In modern times they have been a number of players who have joined Torquay United after leaving Plymouth Argyle, but Alan Welsh, who has sadly passed away recently, bucked that trend.
After starting his career with Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic in his native Scotland, Edinburgh-born Welsh joined Millwall in 1965 and made five appearances for the Lions before he was first enticed to Devon by Frank O'Farrell in 1967, when the Irishman signed him for Torquay United.
He made his debut for United on November 5, 1967 in an away fixture to Mansfield Town as part of a new look strike pairing with the legendary Robin Stubbs. A month later Welsh scored his first of the seven goals that he would score for United in the 1967-68 campaign in a 2-0 victory over Southport on December 5, 1967, as he finished his first season at Plainmoor as United's joint-second top scorer with Ronnie Barnes. It was a contribution that proved to be valuable for United as they recorded their highest ever league finish of fourth in the 'old' Division Three - now League One - agonisingly missing out on promotion to the 'old' Second Division (now Championship).
Welsh remained at Plainmoor until 1971 when he joined Plymouth Argyle for a fee of £15,000. The irony of this move was that arguably his finest hour in a United shirt came against the Pilgrims on November 5, 1968, when he scored United's second and decisive goal as they beat Argyle to secure their first ever league win at Home Park. The result led to a sparky response from the then Pilgrims' manager Billy Bingham who declared that Torquay were 'a lucky side' and 'over my dead body' would they win the return fixture.
In addition to this, Welsh also won United's player of the year for the 1969-70 season - a campaign which he finished as the Gulls' leading scorer with 15 goals.
His move to Home Park also coincided with the Gulls' relegation from Division Four and a time when many of his former Plainmoor colleagues headed to AFC Bournemouth where another of his former United teammates John Bond was manager. It was a period in the Gulls' history known as the 'Bond Burglary'.
Whilst with the Pilgrims Welsh formed a fine striker partnership with a young Paul Mariner - who Waiters had plucked from non-league Chorley.
He was also a virtual ever-present for a period of 18 months during which time he helped Argyle to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup in the 1973-74 season under Tony Waiters. Welsh made an important contribution in their run to semis, as he netted a brace in their 3-0 fourth round win over QPR at Loftus Road and was also on target in their 2-1 victory over Birmingham City in the fifth round.
Following their semi-final defeat to Manchester City, which the Pilgrims lost 3-1 over two legs, he was described by BBC commentator John Motson as 'a player who should be playing in the top division'; a fine compliment when you consider he was partnering Mariner who would later win a UEFA Cup winner's medal with Ipswich Town in 1981 and represent England in the 1982 World Cup in Spain.
The semi-final defeat to City proved to be his final appearance for the Pilgrims as he was sold to Bournemouth for a fee of £30,000. Welsh later made a brief return to Millwall and had short spell in non-league football with Maidstone United before finishing his career in South Africa with Cape Town City.
Monday, 17 August 2020
Saturday, 15 August 2020
CONNOR IS A GULL
The worst kept secret in football has finally been revealed
following the unveiling of Connor Lemonheigh-Evans as a Torquay United player.
Former Wales Under-21 international Lemonheigh-Evans, 23,
has enjoyed four different loan spells at Plainmoor between 2018 and 2020; but he
now follows in the footsteps of his former Ashton Gate colleague Jake Andrews in
signing for United on a permanent basis from the Robins for an undisclosed fee.
“It’s
a fantastic signing for our club. Connor has committed himself to the area, and
I look forward to once again working with him for the coming season. He was
unlucky last season with a couple of bad tackles that led to lengthy injuries,
but he’s 100% now, and Connor at 100% is a real asset to us.”
Over the course of his previous loan stints with the Gulls,
Lemonheigh-Evans has made a total of 73 appearances and scored eight goals and
made 19 assists. This goal scoring hauls includes a brace in the FA Cup fourth
qualifying round against Winchester City in October 2019, which came less than
a week after he had netted a brace for Wales Under-21’s against Switzerland.
