Ollie Watkins swapped the red and white stripes of Exeter City for the red and white stripes of Brentford and earned the Grecians a club record fee.
Watkins, 20, who won the EFL Young Player of the Year award for the 2016-17 season, has joined the Bees for a fee believed to be in the region of £1.8million - slightly higher than the £1.75million City earned from Matt Grimes' move to Swansea City in January 2015.
After months of speculation linking him with moves to several leading sides in the Championship, including Aston Villa, Derby County and Leeds United, Watkins opted for a move to the West London side.
Whilst Brentford may not be as illustrious a club as some of those that Watkins was linked with, the Bees have a strong tradition of giving young players a chance to shine. Therefore it is highly likely that Watkins will be involved in Brentford manager Dean Smith's first team squad, rather than being placed in an Under 23 development squad.
Like all players who progress through the Grecians' youth system, the fans take those players to their hearts and Watkins is no exception.
Highlights of his time at St James Park include netting a spectacular double that helped secure City the double over Plymouth Argyle in the 2015-16 campaign and helping the Grecians make the Play-offs last season - which have served to strengthen the affection that the St James faithful have for him.
As the comedian, and City fan, Ade Edmondson said in a speech at the Southgate Hotel following Watkins' departure to the Bees: "It's the kind of club we are. He'll still be ours, that's part of the ethos of the community trust. Even though he's in Brentford, he's still ours."
Saturday, 22 July 2017
Sunday, 16 July 2017
21ST CENTURY BOY
Following his move to Chelsea, former Exeter City starlet Ethan Ampadu could be set to return to St James Park next season after the Blues' Under-23 side were drawn in the same Checkatrade Trophy group as the Grecians, Plymouth Argyle and Yeovil Town.
We will now attempt to tell you in more detail about Ampadu the player.
Ampadu, now that name sounds familiar?
Yes, his father Kwame is a former Grecians midfielder who also played for Swansea and represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 in a career which began in the late 1980s with Arsenal.
So he has some pedigree then. Does that the fact that his father has played for the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level mean he can represent more than one country?
Yes, he is in fact eligible to play for England, Wales, Ghana and the Republic of Ireland but has so far pledged his international allegiance to the Welsh. He has represented them at Under-17 and Under-19 level and was invited by manager Chris Coleman to train alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey on the eve of Euro 2016. He also received a similar invitation ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifier with Serbia last May, which he was able to attend as it was during his half-term holidays - owing to the fact that he is still only 16!
How many appearances has he made for the Grecians?
13 in all competitions, including a Man of the Match display on his debut against Championship side Brentford in the EFL Cup. By appearing in that fixture he surpassed the former Arsenal record goal scorer Cliff Bastin in becoming the Grecians' youngest ever player - a record that stood for 87 years.
What position does he play?
He has been used in defence and midfield by Grecians' manager Paul Tisdale, but his preferred position is as a defensive midfielder.
And was there more than one club interested in him?
Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all displayed interest in him and the Gunners seemed to be the most likely destination as his father, Kwame, works as a youth coach at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Chelsea have won the race for his signature and negotiations over his fee remain ongoing.
So he could become a legend then?
The signs are that he could surpass other former Grecians' alumni, including George Friend, Matt Grimes and another current starlet Ollie Watkins. Barring serious injury he could find his way to the Blues' first team in a few years, via a loan spell with in Holland possibly. He has already shown great levels of maturity, which saw him win the respect of his former teammates when he was introduced to the first team set up at St James Park.
We will now attempt to tell you in more detail about Ampadu the player.
Ampadu, now that name sounds familiar?
Yes, his father Kwame is a former Grecians midfielder who also played for Swansea and represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 in a career which began in the late 1980s with Arsenal.
So he has some pedigree then. Does that the fact that his father has played for the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level mean he can represent more than one country?
Yes, he is in fact eligible to play for England, Wales, Ghana and the Republic of Ireland but has so far pledged his international allegiance to the Welsh. He has represented them at Under-17 and Under-19 level and was invited by manager Chris Coleman to train alongside the likes of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey on the eve of Euro 2016. He also received a similar invitation ahead of their 2018 World Cup qualifier with Serbia last May, which he was able to attend as it was during his half-term holidays - owing to the fact that he is still only 16!
