Once Brentford and Swansea City's Championship play-off final second leg has been concluded one former Exeter City starlet the shot at winning promotion to the Premier League.
The question is - will it be Bees' striker Ollie Watkins or Swans' skipper Matt Grimes?
Watkins, who left the Grecians to join Brentford in 2017 for £1.8million, has found the back of the net 25 times in the 2019-20 campaign and has emerged as one of the leading strikers outside the top-flight. Even if the Bees were to miss out on promotion to the Premier League it is not impausible that Watkisn could attract plenty of interest from a number of Premier League clubs. This would have an additional benefit to the Grecians, who are believed to have a sell-on clause as part of the deal that took him to Griffin Park in the summer of 2017.
Grimes, the Grecians' player of the year for the 2013-14 campaign, left St James Park for Swansea in January 2015 for £1.5 million - which was the record fee received by Exeter City until it was eclipsed by Watkins' move to the Bees. He made his debut as a substitute on February 1, 2015 against Queens Park Rangers before being loaned out to Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United and Northampton Town.
Despite only making four appearances for Swansea in the Premier League prior to their relegation in 2018, he has established himself as a first team regular since their return to the Championship and is currently the Swans' club captain - a responsiblity that he acquired in the 2018-19 campaign.
Swansea currently lead 1-0 on aggregate heading into tomorrow night's second leg, with the winner facing either Fulham or Cardiff City (Fulham won the first leg 2-0) for a shot at winning promotion to the Premier League. If either Watkins or Grimes were plying their trade in the top-flight next season, it would provide the Grecians' youth set-up with another boost.
Tuesday 28 July 2020
Monday 27 July 2020
JOHNSON BOLSTERS HIS DEFENCE WITH TWO MORE ACQUISITIONS
After strengthening his forward line with the signings of Danny Wright and Andrew Nelson, Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has done likewise to bolster his defensive options with the signings of Gary Warren and Fraser Kerr.
Warren, 35, will be a name familiar with the United faithful following his four-match loan spell between January and February 2020 from Exeter City, which left a big impression on all of those who witnessed him in action. Bristol-born Warren, 35, was released by the Grecians in the wake of their play-off final defeat to Northampton Town, and his previous clubs also include Team Bath, Newport County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Yeovil Town.
Kerr, 27, started his career with Birmingham City and also has experience of playing in Scotland with Motherwell (for whom he featured in the Scottish Premier League), Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir. He returned to England in 2017 to sign for Gateshead before joining his most recent club Hartlepool United in 2019, and he featured in the Pools' 2-1 win over the Gulls at Plainmoor in August last year.
United are poised to announce the signing of an attacking midfield player, who would take their summer signings up to five, within the next 48 hours.
Warren, 35, will be a name familiar with the United faithful following his four-match loan spell between January and February 2020 from Exeter City, which left a big impression on all of those who witnessed him in action. Bristol-born Warren, 35, was released by the Grecians in the wake of their play-off final defeat to Northampton Town, and his previous clubs also include Team Bath, Newport County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Yeovil Town.
Kerr, 27, started his career with Birmingham City and also has experience of playing in Scotland with Motherwell (for whom he featured in the Scottish Premier League), Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir. He returned to England in 2017 to sign for Gateshead before joining his most recent club Hartlepool United in 2019, and he featured in the Pools' 2-1 win over the Gulls at Plainmoor in August last year.
United are poised to announce the signing of an attacking midfield player, who would take their summer signings up to five, within the next 48 hours.
Saturday 25 July 2020
WRIGHT AND NELSON REVEALED AS FIRST OF THE GULLS' NEW SIGNINGS
Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has revealed the identity of two of the five signings he has lined up for the 2020-21 season.
Johnson has confirmed that experienced Danny Wright, 35, who previously helped him to win the National League title in the 2015-16 campaign with Cheltenham Town, and young prospect Andrew Nelson, 22, formerly of Sunderland and Dundee, will arrive at Plainmoor to spearhead the Gulls' attack when the new season eventually gets underway.
Wright has crossed swords with United on many occasions in the past in his career which has taken in spells with Histon, Kidderminster Harriers, Cheltenham and Solihull Moors amongst others. In the Robins' National League title winning season he found the back of the net 22 times, including two goals at Plainmoor in a 3-0 win over the Gulls on Easter Monday 2015 - current United assistant manager Aaron Downes scored Cheltenham's other goal on that occasion.
"He's a young 35, coming on 36," remarked Johnson remarked in an interview on the club's official website. "I wouldn't sign a 35, 36 year old has been. Not only is he a very experienced player, he's a very good player on and off the pitch. He's has a presence about him and I felt that we didn't have that presence up front last year."