His time at Plainmoor has also seen many highs and lows; in the first spell with the Gulls they were relegated from the National League
under Gary Owers, who he had previously played under Bath City. However, he
returned to Plainmoor in the 2018-19 campaign under Johnson and was part of the
United side that lifted the National League South title.
Lemonheigh-Evans’ capture now takes the United squad up to
20, which gives Johnson the choice of a strong first eleven with five good quality
options from the bench along with four development players in the form of
rookie pros Olaf Koszela, Louis Slough, Owen Price and JJ Evans.
Wednesday, 5 August 2020
GULLS AIM TO DO THINGS GARY'S WAY
The names might be different, but in term of style it could be argued that there are certain similarities.
For Kevin Ratcliffe read Kyle Cameron, for Kevin Sheedy read Jake Andrews, for Adrian Heath read Ben Whitfield and for Andy Gray read Danny Wright. As Gary Johnson looks to add the finishing touches to his Torquay United squad ahead of the 2020-21 season, his squad possesses certain players who, in terms of style, bear a passing a resembelance to Everton's league title winning side of the 1984-85 season under the late Howard Kendall.
While Kendall's signing of Gray from Wolves for a fee of £250,000 was considered something of a risk - owing to the Scotsman's long term knee problems - his arrival provided a young side full of promising talents with a leader both on and off the field; his presence helped to transform them from being a promising team full of potential into eventual league champions.
At the age of 32, Gray's move to Goodison Park represented his final chance to win one of the English game's major honours and he ended his tenure with the Toffees with an FA Cup winner's medal (1984), a league championship winner's medal (1984-85) and the European Cup Winner's Cup medal (1985). Wright might be slightly older than Gray at 35, but his arrival at Plainmoor, following his release by Solihull Moors, is arguably his last chance to add to the National League South title winner's medal he won with Histon in the 2006-07 season, the FA Trophy winner's medal he earned with Wrexham in 2013 and the National League title he won while working under Johnson in the 2015-16 campaign at Cheltenham Town.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has proved to be one of the most challenging situations that English football has faced in many years, and the wider consequences of it could yet be felt for many years to come. However, the Gulls appear to be better equipped to deal with the fallout of the crisis than many other National League clubs. At the time of writing Johnson is reportedly on the verge of adding an attacking midfielder to his squad - widely tipped to be former Bristol City loanee Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - in the same week that it was announced that Dover Athletic could be on the verge of insolvency after their contracted players refused to take a 20% pay cut.
As the National League season won't be starting until October 3, the Premier League and the EFL campaigns commence on September 12, United have had to delay the start of their pre-season training, with a planned behind closed door pre-season friendly with Buckland Athletic being cancelled, and their playing staff have remained on the Government's furlough scheme.
Hopefully, once the season does get underway it will prove to be a successful one for the Gulls as they aim to do things Gary Johnson's way.
For Kevin Ratcliffe read Kyle Cameron, for Kevin Sheedy read Jake Andrews, for Adrian Heath read Ben Whitfield and for Andy Gray read Danny Wright. As Gary Johnson looks to add the finishing touches to his Torquay United squad ahead of the 2020-21 season, his squad possesses certain players who, in terms of style, bear a passing a resembelance to Everton's league title winning side of the 1984-85 season under the late Howard Kendall.
While Kendall's signing of Gray from Wolves for a fee of £250,000 was considered something of a risk - owing to the Scotsman's long term knee problems - his arrival provided a young side full of promising talents with a leader both on and off the field; his presence helped to transform them from being a promising team full of potential into eventual league champions.
At the age of 32, Gray's move to Goodison Park represented his final chance to win one of the English game's major honours and he ended his tenure with the Toffees with an FA Cup winner's medal (1984), a league championship winner's medal (1984-85) and the European Cup Winner's Cup medal (1985). Wright might be slightly older than Gray at 35, but his arrival at Plainmoor, following his release by Solihull Moors, is arguably his last chance to add to the National League South title winner's medal he won with Histon in the 2006-07 season, the FA Trophy winner's medal he earned with Wrexham in 2013 and the National League title he won while working under Johnson in the 2015-16 campaign at Cheltenham Town.
