To retain or not to retain - that is the question currently facing many lower league managers at the end of the 2019-20 season amidst the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic.
It is under these circumstances that Torquay United manager Gary Johnson is due to announce the Gulls' retained list this weekend.
Johnson currently has 17 players under contract, with four who have deals that runs until the end of the 2020-21 season who are believed to be Brazilian goalkeeper Lucas Covolan and midfielders Armani Little and Jake Andrews and one another. Also midfielder Ryan Dickson, who spent a large part of last season on loan at Truro City, will be leaving the club.
In addition to this, the Gulls have six players on loan at Plainmoor, including Robbie Cundy and Connor Lemonheigh-Evans (Bristol City), Frank Vincent (AFC Bournemouth), Joe Lewis (Swansea City), Jackson Longridge (Bradford City) and Ade Azeez (Newport County). Several of those players could return next season.
Nobody knows how the current National League season will be resolved -
the play-offs are now seemingly distant prospect as the Football League
have indicated that they are looking for one team to replace Bury, who
were expelled earlier in the campaign. That team looks set to be Barrow
who were top of the table at the time that the league was suspended.
With many clubs having experiencing a drop in income since the outbreak started, as well as the rest of the nation's economy - which would have had a knock-on effect on the business interests of many directors - many clubs, including United, have furloughed their playing staff under the Government's Job Retention Scheme.
A number of clubs have already announced their retained lists, including League Two side Colchester United who have released four first team regulars that they had wished to retain in the form of Franck Nouble, Luke Prosser, Ryan Jackson and Brandon Comley. U's chairman Robbie Cowling stated at the time: "I won't gamble with other people's livelihoods or the club". Colchester were sixth in League Two, and firmly in contention for the play-offs and remains to be seen how many others follow suit.
With uncertainty also surrounding the start date for the 2020-21 campaign, widely tipped to be Saturday, August 8th, United's retained list, and the others that follow, are being easily anticipated and look set to be very revealing ahead of the most challenging close season in recent memory.
Thursday 30 April 2020
Saturday 25 April 2020
CLASSIC ENCOUNTERS #5 TORQUAY UNITED 3 HARTLEPOOL UNITED 0 1998-99
It is often said that you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and this proved to be true for Eifion Williams when he netted a hat-trick on his Torquay United debut against Hartlepool United on March 27th, 1999.
A Wales B international, Williams had arrived at Plainmoor for a club record fee of £70,000 from League of Wales side Barry Town and came with Champions League pedigree, having netted for the south Wales side against a Dynamo Kiev side featuring Andrei Shevchenko and Sergei Rebrov.
Williams was one of four debutants who appeared for the Gulls that afternoon, the other was Frenchman Jean Pierre Simb who became the first of a number of French players to join the Gulls and would prove to be something of a cult hero.The other two were experienced centre back Lee Russell who arrived at Plainmoor from Portsmouth and Gary Neil, a Scottish defender signed from Leicester City.
Another interesting fact about this match is that former Everton and Wales keeper Neville Southall kept goal for Torquay and ex Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle United striker Peter Beardsley was in the Hartlepool side.
The pair would have faced each other a countless number of times in a number of higher profile encounters, including Merseyside derbies and England versus Wales international fixtures. They were also team-mates at Everton between 1991 and 1993.
Very few modern day League Two fixtures in recent seasons have seen two players who were as highly decorated as those two line up against each other, and you would be hard pressed to find one in League One as well.
Whilst Williams featured from the start, Simb entered the fray as a first half substitute for O'Neill Donaldson and had a hand in creating the first goal, as his cross was flicked on by Brian McGorry and Williams was on hand to open the scoring for the Gulls.
In the second half, Williams completed his brace for the afternoon when nodded home a left wing cross from deep from Robbie Herrera and later completed his hat trick by latching onto a precision pass from Simb to coolly slot home to mark his Football League debut with a treble.
It was real Roy of the Rovers stuff!
However, his time at Plainmoor never quite hit those heights again. Although he did score twice against Blackpool in injury time on August Bank Holiday Monday in 2000, Williams' highest goal return in a season for the Gulls was nine in the 1999-00 and 2000-01 campaigns.
Nevertheless, Williams' connections with Hartlepool didn't end there and then on that day, as Pools manager Chris Turner, who was also in charge of Hartlepool on the day in question, paid £30,000 to bring him to Victoria Park in March 2002. In the 2002-03 season, he helped them to win automatic promotion and two years later, he also helped them to reach the League One play-off final where they were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday on penalties.
Torquay (3-5-2): Neville Southall; Gary Neil, Wayne Thomas, Lee Russell; Steve Tully, Brian McGorry, Brian Healy, Mark Platts (Kevin Hill), Robbie Herrera; O'Neill Donaldson (Jean Pierre Simb), Eifion Williams (Leon Hapgood)
Attendance: 1,957
A Wales B international, Williams had arrived at Plainmoor for a club record fee of £70,000 from League of Wales side Barry Town and came with Champions League pedigree, having netted for the south Wales side against a Dynamo Kiev side featuring Andrei Shevchenko and Sergei Rebrov.
Williams was one of four debutants who appeared for the Gulls that afternoon, the other was Frenchman Jean Pierre Simb who became the first of a number of French players to join the Gulls and would prove to be something of a cult hero.The other two were experienced centre back Lee Russell who arrived at Plainmoor from Portsmouth and Gary Neil, a Scottish defender signed from Leicester City.
Another interesting fact about this match is that former Everton and Wales keeper Neville Southall kept goal for Torquay and ex Liverpool, Everton and Newcastle United striker Peter Beardsley was in the Hartlepool side.
The pair would have faced each other a countless number of times in a number of higher profile encounters, including Merseyside derbies and England versus Wales international fixtures. They were also team-mates at Everton between 1991 and 1993.
Very few modern day League Two fixtures in recent seasons have seen two players who were as highly decorated as those two line up against each other, and you would be hard pressed to find one in League One as well.
Whilst Williams featured from the start, Simb entered the fray as a first half substitute for O'Neill Donaldson and had a hand in creating the first goal, as his cross was flicked on by Brian McGorry and Williams was on hand to open the scoring for the Gulls.
In the second half, Williams completed his brace for the afternoon when nodded home a left wing cross from deep from Robbie Herrera and later completed his hat trick by latching onto a precision pass from Simb to coolly slot home to mark his Football League debut with a treble.
It was real Roy of the Rovers stuff!
However, his time at Plainmoor never quite hit those heights again. Although he did score twice against Blackpool in injury time on August Bank Holiday Monday in 2000, Williams' highest goal return in a season for the Gulls was nine in the 1999-00 and 2000-01 campaigns.
