Whoever is chosen to succeed Paul Buckle as manager of Torquay United will face a number of immediate challenges.
Firstly, he will be to keep the current squad of players that Buckle and his assistant Shaun North had assembled, the second will be to add to it and thirdly will be to keep the momentum of the previous four years going, which has seen the Gulls go from being a club relegated from the Football League to a thriving League Two side.
We will now take a look at some of the names that have been linked to the post so far.
Paul Trollope
With Buckle heading North to Bristol to take charge of the Pirates, could one of his immediate predecessors be heading South to replace him. Trollope first took charge of Bristol Rovers in 2005 and led them to promotion from League Two in the 2006-07 season via the Play-Offs when they beat Shrewsbury Town in the final, something Buckle will now be trying to emulate.
A former Torquay player, Trollope made 130 appearances for the Gulls during the mid-1990's before going to play for Derby County, Grimsby Town and Fulham and was also capped by Wales.
As a potential candidate, he ticks a lot of boxes as he has been employed recently and possesses good contacts, which could prove to be invaluable should he be chosen by the Torquay board.
However, it remains to be seen if Trollope would be iuterested in the vacancy as he had been heavily linked to the manager's position at Swindon Town, the club where he began his career as a player, before the appointment of Paolo Di Canio.
He is also still under gardening leave at Bristol Rovers and therefore still on their pay-roll.
Chris Hargreaves
Would be a popular appointment amongst the Torquay faithful after he played a influential role as captain of the Gulls' side that won promotion back to the Football League in 2009.
He would also have an immediate knowledge of the current United squad as he is a former team-mate of many of them and he is also an individual who would command immediate respect.
Following a playing career which has seen him play for a range of clubs, including Grimsby Town, Hull City, West Bromwich Albion, Hereford United, Plymouth Argyle, Northampton Town, Brentford and Oxford United, he is not likely to be short of contacts in the game.
One thing that could count against him is his lack of coaching experience at senior level, as his only experience of coaching is with Exeter City's Under-16 side. However, as Terry Skiverton has shown at Yeovil Town, it is possible to make the transition from being an on-field leader to an off-field one.
Alex Russell
One of the most naturally gifted players to have appeared for the Gulls in the quarter of a century, Alex Russell is currently mulling over the offer of a new one-year deal from Yeovil Town at the age of 37.
However, it would be unlikely that the Glovers' would stand in his way if he was offered the position of manager at Plainmoor. The fact that he would still be able to play could be an advantage for him as whoever takes charge of the Gulls will be working with a limited budget. So he could combine the managers' role with playing, whilst working alongside a non-playing assistant.
Bruce Rioch
Following a playing career that saw him captain Scotland and win a league title with Derby County, Bruce Rioch started his managerial career with Torquay in 1982 after spending the previous season as player-coach under Frank O'Farrell.
He stayed at Plainmoor until 1984 as he then moved on to enjoy a managerial career which saw him take charge of Middlesbrough, Millwall, Bolton Wanderers, Arsenal, Norwich City and BK Odense and Aalborg in Denmark.
Career highlights include leading Middlesbrough and Bolton to the top-flight and he was also responsible for bringing Dennis Bergkamp to Arsenal during his one-year reign at Highbury.
In recent years, he led Aalborg to the group stages of the Champions League in the 2007-08 season and was linked with the Plymouth Argyle job last year before they finally decided on appointing Peter Reid.
Although it is often said that lower league management is a young man's game, there are a few exceptions to the rule such as Graham Turner who led Shrewsbury Town, the club where he started his managerial career in 1979, to 4th place in League Two this season after they had finished 12th in the 2009-10 campaign.
There would also be the potential for him to mentor a younger coach or player-coach in the same way that O'Farrell mentored him all those years ago.
Lee Hodges
Another recent member of the Gulls' playing staff, Lee Hodges spent two years at Plainmoor from 2008-2010, after leaving Plymouth Argyle, mainly as a squad player before taking charge at Truro City.
