ON THIS DAY: TORQUAY UNITED 4 AFC BOURNEMOUTH 0 2002-03

The appointment of Leroy Rosenior as Torquay United manager in the summer of 2002 marked the beginning of an exciting period of attacking football at Plainmoor.

After inheriting a squad that included the likes of David Graham, Alex Russell and Jason Fowler – names that are still revered by the Plainmoor faithful to this day – Rosenior opted for a ‘nip and tuck’ job instead of ‘major surgery’ on succeeding Roy McFarland.

Centre forward Martin Gritton, goalkeeper Jamie Attwell and left winger Neil Prince were the only arrivals in the close season, as United got the 2002-03 campaign off to a winning start with a 2-1 victory over Bristol Rovers. Indeed, debutants Prince and Gritton combined to score the Gulls’ opening goal against the Pirates – the former’s cross was headed home by the latter.

Two away defeats to Rushden & Diamonds and York City then followed before United embarked on a nine-match unbeaten league run. This fine sequence was followed by a run of defeats against Boston United (1-2), Hull City (1-4), Second Division Wycombe Wanderers in the LDV Vans Trophy (0-4) and Scunthorpe United (1-5) before AFC Bournemouth came to Plainmoor on a Tuesday in late October 2002.

The Cherries were a team that United have had plenty of history with; A number of high-profile departures from Plainmoor to Dean Court in the early 1970s, which saw a number of Torquay favourites - including Mickey Cave, Tony Scott, Tommy Mitchinson, John Benson and Bill Kitchener - reunited with their former United teammate John Bond, who had been installed as Bournemouth manager following his retirement from playing. The series of moves would later be referred to as the ‘Bond Burglary’.

In more recent times, the Gulls had eliminated the Cherries from the previous year’s Worthington Cup. Goals from David Graham and Chris Brandon had secured United a 2-0 win over Bournemouth at Dorchester Town’s Avenue Stadium – Dean Court was undergoing redevelopment work at the time – which set up a trip to White Hart Lane to face Tottenham Hotspur in the next round.

United’s previous four results prompted Rosenior into reshuffling his defence. Matt Hockley came in at right-back, Lee Canoville partnered Reuben Hazell at centre back and David Woozley moved to left-back.

The Gulls made a flying start as Graham was ruled out for offside in the opening minute. United were also forced into making an early change as Jamie Attwell replaced an injured Kevin Dearden in the 23^rd minute.

On the half hour mark, the Gulls were rewarded for their attacking endeavours when a mistake from Bournemouth defender Karl Broadhurst on the edge of the penalty box was pounced upon by Gritton, who struck with his third goal of the campaign.

Four minutes later, United doubled their lead following an incisive breakaway following a Bournemouth free-kick, which saw Gritton made a lung busting run from inside his own half before releasing Graham who found the back of net with a firm strike from ten yards.

In the second half, the Gulls continued where they made left off in the opening 45 minutes. Two minutes after the restart, Kevin Hill chased down a back pass, which led to Carl Fletcher – the future Plymouth Argyle manager – giving away the ball under pressure from Gritton. Gritton then teed up Alex Russell for a strike from 18-yards that extended United’s lead to three.

 

United made it four with 13 minutes to go when Gritton flicked a free-kick from deep from Reuben Hazell towards Graham, who then bamboozled the Bournemouth defence with his skill and trickery before rifling home his 11^th goal in 12 matches.

As well as ending a run of four straight defeats in all competitions for United, it also brought the Cherries eight-match unbeaten run to a halt.

However, it was Bournemouth who would win promotion via the play-offs at the end of the season, after beating Lincoln City 5-2 in the final at the Millennium Stadium, while the Gulls missed out with a ninth placed finish.

Nevertheless, United would be joining the Cherries in the newly rebranded League One for the 2004-05 season, following the dramatic scenes at Southend on the final day of the 2003-04 campaign that saw the Gulls pip Huddersfield Town to automatic promotion from Division Three.