Nevertheless, Williams' connections with Hartlepool didn't end there and then on that day, as Pools manager Chris Turner, who was also in charge of Hartlepool on the day in question, paid £30,000 to bring him to Victoria Park in March 2002. In the 2002-03 season, he helped them to win automatic promotion and two years later, he also helped them to reach the League One play-off final where they were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday on penalties.
Torquay (3-5-2): Neville Southall; Gary Neil, Wayne Thomas, Lee Russell; Steve Tully, Brian McGorry, Brian Healy, Mark Platts (Kevin Hill), Robbie Herrera; O'Neill Donaldson (Jean Pierre Simb), Eifion Williams (Leon Hapgood)
Attendance: 1,957
Wednesday 22 April 2020
WHAT I MISS ABOUT PLAINMOOR
Since I started writing this blog to accompany my work as a freelance sports reporter back in 2010 Saturdays, whether they might be at Plainmoor, Home Park, Huish Park or St James Park, have been a big part of my weekly routine.
They have also been a major role in the weekly routine of many others who also attend matches at Plainmoor, which the shutdown of professional football since the Covid-19 outbreak has stopped in its tracks. Saturdays without football has taken a lot of getting used, just like it has not just for Torquay United fans, but for fans of other clubs up and down the country.
Attending matches has been a big part of life since I attended my first league game as a 7 year old when I witnessed United face Fulham in an 'old' Third Division on August 31st, 1991. The Gulls lost 1-0 on that occasion and my future Press box colleague John Uzzell featured for United; John would return to Plainmoor as match analyst for the Press Association until 2016.
The absence of attending games at Plainmoor as a reporter for the Non League Paper was probably most keenly felt by myself last Saturday, which would have seen Torquay United face Dover Athletic - the Gulls' last home fixture of the 2019-20 fixture calendar. The last home game of the season is usually something of an occasion, as you always try to savour your surroundings as you know it will be the last time you will experience a game at Plainmoor until the pre-season friendlies get underway until the following July.
Then there is the absence of the match-day routine of arriving at the ground, picking up my press pass from the club reception, walking up to the press benches in Bristow's Bench where the first face I usually come across is the Herald Express' Guy Henderson, who is either already in situa or arrives shortly after me, or any visiting press officers or reporters. Then we are later by Richard Hughes (Herald Express/Devon Live) and Dave Thomas (now Torbay Weekly) and whoever is commentating for BBC Radio Devon that day. As we move ever closer to kick off I normally glance over towards the Popular Side to check that United 'super fan' Paul Bastard is in attendance. Paul attends every Gulls' game home and away, and travels to every Plainmoor fixture from his home in Manchester.
After the game there is Gary Johnson's post-match interviews which, as one of most media friendly of Torquay United managers in recent years, sees him regularly one up with one or two gems to fill your notebook with.
However, last Saturday the reality dawned on me that on a day that on the day which would have seen me attending Plainmoor for what would have been the last time for a while, I hadn't actually been there since the end of February.
Professsional football in England has taken a break when play was suspended for four seasons following the outbreak of World War One in 1914 (the 1914-15 campaign was the final league season contested before the suspension) and started again in 1919. The league once paused again in 1939 once World War Two commenced and would resume in time for the start of 1946-47 season.
In light of the recent announcement that the remaining regular league fixtures for the Vanarama National League for the 2019-20 season have been cancelled, we will now no longer see a ball kicked in anger until August 2020. When football returned in 1946 from its last hiatus, there was a surge in attendances as crowds increased by 32% as a 'feel good factor' surged around the country.
Whether a similar feeling will lead to a renewed interest in watching live sport once the Covid-19 pandemic is over remains to be seen. Nevertheless sport has the power to bring people together which few activities can match, and for many - myself included - the anticipation for that first live game once life returns to normal will no doubt match the excitement of attending that first ever match.
Which form or format that football will return as remains to be seen.
They have also been a major role in the weekly routine of many others who also attend matches at Plainmoor, which the shutdown of professional football since the Covid-19 outbreak has stopped in its tracks. Saturdays without football has taken a lot of getting used, just like it has not just for Torquay United fans, but for fans of other clubs up and down the country.
Attending matches has been a big part of life since I attended my first league game as a 7 year old when I witnessed United face Fulham in an 'old' Third Division on August 31st, 1991. The Gulls lost 1-0 on that occasion and my future Press box colleague John Uzzell featured for United; John would return to Plainmoor as match analyst for the Press Association until 2016.
The absence of attending games at Plainmoor as a reporter for the Non League Paper was probably most keenly felt by myself last Saturday, which would have seen Torquay United face Dover Athletic - the Gulls' last home fixture of the 2019-20 fixture calendar. The last home game of the season is usually something of an occasion, as you always try to savour your surroundings as you know it will be the last time you will experience a game at Plainmoor until the pre-season friendlies get underway until the following July.
Then there is the absence of the match-day routine of arriving at the ground, picking up my press pass from the club reception, walking up to the press benches in Bristow's Bench where the first face I usually come across is the Herald Express' Guy Henderson, who is either already in situa or arrives shortly after me, or any visiting press officers or reporters. Then we are later by Richard Hughes (Herald Express/Devon Live) and Dave Thomas (now Torbay Weekly) and whoever is commentating for BBC Radio Devon that day. As we move ever closer to kick off I normally glance over towards the Popular Side to check that United 'super fan' Paul Bastard is in attendance. Paul attends every Gulls' game home and away, and travels to every Plainmoor fixture from his home in Manchester.
After the game there is Gary Johnson's post-match interviews which, as one of most media friendly of Torquay United managers in recent years, sees him regularly one up with one or two gems to fill your notebook with.
However, last Saturday the reality dawned on me that on a day that on the day which would have seen me attending Plainmoor for what would have been the last time for a while, I hadn't actually been there since the end of February.
Professsional football in England has taken a break when play was suspended for four seasons following the outbreak of World War One in 1914 (the 1914-15 campaign was the final league season contested before the suspension) and started again in 1919. The league once paused again in 1939 once World War Two commenced and would resume in time for the start of 1946-47 season.
In light of the recent announcement that the remaining regular league fixtures for the Vanarama National League for the 2019-20 season have been cancelled, we will now no longer see a ball kicked in anger until August 2020. When football returned in 1946 from its last hiatus, there was a surge in attendances as crowds increased by 32% as a 'feel good factor' surged around the country.