Nelson hails from Stockton-on-Tees and came through the youth academy of Sunderland before appearing three times for the Black Cats' Under-23 side in the EFL Trophy. During his time at Sunderland, he enjoyed loan spells with Hartlepool United in League Two, Harrogate Town in National League North, Falkirk in the Scottish Championship and Darlington in National League North over the course of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns. His best goal return of these loan spells came during his stay with Darlington, which saw him score six goals in five league appearances midway through the 2018-19 season.
Shortly after the end of his stint with the Quakers, he signed for Dundee who were then in the Scottish Premier League. Despite marking his league debut against Heart of Midlothian with a goal that clinched a 2-1 for the Dark Blues on January 23, 2019, he was unable to help them to avoid relegation to the Scottish Championship at the end of the campaign. He left Dens Park by mutual consent after the 2019-20 season was suspended following the Covid-19 pandemic.
"There is so much potential in this lad, it's unbelievable," said Johnson. "He's got this work ethic where he's a pest and he's a clever pest. He can and will get himself into goalscoring situations. They are going to endear themselves to the Yellow Army because you will identify with these strikers and they will identify them."
In addition to this, Johnson also revealed that he will be adding to two centre backs to his squad as well as an attacking midfielder who will be confirmed next week.
The National League are also expected to make an official announcement about the start date for the new season after it was revealed that the Premier League and the EFL will be commencing on September 12.
Johnson has confirmed that experienced Danny Wright, 35, who previously helped him to win the National League title in the 2015-16 campaign with Cheltenham Town, and young prospect Andrew Nelson, 22, formerly of Sunderland and Dundee, will arrive at Plainmoor to spearhead the Gulls' attack when the new season eventually gets underway.
Wright has crossed swords with United on many occasions in the past in his career which has taken in spells with Histon, Kidderminster Harriers, Cheltenham and Solihull Moors amongst others. In the Robins' National League title winning season he found the back of the net 22 times, including two goals at Plainmoor in a 3-0 win over the Gulls on Easter Monday 2015 - current United assistant manager Aaron Downes scored Cheltenham's other goal on that occasion.
"He's a young 35, coming on 36," remarked Johnson remarked in an interview on the club's official website. "I wouldn't sign a 35, 36 year old has been. Not only is he a very experienced player, he's a very good player on and off the pitch. He's has a presence about him and I felt that we didn't have that presence up front last year."
Nelson hails from Stockton-on-Tees and came through the youth academy of Sunderland before appearing three times for the Black Cats' Under-23 side in the EFL Trophy. During his time at Sunderland, he enjoyed loan spells with Hartlepool United in League Two, Harrogate Town in National League North, Falkirk in the Scottish Championship and Darlington in National League North over the course of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns. His best goal return of these loan spells came during his stay with Darlington, which saw him score six goals in five league appearances midway through the 2018-19 season.
Shortly after the end of his stint with the Quakers, he signed for Dundee who were then in the Scottish Premier League. Despite marking his league debut against Heart of Midlothian with a goal that clinched a 2-1 for the Dark Blues on January 23, 2019, he was unable to help them to avoid relegation to the Scottish Championship at the end of the campaign. He left Dens Park by mutual consent after the 2019-20 season was suspended following the Covid-19 pandemic.
"There is so much potential in this lad, it's unbelievable," said Johnson. "He's got this work ethic where he's a pest and he's a clever pest. He can and will get himself into goalscoring situations. They are going to endear themselves to the Yellow Army because you will identify with these strikers and they will identify them."
In addition to this, Johnson also revealed that he will be adding to two centre backs to his squad as well as an attacking midfielder who will be confirmed next week.
The National League are also expected to make an official announcement about the start date for the new season after it was revealed that the Premier League and the EFL will be commencing on September 12.
Friday 17 July 2020
WHY GULLS LOAN LINK WITH BRISTOL CITY SHOULD CONTINUE
What do the following players have in common: Dan Burn, Shane Duffy and John Lundstram?
Apart from being key performers for their respective Premier League sides (Burn and Duffy for Brighton and Hove Albion and Lundstram with Sheffield United) all three players have played on loan under Gary Johnson at Yeovil Town earlier in their careers.
Burn helped the Glovers win promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 season, and was on target in their play-off final win over Brentford at Wembley. Duffy and Lundstram both arrived at Huish Park on loan from Everton during their Championship season in 2013-14, as they continued their footballing education.
Johnson has since used the loan market to good effect in his latter roles as manager of Cheltenham Town and currently with Torquay United. While with the Robins he signed rookie goalkeeper Dillon Phillips on loan from Charlton Athletic, who has gone on to establish himself as the Addicks first choice keeper, and as Gulls manager he has brought in five loan players from Bristol City (Jake Andrews, Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Saikou Janneh and Robbie Cundy) as well as Swansea City (Joe Lewis), AFC Bournemouth (Frank Vincent) and Bradford City (Jackson Longridge).
