CLASSIC ENCOUNTERS #2 BARNET 2 TORQUAY UNITED 3 2000-01

On paper it was the Football League’s ‘loser loses all’ contest - but to the fans of Barnet and Torquay United it was a game that decided the destiny of the two clubs.

A 2-2 draw in their final home fixture against York City meant that Torquay went into the match needing at least one point whereas the Bees required all three. The Gulls were fighting to preserve a 74-year spell of league football whereas Barnet were looking to maintain their ten-year stay in the league.

Such was the importance of the game that 2,000 Gulls fans saw the game from the stands.

Another 600 were locked out of Barnet’s small Underhill Stadium, including one who witnessed the game from the top of a nearby tree.

Caretaker manager Colin Lee – who had taken sole control of the team following the dismissal of Wes Saunders at the end of March – made two changes to the side that faced York at Plainmoor the week before. Torquay-born Lee had a brief spell with United as a player during the 1970s, which earned him a £60,000 move to Tottenham Hotspur. He made a spectacular debut for Spurs netting four times in a 9-0 win against Bristol Rovers in October 1977.

Eifion Williams returned to the starting line-up at the expense of the suspended Khalid Chalqi, which meant Tony Bedeau switched to the right hand side of midfield and Stuart Jones returned in goal in place of Ryan Northmore. Jones had been absent for much of the calendar year due to injury and had only made one appearance for the Gulls during that time against Kidderminster Harriers.  

Despite being up against the strong gusts of wind which were sweeping Underhill, Torquay started the match more positively than their hosts as Eifion Williams went close early on.

Barnet were soon forced into an early substitution after three minutes, as youngster Danny Naisbitt replaced the injured Lee Harrison in goal.

Torquay took full advantage of playing down Underhill’s famous sloping pitch, as David Graham had a good claim for a penalty turned down after he was felled by Barnet skipper Greg Heald. 

The Gulls’ sustained pressure paid off when midfielder Jason Rees opened the scoring with a 25-yard effort in the 10^th minute. Seven minutes later, Rees exited the field of play and was replaced by Mick O’Brien who added extra guile to the midfield. Shortly after coming on O’Brien came close to scoring one of his specialist free-kicks, with an effort from beyond the half-way line which glanced narrowly wide.

In the 25^th minute, the Gulls won a corner on the right hand side, which was taken by Paul Holmes and found Kevin Hill who nodded home his 10^th goal of the season to give United a two-goal cushion.

His effort put him top of the Gulls’ goal scoring charts – one ahead of Williams on nine – not a bad feat for a midfielder.

Torquay continued to dominate the game territorially, but the nerves of the travelling supporters were made to shake as referee Robert Beeby penalised Player of the Year Jimmy Aggrey for hand- ball in the 40^th minute and pointed to the penalty spot.

Darren Currie then stepped up to take the penalty for the Bees. Strangely enough Currie – the nephew of former England midfielder Tony Currie who had a brief spell with the Gulls towards the end of his career – was also the son-in-law of referee Beeby.

However, Jones in the Torquay goal guessed the direction of his spot-kick correctly to pull off his third penalty save of the season.

This proved to be a crucial turning point in the game as it started the move which led to Torquay’s third goal.

The Gulls were able to get the ball forward quickly towards Williams, who then linked up with his fellow striker Graham who extended United’s lead to three on 43 minutes.

Two minutes later, referee Beeby blew his whistle to mark the half-time break and the Gulls’ fans who had made the journey to North London could be reasonably confident that a three-goal cushion would be hard for Barnet to overturn.

One obstacle that United would have to overcome in the second 45 minutes, as well as the eleven men of Barnet, would be the famous Underhill slope that they were now playing up instead of down.

Their travelling support certainly had their hearts in their mouths on the hour mark, when on loan right-back Ryan Green inadvertently stumbled and turned the ball past Jones to reduce the Bees arrears to two goals.

Eight minutes later, the Gulls were forced into making a second change as John Gayle came on to replace Williams who was struggling with a rib injury.