Whether a similar feeling will lead to a renewed interest in watching live sport once the Covid-19 pandemic is over remains to be seen. Nevertheless sport has the power to bring people together which few activities can match, and for many - myself included - the anticipation for that first live game once life returns to normal will no doubt match the excitement of attending that first ever match.
Which form or format that football will return as remains to be seen.
REMAINING NATIONAL LEAGUE MATCHES CANCELLED
The National League Board have announced that all remaining National League, National League North and South in the 2019-20 season will be cancelled.
Member clubs from each of the three leagues were asked to vote whether they wished to end the season up until April 25th, 2020. After receiving 90% of all responses from members clubs, the Board have passed a resolution to cancel all remaining matches - as a clear majority of the 90% who responded expressed their wishes to end the season now. Clubs who are yet to respond still have an opportunity to do so.
National League Chief Executive Officer, Michael Tattersall, said: “At a time when the entire country is wrestling with the devastating impact of Covid-19, the cancellation of the remaining normal season matches brings a degree of certainty to our Clubs coping with the business implications of the virus.”
All National League fixtures had previously been suspended since March 16th, but this new ruling confirms that all outstanding league matches after that date will not take place. However, discussions are still ongoing as to best decide the sporting outcome of the season and a number of ideas are currently under consideration.
Two clubs are usually promoted from the National League into the Football League, whilst the bottom four are relegated into National Leagues North and South, who - in turn - see two clubs each promoted into the National League - one as champion and the other through the play-offs.
Member clubs from each of the three leagues were asked to vote whether they wished to end the season up until April 25th, 2020. After receiving 90% of all responses from members clubs, the Board have passed a resolution to cancel all remaining matches - as a clear majority of the 90% who responded expressed their wishes to end the season now. Clubs who are yet to respond still have an opportunity to do so.
National League Chief Executive Officer, Michael Tattersall, said: “At a time when the entire country is wrestling with the devastating impact of Covid-19, the cancellation of the remaining normal season matches brings a degree of certainty to our Clubs coping with the business implications of the virus.”
All National League fixtures had previously been suspended since March 16th, but this new ruling confirms that all outstanding league matches after that date will not take place. However, discussions are still ongoing as to best decide the sporting outcome of the season and a number of ideas are currently under consideration.
Two clubs are usually promoted from the National League into the Football League, whilst the bottom four are relegated into National Leagues North and South, who - in turn - see two clubs each promoted into the National League - one as champion and the other through the play-offs.
Saturday 18 April 2020
CLASSIC ENCOUNTERS #4 TORQUAY UNITED 2 DOVER ATHLETIC 1 2016-17
Jamie Reid and Dan Sparkes picked the perfect time to open
their respective goal scoring accounts for Torquay United to help the Gulls
seal a dramatic win against Dover Athletic.
Exeter City loanee Reid had given United a second half lead before
Ricky Miller levelled for Dover. However, instead of throwing in the towel, the
Gulls hit back immediately through Sparkes.
The visitors had made a promising start as Jack Parkinson
nodded a corner from Ricky Modeste wide after three minutes.
In the 11th minute, Joe Ward – on loan at
Plainmoor from West Bromwich Albion – tested Dover keeper Steve Arnold with a
long range strike.
Five minutes later, Nathan Blissett came close to scoring an
opener for United, but he agonisingly missed the target as he fired over.
Dover squandered a golden opportunity to take the lead in
the 23rd minute when Aswad Thomas headed a Modeste free-kick over
the bar.
Early in the second half, the Gulls were in front as Reid opened
his account for his hometown club following good build-up play involving Aman
Verma and Ward.
In the 70th minute, Sparkes was denied by the
reflexes of Arnold as he saw his headed effort tipped behind for a corner.
Five minutes later, the visitors were level as substitute
Miller found the target with a deflected free-kick.
However, the Gulls regained the lead a minute later as
Sparkes slotted home to score his first goal for the club.
Former
United striker Tyrone Marsh then struck the post for Dover in injury time, as
United held on to clinch all three points to end Dover’s run of three straight
victories.
In the penultimate game of the 2016-17 against the Whites at their Crabble ground, United completed the double over Dover with Brett Williams netting a brace to help the Gulls pull off a second 'great escape' under Kevin Nicholson.
Friday 17 April 2020
TOP TEN SOUTH WEST MANAGERS SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY PART TWO
5. Derek Adams (Plymouth Argyle 2015-2019)
When choosing the successor to John Sheridan, Plymouth Argyle opted for Derek Adams, who had developed a fine reputation in Scotland on the back of two highly successful spells in charge of Ross County. Football was very much in Adams' blood as his father George was the first player ever to be signed by Sir Alex Ferguson when he began his managerial career with Scottish side East Stirlingshire in 1974.
His first season in charge at Home Park saw the Pilgrims flirt with automatic promotion before they ended the season in fifth place in League Two and were forced to settle for a play-off place. After beating Portsmouth in the play-off semi-finals, the Pilgrims reached the 2016 League Two play-off final - their first since 1996 - where they were beaten 3-0 by AFC Wimbledon. In the subsequent 2016-17 campaign, the Pilgrims clinched automatic promotion as they finished the season as runners-up in League Two. During that season they also took Liverpool to a replay in the FA Cup third round after drawing 0-0 at Anfield.
On their return to League One, Argyle recovered from a disappointing first half of the 2017-18 campaign, which saw them fighting against relegation, to finish seventh and narrowly miss out on the play-offs.
Sadly the following season saw the Pilgrims embroiled in a relegation battle that saw Adams dismissed one game before the end of the 2018-19 season as Argyle were relegated back to League Two. Adams later made a return to management with League Two side Morecambe in November 2019.
4. Paul Tisdale (Exeter City 2006-2018)
There was something of a surprise when Paul Tisdale was appointed as Exeter City manager in 2006 ahead of former Northern Ireland striker Jimmy Quinn and one time Grecians defender Shaun Taylor. However, the appointment of Tisdale ultimately proved to be a masterstroke as he led City to the Conference play-offs in his first season in charge where the Grecians were beaten 2-1 by Morecambe. The following 2007-08 season saw City go one better as they defeated Cambridge United 1-0 to secure a return to the Football League for the first tine since 2003. This was then followed by a second successive promotion as the Grecians finished as runners-up in League Two; Tisdale is also one of seven managers to complete this feat which includes: Martin O'Neill (Wycombe Wanderers), Sammy McIlroy (Macclesfield Town), Dave Penney (Doncaster Rovers), Paul Simpson (Carlisle United), Graham Westley (Stevenage), Darrell Clarke (Bristol Rovers) and Micky Mellon (Tranmere Rovers).