All of those aforementioned loan players who Johnson has brought in on loan have excelled while at Plainmoor, which is why it makes sense for the Gulls' relationship should continue following the recent dismissal of Lee Johnson, Gary's son, as Bristol City manager.
From a logistical point of view, sending young players on loan to Plainmoor from Ashton Gate makes perfect sense. The Robins are one of the largest clubs in the South West area and they have also loaned players out to other clubs in the Westcountry, including Plymouth Argyle and Forest Green Rovers, and other clubs in reasonable travelling distance of Bristol such as Newport County.
Two of the brightest young prospects to have emerged from the Robins' youth academy in recent years in Joe Bryan and Bobby Reid both benefited from loan spells with Plymouth Argyle in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons respectively.
Current EFL regulations also state that each Championship side must field a 'club-developed player' in every matchday squad, so the more experience that the club's academy products gain the better.
Another important figure who also has a big say in where the Robins' loanees end up going is Brian Tinnion, the former City player and manager, who has often been seen at Plainmoor assessing the progress of his young charges. He also has a close relationship with Johnson and his assistant Aaron Downes. And also let's not forget that Andrews (who has since joined the Gulls on a permanent basis), Edwards and Lemonheigh-Evans were all originally brought to Plainmoor by Johnson's predecessor Gary Owers.
Apart from being key performers for their respective Premier League sides (Burn and Duffy for Brighton and Hove Albion and Lundstram with Sheffield United) all three players have played on loan under Gary Johnson at Yeovil Town earlier in their careers.
Burn helped the Glovers win promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 season, and was on target in their play-off final win over Brentford at Wembley. Duffy and Lundstram both arrived at Huish Park on loan from Everton during their Championship season in 2013-14, as they continued their footballing education.
Johnson has since used the loan market to good effect in his latter roles as manager of Cheltenham Town and currently with Torquay United. While with the Robins he signed rookie goalkeeper Dillon Phillips on loan from Charlton Athletic, who has gone on to establish himself as the Addicks first choice keeper, and as Gulls manager he has brought in five loan players from Bristol City (Jake Andrews, Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Saikou Janneh and Robbie Cundy) as well as Swansea City (Joe Lewis), AFC Bournemouth (Frank Vincent) and Bradford City (Jackson Longridge).
All of those aforementioned loan players who Johnson has brought in on loan have excelled while at Plainmoor, which is why it makes sense for the Gulls' relationship should continue following the recent dismissal of Lee Johnson, Gary's son, as Bristol City manager.
From a logistical point of view, sending young players on loan to Plainmoor from Ashton Gate makes perfect sense. The Robins are one of the largest clubs in the South West area and they have also loaned players out to other clubs in the Westcountry, including Plymouth Argyle and Forest Green Rovers, and other clubs in reasonable travelling distance of Bristol such as Newport County.
Two of the brightest young prospects to have emerged from the Robins' youth academy in recent years in Joe Bryan and Bobby Reid both benefited from loan spells with Plymouth Argyle in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons respectively.
Current EFL regulations also state that each Championship side must field a 'club-developed player' in every matchday squad, so the more experience that the club's academy products gain the better.
Another important figure who also has a big say in where the Robins' loanees end up going is Brian Tinnion, the former City player and manager, who has often been seen at Plainmoor assessing the progress of his young charges. He also has a close relationship with Johnson and his assistant Aaron Downes. And also let's not forget that Andrews (who has since joined the Gulls on a permanent basis), Edwards and Lemonheigh-Evans were all originally brought to Plainmoor by Johnson's predecessor Gary Owers.
Thursday 16 July 2020
AKINFENWA'S YEAR ON THE ENGLISH RIVIERA
Arguably the most heartwarming story to emerge following English football's restart in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic is Wycombe Wanderers winning promotion to the Championship for the first time in their history.
Amongst the heroes on the night for the Chairboys during their 2-1 League One play-off final victory over Oxford United was former Torquay United striker Adebayo Akinfenwa. Since leaving Plainmoor in 2005, Akinfenwa has gained something of a cult following for being the strongest player in the FIFA computer game series, which is in no small part down to a phyisque that wouldn't look out of place in the NFL, that means that he is currently one of the most recognisable players in lower league football.
Because of his size he has often had to overcome a number of doubters who believed that he was too big to play football throughout his career - not to mention racial abuse. Earlier in his career, he spent two seasons with FK Atlantas in Lithuania where he was subjected to the levels of racism that were considered part and parcel of the game in the 1980s; at the time of writing the FA are also investigating claims that he was refered to as a 'fat water buffalo' during Wycombe's play-off semi-final against Fleetwood Town. This is one of the reasons why he started his own clothing range which is has christened 'Beastmode' - describing it as a state of mind.