Two male streakers then appeared from the Barnet crowd and infuriated Bees skipper Heald, who displayed his anger at their presence before they disappeared into the abyss of the home end Gents.

The hosts scored a controversial second goal in the 76^th minute through Wayne Purser, when it looked as though Jones had been fouled in the build-up to it. 

With Barnet in the ascendency, the Gulls’ rear guard spent the final 14 minutes of the match defending as though their lives depended on it. Skipper Lee Russell led by example producing a series of match saving challenges and Aggrey and Bedeau both followed suit; Hill and Holmes also made a series of important clearances which snuffed out Barnet’s chances of equalising, or even going on to snatch a late winner.

When the final whistle blew, the 2,000 or so Torquay fans who made the trek to Underhill breathed a huge sigh of relief as United pulled off a ‘Great Escape’ that ranked alongside the Gulls’ 2-2 draw against Crewe Alexandra in 1987.

After the game Chairman Mike Bateson famously declared ‘never again.’         

       

The win also confirmed their first double of the season in a game which many feared would be their last as a League club. The fans felt an enormous debt of gratitude to Colin Lee – the son of South Devon who returned to save his local team. There was not a Gulls’ fan inside Underhill or in any other part of the world that didn’t want him to stay as manager on a permanent basis. 

Unfortunately, it was a wish that would not be granted as protracted talks between Lee and Chairman Mike Bateson broke down during the summer, and Roy McFarland was appointed as manager of  United ahead of the 2001-02 season.

Torquay (4-4-2): Stuart Jones; Ryan Green, Jimmy Aggrey, Lee Russell, Paul Holmes; Tony Bedeau, Richard Kell, Jason Rees (Mick O’Brien 30), Kevin Hill; Eifion Williams (John Gayle 55), David Graham (Alex Watson 90);

Attendance: 5,523

 

WEALTH RE-DISTRIBUTION

It is often said that desperate times call for desperate measures.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen football at all levels grind to a shuddering halt, many clubs, including Exeter City and Torquay United, have furloughed their players and staff in recent weeks under the Government's Job Retention Scheme, which has seen them take a 20% pay cut.

A number of Premier League clubs have also followed suit and have furloughed their non-playing staff, which has attracted some criticism in certain quarters. This was followed by the announcement that several Premier League players have launched a "collective initiative" to help generate funds for the NHS and distribute them "where they are needed most". The initiative - named #PlayersTogether - has been set up to "help those fighting for us on the NHS frontline" amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Clubs in the National League, National League North and South are currently being asked whether to end the schedule of the current season until April 25th, which means it might still be possible to complete the end of season play-offs. This comes after the FA Council ratified the decision to end of all football at non-league steps three to seven.

However, once football resumes players at all levels will need to regain the necessary fitness levels to continue playing and will require some form of pre-season programme. Also with the current coronavirus pandemic meaning that the demand for flights have fallen, so it might be time for many top clubs to go back to the future and play pre-season friendlies - whenever that may be - against non-league sides instead of jetting off on overseas tours.

It could be organised as a random draw which would see all 20 clubs in Premier League, plus Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion - and possibly even Celtic and Rangers could be invited to join in, drawn away to the 24 clubs in the National League. You could then do the same for the clubs in National Leagues North and South and the host club could keep the gate money, which would help to ease the burden that the coronavirus has placed on club's finances. Also, as a goodwill gesture NHS staff and other key workers could be able to attend at discounted prices.

The plan could also be extended to the remaining 22 clubs in the Championship, whereby they are drawn away to clubs in the Isthmian Premier, the Southern League Premier Central  the Southern League Premier South and the Northern League Premier. It may not have the same appeal of facing a Premier League side but the possibility of Wayne Rooney's Derby County turning up at say Leatherhead or Tiverton Town or Rushall Olympic or Whitby Town will surely attract a certain level of excitement in their respective areas.

As well as giving non-league fans to chance to see players that they would normally only see on Match of the Day or on the EFL highlights on Quest, it has the potential to reconnect the top level of the game in this country with the grassroots which some argue has been eroded slightly in the modern era.