After retaining their League One status with a final day win over Huddersfield Town in the 2009-10 season, the Grecians then equalled their highest ever league finish and they ended the 2010-11 campaign in eighth place. The 2011-12 season saw City relegated back to League Two, but it was a number of years before the Grecians mounted another promotion challenge as they finished as losing play-off finalists in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns - losing to Blackpool and Coventry City respectively- before he announced his relegation.
Following his departure from St James' Park, Tisdale was appointed as manager of MK Dons and he led them to promotion from League Two in the 2018-19 before he was dismissed early in the 2019-20 campaign.
3. Paul Sturrock (Plymouth Argyle 2000-2004 & 2008-2009, Yeovil Town 2015)
After spending his career as one-club man with Dundee United, who he appeared in a UEFA Cup final for in 1987, Paul Sturrock won five promotions as a manager in England with four different clubs - including two with Plymouth Argyle.
The first came in the 2001-02 season when he led the Pilgirms to the Division Three title with a record 102 points. This was followed two years later with the Second Division chamopionship which was clinched shortly after Sturrock was appointed as manager of Premier League side Southampton.
His stay with the Saints proved to be brief, but he was soon back in work with Sheffield Wednesday, who he led to promotion through the League One play-offs in the 2004-05 season. Sturrock's next managerial role came with Swindon Town, who he won promotion from League Two with in the 2006-07 campaign before he returned to Home Park in 2008 as the successor to Ian Holloway who had recently departed for Leicester City. By this stage Argyle were a Championship club and after finishing 10th in the 2007-08 season, they narrowly avoided relegation in the 2008-09 campaign finishing 21st and midway through the 2009-10 season, he was replaced by Paul Mariner.
Sturrock then had a spell in charge of Southend United before taking charge of Yeovil Town in 2015, which proved to his final role in management.
2. Ian Holloway (2006-2007)
Few Plymouth Argyle managers have had such a strong bond with the 'Green Army' since Ian Holloway left Home Park in November 2007 for Leicester City. His spell in charge of the Foxes didn't quite go to plan, but he did lead Blackpool to the Premier League in the 2009-10 season and repeated the feat with Crystal Palace in the 2013-14 campaign, leaving many Argyle fans wondering what might have been had he stayed.
After spells with Bristol Rovers and Queens Park Rangers, Holloway led the Pilgrims to a 11th place finish in the Championship in the 2006-07 season and to the quarter finals of the FA Cup. They were well placed to mount a challenge for promotion at the time of his departure to Leicester and whether Argyle would have reached the top-flight for the first time ever under his guidance no one will ever know. However, Holloway who has earned a reputation for his use of metaphors in his post-match interviews, popularly known as 'Ollieisms', remains enthusiastic as ever about football and is currently in charge of League Two side Grimsby Town.
1. Gary Johnson (2001-2005 & 2012-2015, Torquay United 2018-)
Gary Johnson ended Yeovil Town's 108-year wait for league football when he steered the Glovers to the Nationwide Conference title in the 2002-03 season. The south Somerset then quickly went about making up for lost time as they finished eighth in League Two in the 2003-04 campaign before claiming the League Two title in the following 2004-05 season. Johnson also used the connections he made whilst he was manager of the Latvian national side to bring Andrejs Stolcers, who appeared for Latvia in Euro 2004, to Huish Park from Fulham.
The success with the Glovers alerted his managerial prowess to a number of larger clubs and he left Yeovil to take charge of Bristol City in September 2005. Johnson proved to be a big success at Ashton Gate as he led the Robins to promotion from League One in the 2006-07 season. He was then denied a second successive promotion, which would have seen the Robins reach the Premier League in the 2007-08 season, as Bristol City were beaten 1-0 in the Championship play-off final by Hull City.
Johnson left Ashton Gate in 2010 and following brief spells with Peterborough United and Northampton Town, he returned to Huish Park in January 2012. After steering the Glovers away from the League One relegation zone in the 2011-12 season, Yeovil defied all expectations in the 2012-13 campaign as they reached the Championship for the only time in their history as they beat Brentford in the 2013 League One play-off final. However, as they were by far and away the smallest club in the Championship the Glovers' stay in the division only lasted for one season and Johnson left Huish Park midway through the 2014-15 season.
Johnson's next port of call was Cheltenham Town, who he led to the National League title in the 2015-2016 season with a squad that was virtually built from scratch, as the Robins became the first newly relegated club to win the National League at the first attempt since Darlington in the 1989-90 campaign. Whilst at Whaddon Road, Johnson also underwent a triple heart bypass operation in April 2017.
After he was dismissed as Cheltenham Town manager four games into the 2018-19 season, Johnson was appointed as Torquay United manager in September 2018 following the departure of Gary Owers. At the time of his arrival, the Gulls were 14th in the National League South table and Johnson's impact at Plainmoor was felt immediately as he guided United to a club record unbeaten run of 16 league matches. The Gulls then went on to seal the National League South title, finishing ten points clear of second placed Woking - giving Johnson his sixth career promotion as a manager and he also became the first manager to win the League Two, National League and National League South titles.
At the time of writing, he is looking to lead the Gulls to promotion back to the Football League which would give him a record third promotion from National League level.
When choosing the successor to John Sheridan, Plymouth Argyle opted for Derek Adams, who had developed a fine reputation in Scotland on the back of two highly successful spells in charge of Ross County. Football was very much in Adams' blood as his father George was the first player ever to be signed by Sir Alex Ferguson when he began his managerial career with Scottish side East Stirlingshire in 1974.
His first season in charge at Home Park saw the Pilgrims flirt with automatic promotion before they ended the season in fifth place in League Two and were forced to settle for a play-off place. After beating Portsmouth in the play-off semi-finals, the Pilgrims reached the 2016 League Two play-off final - their first since 1996 - where they were beaten 3-0 by AFC Wimbledon. In the subsequent 2016-17 campaign, the Pilgrims clinched automatic promotion as they finished the season as runners-up in League Two. During that season they also took Liverpool to a replay in the FA Cup third round after drawing 0-0 at Anfield.
On their return to League One, Argyle recovered from a disappointing first half of the 2017-18 campaign, which saw them fighting against relegation, to finish seventh and narrowly miss out on the play-offs.
Sadly the following season saw the Pilgrims embroiled in a relegation battle that saw Adams dismissed one game before the end of the 2018-19 season as Argyle were relegated back to League Two. Adams later made a return to management with League Two side Morecambe in November 2019.
