ARGYLE FACE OLD FRIEND AND FAMILIAR FOE ON RETURN TO CHAMPIONSHIP

 On their return to the Championship for the first time since 2010 Plymouth Argyle will be facing a former friend and a familiar foe in the opening two fixtures. 

The Pilgrims are hosting Huddersfield Town, who are managed by former promotion winning Argyle boss Neil Warnock on the opening day of the campaign. Warnock, who guided Argyle to promotion from Division Three in 1995-96, is also bringing the Terriers to the South West in pre-season, with friendlies lined up against Bodmin Town, Tavistock and Liskeard Athletic. 

A week later, their first away trip of the season sees the Pilgrims travel to Vicarage Road to face Watford, who they famously encountered in their 1984 FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park. 

Then, of course, Argyle will be taking on the likes of Leeds United, Leicester City and Southampton, who were relegated from the Premier League at the end of last season. They will also be facing a local derby with Bristol City and trips to South Wales for encounters with Cardiff City and Swansea City. 

The announcement of the Pilgrims' fixtures comes after the news that they captured the signature of Spanish defender Julio Pleguezuelo following his departure from Dutch side FC Twente, who had previously progressed through the youth ranks of Athletico Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal. 

In addition to this, Argyle have also secured home grown central midfielder Adam Randell on a three-year deal. 

 

RUSSELL SKIPPERS VETERAN THREE LIONS TO SIXTH WORLD TITLE

 In the same weekend that Manchester City made history by winning the Champions League to complete an historic treble, former Torquay United midfielder Alex Russell captained England veteran's to their sixth seniors World Cup triumph. 

Russell, 50, is still playing in Australia for Cairns-based side Leichhardt Lions, who play in the Queensland Far North and Gulf Premier Division, led a team containing several former Football League players to a 1-0 win in the final of the competition, held in Thailand, against Iran. His fellow squad members included former Plymouth Argyle duo Luke McCormick and Barry Hayles, ex Yeovil forward Lloyd Owusu and one-time Exeter City winger Lee Elam amongst others.

Their victory in the final came after the veteran Three Lions saw off Australia in the semi-finals with a 2-1 win - in which former Portsmouth and Derby County striker Deon Burton netted twice for England. 

It was the third time that Russell has won the tournament, having previously won the competiton with England in 2016, 2017 and 2018. He spent four years with the Gulls between 2001 and 2005 and was part of the United side that won promotion to League One under Leroy Rosenior in 2003-04. Russell later had spells with Exeter City in the 2009-10 season and with Yeovil Town in the 2010-11 campaign.

 

 

TORQUAY UNITED'S NATIONAL LEAGUE SOUTH SQUAD AS IT STANDS

 Torquay United currently have a squad of 16 players signed up for their bid to win promotion from National League South at the first attempt in the 2023-24 campaign. 

United previously won the league in the 2018-19 season under Gary Johnson, after he replaced Gary Owers in September 2018, and will be looking to repeat the feat this time round. 

The Gulls will be competing against fellow relegated sides Yeovil Town and Maidstone United - in addition to the likes of Dartford, Braintree and Chelmsford United - meaning the forthcoming campaign is shaping up to be one of the most competitive National League South seasons in many years.

GOALKEEPER 

Mark Halstead, Rhys Lovett

Once again Mark Halstead and Rhys Lovett will be sharing goalkeeping duties again, with Halstead acting as first choice and Lovett as his understudy. Halstead established himself one of the leading goalkeepers in the National League in the 2022-23 season, with performances against Scunthorpe United, York City and Wrexham being amongst his stand-out displays, and he is surely likely to emerge as a leading keeper in the National League South. 

In Lovett, the Gulls have a keeper who could possibly feature regularly for the majority of clubs in the division - so he's a more than capable deputy when, or if, required to step in.