How many appearances has he made for the Grecians?
13 in all competitions, including a Man of the Match display on his debut against Championship side Brentford in the EFL Cup. By appearing in that fixture he surpassed the former Arsenal record goal scorer Cliff Bastin in becoming the Grecians' youngest ever player - a record that stood for 87 years.
What position does he play?
He has been used in defence and midfield by Grecians' manager Paul Tisdale, but his preferred position is as a defensive midfielder.
And was there more than one club interested in him?
Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United all displayed interest in him and the Gunners seemed to be the most likely destination as his father, Kwame, works as a youth coach at the Emirates Stadium.
However, Chelsea have won the race for his signature and negotiations over his fee remain ongoing.
So he could become a legend then?
The signs are that he could surpass other former Grecians' alumni, including George Friend, Matt Grimes and another current starlet Ollie Watkins. Barring serious injury he could find his way to the Blues' first team in a few years, via a loan spell with in Holland possibly. He has already shown great levels of maturity, which saw him win the respect of his former teammates when he was introduced to the first team set up at St James Park.
Sunday, 2 July 2017
TORQUAY UNITED: A HISTORY IN 50 MATCHES
Torquay United: A
History in 50 Matches is a unique take on the history of Torquay United
Football Club in which Steve Harris takes a closer look at half-a-century of
important matches from the club’s 118-year existence.
Once described by one of their former managers as ‘a small club with a big heart’, the Gulls have enjoyed many great highs and some incredible lows during that time and Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches takes a detailed look at some of these events.
From a personal point of view, writing a book on the history of the club which I’ve supported as long as I can remember has been a long held ambition of mine. I also wanted to use a format that hadn’t been used before and a list of 50 matches – which included a description of the context of each game as well as the line-ups and an account of the match itself – became the preferred choice when looking to produce an account of the club’s history.
Once described by one of their former managers as ‘a small club with a big heart’, the Gulls have enjoyed many great highs and some incredible lows during that time and Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches takes a detailed look at some of these events.
From a personal point of view, writing a book on the history of the club which I’ve supported as long as I can remember has been a long held ambition of mine. I also wanted to use a format that hadn’t been used before and a list of 50 matches – which included a description of the context of each game as well as the line-ups and an account of the match itself – became the preferred choice when looking to produce an account of the club’s history.
To add some extra flavour to the story, I approached former
Gulls defender and one-time joint caretaker manager John Uzzell to write the
foreword for it. Not only was John involved in a number of the games featured
as a player, most notably the 1-0 FA Cup win over West Ham United in 1990 which
he makes reference to in the foreword, he also witnessed several of the more
recent games from the Plainmoor Press Box in his latter role as a Sports
Analyst for the Press Association.
The many subjects covered include the club’s election to the
Football League in the 1920s; their halcyon days under Frank O’Farrell in the
1960s, the Bryn the Police Dog assisted ‘great escape’ under Stuart Morgan in
1987, followed by the Cyril Knowles inspired revival and the Wembley
appearances in the 1980s and 1990s. The stories of their automatic promotion
success under the stewardship of Leroy Rosenior, relegation from the Football
League and swift return under Paul Buckle through to the present day under Kevin
Nicholson are also featured.
Whilst certain matches picked themselves – personal favourites
of mine such as the final day decider against Barnet in 2001 and winning
automatic promotion against Southend United in 2004 are two such games – others
required a bit more thought.
There are several matches that failed to make the cut – most
notably from the managerial reigns of Messrs Knowles, Rosenior and Buckle – but
the choice of matches will always be a subjective one.
I have decided to embrace online technology and marketing,
which most fans will feel at home with these days. Copies of the book are currently
available to buy from www.torquayunitedahistoryin50.bigcartel.com
priced at £10.99, plus £2.00 postage and packing.
An abridged version of this article appeared in the Sunday Independent on July 2nd, 2017.
An abridged version of this article appeared in the Sunday Independent on July 2nd, 2017.