4. Paul Tisdale (Exeter City 2006-2018)
There was something of a surprise when Paul Tisdale was appointed as Exeter City manager in 2006 ahead of former Northern Ireland striker Jimmy Quinn and one time Grecians defender Shaun Taylor. However, the appointment of Tisdale ultimately proved to be a masterstroke as he led City to the Conference play-offs in his first season in charge where the Grecians were beaten 2-1 by Morecambe. The following 2007-08 season saw City go one better as they defeated Cambridge United 1-0 to secure a return to the Football League for the first tine since 2003. This was then followed by a second successive promotion as the Grecians finished as runners-up in League Two; Tisdale is also one of seven managers to complete this feat which includes: Martin O'Neill (Wycombe Wanderers), Sammy McIlroy (Macclesfield Town), Dave Penney (Doncaster Rovers), Paul Simpson (Carlisle United), Graham Westley (Stevenage), Darrell Clarke (Bristol Rovers) and Micky Mellon (Tranmere Rovers).
After retaining their League One status with a final day win over Huddersfield Town in the 2009-10 season, the Grecians then equalled their highest ever league finish and they ended the 2010-11 campaign in eighth place. The 2011-12 season saw City relegated back to League Two, but it was a number of years before the Grecians mounted another promotion challenge as they finished as losing play-off finalists in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 campaigns - losing to Blackpool and Coventry City respectively- before he announced his relegation.
Following his departure from St James' Park, Tisdale was appointed as manager of MK Dons and he led them to promotion from League Two in the 2018-19 before he was dismissed early in the 2019-20 campaign.
3. Paul Sturrock (Plymouth Argyle 2000-2004 & 2008-2009, Yeovil Town 2015)
After spending his career as one-club man with Dundee United, who he appeared in a UEFA Cup final for in 1987, Paul Sturrock won five promotions as a manager in England with four different clubs - including two with Plymouth Argyle.
The first came in the 2001-02 season when he led the Pilgirms to the Division Three title with a record 102 points. This was followed two years later with the Second Division chamopionship which was clinched shortly after Sturrock was appointed as manager of Premier League side Southampton.
His stay with the Saints proved to be brief, but he was soon back in work with Sheffield Wednesday, who he led to promotion through the League One play-offs in the 2004-05 season. Sturrock's next managerial role came with Swindon Town, who he won promotion from League Two with in the 2006-07 campaign before he returned to Home Park in 2008 as the successor to Ian Holloway who had recently departed for Leicester City. By this stage Argyle were a Championship club and after finishing 10th in the 2007-08 season, they narrowly avoided relegation in the 2008-09 campaign finishing 21st and midway through the 2009-10 season, he was replaced by Paul Mariner.
Sturrock then had a spell in charge of Southend United before taking charge of Yeovil Town in 2015, which proved to his final role in management.
2. Ian Holloway (2006-2007)
Few Plymouth Argyle managers have had such a strong bond with the 'Green Army' since Ian Holloway left Home Park in November 2007 for Leicester City. His spell in charge of the Foxes didn't quite go to plan, but he did lead Blackpool to the Premier League in the 2009-10 season and repeated the feat with Crystal Palace in the 2013-14 campaign, leaving many Argyle fans wondering what might have been had he stayed.
After spells with Bristol Rovers and Queens Park Rangers, Holloway led the Pilgrims to a 11th place finish in the Championship in the 2006-07 season and to the quarter finals of the FA Cup. They were well placed to mount a challenge for promotion at the time of his departure to Leicester and whether Argyle would have reached the top-flight for the first time ever under his guidance no one will ever know. However, Holloway who has earned a reputation for his use of metaphors in his post-match interviews, popularly known as 'Ollieisms', remains enthusiastic as ever about football and is currently in charge of League Two side Grimsby Town.
1. Gary Johnson (2001-2005 & 2012-2015, Torquay United 2018-)
Gary Johnson ended Yeovil Town's 108-year wait for league football when he steered the Glovers to the Nationwide Conference title in the 2002-03 season. The south Somerset then quickly went about making up for lost time as they finished eighth in League Two in the 2003-04 campaign before claiming the League Two title in the following 2004-05 season. Johnson also used the connections he made whilst he was manager of the Latvian national side to bring Andrejs Stolcers, who appeared for Latvia in Euro 2004, to Huish Park from Fulham.
The success with the Glovers alerted his managerial prowess to a number of larger clubs and he left Yeovil to take charge of Bristol City in September 2005. Johnson proved to be a big success at Ashton Gate as he led the Robins to promotion from League One in the 2006-07 season. He was then denied a second successive promotion, which would have seen the Robins reach the Premier League in the 2007-08 season, as Bristol City were beaten 1-0 in the Championship play-off final by Hull City.
Johnson left Ashton Gate in 2010 and following brief spells with Peterborough United and Northampton Town, he returned to Huish Park in January 2012. After steering the Glovers away from the League One relegation zone in the 2011-12 season, Yeovil defied all expectations in the 2012-13 campaign as they reached the Championship for the only time in their history as they beat Brentford in the 2013 League One play-off final. However, as they were by far and away the smallest club in the Championship the Glovers' stay in the division only lasted for one season and Johnson left Huish Park midway through the 2014-15 season.
Johnson's next port of call was Cheltenham Town, who he led to the National League title in the 2015-2016 season with a squad that was virtually built from scratch, as the Robins became the first newly relegated club to win the National League at the first attempt since Darlington in the 1989-90 campaign. Whilst at Whaddon Road, Johnson also underwent a triple heart bypass operation in April 2017.
After he was dismissed as Cheltenham Town manager four games into the 2018-19 season, Johnson was appointed as Torquay United manager in September 2018 following the departure of Gary Owers. At the time of his arrival, the Gulls were 14th in the National League South table and Johnson's impact at Plainmoor was felt immediately as he guided United to a club record unbeaten run of 16 league matches. The Gulls then went on to seal the National League South title, finishing ten points clear of second placed Woking - giving Johnson his sixth career promotion as a manager and he also became the first manager to win the League Two, National League and National League South titles.
At the time of writing, he is looking to lead the Gulls to promotion back to the Football League which would give him a record third promotion from National League level.
Thursday 16 April 2020
TOP TEN SOUTH WEST MANAGERS SINCE THE TURN OF THE CENTURY PART ONE
Since the turn of the century, clubs in the South West have enjoyed many great highs and lows.
From promotions to relegations, final day deciders and memorable cup runs and for some even administration, the last two decades has seen it all.
I will now look back at the period by choosing our list of top ten managers who have taken charge of Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, Torquay United and Yeovil Town since 2000.
