himself at that level again.
Since then Moore has changed hands for fees of over £3million, having joined Barnsley for £750,000 and his present club Wigan for £2.4 million and being eligible to play for Wales through his grandfather, and he has now been capped five times for the principality and scored twice. Both his goals came against Slovakia and Azerbaijan in Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, so he can claim to have made a meaningful contribution to helping the Welsh reach their second successive Euro finals.
In the finals Wales will be facing Switzerland and Turkey in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, before facing Italy in their final group game in Rome's Stadio Olympico Stadium. If Moore is involved in either of those three games, it will be another exciting chapter in a career that began with Paignton Saints in the South Devon League and has taken in a spell in Norway with Viking FK as well as stints in the South West with Truro City and Dorchester Town.
Former Torquay United players who have previously represented their country at major finals:
Euro 92: Keith Curle (England)
1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Rodney Jack (St Vincent and the Grenadines)
1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Paul Hall (Jamaica)
1998 World Cup: Paul Hall (Jamaica), Matt Elliott (Scotland)*
1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Paul Hall (Jamaica)
Euro 2016: Jamie Ward (Northern Ireland)
* Matt Elliott was named in the Scotland squad for the 1998 World Cup in France, but didn't feature in any of their three matches against Brazil, Norway or Morroco.
If selected by Welsh boss Ryan Giggs for the European wide tournament next summer, former Torquay United loanee Moore, 27, will join the list of former Gulls player to have featured in major tournaments.
Torbay-born Moore, who currently plays his club football for Wigan Athletic in the Championship, can look back at his brief, but prolific loan spell with his hometown club midway through the 2016-17 season as the point that helped to propel him to his current level.
Moore spent four games on loan at Plainmoor from Forest Green Rovers, which included a goal on his debut against Wrexham that secured a 1-1 draw. This was soon followed by a hat-trick in a 3-0 home win against Solihull Moors and a further headed effort was instrumental in sealing a 1-0 win away at Dagenham & Redbridge.
His loan spell came to an end following 2-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers - in which Moore was handed the captain's by then United manager Kevin Nicholson. After his return to the New Lawn, a permanent return to South Devon appeared to be on the cards but little did we know that former United player-assistant manager Steve McCall who, after seeing Moore in action at Dagenham, had alerted Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy to his talents, and the Tractor Boys paid Forest Green £15,000 to take him to Portman Road.
Earlier in his career Moore had spent the 2013-14 season with Yeovil Town in the Championship under current United manager Gary Johnson and was keen to prove himself at that level again.
Since then Moore has changed hands for fees of over £3million, having joined Barnsley for £750,000 and his present club Wigan for £2.4 million and being eligible to play for Wales through his grandfather, and he has now been capped five times for the principality and scored twice. Both his goals came against Slovakia and Azerbaijan in Wales' Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, so he can claim to have made a meaningful contribution to helping the Welsh reach their second successive Euro finals.
In the finals Wales will be facing Switzerland and Turkey in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, before facing Italy in their final group game in Rome's Stadio Olympico Stadium. If Moore is involved in either of those three games, it will be another exciting chapter in a career that began with Paignton Saints in the South Devon League and has taken in a spell in Norway with Viking FK as well as stints in the South West with Truro City and Dorchester Town.
Former Torquay United players who have previously represented their country at major finals:
Euro 92: Keith Curle (England)
1996 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Rodney Jack (St Vincent and the Grenadines)
1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Paul Hall (Jamaica)
1998 World Cup: Paul Hall (Jamaica), Matt Elliott (Scotland)*
1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup: Paul Hall (Jamaica)
Euro 2016: Jamie Ward (Northern Ireland)
* Matt Elliott was named in the Scotland squad for the 1998 World Cup in France, but didn't feature in any of their three matches against Brazil, Norway or Morroco.
Sunday 1 December 2019
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS STOCKPORT COUNTY
1. The National League is a cruel league.
Yesterday's encounter between Torquay United and Stockport County saw the seventh best supported side in the National League face its third best. However, this wasn't reflected in the score line as the Hatters came away as 5-1 winners - a reverse of the winning margin when United beat them 4-0 at Edgeley Park last September. It was also the Gulls' fifth defeat in a row in all competitions, which further underlines why teams who succeed in the National League are the ones who are consistently good week in, week out.