However, for all his current fame, much of the success that he has had in his career can be traced back to the solitary season with the Gulls in the 2004-05 season.
United had just won promotion to League One under Leroy Rosenior for the first time since the early 1990s and were on the lookout for a replacement for David Graham, who had just been sold to Wigan Athletic for a fee of £215,000. After spending the 2003-04 season with Boston United, Leyton Orient, Rushden & Diamonds and Doncaster Rovers, Akinfenwa and the Gulls appeared to be made for each other and Rosenior, a former striker himself with the likes of Fulham, QPR and West Ham, took the pressure off him straight away by saying he wasn't there to replace Graham.
Akinfenwa found himself joining a roster of strikers that included Martin Gritton and Jo Kuffour, who would also be a teammate of his at Gillingham later in his career, and he found himself in the Gulls' starting line-up on the opening day of the season against Bristol City, which United drew 1-1 with Steve Woods converting from the penalty spot after Akinfenwa had been fouled.
He opened his account for the Gulls in the LDV Vans Trophy first round in a 4-3 win over a Yeovil Town side managed by current United manager Gary Johnson, who would also manage Akinfenwa briefly at Northampton Town, on September 28, 2004. Akinfenwa netted a brace and was also sent off after scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the 116th minute and received a second yellow card for sitting in a seat in a sparsely populated Family Stand.
A goal against his former club Doncaster Rovers followed on October 16, 2004 and a second half brace against Swindon Town completed a memorable comeback against the Robins at the County Ground, as the Gulls came from behind to draw 3-3.
From a personal point of view one of Akinfenwa's best performances came in a 4-1 defeat away to Tranmere Rovers on January 3, 2005. In the absence of Alex Russell and record signing Leon Constantine, Akinfenwa stepped up to the plate and was instrumental in taking the game to a Rovers' side that included former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer and former Gulls midfielder and one-time Jamaica international Paul Hall. His goal brought the Gulls level at 1-1 before they eventually went down 4-1.
Akinfenwa would eventually finish the season with 16 goals to his name, which included five in United's final eight games as they were agonisingly relegated on goal difference - despite four of their final five fixtures. This run included wins over MK Dons and Oldham Athletic, who both finished directly above the drop zone and stayed up at the Gulls' expense.
Despite winning the club's player of the year award for the 2004-05 campaign, Akinfenwa decided that his future lay elsewhere from Plainmoor and, after much protracted transfer speculation, he finally agreed a move to Swansea City, which ensured that he would remain in League One.
Akinfenwa would remain with the Swans for two years and after brief spells with Yeovil Town and Millwall he went to appear for Northampton Town (twice), Gillingham (twice), AFC Wimbledon before signing for his current club Wycombe Wanderers in 2016.
Since joining the Chairboys Akinfenwa has now won two promotions with them, as they followed up their automatic promotion from League Two in the 2017-18 season with their play-off success in League One in the current campaign.
And the age of 38 few would begrudge him one last dance in the Championship when the 2020-21 season finally gets underway.
Amongst the heroes on the night for the Chairboys during their 2-1 League One play-off final victory over Oxford United was former Torquay United striker Adebayo Akinfenwa. Since leaving Plainmoor in 2005, Akinfenwa has gained something of a cult following for being the strongest player in the FIFA computer game series, which is in no small part down to a phyisque that wouldn't look out of place in the NFL, that means that he is currently one of the most recognisable players in lower league football.
Because of his size he has often had to overcome a number of doubters who believed that he was too big to play football throughout his career - not to mention racial abuse. Earlier in his career, he spent two seasons with FK Atlantas in Lithuania where he was subjected to the levels of racism that were considered part and parcel of the game in the 1980s; at the time of writing the FA are also investigating claims that he was refered to as a 'fat water buffalo' during Wycombe's play-off semi-final against Fleetwood Town. This is one of the reasons why he started his own clothing range which is has christened 'Beastmode' - describing it as a state of mind.
However, for all his current fame, much of the success that he has had in his career can be traced back to the solitary season with the Gulls in the 2004-05 season.
United had just won promotion to League One under Leroy Rosenior for the first time since the early 1990s and were on the lookout for a replacement for David Graham, who had just been sold to Wigan Athletic for a fee of £215,000. After spending the 2003-04 season with Boston United, Leyton Orient, Rushden & Diamonds and Doncaster Rovers, Akinfenwa and the Gulls appeared to be made for each other and Rosenior, a former striker himself with the likes of Fulham, QPR and West Ham, took the pressure off him straight away by saying he wasn't there to replace Graham.