In his first season in charge at Truro, he led the White Tigers to the Zamaretto Southern Premier League title, which means they will be playing in Conference South in the 2011-12 campaign.
Whilst leading the Cornish side to the title in his first season is an impressive achievement, it remains to be seen whether Truro owner Kevin Heaney would allow Hodges to speak to the Gulls as Truro will surely be looking to reach the Blue Square Conference sooner rather than later.
Monday, 30 May 2011
BUCKLE TAKES CHARGE AT BRISTOL ROVERS
After four years in charge at Plainmoor, Paul Buckle has left his post as Torquay United to take charge of Bristol Rovers.
During his time as Gulls' boss, Buckle has transformed the fortunes of Torquay who had been relegated to the Conference at the time of his arrival and only had four players under contract.
Upon his arrival, he used his contacts and knowledge of the league to bring players such as Lee Phillips, Chris Todd and Martin Rice from Exeter City, Tim Sills from Hereford United, Chris Hargreaves from Oxfiord and Kevin Nicholson from Forest Green Rovers.
However, such was the transformation of the club under Buckle that the Gulls reached the Conference Play-Off Semi-Finals and the FA Trophy final in his first season in charge, where they were beaten by Exeter City and Ebbsfleet respectively.
In his second season, Buckle once again led Torquay to the Play-Offs where they faced Histon in the Semi-Finals who they beat 2-1 on aggregate to set up a final with Cambridge United at Wembley.
The Gulls defeated Cambridge 2-0 to secure their return to the Football League with skipper Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills finding the target as they pulled off a memorable win.
Buckle's first season as a league manager proved to be a transitional one as a number of the players who had helped Torquay to end their two year exile in the Conference such as Chris Todd, Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills were moved on.
Fresh faces were brought into Plainmoor including Guy Branston and Northern Irish midfielder Eunan O'Kane and Chris Zebroski returned to Torquay on a permanent basis as the Gulls ended the season in 17th place after going on a run of eight games without defeat in their final eight matches of the campaign, which included seven wins.
Torquay carried this form into the following season as they won their first four games of the 2010-11 campaign, which earned Buckle the manager of the month award for August 2010.
This provided the Gulls with a foundation to challenge for promotion as they finished the campaign in 7th place thus qualfying for the Play-Offs.
After beating Shrewsbury Town 2-0 on aggregate in the Semis, Torquay were beaten 1-0 in the final by Stevenage in what would ultimately prove to be his final game of his eventful four year reign as manager of Torquay United, which makes him the Gulls' third longest serving post war manager behind Eric Webber and Mike Green.
During his time as Gulls' boss, Buckle has transformed the fortunes of Torquay who had been relegated to the Conference at the time of his arrival and only had four players under contract.
Upon his arrival, he used his contacts and knowledge of the league to bring players such as Lee Phillips, Chris Todd and Martin Rice from Exeter City, Tim Sills from Hereford United, Chris Hargreaves from Oxfiord and Kevin Nicholson from Forest Green Rovers.
However, such was the transformation of the club under Buckle that the Gulls reached the Conference Play-Off Semi-Finals and the FA Trophy final in his first season in charge, where they were beaten by Exeter City and Ebbsfleet respectively.
In his second season, Buckle once again led Torquay to the Play-Offs where they faced Histon in the Semi-Finals who they beat 2-1 on aggregate to set up a final with Cambridge United at Wembley.
The Gulls defeated Cambridge 2-0 to secure their return to the Football League with skipper Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills finding the target as they pulled off a memorable win.
Buckle's first season as a league manager proved to be a transitional one as a number of the players who had helped Torquay to end their two year exile in the Conference such as Chris Todd, Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills were moved on.
Fresh faces were brought into Plainmoor including Guy Branston and Northern Irish midfielder Eunan O'Kane and Chris Zebroski returned to Torquay on a permanent basis as the Gulls ended the season in 17th place after going on a run of eight games without defeat in their final eight matches of the campaign, which included seven wins.
