WHEN PELE CAME TO HOME PARK

After the recent death of Edson Arantes do Nascimento aka Pele, we will look back at the time when the Brazilian appeared at Home Park for Santos in a friendly against Plymouth Atgyle. 

For the 37,639 who packed inside Home Park to see the great Pele appear alongside three other World Cup winners - Edu, Carlos Alberto and Clodoaldo - for Brazilian club side Santos against Plymouth Argyle on March 14, 1973, it seemed a like a dream come true.  

By this stage, Pele was 32, and had played his final match for Brazil a year earlier against Yugoslavia - but he still remained a big draw.

However, what they didn't realise at the time was the game itself nearly didn't take place after the Santos directors demanded another £2,500, in addition to the £2,500 that the two clubs had previously agreed as a match fee. 

Their request was initially refused by Argyle chairman Robert Daniel, to which the Santos directors response was 'no money, no match.' Nevertheless, with the gates bulging, Daniel reluctantly gave in to their demands. 

When the match eventually got underway, it was the Pilgrims who took the lead through a stunning 30-yard strike from Mike Dowling. Further goals from Derek Rickard and Jimmy Hinch gave Argyle a 3-0 lead going into the half-time break. 

During the interval, the completion of the game was again in the balance, as Santos refused to call it off again if the referee wasn't replaced. Pele, ever the diplomat, managed to restore order as he and his teammates came back out for the second half. 

And it was Pele who reduced Santos' arrears to a single goal after the re-start from the penalty spot.  

Edu pulled another goal back for the Brazilians, but the Pilgrims hung on to secure a memorable 3-2 victory. 

At the final whistle, hundreds of youngsters swarmed onto the pitch to try and get Pele's autograph, and the great man himself swapped shirts with the player who marked him on the evening, Johnny Hore. However, the shirt would be destined for the Pilgrims' boardroom. 

After the match, Robert Daniel handed the additional sum that had been demanded over to the Santos directors, and later reported the incident to authorities and they managed to get the money back several years later. 

Argyle: Furnell (Aleksic), Provan, Sullivan, Hore, Saxton, Hague, Dowling, Rickard; Hinch (Davey), Latcham, Welsh.

Santos: Claudio, Alberto, Murias, Hermes, Leo, Marcal, Jair, Brecha (Pitico), Pitico (Vincente), Alcindo, Pele, Edu.

Scorers: Argyle - Dowling, Rickard, Hinch -- Santos - Pele (pen), Edu

Referee: Mr C. Nicholls (Plymouth)

Attendance: 37,639

SIX TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS YEOVIL TOWN

1. A game of two halves. 

Never was the phrase 'a game of two halves' seemed more true than after Torquay United met Yeovil Town on Boxing Day. The first half saw the Gulls dominate the proceedings and take a deserved lead through Mark Ellis on 18 minutes and could well have increased their lead. 

However, the second half proved to be a completely different affair as Yeovil boss Mark Cooper re-jigged their formation, sending on Malachi Linton and former Gull Alex Fisher on in place of another ex United player Chiori Johnson and Charlie Wakefield. The changes paid dividends as Linton equalised for the Glovers on 64 minutes and had further chances to add to his tally(more on that later) and Fisher also went close - so, in the end, it was United who were clinging on.

2. Mark Ellis on target. 

Throughout his first spell with Torquay United between 2008 and 2012, Mark Ellis' dad Kevin often used to have a bet on Mark scoring first whenever he featured for the Gulls - and made himself a tidy profit too!

He also had a flutter on Mark scoring yesterday, as he headed home in the 18th minute in a first half that the Gulls dominated. However, he limped off towards the end as United finished the game with nine men - as Dylan Crowe saw red for a second yellow card (Gulls boss Gary Johnson also saw red after the final whistle). With his loan from Barrow presumably due to end soon, the question remains when will Ellis next be seen in a Gulls' shirt?

3. Mark Halstead to the rescue -again. 

United were once again indebted to goalkeeper Mark Halstead for helping them to secure a point. The former Blackpool keeper made an important stop in the first half to prevent a free-kick from Glovers' skipper Josh Staunton from trickling over the line. In the second half, he called upon to deny Jordan Maguire-Drew, Linton and Fisher in the closing stages of the game - as United ended up holding on to secure a draw.

Parallels can also be drawn with United's 1-1 draw at home to Scunthorpe United when Halstead made a string of saves late on to ensure that the Gulls came away with a share of the spoils.

4. Shaun Donnellan's versatility. 

Since his arrival at Plainmoor in the summer, Shaun Donnellan has filled in numerous different roles. He has appeared as a central midfielder and at right-back, as well as in the centre of defence where he partnered Mark Ellis against Yeovil. He produced a strong, commanding display which earned him the sponsor's man of the match award.