Saturday, 1 July 2017
WHY GRAHAM CAREY MADE THE RIGHT DECISION TO STAY AT HOME PARK
Although manager Derek Adams has signed seven new players over the close season, Plymouth Argyle fans will still no doubt regard Adams' key move of the summer to be the retention of Graham Carey.
Irishman Carey, 27, who was the Pilgrims' top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions in the 2016-17 season as they won promotion from League Two, has agreed what has been described as a 'significantly improved' deal with Argyle.
There had been speculation linking him with a possible move to the Championship, but it is your correspondent's belief that the Irish playmaker has made the right decision to remain at Home Park.
Carey's performances last season brought back memories of another golden Graham who played a key role in helping another Devon side win promotion from the Football League's basement division - former Torquay United striker David Graham.
Former Rangers and Scotland Under-21 starlet Graham was the Gulls' leading scorer with 23 goals in all competitions in the 2003-04 season, helped United to win automatic promotion and was named in the Division Three team of the year - just as Carey was for Argyle in the campaign just gone - and earned himself a move to Wigan Athletic.
At Plainmoor Graham was guaranteed regular first team football and enjoyed a strong relationship with the then Gulls manager Leroy Rosenior. However at the JJB Stadium he found himself playing second fiddle to the Championship's most prolific strike partnership of Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts, as the Latics won promotion to the Premier League for the first time ever.
Graham then found himself sold to Sheffield Wednesday on the eve of the 2005-06 campaign and, aside from a loan spell with Huddersfield Town, he was never able to reach the standard he reached at Plainmoor between 2001 and 2004.
Where Carey's tale differs from that of Graham is that he is currently with a club that has plenty of potential who he can grow with as a player - rather than him trying to fit in with another team's philosophy.
Also he will be continuing to serve under a manager in Derek Adams who knows how to motivate him and how to make the best use of his undoubted ability, as he also played under Adams at Ross County.
And this is the major reason why he has made the right decision to remain a Pilgrim.
Irishman Carey, 27, who was the Pilgrims' top scorer with 15 goals in all competitions in the 2016-17 season as they won promotion from League Two, has agreed what has been described as a 'significantly improved' deal with Argyle.
There had been speculation linking him with a possible move to the Championship, but it is your correspondent's belief that the Irish playmaker has made the right decision to remain at Home Park.
Carey's performances last season brought back memories of another golden Graham who played a key role in helping another Devon side win promotion from the Football League's basement division - former Torquay United striker David Graham.
Former Rangers and Scotland Under-21 starlet Graham was the Gulls' leading scorer with 23 goals in all competitions in the 2003-04 season, helped United to win automatic promotion and was named in the Division Three team of the year - just as Carey was for Argyle in the campaign just gone - and earned himself a move to Wigan Athletic.
At Plainmoor Graham was guaranteed regular first team football and enjoyed a strong relationship with the then Gulls manager Leroy Rosenior. However at the JJB Stadium he found himself playing second fiddle to the Championship's most prolific strike partnership of Nathan Ellington and Jason Roberts, as the Latics won promotion to the Premier League for the first time ever.
Graham then found himself sold to Sheffield Wednesday on the eve of the 2005-06 campaign and, aside from a loan spell with Huddersfield Town, he was never able to reach the standard he reached at Plainmoor between 2001 and 2004.
Where Carey's tale differs from that of Graham is that he is currently with a club that has plenty of potential who he can grow with as a player - rather than him trying to fit in with another team's philosophy.
Also he will be continuing to serve under a manager in Derek Adams who knows how to motivate him and how to make the best use of his undoubted ability, as he also played under Adams at Ross County.
And this is the major reason why he has made the right decision to remain a Pilgrim.
Tuesday, 27 June 2017
GRANT CROSSES THE GREAT DIVIDE
Joel Grant has followed in the footsteps of the names of Luis Figo, Nick Barmby and Sol Campbell who have joined their club's greatest rivals as he left Exeter City to join Plymouth Argyle.