Torquay carried this form into the following season as they won their first four games of the 2010-11 campaign, which earned Buckle the manager of the month award for August 2010.
This provided the Gulls with a foundation to challenge for promotion as they finished the campaign in 7th place thus qualfying for the Play-Offs.
After beating Shrewsbury Town 2-0 on aggregate in the Semis, Torquay were beaten 1-0 in the final by Stevenage in what would ultimately prove to be his final game of his eventful four year reign as manager of Torquay United, which makes him the Gulls' third longest serving post war manager behind Eric Webber and Mike Green.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
REVIEW OF THE SEASON # EXETER CITY
The 2010-11 campaign for Exeter City will be remembered as one of sadness and one of joy.
At the start of the season, it was announced that striker Adam Stansfield had lost his battle with bowel cancer on August 10th 2010.
Following this tragic announcement, their first game following his death, against Dagenham and Redbridge, was postponed as a mark of respect and there were further tributes held when Exeter faced Yeovil Town, one of Adam's former clubs.
Incidentally, the last time the two clubs had met each other, Adam had found the score sheet in a 2-1 defeat for Exeter, a goal which he refused to celebrate as a mark of respect for the Glovers.
The Grecians also retired Adam's number nine shirt as he had been a key figure iu their rise from the Conference to League One.
As the season progressed, Exeter carried on with the progress they have made since Paul Tisdale took charge in 2006 as they equalled their best ever run in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy as they reached the Southern Area final where they were beaten by Brenford.
En route they had beaten Plymouth Argyle 2-1 at Home Park in the Southern Quarter Final stage, which was the first of their three meetings during the campaign with the Pilgrims after having not played their Devon rivals for over nine years.
Goals from Ryan Harley and Daniel Nardiello proved to be enough to see off Argyle who replied through Chris Clark. The game was also notable for crowd trouble, which saw 15 arrests made.
The next meeting between the two sides came in December and the Pilgrims gained revenge with Bradley Wright-Phillips scoring a brace.
Their third encounter, and the only one of the three played at St James' Park, in April was played under very different circumstances.
By this time the Pilgrims had received a ten-point deduction for going into Administration and were fighting against relegation.
The Grecians were to heap further misery on Argyle as they won 1-0 with a goal on the stroke of half-time from James Dunne to underline their new found status as Devon's leading club.
This victory came in a run of seven wins in their final eight games of the season as they finished eighth in League One, equalling their highest ever league finish originally set in the 1979-80 season.
Leading scorer Jamie Cureton finished sixth in the league's highest scorers' chart with 20 goals.
Midfield playmaker Ryan Harley was also off to pastures new as he joined Swansea City on a free transfer during the January transfer window and was subsequently loaned back to the Grecians.
In other news, Bertie Cozic has aaoounced his retirement and coaches Marcus Stewart and Rob Edwards from playing as has manager Paul Tisdale.
Spanish forward Guillem Bauza, formerly of Swansea City and ex Spanish youth international contemporary of Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta, has become the Grecians' first summer signing after joining from Northampton Town.
At the start of the season, it was announced that striker Adam Stansfield had lost his battle with bowel cancer on August 10th 2010.
Following this tragic announcement, their first game following his death, against Dagenham and Redbridge, was postponed as a mark of respect and there were further tributes held when Exeter faced Yeovil Town, one of Adam's former clubs.
Incidentally, the last time the two clubs had met each other, Adam had found the score sheet in a 2-1 defeat for Exeter, a goal which he refused to celebrate as a mark of respect for the Glovers.
The Grecians also retired Adam's number nine shirt as he had been a key figure iu their rise from the Conference to League One.
As the season progressed, Exeter carried on with the progress they have made since Paul Tisdale took charge in 2006 as they equalled their best ever run in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy as they reached the Southern Area final where they were beaten by Brenford.
