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.