The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has proved to be one of the most challenging situations that English football has faced in many years, and the wider consequences of it could yet be felt for many years to come. However, the Gulls appear to be better equipped to deal with the fallout of the crisis than many other National League clubs. At the time of writing Johnson is reportedly on the verge of adding an attacking midfielder to his squad - widely tipped to be former Bristol City loanee Connor Lemonheigh-Evans - in the same week that it was announced that Dover Athletic could be on the verge of insolvency after their contracted players refused to take a 20% pay cut.
As the National League season won't be starting until October 3, the Premier League and the EFL campaigns commence on September 12, United have had to delay the start of their pre-season training, with a planned behind closed door pre-season friendly with Buckland Athletic being cancelled, and their playing staff have remained on the Government's furlough scheme.
Hopefully, once the season does get underway it will prove to be a successful one for the Gulls as they aim to do things Gary Johnson's way.
Tuesday, 28 July 2020
PLAY OFF FINAL APPEARANCE WOULD PROVIDE GRECIANS YOUTH SET-UP WITH ANOTHER BOOST
Once Brentford and Swansea City's Championship play-off final second leg has been concluded one former Exeter City starlet the shot at winning promotion to the Premier League.
The question is - will it be Bees' striker Ollie Watkins or Swans' skipper Matt Grimes?
Watkins, who left the Grecians to join Brentford in 2017 for £1.8million, has found the back of the net 25 times in the 2019-20 campaign and has emerged as one of the leading strikers outside the top-flight. Even if the Bees were to miss out on promotion to the Premier League it is not impausible that Watkisn could attract plenty of interest from a number of Premier League clubs. This would have an additional benefit to the Grecians, who are believed to have a sell-on clause as part of the deal that took him to Griffin Park in the summer of 2017.
Grimes, the Grecians' player of the year for the 2013-14 campaign, left St James Park for Swansea in January 2015 for £1.5 million - which was the record fee received by Exeter City until it was eclipsed by Watkins' move to the Bees. He made his debut as a substitute on February 1, 2015 against Queens Park Rangers before being loaned out to Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United and Northampton Town.
Despite only making four appearances for Swansea in the Premier League prior to their relegation in 2018, he has established himself as a first team regular since their return to the Championship and is currently the Swans' club captain - a responsiblity that he acquired in the 2018-19 campaign.
Swansea currently lead 1-0 on aggregate heading into tomorrow night's second leg, with the winner facing either Fulham or Cardiff City (Fulham won the first leg 2-0) for a shot at winning promotion to the Premier League. If either Watkins or Grimes were plying their trade in the top-flight next season, it would provide the Grecians' youth set-up with another boost.
The question is - will it be Bees' striker Ollie Watkins or Swans' skipper Matt Grimes?
Watkins, who left the Grecians to join Brentford in 2017 for £1.8million, has found the back of the net 25 times in the 2019-20 campaign and has emerged as one of the leading strikers outside the top-flight. Even if the Bees were to miss out on promotion to the Premier League it is not impausible that Watkisn could attract plenty of interest from a number of Premier League clubs. This would have an additional benefit to the Grecians, who are believed to have a sell-on clause as part of the deal that took him to Griffin Park in the summer of 2017.
Grimes, the Grecians' player of the year for the 2013-14 campaign, left St James Park for Swansea in January 2015 for £1.5 million - which was the record fee received by Exeter City until it was eclipsed by Watkins' move to the Bees. He made his debut as a substitute on February 1, 2015 against Queens Park Rangers before being loaned out to Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United and Northampton Town.
Despite only making four appearances for Swansea in the Premier League prior to their relegation in 2018, he has established himself as a first team regular since their return to the Championship and is currently the Swans' club captain - a responsiblity that he acquired in the 2018-19 campaign.
