After unearthing a number of talents during the 1980's and 1990's, who went on to appear in the Premier League, including Lee Sharpe, Darren Moore and Garry Monk, it's a shame that Torquay United haven't been able to replicate this success since the turn of the century.
In recent years, the South Devon-born trio of Bournemouth midfielder Dan Gosling, current Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins and Wales forward Kieffer Moore have all made their mark in the game. However, the only appearances that either of those aforementioned three have made for the Gulls all came during Moore's loan spell at Plainmoor in the 2016-17 season.
Moore's footballing journey has been one that has taken in many a bump, detour and retreat. He was part of the Torquay youth set-up as a child, before it was disbanded in 2004. He made his name as a teenager in the South Devon League with Paignton Saints before he was spotted by Truro City in 2012. However, financial problems for the White Tigers then saw him move to Dorchester Town, which he combined with working as a lifeguard and as a personal trainer.
He was then given his first taste of professional football when Gary Johnson took a punt on him for Yeovil Town in the summer of 2013. The Glovers had just defied the odds to reach the Championship in the 2012-13 season. Johnson gradually eased Moore into the Glovers' first team and he made his debut in the EFL Cup against Southend United. He scored his first goal for the club in Yeovil's 4-0 FA Cup third round victory over Leyton Orient on January 4, 2014.
Moore remained with the Glovers in the 2014-15 season, and played as a centre back in their FA Cup third round tie with Manchester United. However. the departure of Johnson and eventual arrival of Paul Sturrock saw him fall out of favour and he was released in the summer of 2015.
A brief spell in Norway followed with Viking FK, which proved that he was more than prepared to get out of his comfort zone. Moore then returned to England to sign for Forest Green Rovers, following unsuccessful trials with Exeter City and Leyton Orient.
Nevertheless, his first team spot at the New Lawn was far from certain, and when Torquay United manager Kevin Nicholson signed him on loan for the Gulls, the pair appeared to be made for each other. Torquay were hovering above the National League relegation zone and Moore desperately needed to re-ignite his career.
He lined-up alongside Nathan Blissett for the Gulls on November 19, 2016 on his debut for his hometown club against Wrexham. After trailing to an 11th minute strike from the Dragons' Gerry McDonagh, Moore looked to have equalised for United on 35 minutes, but it was disallowed for a foul on Wrexham keeper Mark Coddington. However, with two minutes to go, Moore found the back of the net to secure a point for Torquay - as he got the final touch on a Luke Young corner.
In his post-match interview, Nicholson said: "He held the ball up well, he's got a touch for a big guy and he's had a great impact. The only thing that he probably hasn't got is the chemistry and understanding with the other lads."
If his debut turned out to be the stuff dreams were made of then his second appearance for the Gulls resembled something right out of a Roy of the Rover comic; he scored the maiden hat-trick of his career in a 3-0 win against Solihull Moors on the following Tuesday.
His first of the evening came on the half hour mark, when he found the bottom corner. He then scored his and the Gulls' second of the night on 60 minutes as he turned home a cross from Dan Sparkes. The duo combined again in the 71st minute - as Moore completed his treble as the Gulls leapfrogged their opponents in the National League table.
Moore's next appearance for the Gulls away to Dagenham & Redbridge a week later saw him take his tally for United to five goals in three appearances. He netted the game's decisive goal on 76 minutes to secure a 1-0 win. Watching in the stands at Victoria Road that night was former United player-coach Steve McCall, in his capacity as a scout for Ipswich Town, who was there to view Daggers' striker Ollie Hawkins.
The following Saturday saw Moore make the last of the four appearances of his loan spell in a 2-1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers. There was talk of him making a permanent return to Plainmoor in January 2017, but an eleventh hour bid from Tractor Boys’ manager Mick McCarthy, on the recommendation of McCall's scouting reports from the previous November, saw him head to East Anglia.
Moves to Rotherham United, Barnsley, Wigan Athletic and his current club Cardiff City have followed since then. He has also forced his way into the Wales squad, who he qualifies to represent through his maternal grandfather, who hails from Caernarfon. He played a key role in helping the Welsh qualify for a second successive European Championships. He provided an assist for Aaron Ramsey in their 2-0 win over Hungary which sealed their passage to Euro 2020.
It's very likely that Moore wouldn't have reached such heights without that incredibly prolific loan spell at Plainmoor in November 2016.