CLASSIC ENCOUNTERS #1 BROMLEY 0 TORQUAY UNITED 2 2015-16

With the Vanarama National League currently suspended until further notice, we will now start a new series looking back at classic fixtures between Torquay United and their remaining Vanarama National League opponents as per the current fixture list.

We will begin the series with the Gulls’ 2-0 away over Bromley, which sae United complete their first ‘great escape’ under Kevin Nicholson in the 2015-16 season.

The history of the Gulls has been littered with late season dramas in the South East, and this game proved to be no different.

The previous year had seen United undergo major changes after the club’s major benefactor Thea Bristow – who had joined the board in 2010 following the death of her husband Paul – stood down from her role as chairman. A new board – made up of local fans – led by new chairman David Phillips took control of the club. A leading figure in the establishment of the new consortium was former striker Dean Edwards, who was installed as Director of Football.

Further changes also saw manager Chris Hargreaves and his assistant Lee Hodges both placed on gardening leave and former Mansfield Town manager Paul Cox, who led the Stags to the Conference title in the 2012-13 season, being named as Hargreaves’ successor. After a promising start, which saw the Gulls pick up ten points in their opening ten games of the season, Cox – who had been working for the Gulls on an expenses only basis – resigned.

Edwards and Cox’s assistant John Ramshaw both had brief caretaker spells in charge before the club turned to popular former left-back Kevin Nicholson who became Cox’s permanent successor.

Progress under Nicholson was gradual, but a thumping 4-1 win over title chasing Forest Green Rovers on Boxing Day gave the Gulls a much needed lift, as well as a late Christmas present. Even so, by mid-February United were 12 points adrift at the bottom of the National League table.

However in the new year, after Nicholson had made several new additions to the squad that he had inherited, the tide began to turn as a 1-0 away win over Boreham Wood in early February proved to be the start of an eight-match unbeaten run. Further wins over Gateshead, Chester FC and Altrincham followed which meant United headed into their penultimate away game of the season against Bromley knowing that a win would see them retain their National League status.

United got off to a strong start at Hayes Lane and forced a corner on 10 minutes when a shot from Josh Rees – who had joined on loan from Nottingham Forest towards the end of the January transfer window – was turned behind for a corner.

Luke Young, a player who returned to the Gulls’ side at the end of March after missing the entire season until that point with a cruciate ligament injury, stepped up to take the resulting corner. The one-time Plymouth Argyle starlet Young had scored United’s opening goal on the preceding Tuesday in their fixture against Altrincham, but on this occasion he would turn provider as his flag kick picked out Gulls’ skipper Angus MacDonald, who headed home to put Torquay one goal up. This served to ease the nerves of the 500 United fans watching from the Hayes Road away end.

During the remainder of the half, Joe Anderson forced a save from Torquay’s American keeper Brendan Moore, on loan from Fleetwood Town, but the Gulls dominated the opening 45 minutes as they went into the half-time break ahead.

Early in the second half, Bromley were reduced to ten men when Ali Fusieni was dismissed by referee Craig Hicks, who issued him with a second yellow card on 49 minutes. Despite their numerical disadvantage – the hosts continued to look dangerous as Moore denied Bradley Goldberg in a one-on-one situation.

Shortly afterwards, Goldberg again threatened for Bromley with a 20-yard effort that had the beating of Moore, but not the upright as his shot crashed against the bar.

On 81 minutes, MacDonald made a timely clearance to deny the host’s Adam Cunnington, who had seemed destined to head into an empty net.

Four minutes later, Gulls’ winger Iffy Allen was tripped on the edge of the penalty area and United were awarded a free-kick. Courtney Richards stepped up to take the kick and he drilled it into the top corner to end the match as a contest. For Nicholson it was a case of mission accomplished – not to mention avenging their 7-3 defeat against the Ravens earlier in the season.

After the game, he said: “I never had any doubts that we’d do it and I’m delighted for everyone involved at Torquay, from the hierarchy that took over at a time when we could have gone out of business all the way down to the people who work in the offices.”