Swansea currently lead 1-0 on aggregate heading into tomorrow night's second leg, with the winner facing either Fulham or Cardiff City (Fulham won the first leg 2-0) for a shot at winning promotion to the Premier League. If either Watkins or Grimes were plying their trade in the top-flight next season, it would provide the Grecians' youth set-up with another boost.
Monday, 27 July 2020
JOHNSON BOLSTERS HIS DEFENCE WITH TWO MORE ACQUISITIONS
After strengthening his forward line with the signings of Danny Wright and Andrew Nelson, Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has done likewise to bolster his defensive options with the signings of Gary Warren and Fraser Kerr.
Warren, 35, will be a name familiar with the United faithful following his four-match loan spell between January and February 2020 from Exeter City, which left a big impression on all of those who witnessed him in action. Bristol-born Warren, 35, was released by the Grecians in the wake of their play-off final defeat to Northampton Town, and his previous clubs also include Team Bath, Newport County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Yeovil Town.
Kerr, 27, started his career with Birmingham City and also has experience of playing in Scotland with Motherwell (for whom he featured in the Scottish Premier League), Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir. He returned to England in 2017 to sign for Gateshead before joining his most recent club Hartlepool United in 2019, and he featured in the Pools' 2-1 win over the Gulls at Plainmoor in August last year.
United are poised to announce the signing of an attacking midfield player, who would take their summer signings up to five, within the next 48 hours.
Warren, 35, will be a name familiar with the United faithful following his four-match loan spell between January and February 2020 from Exeter City, which left a big impression on all of those who witnessed him in action. Bristol-born Warren, 35, was released by the Grecians in the wake of their play-off final defeat to Northampton Town, and his previous clubs also include Team Bath, Newport County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Yeovil Town.
Kerr, 27, started his career with Birmingham City and also has experience of playing in Scotland with Motherwell (for whom he featured in the Scottish Premier League), Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir. He returned to England in 2017 to sign for Gateshead before joining his most recent club Hartlepool United in 2019, and he featured in the Pools' 2-1 win over the Gulls at Plainmoor in August last year.
United are poised to announce the signing of an attacking midfield player, who would take their summer signings up to five, within the next 48 hours.
Saturday, 25 July 2020
WRIGHT AND NELSON REVEALED AS FIRST OF THE GULLS' NEW SIGNINGS
Torquay United manager Gary Johnson has revealed the identity of two of the five signings he has lined up for the 2020-21 season.
Johnson has confirmed that experienced Danny Wright, 35, who previously helped him to win the National League title in the 2015-16 campaign with Cheltenham Town, and young prospect Andrew Nelson, 22, formerly of Sunderland and Dundee, will arrive at Plainmoor to spearhead the Gulls' attack when the new season eventually gets underway.
Wright has crossed swords with United on many occasions in the past in his career which has taken in spells with Histon, Kidderminster Harriers, Cheltenham and Solihull Moors amongst others. In the Robins' National League title winning season he found the back of the net 22 times, including two goals at Plainmoor in a 3-0 win over the Gulls on Easter Monday 2015 - current United assistant manager Aaron Downes scored Cheltenham's other goal on that occasion.
"He's a young 35, coming on 36," remarked Johnson remarked in an interview on the club's official website. "I wouldn't sign a 35, 36 year old has been. Not only is he a very experienced player, he's a very good player on and off the pitch. He's has a presence about him and I felt that we didn't have that presence up front last year."
Nelson hails from Stockton-on-Tees and came through the youth academy of Sunderland before appearing three times for the Black Cats' Under-23 side in the EFL Trophy. During his time at Sunderland, he enjoyed loan spells with Hartlepool United in League Two, Harrogate Town in National League North, Falkirk in the Scottish Championship and Darlington in National League North over the course of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns. His best goal return of these loan spells came during his stay with Darlington, which saw him score six goals in five league appearances midway through the 2018-19 season.