2. The return of Asa Hall, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Jamie Reid.
After seeing the Gulls' disrupted by injuries in recent weeks, it must have been a big relief for Torquay United manager Gary Johnson to see skipper Asa Hall, leading scorer Jamie Reid and midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans back in action. The trio weren't fit enough to appear for the full 90 minutes as Hall and Reid were substituted on 54 minutes and 60 minutes respectively, and Lemonheigh Evans entered the fray as Hall's replacement. With a busy festive period just around the corner, if those three are also fit and firing on all cylinders and Jean Yves Koue Niate and Jake Andrews set to return from one-match suspensions then Johnson will soon have a near full strength squad to choose from.
3. Shaun MacDonald's goalkeeping display.
Had it not been for two first saves from Shaun MacDonald to deny Stockport's Tom Walker in the 28th and 33rd minutes respectively, then Stockport would have won by a bigger margin. Despite the injury problems that Gulls manager Gary Johnson has faced in other positions, particularly in midfield and upfront, but the goalkeeper position is one where he has plenty of options with MacDonald and summer signing Lucas Covolan keeping each other on their toes.
4. Ben Whitfield's fourth goal of the season.
Ben Whitfield's goal on 75 minutes was of little consolation to the Gulls by full minute, but it did ensure that he is now United's third top scorer of the season behind Jake Andrews with six and leading scorer Jamie Reid with 15.
5. Why strong home form is vital in any upturn in the Gulls' fortunes.
United's defeat to Stockport County was their fifth of the season, and if the Gulls want to be involved in the play-offs at the end of the season then they can't afford to lose to lose too many more times at Plainmoor. Out of the teams who finished in the top seven in the National League last season - only Harrogate Town and Eastleigh, who lost six and seven games at home respectively in the 2018-19 National League campaign, experienced more defeats at home than the Gulls have currently suffered. The challenge now for Johnson and his coaching team is to make Plainmoor into a fortress.
Yesterday's encounter between Torquay United and Stockport County saw the seventh best supported side in the National League face its third best. However, this wasn't reflected in the score line as the Hatters came away as 5-1 winners - a reverse of the winning margin when United beat them 4-0 at Edgeley Park last September. It was also the Gulls' fifth defeat in a row in all competitions, which further underlines why teams who succeed in the National League are the ones who are consistently good week in, week out.
2. The return of Asa Hall, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans and Jamie Reid.
After seeing the Gulls' disrupted by injuries in recent weeks, it must have been a big relief for Torquay United manager Gary Johnson to see skipper Asa Hall, leading scorer Jamie Reid and midfielder Connor Lemonheigh-Evans back in action. The trio weren't fit enough to appear for the full 90 minutes as Hall and Reid were substituted on 54 minutes and 60 minutes respectively, and Lemonheigh Evans entered the fray as Hall's replacement. With a busy festive period just around the corner, if those three are also fit and firing on all cylinders and Jean Yves Koue Niate and Jake Andrews set to return from one-match suspensions then Johnson will soon have a near full strength squad to choose from.
3. Shaun MacDonald's goalkeeping display.
Had it not been for two first saves from Shaun MacDonald to deny Stockport's Tom Walker in the 28th and 33rd minutes respectively, then Stockport would have won by a bigger margin. Despite the injury problems that Gulls manager Gary Johnson has faced in other positions, particularly in midfield and upfront, but the goalkeeper position is one where he has plenty of options with MacDonald and summer signing Lucas Covolan keeping each other on their toes.
4. Ben Whitfield's fourth goal of the season.
Ben Whitfield's goal on 75 minutes was of little consolation to the Gulls by full minute, but it did ensure that he is now United's third top scorer of the season behind Jake Andrews with six and leading scorer Jamie Reid with 15.
5. Why strong home form is vital in any upturn in the Gulls' fortunes.
United's defeat to Stockport County was their fifth of the season, and if the Gulls want to be involved in the play-offs at the end of the season then they can't afford to lose to lose too many more times at Plainmoor. Out of the teams who finished in the top seven in the National League last season - only Harrogate Town and Eastleigh, who lost six and seven games at home respectively in the 2018-19 National League campaign, experienced more defeats at home than the Gulls have currently suffered. The challenge now for Johnson and his coaching team is to make Plainmoor into a fortress.
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