Akinfenwa found himself joining a roster of strikers that included Martin Gritton and Jo Kuffour, who would also be a teammate of his at Gillingham later in his career, and he found himself in the Gulls' starting line-up on the opening day of the season against Bristol City, which United drew 1-1 with Steve Woods converting from the penalty spot after Akinfenwa had been fouled.
He opened his account for the Gulls in the LDV Vans Trophy first round in a 4-3 win over a Yeovil Town side managed by current United manager Gary Johnson, who would also manage Akinfenwa briefly at Northampton Town, on September 28, 2004. Akinfenwa netted a brace and was also sent off after scoring what proved to be the winning goal in the 116th minute and received a second yellow card for sitting in a seat in a sparsely populated Family Stand.
A goal against his former club Doncaster Rovers followed on October 16, 2004 and a second half brace against Swindon Town completed a memorable comeback against the Robins at the County Ground, as the Gulls came from behind to draw 3-3.
From a personal point of view one of Akinfenwa's best performances came in a 4-1 defeat away to Tranmere Rovers on January 3, 2005. In the absence of Alex Russell and record signing Leon Constantine, Akinfenwa stepped up to the plate and was instrumental in taking the game to a Rovers' side that included former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer and former Gulls midfielder and one-time Jamaica international Paul Hall. His goal brought the Gulls level at 1-1 before they eventually went down 4-1.
Akinfenwa would eventually finish the season with 16 goals to his name, which included five in United's final eight games as they were agonisingly relegated on goal difference - despite four of their final five fixtures. This run included wins over MK Dons and Oldham Athletic, who both finished directly above the drop zone and stayed up at the Gulls' expense.
Despite winning the club's player of the year award for the 2004-05 campaign, Akinfenwa decided that his future lay elsewhere from Plainmoor and, after much protracted transfer speculation, he finally agreed a move to Swansea City, which ensured that he would remain in League One.
Akinfenwa would remain with the Swans for two years and after brief spells with Yeovil Town and Millwall he went to appear for Northampton Town (twice), Gillingham (twice), AFC Wimbledon before signing for his current club Wycombe Wanderers in 2016.
Since joining the Chairboys Akinfenwa has now won two promotions with them, as they followed up their automatic promotion from League Two in the 2017-18 season with their play-off success in League One in the current campaign.
And the age of 38 few would begrudge him one last dance in the Championship when the 2020-21 season finally gets underway.
Saturday 11 July 2020
WHEN BIG JACK CAME TO PLAINMOOR
Following the recent death of Jack Charlton OBE, we will now take a look back to the 1982-83 season when his Sheffield Wednesday faced Torquay United in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
‘United fail to turn
Saturday afternoon into Wednesday mourning’ read the headline in the Herald
Express following this cup tie, as the Gulls did themselves proud against their
Second Division opponents.
Wins over Colchester
United, non-league Carshalton Athletic and Oxford United - after a replay - set United up for a fourth
round meeting with Sheffield Wednesday, which saw the Gulls’ then rookie manager
Bruce Rioch pitting his managerial wits against 1966 World Cup winner Jack
Charlton who was the incumbent of the managerial hotseat at Hillsborough.
A crowd of 7,283 poured into Plainmoor to witness the encounter and within the opening minute Wednesday raced into
an early lead when skipper Mike Lyons headed home a free-kick from Gary Megson
after 36 seconds.
The Gulls hit back on 28 minutes when Owls keeper Bob Bolder
– under a challenge from United striker Steve Cooper – failed to clear a Colin
Anderson corner and Bristol Rovers loanee Mark Hughes volleyed home an
equaliser from 12-yards.
In the 57th minute Wednesday regained the lead
thanks to a short corner routine involving Megson and right-back Mel Sterland.
Former Nottingham Forest midfielder Megson rolled a short pass to future
England defender Sterland, who fired a 25-yarder into the top corner.
This goal looked to have been enough to settle the
encounter, but the Gulls, and more precisely Cooper, had other ideas. On 74
minutes, he had the beating of Lyons and flicked a free-kick from Brian McDonnell
into the path of substitute Ray Bishop - who had only been on the pitch for
three minutes - and the Welshman hammered home a 25-yard volley past Bolder to
level the score at 2-2.
With eight minutes to go, and the tie seemingly heading for
a replay at Hillsborough, Wednesday’s Pat Heard picked out Megson who then
slotted home from ten-yards to settle the contest.
The Owls would go on to reach the semi-finals of the
competition that season, where they were beaten by Brighton
and Hove Albion.
Perhaps one of the most intriguing aspects of the afternoon
was the contest between Wednesday captain Lyons and Cooper, who was leading the
Gulls attack. After the game, Wednesday manager Charlton said: “We had heard
Cooper put himself about a bit, but we never expected anything like that. We
could handle everything else but not him.”