Firstly, before I reveal numbers ten to six, I believe it is only right that I acknowledge the managers who just missed out on the list. They include former Torquay United managers Roy McFarland and Ian Atkins and three of our current managers Ryan Lowe (Plymouth Argyle), Matt Taylor (Exeter City) and Darren Sarll (Yeovil Town) who could all yet feature in a similar list in the future.
10. John Sheridan (Plymouth Argyle 2013-2015)
Former Republic of Ireland and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder John Sheridan was appointed as Plymouth Argyle in January 2013 following the dismissal of Carl Fletcher on New Year's Day 2013.
The impact of ex Chesterfield and Oldham Athletic boss Sheridan was immediate as the Pilgrims only lost once in their opening five games, but it was their form in the month of March 2013 that ultimately made the difference for Argyle. The Pilgrims won four games from a possible six - including a 1-0 Devon Derby victory over Exeter City - a sequence that proved to be instrumental in helping them to avoid the drop.
In his first full season in charge, Sheridan guided the Pilgrims to a 10th placed finish before leading them to their first play-off campaign since the 1995-96 season, where they were beaten in the semi-finals by Wycombe Wanderers. Sheridan resigned shortly after the Pilgrims' second leg defeat to the Chairboys and then went on to manage Newport County, returned twice to Oldham, Notts County, Fleetwood Town, Carlisle United before returning to Chesterfield where he was sacked earlier this season.
9. Paul Buckle (Torquay United 2007-2011)
Paul Buckle took charge of Torquay United in the summer of 2007 and set about rebuilding the Gulls' fortunes following their first ever relegation from the Football League in the 2006-07 campaign. In his first season in charge, United missed out on an immediate return to League Two as they lost to local rivals Exeter City in the play-offs and they also reached the final of the FA Trophy, where they were beaten 1-0 by Ebbsfleet United. Buckle's second campaign in charge - the 2009-10 season - proved to be more successful as the Gulls went one better to clinch a return to the Football League through the play-offs with a 2-0 win over Cambridge United at Wembley in the final, with goals from Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills.
After finishing 17th in their first season back in the Football League, the 2009-10 campaign, United were in the running for a second promotion in three seasons in the 2010-11 campaign, as they finished seventh to qualify for the play-offs. The Gulls beat Shrewsbury Town 2-0 on aggregate - with Eunan O'Kane and Chris Zebroski scoring the decisive goals - faced Stevenage in the final at Old Trafford, which United lost 1-0. This proved to be Buckle's final game in charge as he left Plainmoor to take charge of Bristol Rovers. He later went on to manage Luton Town, Cheltenham Town and has also held several coaching positions in America.
8. Martin Ling (Torquay United 2011-2013)
In the wake of Buckle's departure, the Torquay United board settled on former Swindon Town midfielder Martin Ling as his eventual replacement. Ling, who was the last candidate to be interviewed by the United board, was no stranger to the Westcountry as he had started out at Exeter City before joining Swindon later in his career. As a manager Ling had won promotion from League Two to League One with Leyton Orient and had then kept them up and it was hoped he could do the same at Plainmoor.
After a slow start, United soon got into their stride as they completed their first league 'double' over Plymouth Argyle; the first being a Eunan O'Kane inspired 3-1 win at Plainmoor in November 2011 which was followed by a 2-1 win at Home Park on January 2nd, 2012. A 3-2 defeat against Hereford United on the final day of the 2011-12 season saw the Gulls miss out on automatic promotion and condemned to the play-offs, where they were beaten 4-1 by Cheltenham Town in the semi-finals.
The following summer saw the departures of goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik to Peterborough United, O'Kane to AFC Bournemouth and Mark Ellis to Crewe Alexandra, so Ling set about rebuilding his side. Midway through the season, Ling went absent through illness and was later replaced by Alan Knill on an interim basis before Knill was appointed as his permanent successor at the end of the 2012-13 season. Ling later had a 15-match spell in charge of Swindon before resigning due to health reasons.
7. Leroy Rosenior (Torquay United 2002-2006 & 2007)
A few eyebrows were raised when Leroy Rosenior replaced Roy McFarland as Torquay United manager in 2002 after the former Derby County and England defender resigned in the wake of the collapse of the ITV Digital deal. However, after a strong pre-season and a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers on the opening day of the 2002-03 campaign, with one of his first signings Martin Gritton equalising for the Gulls after Guiliano Grazioli had given the Pirates the lead.
Rosenior harnessed the attacking talents of Jason Fowler, Alex Russell and David Graham to produce a scintillating brand of football not seen at Plainmoor for many years. In his first season in charge, United narrowly missed out on the play-offs, finishing ninth. The following 2003-04 campaign proved to be one of the most memorable in the Gulls' history as they clinched automatic promotion for the first time since the 1965-66 season with a 2-1 win away against Southend United.
Sadly United's stay in League One only lasted for one season as a 2-1 defeat against Colchester United saw the Gulls condemned to a swift return to League One. Rosenior would later part ways with United midway through the 2005-06 season, but their paths would cross again in 2007 as he made a brief return and was reportedly sacked after ten minutes as chairman Mike Bateson sold the club to a locally based consortium.
6. Tony Pulis (Plymouth Argyle 2005-2006)
Had Tony Pulis remained at Plymouth Argyle beyond the end of the 2005-06 season then he would surely have featured in the top half of this list. The Welshman, who had already had spells at Bournemouth, Gillingham, Bristol City, Portsmouth and Stoke City under his belt, took over a Pilgrims' side that were struggling in the Championship under his predecessor Bobby Williamson and led them to a 14th place finish in the 2005-06 season. Pulis then opted to return to Stoke City, who he led to the 2011 FA Cup final, where they lost 1-0 to Manchester City, before moving on to Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough. Arguably his greatest parting gift to the Pilgrims was the signing of French midfielder Lillian Nalis, who became key figure for Argyle under his successor Ian Holloway.
From promotions to relegations, final day deciders and memorable cup runs and for some even administration, the last two decades has seen it all.
I will now look back at the period by choosing our list of top ten managers who have taken charge of Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, Torquay United and Yeovil Town since 2000.
Firstly, before I reveal numbers ten to six, I believe it is only right that I acknowledge the managers who just missed out on the list. They include former Torquay United managers Roy McFarland and Ian Atkins and three of our current managers Ryan Lowe (Plymouth Argyle), Matt Taylor (Exeter City) and Darren Sarll (Yeovil Town) who could all yet feature in a similar list in the future.
10. John Sheridan (Plymouth Argyle 2013-2015)
Former Republic of Ireland and Sheffield Wednesday midfielder John Sheridan was appointed as Plymouth Argyle in January 2013 following the dismissal of Carl Fletcher on New Year's Day 2013.