The Jamaican international, 29, helped the Grecians reach the Skybet League Two Play-offs last season and becomes the first City to swap St James Park to Home Park since Jamie Mackie in January 2007 (Although Reuben Reid joined Exeter as a free agent following his release by Argyle manager Derek Adams several months elapsed during that time).
However, whereas the Grecians received a £145,000 transfer fee for Mackie's move, along with a later sell on clause, Grant's transfer has left a sour taste in some quarters as City fans raised £30,000 to help fund his wages during the 2015-16 season.
Nevertheless having had a taste of Championship football with Watford, at the start of his career, and with Yeovil Town in the 2013-14 season, Grant is signing for a team that are likely to be seen as a big club in League One and joining the Pilgrims could be seen a final opportunity to add to those figures.
Also the blow of losing a player to their greatest rivals would have no doubt been softened by the return to St James Park of former starlet Dean Moxey.
The Jamaican international, 29, helped the Grecians reach the Skybet League Two Play-offs last season and becomes the first City to swap St James Park to Home Park since Jamie Mackie in January 2007 (Although Reuben Reid joined Exeter as a free agent following his release by Argyle manager Derek Adams several months elapsed during that time).
However, whereas the Grecians received a £145,000 transfer fee for Mackie's move, along with a later sell on clause, Grant's transfer has left a sour taste in some quarters as City fans raised £30,000 to help fund his wages during the 2015-16 season.
Nevertheless having had a taste of Championship football with Watford, at the start of his career, and with Yeovil Town in the 2013-14 season, Grant is signing for a team that are likely to be seen as a big club in League One and joining the Pilgrims could be seen a final opportunity to add to those figures.
Also the blow of losing a player to their greatest rivals would have no doubt been softened by the return to St James Park of former starlet Dean Moxey.
Sunday, 18 June 2017
A TRIBUTE TO NORMAN MEDHURST
Following the recent death of former Torquay United, Plymouth Argyle and England physio Norman Medhurst, we will now look back at his career in greater depth.
It is often said that every Torquay United manager must possess three things: contacts, contacts and contacts as owing to the club's geographical location recruitment is often harder than in other part of country.
In 1988, the then United manager Cyril Knowles pulled off arguably one of the club's greatest transfer coups - however his transfer target wasn't a player, but a physiotherapist in the form of the then England physio Norman Medhurst, who he recruited for the Gulls from Chelsea.
Medhurst, by his point, was a well known figure in London football having worked with Chelsea for a number of years after succeeding his father, Harry, a role which he combined with working as the physiotherapist for the England national team, which had seen him involved in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
After discussing the offer from Knowles with the then England boss the late Sir Bobby Robson, Medhurst agreed to accept the position at Plainmoor, which he would continue to combine with his role with the England set-up.
His first season with the Gulls proved to be a memorable one, as they became the first of the three Devon professional to play at Wembley when they reached the final of the Sherpa Van Trophy final against Bolton Wanderers.
There was more drama to follow for Norman a year later, this time with England at the 1990 World Cup final in Italy as he was present for England's penalty shoot-out defeat against West Germany in Turin in the semi-finals of the competition.
Anyone who witnessed to the shot of Bobby Robson's celebration in response to Gary Lineker's equaliser against the Germans will no doubt be able to spot Norman in the background.
Nevertheless, within a year penalty agony turned to penalty ecstasy as Norman was present for United's 5-4 shoot-out defeat of Blackpool, after drawing 2-2 in normal time, to win promotion from Division Four via Play-offs.
He remained at Plainmoor until 1995 when he left to join Plymouth Argyle where he remained for four years before returning to the United fold in 1999. Such was his popularity at Plainmoor, he was even awarded a testimonial in 1995 which saw two England All-stars sides - drawn from the managerial reigns of Ron Greenwood and Bobby Robson respectively - go head to head.
Norman eventually left Plainmoor for the final time in 2005, shortly after the Gulls' automatic promotion success under Leroy Rosenior, to embark on retirement in France. However, his heart remained with the Gulls and he even sent Leroy and the team a 'good luck' message ahead of their FA Cup third round tie with Birmingham City in 2006.