This was a sentiment shared by his opposite number Rioch,
who said: “I have never seen Mick Lyons knocked about so much, and lose so many
heading duels, Steve lead the line like a Lion.”
The last word went to Lyons himself who, when asked about
his contest with Cooper by the Herald Express’ United correspondent David
Thomas, replied: “Cooper, is that his name. Well, I never want to see him
again, never mind play against him!”
Charlton himself resigned as Owls manager at the end of the 1982-83 campaign. A second stint in charge of Middlesbrough followed before he managed Newcastle United for a brief period prior to his appointment as Republic of Ireland manager in 1986, a role he would hold for the next decade.
Charlton himself resigned as Owls manager at the end of the 1982-83 campaign. A second stint in charge of Middlesbrough followed before he managed Newcastle United for a brief period prior to his appointment as Republic of Ireland manager in 1986, a role he would hold for the next decade.
A full account of this game, and many others, can be found in Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches which is available from this link https://torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com/product/torquay-united-a-history-in-50-matches
Wednesday 8 July 2020
WITHOUT COVID SUSPENSION, THREE UP, THREE DOWN WOULD BE BIGGER TALKING POINT
With the play-off dates now confirmed for the Covid-19 pandemic hit 2019-20 National League campaign, the identity of the club who will be joining Barrow in gaining promotion to League Two will soon be revealed.
The first eliminator round will see Boreham Wood face FC Halifax Town and Yeovil Town host Barnet, with the winners facing Harrogate Town and Notts County respectively for a place in the final at Wembley.
During last four months whilst the season has been on hold there has been much debate about what the future might hold for lower league football in England. Many have also wondered whether the structure of the football pyramid requires overhauling in the wake of the expected financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including the re-introduction of regionalisation for the lower reaches of the Football League.
One of the many proposals discussed is the potential regionalisation of League Two and the National League, as previously mentioned on South West Football blogspot, but there is one plan that has so far been firmly off the agenda, which is three up, three down between League Two and the National League.
Without the occurence of the coronavirus pandemic then it is entirely plausible that this idea would be the subject of much debate; especially in light of the fact that for the first time since promotion and relegation between the two divisions was increased to two teams in 2002 two teams relegated in the previous season - Notts County and Yeovil Town - are due to meet in the play-offs.
Should the Glovers manage to beat Barnet in the first round of play-off matches they will then face the Magpies in the semi final to compete for a place in the final at Wembley and the chance of an immediate return to the Football League.
Since two promotion and relegation places were introduced between the Football League and the National League at the start of the 2002-03 season three teams have bounced back via the play-offs (Shrewsbury Town 2003-04, Carlisle United 2004-05 and Bristol Rovers 2014-15) and one as champions (Cheltenham Town). Also, during this time, seven clubs have won back-to-back promotions from the National League and League Two reach League One (Doncaster Rovers, Carlisle United, Exeter City, Stevenage, Crawley Town, Bristol Rovers and Tranmere Rovers) - a statistic which reflects the overall strength of the National League. In comparison only five teams have won successive promotions from League Two and League One to reach the Championship (Hull City, Peterborough United, Rotherham United, Burton Albion and Luton Town).
If Notts County or Yeovil Town were to win the play-offs and join Barrow in winning promotion into League Two it is not inconceivable that they could emerge as one of the leading sides in League Two once the 2020-21 campaign gets underway. If another pair of relegated sides from the fourth tier were able to get their act together following relegation from the Football League in the same way the argument for a third promotion from the National League would grow stronger.
The first eliminator round will see Boreham Wood face FC Halifax Town and Yeovil Town host Barnet, with the winners facing Harrogate Town and Notts County respectively for a place in the final at Wembley.
During last four months whilst the season has been on hold there has been much debate about what the future might hold for lower league football in England. Many have also wondered whether the structure of the football pyramid requires overhauling in the wake of the expected financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including the re-introduction of regionalisation for the lower reaches of the Football League.
One of the many proposals discussed is the potential regionalisation of League Two and the National League, as previously mentioned on South West Football blogspot, but there is one plan that has so far been firmly off the agenda, which is three up, three down between League Two and the National League.
Without the occurence of the coronavirus pandemic then it is entirely plausible that this idea would be the subject of much debate; especially in light of the fact that for the first time since promotion and relegation between the two divisions was increased to two teams in 2002 two teams relegated in the previous season - Notts County and Yeovil Town - are due to meet in the play-offs.
Should the Glovers manage to beat Barnet in the first round of play-off matches they will then face the Magpies in the semi final to compete for a place in the final at Wembley and the chance of an immediate return to the Football League.