Shortly after the end of his stint with the Quakers, he signed for Dundee who were then in the Scottish Premier League. Despite marking his league debut against Heart of Midlothian with a goal that clinched a 2-1 for the Dark Blues on January 23, 2019, he was unable to help them to avoid relegation to the Scottish Championship at the end of the campaign. He left Dens Park by mutual consent after the 2019-20 season was suspended following the Covid-19 pandemic.
"There is so much potential in this lad, it's unbelievable," said Johnson. "He's got this work ethic where he's a pest and he's a clever pest. He can and will get himself into goalscoring situations. They are going to endear themselves to the Yellow Army because you will identify with these strikers and they will identify them."
In addition to this, Johnson also revealed that he will be adding to two centre backs to his squad as well as an attacking midfielder who will be confirmed next week.
The National League are also expected to make an official announcement about the start date for the new season after it was revealed that the Premier League and the EFL will be commencing on September 12.
Johnson has confirmed that experienced Danny Wright, 35, who previously helped him to win the National League title in the 2015-16 campaign with Cheltenham Town, and young prospect Andrew Nelson, 22, formerly of Sunderland and Dundee, will arrive at Plainmoor to spearhead the Gulls' attack when the new season eventually gets underway.
Wright has crossed swords with United on many occasions in the past in his career which has taken in spells with Histon, Kidderminster Harriers, Cheltenham and Solihull Moors amongst others. In the Robins' National League title winning season he found the back of the net 22 times, including two goals at Plainmoor in a 3-0 win over the Gulls on Easter Monday 2015 - current United assistant manager Aaron Downes scored Cheltenham's other goal on that occasion.
"He's a young 35, coming on 36," remarked Johnson remarked in an interview on the club's official website. "I wouldn't sign a 35, 36 year old has been. Not only is he a very experienced player, he's a very good player on and off the pitch. He's has a presence about him and I felt that we didn't have that presence up front last year."
Nelson hails from Stockton-on-Tees and came through the youth academy of Sunderland before appearing three times for the Black Cats' Under-23 side in the EFL Trophy. During his time at Sunderland, he enjoyed loan spells with Hartlepool United in League Two, Harrogate Town in National League North, Falkirk in the Scottish Championship and Darlington in National League North over the course of the 2017-18 and 2018-19 campaigns. His best goal return of these loan spells came during his stay with Darlington, which saw him score six goals in five league appearances midway through the 2018-19 season.
Shortly after the end of his stint with the Quakers, he signed for Dundee who were then in the Scottish Premier League. Despite marking his league debut against Heart of Midlothian with a goal that clinched a 2-1 for the Dark Blues on January 23, 2019, he was unable to help them to avoid relegation to the Scottish Championship at the end of the campaign. He left Dens Park by mutual consent after the 2019-20 season was suspended following the Covid-19 pandemic.
"There is so much potential in this lad, it's unbelievable," said Johnson. "He's got this work ethic where he's a pest and he's a clever pest. He can and will get himself into goalscoring situations. They are going to endear themselves to the Yellow Army because you will identify with these strikers and they will identify them."
In addition to this, Johnson also revealed that he will be adding to two centre backs to his squad as well as an attacking midfielder who will be confirmed next week.
The National League are also expected to make an official announcement about the start date for the new season after it was revealed that the Premier League and the EFL will be commencing on September 12.
Friday, 17 July 2020
WHY GULLS LOAN LINK WITH BRISTOL CITY SHOULD CONTINUE
What do the following players have in common: Dan Burn, Shane Duffy and John Lundstram?
Apart from being key performers for their respective Premier League sides (Burn and Duffy for Brighton and Hove Albion and Lundstram with Sheffield United) all three players have played on loan under Gary Johnson at Yeovil Town earlier in their careers.
Burn helped the Glovers win promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 season, and was on target in their play-off final win over Brentford at Wembley. Duffy and Lundstram both arrived at Huish Park on loan from Everton during their Championship season in 2013-14, as they continued their footballing education.