Even though 13 or so years have passed since his departure, the role of the United physio will forever be associated with himself and his successors from Graham McAnuff to Damien Davey to current physio Gareth Law will always be aware that they themselves are following in the footsteps of an iconic figure.
Law even cited Norman as being a big influence on his own career path and that his own interest in physiotherapy grew from the treatment that received from him during his brief time as a United player.
He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
It is often said that every Torquay United manager must possess three things: contacts, contacts and contacts as owing to the club's geographical location recruitment is often harder than in other part of country.
In 1988, the then United manager Cyril Knowles pulled off arguably one of the club's greatest transfer coups - however his transfer target wasn't a player, but a physiotherapist in the form of the then England physio Norman Medhurst, who he recruited for the Gulls from Chelsea.
Medhurst, by his point, was a well known figure in London football having worked with Chelsea for a number of years after succeeding his father, Harry, a role which he combined with working as the physiotherapist for the England national team, which had seen him involved in the 1982 and 1986 World Cups.
After discussing the offer from Knowles with the then England boss the late Sir Bobby Robson, Medhurst agreed to accept the position at Plainmoor, which he would continue to combine with his role with the England set-up.
His first season with the Gulls proved to be a memorable one, as they became the first of the three Devon professional to play at Wembley when they reached the final of the Sherpa Van Trophy final against Bolton Wanderers.
There was more drama to follow for Norman a year later, this time with England at the 1990 World Cup final in Italy as he was present for England's penalty shoot-out defeat against West Germany in Turin in the semi-finals of the competition.
Anyone who witnessed to the shot of Bobby Robson's celebration in response to Gary Lineker's equaliser against the Germans will no doubt be able to spot Norman in the background.
Nevertheless, within a year penalty agony turned to penalty ecstasy as Norman was present for United's 5-4 shoot-out defeat of Blackpool, after drawing 2-2 in normal time, to win promotion from Division Four via Play-offs.
He remained at Plainmoor until 1995 when he left to join Plymouth Argyle where he remained for four years before returning to the United fold in 1999. Such was his popularity at Plainmoor, he was even awarded a testimonial in 1995 which saw two England All-stars sides - drawn from the managerial reigns of Ron Greenwood and Bobby Robson respectively - go head to head.
Norman eventually left Plainmoor for the final time in 2005, shortly after the Gulls' automatic promotion success under Leroy Rosenior, to embark on retirement in France. However, his heart remained with the Gulls and he even sent Leroy and the team a 'good luck' message ahead of their FA Cup third round tie with Birmingham City in 2006.
Even though 13 or so years have passed since his departure, the role of the United physio will forever be associated with himself and his successors from Graham McAnuff to Damien Davey to current physio Gareth Law will always be aware that they themselves are following in the footsteps of an iconic figure.
Law even cited Norman as being a big influence on his own career path and that his own interest in physiotherapy grew from the treatment that received from him during his brief time as a United player.
He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him.
Tuesday, 13 June 2017
GOWLING AND PITTMAN SIGN FOR GULLS
Torquay United has further added to their squad with signing of central defender Josh Gowling and striker Jon-Paul Pittman.
Gowling, 33, who was released by Grimsby Town in the summer, who he helped win promotion back into the Football League, has played over 300 appearances in a career that includes a spell with AFC Bournemouth and a stint playing alongside Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson at Kidderminster Harriers.
Pittman is a former England C international, who also helped Grimsby to win promotion to League Two in 2016 with Gowling. With 68 goals in 256 appearances with a number of clubs including Crawley Town and Wycombe Wanderers, he joins a roster of strikers alongside Ruairi Keating and it is hoped his experience will hopefully rub off on the young Irishman.
Gowling, 33, who was released by Grimsby Town in the summer, who he helped win promotion back into the Football League, has played over 300 appearances in a career that includes a spell with AFC Bournemouth and a stint playing alongside Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson at Kidderminster Harriers.
Pittman is a former England C international, who also helped Grimsby to win promotion to League Two in 2016 with Gowling. With 68 goals in 256 appearances with a number of clubs including Crawley Town and Wycombe Wanderers, he joins a roster of strikers alongside Ruairi Keating and it is hoped his experience will hopefully rub off on the young Irishman.
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