5. Draws are killing United. 

As former Plymouth Argyle manager Paul Sturrock once said 'draws can kill, it's better to win one and lose one than it is to draw two.' Sadly, too many draws at home are having that effect on United's 2022-23 campaign, with their clash with Yeovil being their sixth draw at Plainmoor this term. 

Had the Gulls managed to beat the Glovers on Boxing Day, then the extra two points would have lifted them out of the relegation zone at the expense of Maidstone United on goal difference. If they could have managed to turn two or three of their five previous draws into wins they would already be outside of the bottom four.

6. Nice to meet you. 

Yeovil super sub Malachi Linton would have been a familiar face to United midfielder Brett McGavin, as the duo spent the 2021-22 season on loan at King's Lynn Town. Stephen Wearne also lined-up against his fellow Grimsby Town loanee Jordan Maguire-Drew.

A TORQUAY UNITED-YEOVIL TOWN XI

As Torquay United and Yeovil Town prepare to meet each other home and away for the fourth season in a row in the National League over the festive period, we will look at an XI made up of players who have served both clubs over the years.

Steve Collis: 

Despite spending most of his five years at Huish Park, between 2001 and 2006, as an understudy to Chris Weale, Steve Collis would also serve under Gary Johnson at Bristol City, Peterborough United and Northampton Town. His solitary appearance for the Gulls came on the final day of the 2009-10 season in a 0-0 draw with Notts County after he was drafted in on a seven-day emergency loan.

Derek Dawkins: 

Voted as the Gulls' cult hero in a poll run by the BBC's Football Focus show, Derek 'the Dude' Dawkins wrote his name into Torquay United folklore when he scored the winning goal in the Gulls' League Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur in 1987. Dawkins also combined playing for the Gulls with coaching the club's youth side, and his young charges included a certain Lee Sharpe. On leaving the Gulls in 1988 he had spells with Newport County, Yeovil and Gloucester City.

Adam Lockwood: 

A stalwart of the Yeovil side that won the FA Trophy in 2002 and Conference title a year later under Gary Johnson, Adam Lockwood joined the Gulls on loan during the 2005-06 season under Leroy Rosenior. He made 12 appearances in all competitions and scored three goals - which included the winner in United's second round FA Cup tie against Notts County. Lockwood returned to Huish Park and then returned to his native Yorkshire to sign for Doncaster Rovers, who he captained to promotion to the Championship in the 2007-08 season. 

Gary Warren: 

Having made his name in non-league circles with Mangotsfield Town and Newport County, Gary Warren headed north to join Inverness Caledonian Thistle in 2011, but returned to the Westcountry in 2018 to join Yeovil and he stayed for one season before moving on to Exeter City and arrived on a permanent basis in the summer of 2020, after an initial loan spell during the 2019-20 campaign. Since leaving Plainmoor he has had spells with Tiverton Town and Clachanuddin in the Highland League.

Liam Davis: 

Liam Davis joined the Glovers in 2013, after having previously played under Gary Johnson at Northampton Town. He was a regular in their season in the Championship in 2013-14 and was released by Paul Sturrock at the end of the 2014-15 campaign. A spell in Sweden followed before he was reunited with Johnson at Cheltenham and he joined the Gulls in the 2017-18 season when he was signed by Kevin Nicholson. Despite never appearing under Nicholson due to injury, he was an ever present under his successor Gary Owers but unfortunately couldn't help prevent United from being relegated to National League South. He was also an ever present for the Gulls in the 2018-19 campaign, as they clinched the National League South title under Johnson. His career was ended by an ankle injury sustained in an FA Cup tie with Maidstone United.

Steve Morrall: 

A University educated right winger who drew comparisons with Liverpool wide man Steve Heighway, who himself had a University background, Steve Morrall first broke into the Torquay United side in the 1972-73 season. He remained with the Gulls until 1977 when he decided to go part-time and joined Yeovil Town so he could concentrate on his career with the District Valuer's Office. 

Alex Russell: 

The midfield lynchpin of United's 2003-04 promotion winning side under Leroy Rosenior, Alex Russell enjoyed a hugely successful four years at Plainmoor between 2001 and 2005. As well as winning promotion he also won the club's player of the year award in the 2002-03 season and was named in the PFA Division Three team of the season two years running in 2002-03 and 2003-04. He then joined Bristol City and was part of the Robins' side who won promotion to the Championship under Gary Johnson in the 2006-07 campaign. Russell also scored the crucial goal in their final day 3-1 victory over Rotherham United which secured promotion. He later moved on to Cheltenham Town and Exeter City and a brief spell with the Glovers during the 2010-11 season. 