En route they had beaten Plymouth Argyle 2-1 at Home Park in the Southern Quarter Final stage, which was the first of their three meetings during the campaign with the Pilgrims after having not played their Devon rivals for over nine years.
Goals from Ryan Harley and Daniel Nardiello proved to be enough to see off Argyle who replied through Chris Clark. The game was also notable for crowd trouble, which saw 15 arrests made.
The next meeting between the two sides came in December and the Pilgrims gained revenge with Bradley Wright-Phillips scoring a brace.
Their third encounter, and the only one of the three played at St James' Park, in April was played under very different circumstances.
By this time the Pilgrims had received a ten-point deduction for going into Administration and were fighting against relegation.
The Grecians were to heap further misery on Argyle as they won 1-0 with a goal on the stroke of half-time from James Dunne to underline their new found status as Devon's leading club.
This victory came in a run of seven wins in their final eight games of the season as they finished eighth in League One, equalling their highest ever league finish originally set in the 1979-80 season.
Leading scorer Jamie Cureton finished sixth in the league's highest scorers' chart with 20 goals.
Midfield playmaker Ryan Harley was also off to pastures new as he joined Swansea City on a free transfer during the January transfer window and was subsequently loaned back to the Grecians.
In other news, Bertie Cozic has aaoounced his retirement and coaches Marcus Stewart and Rob Edwards from playing as has manager Paul Tisdale.
Spanish forward Guillem Bauza, formerly of Swansea City and ex Spanish youth international contemporary of Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta, has become the Grecians' first summer signing after joining from Northampton Town.
GULLS FALL AT FINAL HURDLE
It was a case of close, but no cigar for Torquay United as they ended they lost out to Stevenage in the League Two Play-Off Final at Old Trafford.
A first half strike from John Mousinho ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides as Stevenage gained their first victory over the Gulls in seven attempts as they won their second consecutive promotion (they won the Blue Square Premier title last season).
After the match, one of the biggest talking points was the future of Torquay manager Paul Buckle who has bee heavily linked with a move to Bristol Rovers.
However, Buckle has refused to comment on whether he would be leaving and said he will not make a decision regarding his future until Monday.
A first half strike from John Mousinho ultimately proved to be the difference between the sides as Stevenage gained their first victory over the Gulls in seven attempts as they won their second consecutive promotion (they won the Blue Square Premier title last season).
After the match, one of the biggest talking points was the future of Torquay manager Paul Buckle who has bee heavily linked with a move to Bristol Rovers.
However, Buckle has refused to comment on whether he would be leaving and said he will not make a decision regarding his future until Monday.
Friday, 27 May 2011
GULLS AIM TO FINISH JOB
At the start of the season, Torquay United were written off by many observers and few expected them to mount a serious challenge for promotion.
However, the Gulls now stand on the brink of clinching a place in League One for the 2011-12 campaign if they beat Stevenage in the League Two Play-Off final at Old Trafford.
To be in a position where they are now is an incredible story as four years ago, the club was relegated from the league for the first time in their history and only had four players under contract and things looked bleak at Plainmoor.
Since then, Torquay made a swift return to the league after winning promotion from the Conference and now manager Paul Buckle has assembled a young,vibrant squad who will be hoping to clinch what will be their second promotion in the space of four years.
The fact that they have come so far so quickly is testament to the character of the side, many of whom have experienced the pitfalls of the game and overcome adversity.
For example, goalkeeper Scott Bevan overcame a serious kidney injury when playing for Tamworth against Forest Green Rovers in 2006 and was forced to have a kidney removed.
Central defender and current player of the year Guy Branston joined from Burton Albion in the close season after a successful loan stint during the 2009-10 season. Whilst with the Brewers, he had seen his career tally of red cards rise to 18, but he hasn't been dismissed during his time at Plainmoor and was nominated in the PFA League Two Team of the Season.
