May 8th will forever remain etched in the memory of the Torquay United faithful who made the trip to Southend United on that date in 2004 to see the Gulls clinch automatic promotion under Leroy Rosenior for the first time in a generation.
A run of three straight wins, including a stunning 3-1 win away at Cheltenham Town, had helped to lift United, who had won many admirers for the brand of football they had adopted since Leroy had replaced Roy McFarland, into automatic promotion contention as they prepared to face Kidderminster Harriers in their final home game of the 2003-04 campaign.
Unfortunately, a 1-1 draw with the Harriers after defender Wayne Hatswell cancelled out David Graham's opening goal left the Gulls needing a win over Southend at Roots Hall and hoping that promotion rivals Huddersfield Town failed to beat Cheltenham at Whaddon Road.
Leroy named an unchanged starting line-up as he kept faith with the side that drew with Kidderminster, as Reuben Hazell retained his place at right-back at the expense of the fit again Lee Canoville.
More than 2,500 Gulls’ fans made the journey to Essex and they saw the Gulls get off to a flying start, as they took the lead on three minutes when Steve Woods volleyed home an Alex Russell corner to ease any nerves that they may have had.
Eight minutes later, United doubled their advantage when David Graham connected with a cross from Jo Kuffour to nod home into an empty net to score his 23rd goal of the campaign.
Whilst United were basking in the glory of a two-goal cushion, the news coming through from Whaddon Road wasn’t good as Huddersfield had taken the lead against the Robins through Andy Booth.
In the 17th minute, Gulls’ keeper Arjan Van Heusden was forced into his first save of the afternoon when he blocked an effort from Tes Bramble, but the rebound fell into the path of his strike partner Lawrie Dudfield, who slotted home to pull a goal back for the Shrimpers.
A minute later, Van Heusden made another stop to deny Bramble and, moments later, United survived a penalty appeal as Hazell appeared to have felled Bramble in the area – but referee Tony Leake waved play on.
On 26 minutes, Kuffour volleyed over for the Gulls and shortly afterwards Matt Hockley and Liam Rosenior both missed the target.
Despite having nothing to play for, Southend continued to make a game of it as top scorer Leon Constantine – who would later join United – asked a lot of questions of the Torquay backline.
Early in the second half, the Shrimpers continued to apply pressure on the Gulls as Constantine and midfielder Nicky Nicolau both tested Van Heusden.
In the 64th minute, Kuffour went close for United when he headed a cross from Russell wide.
Moments later, Van Heusden spilled a shot from Jimmy Corbett which landed in the path of Lawrie Dudfield who turned home the rebound, only to see his effort ruled out for offside.
On 70 minutes, Dudfield went close again when he blasted over with a free-kick from the edge of the penalty area.
With 15 minutes to go, news came through from Cheltenham that the Robins had equalised against Huddersfield through Shane Duff. The Robins had also been reduced to ten men following the dismissal of Damien Spencer.
The players could sense a change of fortune at Whaddon Road judging by the fans’ reactions, as Graham shot wide from the edge of the area in the 77th minute after being set up by Russell.
Martin Gritton entered the fray in place of a tiring Kuffour on 84 minutes, in a bid to help the Gulls hold on to their lead.
Then in the final minute of normal time United survived a penalty shout for a challenge by Reuben Hazell on Drewe Broughton. Instead referee Leake waved ‘play on’, as three minutes of stoppage time were added on.
During those three minutes, the result of Cheltenham’s 1-1 draw with Huddersfield had been confirmed which served to send the away end at Roots Hall into raptures once Leake blew his whistle for full time.
The Gulls had done it. Their 38-year wait for automatic promotion was over thanks to their fourth win in five matches, and they had achieved it by sticking to the footballing principles of manager Rosenior.
His approach was best summed up by leading scorer and player of the season David Graham who told the Herald Express: “He (Rosenior) didn’t just encourage us to get the ball down and pass it, he made us believe that we could win promotion by doing it.”
Rosenior’s prophecy came true as United, who three years earlier had escaped relegation from the Football League by overcoming Barnet at Underhill, were now heading out of the division in an upward direction.
Unfortunately, they had no champagne to celebrate with on the coach back to South Devon and had to make do with beer and soft drinks instead!
There have been many other great days in the Gulls' history since; their Blue Square Premier play-off final win over Cambridge Unitred in 2009 and even their National League South title triumph over Gary Johnson to name but two.
However, none of those were achieved with quite the same level of drama.
Southend (4-4-2): Flahavan; Jupp (Broughton 75), Cort, Hunt, Wilson; Constantine, Bentley (Corbett 36), Maher, Nicolau (Jenkins 82); Bramble, Dudfield
Torquay (4-4-2): Van Heusden; Hazell, Woods, Taylor, McGlinchey; Rosenior (Bedeau 90), Hockley, Russell, Hill; Graham (Woozley 90), Kuffour (Gritton 85)