Torquay (4-4-2): Kevin Dearden (Jamie Attwell 23): Matt Hockley, Reuben Hazell, Lee Canoville, David Woozley; Tony Bedeau (Troy Douglin 78), Jason Fowler, Alex Russell, Kevin Hill; David Graham, Martin Gritton

Subs not used: Jo Kuffour, Paul Holmes, Neil Prince

 

WOTTON LOOKING FOR CURE TO GULLS' AWAY DAY BLUES

 Paul Wotton is desperately seeking a cure for Torquay United's away day blues to keep their promotion bid from National League South back on track. 

Following the Gulls' defeat to Dorking Wanderers on Saturday, United's record on the road now reads played seven, won one, drawn twice and lost four. This is in direct contrast to their home form where the Gulls have won six at Plainmoor from a possible seven - the other saw them draw 0-0 with Andy Carroll's Dagenham & Redbridge. 

Over the years, United's away record has been a mixed bag. In the 1987-88 season, under the late Cyril Knowles, they recorded a record 11 wins on their travels, as they missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the campaign before losing to Swansea City in a two-legged play-off final. 

Four years later, in the 1991-92 campaign, a year after eventually achieving promotion from the 'old' Fourth Division through the Play-offs against Blackpool at Wembley, they made an immediate return to the 'new' Third Division - following the creation of the Premier League in 1992 - after only picking up five points on their travels - all from draws. Remarkably, United's return of 42 points from their home fixtures was worthy of a side with play-off ambitions. 

The Gulls tasted victory on the road when they beat Doncaster Rovers 3-2 at their old Belle Vue ground in August 1992. In September 2024, they finally won an away game in the third tier,  now renamed League One, when United came away from Edgeley Park with a 2-0 win over Stockport County, courtesy of a brace from current BBC Radio Devon summariser Martin Gritton. 

Whilst United's present record on the road isn't as bad as it was in 1991-92, the importance of Wotton finding a remedy to it remains of paramount importance in view of their promotion challenge. In order to solve it, Wotton will have to leave no stone turned, and analyse everything in terms of preparation, tactics, travel etc, and if needs be seek the opinions of the players, football advisor Neil Warnock, his assistant Mike Edwards and the rest of his backroom staff. 

Regarding the latter on the list above, it is worth noting that two of the most famous away wins in United's recent history, their 3-2 win over Barnet in 2000-01 and their 2-1 victory at Southend in 2003-04, were achieved after they travelled on the day of the game. It could be argued that sleeping in their beds and experienced familiar surroundings may have helped put them in a better frame of mind. 

Nevertheless, before the Gulls are on their travels again, they face league leaders Hornchurch, managed by former loanee Daryl McMahon, who are currently on a run of 13 games unbeaten in the league. 

CLEVERLEY RECEIVES DEVON DERBY BAPTISM OF FIRE

 Plymouth Argyle manager Tom Cleverley received a painful introduction to his first ever Devon derby, as the Pilgrims slumped to a 2-0 defeat to Exeter City at St James Park. 

Goals from Reece Cole and Akil Higgins sealed the win for the Grecians, which was also manager Gary Caldwell's first as City manager. 

However, early on it did briefly look as though things might turn out differently for the Pilgrims as Brendan Wiredu found the target early on, but it was ruled out for offside. The Grecians then struck twice to round off a miserable evening for Argyle, which ended with their 1,100 away followers booing them off the field of play. 

The defeat sees the Pilgrims drop into the relegation whilst the Grecians move up to 13th in the table.  

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS DAGENHAM & REDBRIDGE

 1. Plainmoor remains a fortress for the Gulls. 

Despite not securing a sixth straight home league win, which would have equalled a club record dating back to the 1926-27 season, Torquay United remain unbeaten at Plainmoor in 2025-26. 

However, the Gulls could have been looking at a sensational sixth out of six if Jordan Young's late chance that hit the top of the cross bar had dipped slightly lower. 