“The players have been magnificent for me, for themselves, for each other and their attitude has been an absolute pleasure to be around.”

A 2-2 draw against a Barrow managed by Cox in their final home game and a 4-3 defeat against a Guiseley, who the Gulls had trailed by 15 points in late February, ultimately proved to be academic, as United pulled off another ‘great escape’ that ranked very favourably alongside their previous ones of 1987, 1993, 2001 and 2006.

Torquay (4-1-2-1-2): Brendan Moore; Aman Verma, Angus MacDonald, Ben Gerring, Dan Butler; Luke Young (Toby Ajala 46); Courtney Richards, Josh Rees; Iffy Allen (Andre Wright 86); Shaun Harrad (Sam Chaney 68), Nathan Blissett 

Subs not used: Exodus Geohaghon, Grant Fisher

Attendance: 2,080

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY

When life finally returns to normal following the end of the corona virus pandemic, it is probably fair to say that some things will never be the same again.

It's also appearing increasingly likely that lower-league football in England will not be exempt from this rule. An absence of match day income during the coronavirus outbreak, many clubs have furloughed their non-footballing staff and forced players to accept pay cuts while entire leagues have been suspended.

Although the health of the nation is at the forefront of the population's mind at the moment, and rightly so, but once the coronavirus has been brought fully under control people are likely to be turning to football as a source of escapism.

The question remains - what form will it take once it returns?

Since the turn of the century, lower league football has had to endure several difficult periods which have left many clubs facing financial difficulties. Firstly, there was the collapse of the ITV Digital TV deal in 2002 that left many clubs facing administration. Later in the decade this was followed by the 'credit crunch' in 2008 - which had a knock-on effect on the lower leagues.

In the following decade, Halifax, Chester, Darlington and Hereford all went into liquidation before reforming as phoenix clubs. Whether any teams will experience a similar fate in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak remains to be seen.

One of the bigger questions facing the future of the game is: 'could now be the time to close the gap between League Two and the National League for good, and could the present climate represent an opportunity for a return of regionalisation?'

In 1959, Division Three North and South merged to form Divisions Three and Four - the present day League One and Two. However, a return to those days would potentially create two uncompetitive leagues dominated by the same clubs every year. But a merger between League Two and the National League creating a League Two North and a League North, with National Leagues North and South acting as feeder divisions, could be more feasible.

With almost all clubs in the National League now full-time, many sides who have won promotion into League Two have then gone on to win promotion to League One since promotion between the GM Vauxhall Conference (as it was then known) and the Football League was introduced in the 1986-87 season. So, in terms of the quality there is now very little difference between League Two and the National League.

For many clubs, particularly for Torquay United and Yeovil Town and other sides in remote geographical locations of the country, a regionalised league format would mean less travelling, fewer overnight stays as well as more local derbies and the potential for bigger crowds and away followings. If a League Two South was in operation this season local trips to Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City, Cheltenham Town, Forest Green Rovers, Swindon Town and Newport County would be on the agenda for the Gulls and the Glovers.

It would also mean an end to the scenario that Torquay faced in their previous spell in the National League, between 2014 and 2018, when they frequently found themselves travelling over 300 miles to Gateshead to play in front of three figure crowds at the Heed's International Stadium home.

Nevertheless, as with many ideas there will be those who will benefit from them and there will also be those who will be disadvantaged. A split made on a North/South basis will no doubt mean that there will be possible anomalies for the clubs in the Midlands. This is evidenced by the presence of Hereford FC, Southern Premier League champions in 2018, in National League North.

Also, there is the possibility that a North and South divide could create a strong northern section and a weak southern section and vice versa. One of the great strengths of the present system is that on the opening day of the season every team has an equal chance of promotion the moment the first ball is kicked.

However, the current coronavirus pandemic has created a situation that is unprecedented in modern times and many events, such as the Olympics and Wimbledon, are being cancelled or postponed for the first time since the second world war. Therefore, lower league football has to adapt in the wake of the present climate one way or another.