The impact of ex Chesterfield and Oldham Athletic boss Sheridan was immediate as the Pilgrims only lost once in their opening five games, but it was their form in the month of March 2013 that ultimately made the difference for Argyle. The Pilgrims won four games from a possible six - including a 1-0 Devon Derby victory over Exeter City - a sequence that proved to be instrumental in helping them to avoid the drop.
In his first full season in charge, Sheridan guided the Pilgrims to a 10th placed finish before leading them to their first play-off campaign since the 1995-96 season, where they were beaten in the semi-finals by Wycombe Wanderers. Sheridan resigned shortly after the Pilgrims' second leg defeat to the Chairboys and then went on to manage Newport County, returned twice to Oldham, Notts County, Fleetwood Town, Carlisle United before returning to Chesterfield where he was sacked earlier this season.
9. Paul Buckle (Torquay United 2007-2011)
Paul Buckle took charge of Torquay United in the summer of 2007 and set about rebuilding the Gulls' fortunes following their first ever relegation from the Football League in the 2006-07 campaign. In his first season in charge, United missed out on an immediate return to League Two as they lost to local rivals Exeter City in the play-offs and they also reached the final of the FA Trophy, where they were beaten 1-0 by Ebbsfleet United. Buckle's second campaign in charge - the 2009-10 season - proved to be more successful as the Gulls went one better to clinch a return to the Football League through the play-offs with a 2-0 win over Cambridge United at Wembley in the final, with goals from Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills.
After finishing 17th in their first season back in the Football League, the 2009-10 campaign, United were in the running for a second promotion in three seasons in the 2010-11 campaign, as they finished seventh to qualify for the play-offs. The Gulls beat Shrewsbury Town 2-0 on aggregate - with Eunan O'Kane and Chris Zebroski scoring the decisive goals - faced Stevenage in the final at Old Trafford, which United lost 1-0. This proved to be Buckle's final game in charge as he left Plainmoor to take charge of Bristol Rovers. He later went on to manage Luton Town, Cheltenham Town and has also held several coaching positions in America.
8. Martin Ling (Torquay United 2011-2013)
In the wake of Buckle's departure, the Torquay United board settled on former Swindon Town midfielder Martin Ling as his eventual replacement. Ling, who was the last candidate to be interviewed by the United board, was no stranger to the Westcountry as he had started out at Exeter City before joining Swindon later in his career. As a manager Ling had won promotion from League Two to League One with Leyton Orient and had then kept them up and it was hoped he could do the same at Plainmoor.
After a slow start, United soon got into their stride as they completed their first league 'double' over Plymouth Argyle; the first being a Eunan O'Kane inspired 3-1 win at Plainmoor in November 2011 which was followed by a 2-1 win at Home Park on January 2nd, 2012. A 3-2 defeat against Hereford United on the final day of the 2011-12 season saw the Gulls miss out on automatic promotion and condemned to the play-offs, where they were beaten 4-1 by Cheltenham Town in the semi-finals.
The following summer saw the departures of goalkeeper Bobby Olejnik to Peterborough United, O'Kane to AFC Bournemouth and Mark Ellis to Crewe Alexandra, so Ling set about rebuilding his side. Midway through the season, Ling went absent through illness and was later replaced by Alan Knill on an interim basis before Knill was appointed as his permanent successor at the end of the 2012-13 season. Ling later had a 15-match spell in charge of Swindon before resigning due to health reasons.
7. Leroy Rosenior (Torquay United 2002-2006 & 2007)
A few eyebrows were raised when Leroy Rosenior replaced Roy McFarland as Torquay United manager in 2002 after the former Derby County and England defender resigned in the wake of the collapse of the ITV Digital deal. However, after a strong pre-season and a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers on the opening day of the 2002-03 campaign, with one of his first signings Martin Gritton equalising for the Gulls after Guiliano Grazioli had given the Pirates the lead.
Rosenior harnessed the attacking talents of Jason Fowler, Alex Russell and David Graham to produce a scintillating brand of football not seen at Plainmoor for many years. In his first season in charge, United narrowly missed out on the play-offs, finishing ninth. The following 2003-04 campaign proved to be one of the most memorable in the Gulls' history as they clinched automatic promotion for the first time since the 1965-66 season with a 2-1 win away against Southend United.
Sadly United's stay in League One only lasted for one season as a 2-1 defeat against Colchester United saw the Gulls condemned to a swift return to League One. Rosenior would later part ways with United midway through the 2005-06 season, but their paths would cross again in 2007 as he made a brief return and was reportedly sacked after ten minutes as chairman Mike Bateson sold the club to a locally based consortium.
6. Tony Pulis (Plymouth Argyle 2005-2006)
Had Tony Pulis remained at Plymouth Argyle beyond the end of the 2005-06 season then he would surely have featured in the top half of this list. The Welshman, who had already had spells at Bournemouth, Gillingham, Bristol City, Portsmouth and Stoke City under his belt, took over a Pilgrims' side that were struggling in the Championship under his predecessor Bobby Williamson and led them to a 14th place finish in the 2005-06 season. Pulis then opted to return to Stoke City, who he led to the 2011 FA Cup final, where they lost 1-0 to Manchester City, before moving on to Crystal Palace, West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough. Arguably his greatest parting gift to the Pilgrims was the signing of French midfielder Lillian Nalis, who became key figure for Argyle under his successor Ian Holloway.
Monday 13 April 2020
CLASSIC ENCOUNTERS #3 TORQUAY 4 ALDERSHOT 3 2012-13
Rene Howe's late winner completed a remarkable comeback for Torquay
United, as they fought back to claim a memorable win against Aldershot Town.
A Craig Reid
hat-trick had put the visitors 3-0 up, but United hit back to find the back of
the net four times through Billy Bodin, Ryan Jarvis, Ashley Yeoman and Howe to
complete an incredible turnaround.
Reid’s first of the
evening came on 28 minutes when he steered home a free-kick from the left from
Alex Rodman.
Nine minutes later,
future Shots’ right-back Joe Oastler fouled Danny Hylton in the box and Reid
stepped up to successfully convert the spot-kick to double their advantage.
And both Reid and
the Shots continued where they had left off in the second half as Reid pounced
to complete his hat-trick two minutes after the restart.
A minute later,
United pulled one back as Bodin slotted home from close range after Nathan
Craig had been denied by a stunning double save from Shots’ keeper Jamie Young.
The Gulls then
reduced their arrears to a single goal on 69 minutes when Ryan Jarvis – two minutes
after coming on as a substitute – slid in to make it 3-2 following some
unselfish play by Howe.