A strong home record has often been central to many of United's successive campaigns over the years; it is worth noting that in the 2002-03 and 2003-04 campaigns under Leroy Rosenior, the second of which saw the Gulls secure automatic promotion from Division Three, United only lost five league fixtures at Plainmoor - three in 2002-03 and two in 2003-04. 

The Gulls' next home league fixture sees them host Chippenham Town on Tuesday October 21st before they host Hornchurch, currently managed by former loanee Daryl McMahon, for a top of the table showdown on Saturday November 1st. 

2. Three clean sheets in a row. 

After waiting all season for a clean sheet, or cleano as they have become known in some quarters, Torquay United have now completed their third on the spin. 

Credit must go to the Gulls' backline, which consisted of goalkeeper James Hamon, Denzel Aykeampong, Jordan Thomas, who replaced Aykeampong on 24 minutes, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer and Jay Foulston. 

And with former England striker Andy Carroll leading the line for the visitors, Dyer and Dreyer needed to be on top form in the centre of defence, and Foulston also made an important block near the end to deny former Gulls loanee Ashley Hemmings. 

3. The Daggers were in a false position. 

Although Dagenham & Redbridge went into the game in the relegation zone, most observers would have felt that their position was somewhat false. 

The Daggers, managed by former AFC Bournemouth boss Lee Bradbury, were certainly the most organised side to come to Plainmoor this season, as they went with a 4-1-4-1 formation, with Andy Carroll operating as lone front man on his return from suspension. 

In addition to Carroll, Dagenham also have former United loanee Ashley Hemmings, who was top scorer in National League North last season, and Donovan Wilson, who joined from Grimsby Town in the summer, to call upon, so hopefully for their fans they will begin to climb the table. 

4. A first glimpse of Cian Dillon for the Plainmoor regulars. 

With Sonny Fish yet to return from injury and Cody Cooke injured, QPR loanee Cian Dillon was handed the task of leading the forward line for the Gulls for the second game in succession after making his debut away to Salisbury. 

In the first half, the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international produced a dangerous cross which found Louis Dennis, which Dennis couldn't quite fully connect with. 

Then, in the second half, he was through on goal on 66 minutes, but saw his eventual shot deflected into the side netting for a corner. 

5. Strength in reserve. 

During Saturday's match, Torquay boss Paul Wotton sent on Jordan Thomas, Dan Hayfield, Matt Jay and Dylan Morgan as substitutes. Last season, Thomas, Hayfield and Jay were first team regulars for the Gulls, whilst Morgan, who missed a large part of last season due to injury but was a regular this season before the injury he sustained at home to AFC Totton. 

This kind of strength in depth will stand United in good stead over the course of the season, but it will also provide Wotton with a headache, albeit a good one!

DILLON CONTINUES GULLS LOAN LINK WITH R'S

 In recent years, Torquay United have enjoyed a fruitful loan connection with Championship side Queens Park Rangers, which they have continued with the addition of young striker Cian Dillon. 

The likes of Sinclair Armstrong, Stephen Duke-McKenna, Dillon De Silva and Arkell Jude-Boyd have all enjoyed their moments on loan at Plainmoor from Loftus Road, and certain parallels can be drawn with the aforementioned Armstrong and Dillon.

Both Armstrong and Dillon joined QPR from Dublin-based Shamrock Rovers and have both represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level, Dillon also has the caveat of having represented the Republic at Under-21 level. 

Like Armstrong, who scored twice in nine appearances for United in the 2021-22 campaign, Dillon is now using a loan stint with the Gulls as a platform to showcase his talents. 

After a promising debut away to Salisbury FC, where he was selected by manager Paul Wotton in place of experiencing striker Cody Cooke, Dillon is now in line for selection for his first home game against Dagenham & Redbridge, who may or may not feature former England striker Andy Carroll in their ranks. 

However, it could be a young Irish hopeful who could end up stealing the headlines as the Gulls look to secure a record sixth successive home league win - which dates back 99 years to the 1926-27 campaign.