Cliff Myers: 

After spells with Charlton Athletic and Brentford, Cliff Myers joined Yeovil Town in 1968 and spent five years at the Glovers' old Huish ground and was part of the side who won the Southern League Premier Division title in the 1970-71 season. He was given a second shot at league football in 1973 when Malcolm Musgrove signed him for Torquay United and he remained with the Gulls until the 1975-76 season. His son Chris would later have three spells with United (1986-1988, 1990-1993 and 1993-94 loan) and was part of the Gulls side who won promotion from Division Four through the play-offs against Blackpool in 1991.

Ryan Dickson: 

Ryan Dickson had two spells with both Torquay United and Yeovil Town at different stages of his career. The first came during the 2006-07 season on loan from Plymouth Argyle and he later joined the Gulls permanently in 2018, after spending three years with the Glovers after joining them in 2015 from Crawley Town. He had previously been on loan spell with Yeovil in the 2011-12 season.

Martin Gritton: 

After being signed by Plymouth Argyle from Jewson South Western League side Porthleven, Martin Gritton joined the Glovers on loan during the 2000-01 season. He later signed for Torquay in the 2002-03 campaign and finished the season as the Gulls' top scorer. Gritton was also part of the Gulls' squad who won automatic promotion from Division Three in 2003-04. He later moved on to Grimsby Town, Lincoln City, Mansfield Town (loan), Macclesfield Town and Chesterfield before returning to the Gulls on loan in the 2010-11 season. After leaving Spireites in 2011, Gritton had a spell with Chester FC before returning to Huish Park on a short term basis before winding down his career with Stockport County and Truro City. 

Reuben Reid:  

Like Ryan Dickson, Reuben Reid also had a loan spell at Plainmoor during the 2006-07 season. He also had two spells with the Glovers. Reid first arrived at Huish Park in 2012, but fell out of favour under Gary Johnson and was loaned out to Plymouth Argyle in the 2012-13 and 2013-14 seasons. During the latter campaign, Reid became the first player to score 20 or more times in a season since Tommy Tynan. He later signed for the Pilgrims on a permanent basis and later had spells with Exeter City, Forest Green Rovers and Cheltenham Town before re-signing for Yeovil midway through the 2020-21 campaign.

GULLS LOOKING TO DRAW INSPIRATION FROM LAST VISIT TO OLDHAM

As Torquay United head to Oldham Athletic on Sunday for their relegation 'six-pointer' against the Latics, manager Gary Johnson will be hoping for the same result from their last visit to Boundary Park in April 2005. 

On that occasion both the Gulls and the Latics were fighting against relegation from League One - and Leroy Rosenior's United side had beaten MK Dons and Port Vale at Plainmoor as they mounted a late bid for survival after winning promotion in 2003-04.  

Spearheading the Gulls' fight against relegation was Adebayo Akinfenwa who had netted 14 times in all competitions by that stage as he looked to rebuild his career, which had taken in spells in Lithuania with FK Atlantas and Wales with Barry Town - not to mention several Football League clubs. 

The Latics went in front after 25 minutes against the run of play when skipper Dean Holden’s cross found veteran winger David Eyres, who showed a nice turn of speed before hammering home his seventh goal of the season.

However, it was to prove to be Oldham’s only shot on target in the whole 90 minutes – as Torquay bounced back to equalise four minutes before the break.

Kevin Hill slipped a neat pass to Matt Hockley, and he clipped the ball past the advancing keeper Les Pogliacomi to score his first goal of the season. Holden had made a despairing lunge on the line to try to clear but the ball hit a post before hitting the back of the net.

There was no way back for the Latics after Torquay went in front in the 49th minute.

A free-kick from Steve Woods picked out Hill, who - in turn - headed the ball into the path of Gulls’ top scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa, who fired home to score his 15^th of the campaign.

Leon Constantine later hit the woodwork and Buster Phillips teed up Alex Russell for a shot that went narrowly wide, as United completed their third successive win and their second ‘double’ of 2004-05; the Gulls had previously beaten the Latics 2-0 at Plainmoor in November 2004 with goals from Leon Constantine and Martin Gritton. 

The following week saw United beat Blackpool 2-0 with goals from Akinfenwa and Russell to make four wins on the spin, but a 2-1 defeat at Colchester United on the final day of the campaign - coupled with wins for the Latics and MK Dons - saw the Gulls relegated by the narrowest of margins on goal difference. 

Akinfenwa was voted as the club's player of the year before moving onto Swansea City and later appeared for Northampton Town (twice), Gillingham (twice), AFC Wimbledon and Wycombe Wanderers. 

Torquay United (4-3-3): Andy Marriott; Matt Hockley, Steve Woods, Craig Taylor, Craig Woodman; Alex Russell, Darren Garner, Kevin Hill; Martin Phillips (Matt Villis 90), Adebayo Akinfenwa, Leon Constantine