With six minutes to
go, fellow sub Yeoman, who had only been on the pitch for three minutes, headed
home a Lee Mansell cross to equalise with his first goal for the club.
It was then left to Howe
who smashed home a dramatic winner in the 89th minute with his seventh goal of
the season, which completed what had seemed like an unlikely victory at one
stage for United.
Torquay United
(4-5-1): Michael Poke, Joe Oastler, Aaron Downes, Brian Saah, Kevin Nicholson; Billy
Bodin, Niall Thompson (Ashley Yeoman 81), Nathan Craig, Lee Mansell, Danny
Stevens (Ryan Jarvis 67), Rene Howe
Attendance: 2,358
Friday 10 April 2020
CLASSIC ENCOUNTERS #2 BARNET 2 TORQUAY UNITED 3 2000-01
On paper it was the Football League’s ‘loser loses all’
contest - but to the fans of Barnet and Torquay United it was a game that
decided the destiny of the two clubs.
A 2-2 draw in their final home fixture against York City
meant that Torquay went into the match needing at least one point whereas the
Bees required all three. The Gulls were fighting to preserve a 74-year spell of
league football whereas Barnet were looking to maintain their ten-year stay in
the league.
Such was the importance of the game that 2,000 Gulls fans
saw the game from the stands.
Another 600 were locked out of Barnet’s small Underhill Stadium,
including one who witnessed the game from the top of a nearby tree.
Caretaker manager Colin Lee – who had taken sole control
of the team following the dismissal of Wes Saunders at the end of March – made
two changes to the side that faced York at Plainmoor the week before. Torquay-born
Lee had a brief spell with United as a player during the 1970s, which earned
him a £60,000 move to Tottenham Hotspur. He made a spectacular debut for Spurs
netting four times in a 9-0 win against Bristol Rovers in October 1977.
Eifion Williams returned to the starting line-up at the
expense of the suspended Khalid Chalqi, which meant Tony Bedeau switched to the
right hand side of midfield and Stuart Jones returned in goal in place of Ryan
Northmore. Jones had been absent for much of the calendar year due to injury
and had only made one appearance for the Gulls during that time against
Kidderminster Harriers.
Despite being up
against the strong gusts of wind which were sweeping Underhill, Torquay started
the match more positively than their hosts as Eifion Williams went close early
on.
Barnet were soon
forced into an early substitution after three minutes, as youngster Danny
Naisbitt replaced the injured Lee Harrison in goal.
Torquay took full advantage
of playing down Underhill’s famous sloping pitch, as David Graham had a good
claim for a penalty turned down after he was felled by Barnet skipper Greg
Heald.
The Gulls’ sustained pressure paid off when midfielder
Jason Rees opened the scoring with a 25-yard effort in the 10th
minute. Seven minutes later, Rees exited the field of play and
was replaced by Mick O’Brien who added extra guile to the midfield. Shortly
after coming on O’Brien came close to scoring one of his specialist free-kicks,
with an effort from beyond the half-way line which glanced narrowly wide.
In the 25th minute, the Gulls won a corner on
the right hand side, which was taken by Paul Holmes and found Kevin Hill who
nodded home his 10th goal of the season to give United a two-goal
cushion.
His effort put him top of the Gulls’ goal scoring charts
– one ahead of Williams on nine – not a bad feat for a midfielder.
Torquay continued to dominate the game territorially, but
the nerves of the travelling supporters were made to shake as referee Robert
Beeby penalised Player of the Year Jimmy Aggrey for hand- ball in the 40th
minute and pointed to the penalty spot.
Darren Currie then stepped up to take the penalty for the
Bees. Strangely enough Currie – the nephew of former England midfielder Tony
Currie who had a brief spell with the Gulls towards the end of his career – was
also the son-in-law of referee Beeby.
However, Jones in the Torquay goal guessed the direction
of his spot-kick correctly to pull off his third penalty save of the season.
This proved to be a crucial turning point in the game as
it started the move which led to Torquay’s third goal.
The Gulls were able to get the ball forward quickly
towards Williams, who then linked up with his fellow striker Graham who extended
United’s lead to three on 43 minutes.
Two minutes later, referee Beeby blew his whistle to mark
the half-time break and the Gulls’ fans who had made the journey to North
London could be reasonably confident that a three-goal cushion would be hard
for Barnet to overturn.
One obstacle that United would have to overcome in the
second 45 minutes, as well as the eleven men of Barnet, would be the famous Underhill
slope that they were now playing up instead of down.
Their travelling support certainly had their hearts in
their mouths on the hour mark, when on loan right-back Ryan Green inadvertently
stumbled and turned the ball past Jones to reduce the Bees arrears to two
goals.
Eight minutes later, the Gulls were forced into making a
second change as John Gayle came on to replace Williams who was struggling with
a rib injury.
Two male streakers then appeared from the Barnet crowd
and infuriated Bees skipper Heald, who displayed his anger at their presence
before they disappeared into the abyss of the home end Gents.
The hosts scored a controversial second goal in the 76th
minute through Wayne Purser, when it looked as though Jones had been fouled in
the build-up to it.
With Barnet in the ascendency, the Gulls’ rear guard
spent the final 14 minutes of the match defending as though their lives
depended on it. Skipper Lee Russell led by example producing a series of match
saving challenges and Aggrey and Bedeau both followed suit; Hill and Holmes
also made a series of important clearances which snuffed out Barnet’s chances of
equalising, or even going on to snatch a late winner.
When the final whistle blew, the 2,000 or so Torquay fans
who made the trek to Underhill breathed a huge sigh of relief as United pulled
off a ‘Great Escape’ that ranked alongside the Gulls’ 2-2 draw against Crewe
Alexandra in 1987.
After the game Chairman Mike
Bateson famously declared ‘never again.’
The win also confirmed their first double of the season in a
game which many feared would be their last as a League club. The fans felt an
enormous debt of gratitude to Colin Lee – the son of South Devon who returned
to save his local team. There was not a Gulls’ fan inside Underhill or in any
other part of the world that didn’t want him to stay as manager on a permanent
basis.
Unfortunately, it was a wish that would not be granted as
protracted talks between Lee and Chairman Mike Bateson broke down during the
summer, and Roy McFarland was appointed as manager of United ahead of
the 2001-02 season.
Torquay (4-4-2): Stuart Jones; Ryan Green, Jimmy Aggrey, Lee
Russell, Paul Holmes; Tony Bedeau, Richard Kell, Jason Rees (Mick O’Brien 30), Kevin
Hill; Eifion Williams (John Gayle 55), David Graham (Alex Watson 90);
Attendance: 5,523
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