NATIONAL LEAGUES SUSPENDED

The three divisions of the National League have been suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Originally the competition, which comprises of the National League, National League North and South, had been suspended until April 3rd, but the decision has been made the suspend the leagues indefinitely.

A statement released by the National League Board said: ""The National League is currently obtaining specialist legal advice, is consulting regularly with the Football Association and other stakeholders, and is committed to involving its member clubs in a pending decision on how best to conclude the 2019-20 season,"

This latest development has ratifications for Torquay United and Yeovil Town in the National League. The Gulls still had a chance of making the play-offs and the Glovers were firmly in the play-off race. In the National League South, Weymouth Town were in the play-off zone.

The announcement comes after non-league steps three and seven were suspended indefinitely, which meant Truro City were denied a potential promotion from the Southern League Premier South and Tiverton Town were prevented from reaching the play-offs.

It is not yet know whether the results of the leagues will be expunged or if they will be decided by PPG (points per game).

The FA council are yet to ratify the decision and more than 100 clubs have also signed a petition opposing the decision to expunge the seasons of the leagues below the National League (non-league steps three to seven).

DAN MCCAULEY RIP

Former Plymouth Argyle chairman Dan McCauley has passed away at the age of 84.

McCauley, who made his fortune from the Tiverton-based engineering firm Rotolok, had previously spells on the boards of Exeter City and Torquay United (Rotolok were the Gulls' shirt sponsors between 1986 and 1988) during the 1980s before becoming chairman of Plymouth Argyle in October 1991, at which point the Pilgrims were in Division Two (now the Championship).

He went onto spend nearly a decade at the helm at Home Park, which was a period in the club's history that certainly couldn't be described as dull. In his first season as chairman, McCauley replaced Dave Kemp as Pilgrims manager with the legendary former England goalkeeper Peter Shilton on March 2nd, 1992.

While Shilton's appointment was unable to stop the Pilgrims from being relegated into the 'new Divison Two' (now League One) at the end of the 1991-92 season, the finances made available to England's record appearance maker enabled him to bring in names such as Kevin Nugent, Steve McCall, Paul Dalton and Steve Castle. These players formed the basis of the Argyle side that agonisingly missed out on automatic promotion on the final day of the 1993-94 season before losing to Burnley in the Play-offs. This team is still widely considered to be one of the most entertaining in the Pilgrims' history, as they scored 88 league goals and conceded 56.

However, the relationship between McCauley and Shilton soured during the 1994-95 season, which resulted in Shilton leaving the club in early 1995. McCall and former England defender Russell Osman both took charge on a temporary basis, but couldn't stop Argyle being relegated to Division Three (now League Two) for the first time in their history.

In the summer of 1995, McCauley turned to serial promotion winner Neil Warnock in his quest to win promotion back to Division Two at the first attempt. It was a decision that paid off for McCauley as Warnock guided the Pilgrims to promotion via the Division Three Play-off final in 1996, where they beat Darlington 1-0. It was Warnock's fifth promotion out of the record eight that he has won in his career with Scarborough, Notts County (twice), Huddersfield Town, Argyle, Sheffield United, QPR and Cardiff City.

Once again the relationship between McCauley and Warnock deteriorated badly and Warnock left Home Park in February 1997. Warnock's assistant Mick Jones was appointed as his successor, but he was unable to prevent a return to the Third Division in 1998.

Pilgrims' record appearance holder Kevin Hodges, who had led Torquay United to the 1998 Division Three play-off final against Colchester United, was then tasked with leading the Pilgrims to another promotion from the bottom tier of the Football League. After two mid-table finishes Hodges was sacked early in the 2000-01 season and, after some persuasion from members of the Pilgrims' board, he appointed Paul Sturrock as manager - an appointment which proved to be one of the shrewdest ever made by the club.

On the eve of the 2001-02 season, McCauley finally sold up to a consortium headed by Paul Stapleton. By this time the redevelopment of the three sides of Home Park was already underway and was finally completed with the opening of the new Mayflower Stand midway through the 2019-20 campaign.

McCauley's other business interests included the Sutton Harbour Company and Drake's Island.