Northern Irish midfielder Eunan O'Kane arrived at Torquay in January 2009 after he looked to be heading towards obscurity after he was released by Everton and then returned home to sign for Coleraine. He is now a regular in the Gulls' midfield after being handed a second chance in the game by Buckle.
Leading scorer Chris Zebroski was dismissed by the Gulls' devon neighbours Plymouth Argyle earlier in his career for an attack on the then Pilgrims' skipper Paul Wotton.
Earlier this season, he was convicted for assaulting a soldier, which saw him sentenced to 150 hours community service and pay £300 to the soldier.
Nevertheless, Zebroski has scored eight goals in 21 appearances since early February, making him the Gulls' leading scorer overall with 15 strikes in all competitions.
All four players could all have key roles in the outcome of tomorrow's game.
However, the Gulls now stand on the brink of clinching a place in League One for the 2011-12 campaign if they beat Stevenage in the League Two Play-Off final at Old Trafford.
To be in a position where they are now is an incredible story as four years ago, the club was relegated from the league for the first time in their history and only had four players under contract and things looked bleak at Plainmoor.
Since then, Torquay made a swift return to the league after winning promotion from the Conference and now manager Paul Buckle has assembled a young,vibrant squad who will be hoping to clinch what will be their second promotion in the space of four years.
The fact that they have come so far so quickly is testament to the character of the side, many of whom have experienced the pitfalls of the game and overcome adversity.
For example, goalkeeper Scott Bevan overcame a serious kidney injury when playing for Tamworth against Forest Green Rovers in 2006 and was forced to have a kidney removed.
Central defender and current player of the year Guy Branston joined from Burton Albion in the close season after a successful loan stint during the 2009-10 season. Whilst with the Brewers, he had seen his career tally of red cards rise to 18, but he hasn't been dismissed during his time at Plainmoor and was nominated in the PFA League Two Team of the Season.
Northern Irish midfielder Eunan O'Kane arrived at Torquay in January 2009 after he looked to be heading towards obscurity after he was released by Everton and then returned home to sign for Coleraine. He is now a regular in the Gulls' midfield after being handed a second chance in the game by Buckle.
Leading scorer Chris Zebroski was dismissed by the Gulls' devon neighbours Plymouth Argyle earlier in his career for an attack on the then Pilgrims' skipper Paul Wotton.
Earlier this season, he was convicted for assaulting a soldier, which saw him sentenced to 150 hours community service and pay £300 to the soldier.
Nevertheless, Zebroski has scored eight goals in 21 appearances since early February, making him the Gulls' leading scorer overall with 15 strikes in all competitions.
All four players could all have key roles in the outcome of tomorrow's game.
Tuesday, 24 May 2011
REVIEW OF THE SEASON # YEOVIL TOWN
For Yeovil Town, the 2010-11 campaign will be remembered as being a season of two halves.
On New Year's Eve 2010, the Glovers were rooted to the bottom of League One with 16 points and were six points adrift of safety.
However, come May 7th, the final day of the regular season, Yeovil finished the campaign in 14th place after beating Carlisle United 2-0 at Brunton Park, one place higher than Sheffield Wednesday who lay in second place going into 2011.
After winning their opening game of the season 2-1 at home to Leyton Orient, the Glovers' form soon nosedived as they found themselves in the bottom four by the end of September.
Manager Terry Skiverton had used the loan market to good effect during the 2009-10 season to bring players such as Steven Caulker, who won the majority of the club's Player of the Year awards for the campaign, Ryan Mason, Jon Obika, Shaun MacDonald, Gavin Williams and Alex McCarthy.
Unfortunately for the Glovers', the names of Cameron Stewart, Luke Freeman and Rob Kiernan didn't match the form shown by their predecessors.
One of the key factors in the Glovers' post new year revival was the signings made by manager Terry Skiverton during the January 2011 transfer window.