Johnson has since used the loan market to good effect in his latter roles as manager of Cheltenham Town and currently with Torquay United. While with the Robins he signed rookie goalkeeper Dillon Phillips on loan from Charlton Athletic, who has gone on to establish himself as the Addicks first choice keeper, and as Gulls manager he has brought in five loan players from Bristol City (Jake Andrews, Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Saikou Janneh and Robbie Cundy) as well as Swansea City (Joe Lewis), AFC Bournemouth (Frank Vincent) and Bradford City (Jackson Longridge).
All of those aforementioned loan players who Johnson has brought in on loan have excelled while at Plainmoor, which is why it makes sense for the Gulls' relationship should continue following the recent dismissal of Lee Johnson, Gary's son, as Bristol City manager.
From a logistical point of view, sending young players on loan to Plainmoor from Ashton Gate makes perfect sense. The Robins are one of the largest clubs in the South West area and they have also loaned players out to other clubs in the Westcountry, including Plymouth Argyle and Forest Green Rovers, and other clubs in reasonable travelling distance of Bristol such as Newport County.
Two of the brightest young prospects to have emerged from the Robins' youth academy in recent years in Joe Bryan and Bobby Reid both benefited from loan spells with Plymouth Argyle in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons respectively.
Current EFL regulations also state that each Championship side must field a 'club-developed player' in every matchday squad, so the more experience that the club's academy products gain the better.
Another important figure who also has a big say in where the Robins' loanees end up going is Brian Tinnion, the former City player and manager, who has often been seen at Plainmoor assessing the progress of his young charges. He also has a close relationship with Johnson and his assistant Aaron Downes. And also let's not forget that Andrews (who has since joined the Gulls on a permanent basis), Edwards and Lemonheigh-Evans were all originally brought to Plainmoor by Johnson's predecessor Gary Owers.
Apart from being key performers for their respective Premier League sides (Burn and Duffy for Brighton and Hove Albion and Lundstram with Sheffield United) all three players have played on loan under Gary Johnson at Yeovil Town earlier in their careers.
Burn helped the Glovers win promotion to the Championship in the 2012-13 season, and was on target in their play-off final win over Brentford at Wembley. Duffy and Lundstram both arrived at Huish Park on loan from Everton during their Championship season in 2013-14, as they continued their footballing education.
Johnson has since used the loan market to good effect in his latter roles as manager of Cheltenham Town and currently with Torquay United. While with the Robins he signed rookie goalkeeper Dillon Phillips on loan from Charlton Athletic, who has gone on to establish himself as the Addicks first choice keeper, and as Gulls manager he has brought in five loan players from Bristol City (Jake Andrews, Opi Edwards, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Saikou Janneh and Robbie Cundy) as well as Swansea City (Joe Lewis), AFC Bournemouth (Frank Vincent) and Bradford City (Jackson Longridge).
All of those aforementioned loan players who Johnson has brought in on loan have excelled while at Plainmoor, which is why it makes sense for the Gulls' relationship should continue following the recent dismissal of Lee Johnson, Gary's son, as Bristol City manager.
From a logistical point of view, sending young players on loan to Plainmoor from Ashton Gate makes perfect sense. The Robins are one of the largest clubs in the South West area and they have also loaned players out to other clubs in the Westcountry, including Plymouth Argyle and Forest Green Rovers, and other clubs in reasonable travelling distance of Bristol such as Newport County.
Two of the brightest young prospects to have emerged from the Robins' youth academy in recent years in Joe Bryan and Bobby Reid both benefited from loan spells with Plymouth Argyle in the 2012-13 and 2014-15 seasons respectively.
Current EFL regulations also state that each Championship side must field a 'club-developed player' in every matchday squad, so the more experience that the club's academy products gain the better.
Another important figure who also has a big say in where the Robins' loanees end up going is Brian Tinnion, the former City player and manager, who has often been seen at Plainmoor assessing the progress of his young charges. He also has a close relationship with Johnson and his assistant Aaron Downes. And also let's not forget that Andrews (who has since joined the Gulls on a permanent basis), Edwards and Lemonheigh-Evans were all originally brought to Plainmoor by Johnson's predecessor Gary Owers.
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