Since two promotion and relegation places were introduced between the Football League and the National League at the start of the 2002-03 season three teams have bounced back via the play-offs (Shrewsbury Town 2003-04, Carlisle United 2004-05 and Bristol Rovers 2014-15) and one as champions (Cheltenham Town). Also, during this time, seven clubs have won back-to-back promotions from the National League and League Two reach League One (Doncaster Rovers, Carlisle United, Exeter City, Stevenage, Crawley Town, Bristol Rovers and Tranmere Rovers) - a statistic which reflects the overall strength of the National League. In comparison only five teams have won successive promotions from League Two and League One to reach the Championship (Hull City, Peterborough United, Rotherham United, Burton Albion and Luton Town).
If Notts County or Yeovil Town were to win the play-offs and join Barrow in winning promotion into League Two it is not inconceivable that they could emerge as one of the leading sides in League Two once the 2020-21 campaign gets underway. If another pair of relegated sides from the fourth tier were able to get their act together following relegation from the Football League in the same way the argument for a third promotion from the National League would grow stronger.
Friday 3 July 2020
JACK LESLIE IN PROFILE
The campaign to erect a statue of former Plymouth Argyle player Jack Leslie is currently gathering pace.
Leslie, who played for the Pilgrims between 1921 and 1935, was informed of his call up by England face Ireland in 1925 by then Argyle manager Bob Jack. Shortly afterwards his name mysteriously disappeared from the team sheet and it is widely speculated that his call up was withdrawn when it was discovered by the FA selection committee that he was black. Leslie was known as 'a versatile player' who was known throughout the country 'for his skill and complexion' in an era when the Pilgrims could attract crowds of over 30,000.
However, plans are currently in place for the permanent tribute to Leslie.
Had he appeared for England, Leslie would have been become the first black player to have played for the Three Lions as well as being the first player contracted to the Pilgrims to appear for England. It wouldn't be until 1978 when a black player would be selected for England when Viv Anderson was selected against Czechoslovakia.
Born in Canning Town to a Jamaican father and an English mother Leslie joined the Pilgrims from Barking Town in 1921. During his 14 years at Home Park Leslie, who played as an inside left, formed a legendary with outside left Sammy Black - another player revered by the Pilgrims to this day - and they were key figures in the Argyle side who won the Division Three South title in the 1929-30 season.
Leslie is also ninth in the list of all-time Plymouth Argyle appearance makers with 401, in which he scored 137 goals - which places him fourth in the club's all-time top scorers list. He retired at the end of the 1934-35 season.
The boardroom in the Argyle's new Mayflower Stand has already been named after Leslie, but the erection of a statue of him would create a permanent reminder of someone who wasn't only a pioneer for black players, but also one of Plymouth Argyle's all-time greats.
His final appearance for the Pilgrims came on December 29, 1934 in a 3-1 win over Fulham, which also saw him score his final goal for the club.
After his retirement from playing Leslie ran a pub in Truro and later returned to his native East London where he worked as a boilmaker before he was given a job in the bootroom at West Ham United. The manager who employed him was Ron Greenwood, who would later become the manager responsiblef for selecting Anderson as England's first black player in 1978. Amongst the players whose boots he was responsible for looking after included World Cup winners Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Sir Geoff Hurst.
Leslie died 1988 and three years after his death Dwight Marshall, also a striker, joined the Pilgrims from Grays Athletic - which is 11 miles from Barking - for a fee of £35,000. Over two spells with Argyle Marshall was Argyle's top scorer in the 1991-92 and 1998-99 campaigns, in an era where black players were common place at both club and international level in England.
Leslie, who played for the Pilgrims between 1921 and 1935, was informed of his call up by England face Ireland in 1925 by then Argyle manager Bob Jack. Shortly afterwards his name mysteriously disappeared from the team sheet and it is widely speculated that his call up was withdrawn when it was discovered by the FA selection committee that he was black. Leslie was known as 'a versatile player' who was known throughout the country 'for his skill and complexion' in an era when the Pilgrims could attract crowds of over 30,000.
However, plans are currently in place for the permanent tribute to Leslie.
Had he appeared for England, Leslie would have been become the first black player to have played for the Three Lions as well as being the first player contracted to the Pilgrims to appear for England. It wouldn't be until 1978 when a black player would be selected for England when Viv Anderson was selected against Czechoslovakia.
Born in Canning Town to a Jamaican father and an English mother Leslie joined the Pilgrims from Barking Town in 1921. During his 14 years at Home Park Leslie, who played as an inside left, formed a legendary with outside left Sammy Black - another player revered by the Pilgrims to this day - and they were key figures in the Argyle side who won the Division Three South title in the 1929-30 season.
Leslie is also ninth in the list of all-time Plymouth Argyle appearance makers with 401, in which he scored 137 goals - which places him fourth in the club's all-time top scorers list. He retired at the end of the 1934-35 season.