Making their Yeovil debuts' on New Years' Day against Plymouth Argyle were midfielder Paul Wotton, who joined on loan from Southampton, a deal that was later made permanent, and young German defender Max Ehmer who signed from QPR on loan.
Both proved to be inspired signings as Wotton brought plenty of experience to the Glovers' midfield and Ehmer filled the void left by Steven Caulker, who produced a number of assured performances during his season long-loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the previous campaign.
Other signings during the transfer window included the permanent acquistion of former Torquay, Bristol City and Exeter midfielder Alex Russell who joined from Bath City and demonstrated that despite being 38 years of age, he could still do a job at League One level when called upon.
Striker Oli Johnson and goalkeeper Stephen Henderson joined on loan from Norwich City and Bristol City respectively and both proved to be inspired signings. Henderson, who also had a loan spell with the Glovers earlier in the season, but was recalled his parent club due to injury, virtually swept the board at the club's Player of the Year awards and, at the time of writing, looks set to return to Huish Park on a permanent basis.
Yeovil only lost one game in the month of January from a possible seven and skipper Paul Huntington was awarded the Npower League One Player of the Month award and Skivo was also nominated the Manager of the Month prize.
Following their 2-0 win over Brentford on January 8th, Skivo told the assembled media: "I wanted to know whether the players were with me or not and they have proved that they're up to the challenge over recent games.
"I showed them a picture of a boat leaving the harbour and asked them if they wanted to be on it or left behind.
"They've stayed with us and been rewarded for showing the bravery and desire that I have been demanding"
The Glovers continued to show that desire for the remaining games of the season and ended the campaign with only two defeats in their final 12 matches which included a 5-1 win over Leyton Orient, which saw Shaun MacDonald, returning for his fifth loan spell at Huish Park from Swansea City, score his first career hat-trick.
Their 14th place is also Yeovil's second highest ever league placing since they won promotion from the Conference in 2003.
Skivo has stated his desire to bring MacDonald to Huish Park on a permanent basis and if he was able to sign him and persuade the vast majority of the Glovers' out of contract players to remain with Yeovil, which include 15-goal leading scorer Dean Bowditch, experienced defender Adam Virgo and winger Andy Welsh, then the Glovers could turn out to be a force to be reckoned with in the 2011-12 campaign in League One.
On New Year's Eve 2010, the Glovers were rooted to the bottom of League One with 16 points and were six points adrift of safety.
However, come May 7th, the final day of the regular season, Yeovil finished the campaign in 14th place after beating Carlisle United 2-0 at Brunton Park, one place higher than Sheffield Wednesday who lay in second place going into 2011.
After winning their opening game of the season 2-1 at home to Leyton Orient, the Glovers' form soon nosedived as they found themselves in the bottom four by the end of September.
Manager Terry Skiverton had used the loan market to good effect during the 2009-10 season to bring players such as Steven Caulker, who won the majority of the club's Player of the Year awards for the campaign, Ryan Mason, Jon Obika, Shaun MacDonald, Gavin Williams and Alex McCarthy.
Unfortunately for the Glovers', the names of Cameron Stewart, Luke Freeman and Rob Kiernan didn't match the form shown by their predecessors.
One of the key factors in the Glovers' post new year revival was the signings made by manager Terry Skiverton during the January 2011 transfer window.
Making their Yeovil debuts' on New Years' Day against Plymouth Argyle were midfielder Paul Wotton, who joined on loan from Southampton, a deal that was later made permanent, and young German defender Max Ehmer who signed from QPR on loan.
Both proved to be inspired signings as Wotton brought plenty of experience to the Glovers' midfield and Ehmer filled the void left by Steven Caulker, who produced a number of assured performances during his season long-loan from Tottenham Hotspur in the previous campaign.
Other signings during the transfer window included the permanent acquistion of former Torquay, Bristol City and Exeter midfielder Alex Russell who joined from Bath City and demonstrated that despite being 38 years of age, he could still do a job at League One level when called upon.
Striker Oli Johnson and goalkeeper Stephen Henderson joined on loan from Norwich City and Bristol City respectively and both proved to be inspired signings. Henderson, who also had a loan spell with the Glovers earlier in the season, but was recalled his parent club due to injury, virtually swept the board at the club's Player of the Year awards and, at the time of writing, looks set to return to Huish Park on a permanent basis.
Yeovil only lost one game in the month of January from a possible seven and skipper Paul Huntington was awarded the Npower League One Player of the Month award and Skivo was also nominated the Manager of the Month prize.
Following their 2-0 win over Brentford on January 8th, Skivo told the assembled media: "I wanted to know whether the players were with me or not and they have proved that they're up to the challenge over recent games.
"I showed them a picture of a boat leaving the harbour and asked them if they wanted to be on it or left behind.
"They've stayed with us and been rewarded for showing the bravery and desire that I have been demanding"
The Glovers continued to show that desire for the remaining games of the season and ended the campaign with only two defeats in their final 12 matches which included a 5-1 win over Leyton Orient, which saw Shaun MacDonald, returning for his fifth loan spell at Huish Park from Swansea City, score his first career hat-trick.
Their 14th place is also Yeovil's second highest ever league placing since they won promotion from the Conference in 2003.
Skivo has stated his desire to bring MacDonald to Huish Park on a permanent basis and if he was able to sign him and persuade the vast majority of the Glovers' out of contract players to remain with Yeovil, which include 15-goal leading scorer Dean Bowditch, experienced defender Adam Virgo and winger Andy Welsh, then the Glovers could turn out to be a force to be reckoned with in the 2011-12 campaign in League One.
Saturday, 21 May 2011
GULLS REACH OLD TRAFFORD AFTER TAMING THE SHREWS
Torquay United secured their place in this season's League Two Play-Off final after holding Shrewsbury Town to a goalless draw at the Greenhous Meadow.
The Gulls' two goal advantage from the first leg at Plainmoor proved to be enough to see them through to the final at Old Trafford where they will face Stevenage who overcame Accrington Stanley 3-0 on aggregate.
If Torquay's previous Play-Off appearances are anything to go by, the omens are looking good for the Gulls.
In their 1991 triumph over Blackpool, Torquay went into their second leg of their Semi-Final against Burnley after beating the Clarets 2-0 at Plainmoor in the first leg and reached the final despite losing 1-0 to the Clarets.
Fast forward to 2009 and the Gulls beat Histon 2-0 at Plainmoor in the first leg of their Conference Play-Off Semi-Final enroute to clinching their return to the Football League with a 2-0 win over Cambridge United at Wembley.
Should they go on to win promotion, it will Torquay's second promotion in the space of four years, prior to that the Gulls had experienced relegation heartache in two of the three seasons, which, of course, came after their automatic promotion success in 2004 under Leroy Rosenior.
One thing is for sure, life as a Torquay United fan certainly isn't dull!
The Gulls' two goal advantage from the first leg at Plainmoor proved to be enough to see them through to the final at Old Trafford where they will face Stevenage who overcame Accrington Stanley 3-0 on aggregate.
If Torquay's previous Play-Off appearances are anything to go by, the omens are looking good for the Gulls.
In their 1991 triumph over Blackpool, Torquay went into their second leg of their Semi-Final against Burnley after beating the Clarets 2-0 at Plainmoor in the first leg and reached the final despite losing 1-0 to the Clarets.
Fast forward to 2009 and the Gulls beat Histon 2-0 at Plainmoor in the first leg of their Conference Play-Off Semi-Final enroute to clinching their return to the Football League with a 2-0 win over Cambridge United at Wembley.
Should they go on to win promotion, it will Torquay's second promotion in the space of four years, prior to that the Gulls had experienced relegation heartache in two of the three seasons, which, of course, came after their automatic promotion success in 2004 under Leroy Rosenior.
One thing is for sure, life as a Torquay United fan certainly isn't dull!
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