The boardroom in the Argyle's new Mayflower Stand has already been named after Leslie, but the erection of a statue of him would create a permanent reminder of someone who wasn't only a pioneer for black players, but also one of Plymouth Argyle's all-time greats.
His final appearance for the Pilgrims came on December 29, 1934 in a 3-1 win over Fulham, which also saw him score his final goal for the club.
After his retirement from playing Leslie ran a pub in Truro and later returned to his native East London where he worked as a boilmaker before he was given a job in the bootroom at West Ham United. The manager who employed him was Ron Greenwood, who would later become the manager responsiblef for selecting Anderson as England's first black player in 1978. Amongst the players whose boots he was responsible for looking after included World Cup winners Bobby Moore, Martin Peters and Sir Geoff Hurst.
Leslie died 1988 and three years after his death Dwight Marshall, also a striker, joined the Pilgrims from Grays Athletic - which is 11 miles from Barking - for a fee of £35,000. Over two spells with Argyle Marshall was Argyle's top scorer in the 1991-92 and 1998-99 campaigns, in an era where black players were common place at both club and international level in England.
Thursday 2 July 2020
JAMIE REID'S NORTHERN IRELAND AMBITIONS ASSESSED
After completing his move from Torquay United to Mansfield Town, Jamie Reid will no doubt be looking to impress Stags' boss Graham Coughlan, and he will also be hoping to capture the attentions of new Northern Ireland boss Ian Baraclough.
Earlier in his career, Reid, 25, was capped by the province in 2013 against their Cypriot counterparts and his recent move to Field Mill also offers the potential for a possible call-up for the senior side - should he continue his impressive form of the past two years with United in his new surroundings.
The striking roster of the most recent Northern Ireland squads assembled, of course, by Baraclough's successor Michael O'Neill for their EURO 2020 play-off semi-final with Bosnia Herzegovina, which was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, read: Kyle Lafferty (Sunderland), Josh Magennis (Hull City), Conor Washington and Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian). Other strikers who have received call-ups recently have included Shayne Lavery (Linfield) and Paul Smyth (Wycombe Wanderers).
As the smallest country in the British Isles, Northern Ireland have traditionally always had a smaller pool of players to choose from compared to England, Scotland or even Wales. This reflected by the fact many of the above list ply their trade in the Championship, League One and the Scottish Premier League.
Also, at 25, Reid is younger than the quartet who O'Neill named to face Bosnia; Lafferty is 32, Magennis is 30, Washington is 28 and Liam Boyce is 29.
This would suggest that if Reid could find the back of the net for the Stags on a regular basis then a call-up for Baraclough's squad will not be beyond the realms of possibility, especially in the event of a spate of injuries, and a lengthy international career might be on the cards.
He wouldn't be the first player to receive international recognition after a spell working with Gary Johnson, whose arrival as Gulls' manager played a major factor in the upturn of his Plainmoor fortunes. Paddy Madden, currently with Fleetwood Town, was capped by the Republic of Ireland in 2013 after helping Yeovil Town win promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 season.
Earlier in his career, Reid, 25, was capped by the province in 2013 against their Cypriot counterparts and his recent move to Field Mill also offers the potential for a possible call-up for the senior side - should he continue his impressive form of the past two years with United in his new surroundings.
The striking roster of the most recent Northern Ireland squads assembled, of course, by Baraclough's successor Michael O'Neill for their EURO 2020 play-off semi-final with Bosnia Herzegovina, which was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, read: Kyle Lafferty (Sunderland), Josh Magennis (Hull City), Conor Washington and Liam Boyce (Heart of Midlothian). Other strikers who have received call-ups recently have included Shayne Lavery (Linfield) and Paul Smyth (Wycombe Wanderers).
As the smallest country in the British Isles, Northern Ireland have traditionally always had a smaller pool of players to choose from compared to England, Scotland or even Wales. This reflected by the fact many of the above list ply their trade in the Championship, League One and the Scottish Premier League.
Also, at 25, Reid is younger than the quartet who O'Neill named to face Bosnia; Lafferty is 32, Magennis is 30, Washington is 28 and Liam Boyce is 29.
This would suggest that if Reid could find the back of the net for the Stags on a regular basis then a call-up for Baraclough's squad will not be beyond the realms of possibility, especially in the event of a spate of injuries, and a lengthy international career might be on the cards.
He wouldn't be the first player to receive international recognition after a spell working with Gary Johnson, whose arrival as Gulls' manager played a major factor in the upturn of his Plainmoor fortunes. Paddy Madden, currently with Fleetwood Town, was capped by the Republic of Ireland in 2013 after helping Yeovil Town win promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 season.
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