DEFENDER 

Shaun Donnellan, Ross Marshall, Dean Moxey, Ollie Tomlinson

Towards the end of last season United manager Gary Johnson played a back three with Shaun Donnellan and Dean Moxey either side of Southampton loanee Nico Lawrence, who has since returned to the St Mary's Stadium. During his reign as United boss, Johnson has used the loan market to bring a number of young centre backs - including Robbie Cundy, Sam Sherring, Lucas Ness and Lawrence - and it wouldn't be a huge shock if he brings in another young loanee - possibly in the mould of Lawrence - to play in the centre of defence.

Ollie Tomlinson, who gained experience of National League South during loan spells with Taunton Town and Chippenham Town, is also another option and Ross Marshall also remains under contract.

RIGHT WING-BACK 

Jack Stobbs, Dylan Crowe

After spending the final weeks of the season on loan from Oldham Athletic, Jack Stobbs made the right wing-back spot his own and is set to continue in that role in the 2023-24 campaign. He will be contesting the position with Dylan Crowe, who showed glimpses of promise following his summer move from Ipswich Town.

MIDFIELD

Kevin Dawson, Asa Hall, Tom Lapslie, Brett McGavin, Ryan Hanson

In midfield, Johnson has plenty of options available to him after securing the signature of Irish midfielder Kevin Dawson for a third time - after previously snapping him up for Yeovil Town and Cheltenham Town - following his successful loan spell from Gloucester City. Dawson formed a dynamic midfield 'holy trinity' with skipper Asa Hall and Tom Lapslie and they look set to continue in United's engine room for the 2023-24 campaign, with back up provided by Brett McGavin and Ryan Hanson. McGavin was mainly used as an impact sub in the end of season run-in, which saw him come off the bench to score in the Gulls' 5-1 defeat to Chesterfield in their penultimate away game of the campaign. The former Ipswich Town prospect will be looking to influence games more from the start, and Hanson will be hoping to make the most of any opportunities that come his way.

STRIKER 

Aaron Jarvis, Bradley Ash, Lewis Collins

The news that the Gulls have so far been able to retain the services of last season's leading scorer Aaron Jarvis has arguably been a bigger boost as any new signings that United have made so far. Jarvis netted 18 times in the 2023-24 campaign - which included two hat-tricks, becoming the first Gulls' player to complete that feat since Robin Stubbs in 1965-66 - and he will be aiming to better that tally in 2023-24. 

Jarvis looks set to partner new signing Bradley Ash, who scored 18 goals for Weymouth in National League South in 2022-23. Ash, 27, who lists Weston Super Mare, Barnsley, Boreham Wood and Chippenham Town amongst his former clubs, will undoubtably be heading into next season looking to replicate that haul.

In addition to this, Lewis Collins has made his loan stint from Newport County into a permanent move, following a spell that saw him score three times in 15 appearances - which included several games as a left wing-back. Whether he will be deployed further forward by Johnson or in the same role remains to be seen. 

IN SUMMARY

All in all Johnson's squad is shaping up quite nicely, although there are a few vacant spots to be filled. Talks remain ongoing with left-back Dan Martin, a player with previous experience of National League South from a loan spell with Weston Super Mare. Other left-backs who have worked with Johnson at his previous clubs are currently available such as Ryan Law (loan spell with the Gulls in 2020-21) and Jordan Cranston (Cheltenham Town 2016-2018), so one of those two could yet end up at Plainmoor. 

Johnson could also bring in another striker if he decides to continue to use Lewis Collins at left wing-back. A pacey left winger who could be used as an impact sub might also be on his radar. 

Also, don't be surprised if Johnson's final few signings turn out to be loanees. The likes of Adam Randell (Plymouth Argyle), Sam Sherring (AFC Bournemouth), Sinclair Armstrong and Stephen Duke-McKenna (Queens Park Rangers), Lucas Ness (Charlton Athletic), Joe Lewis (Swansea City), Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Saikou Janneh and Robbie Cundy (Bristol City) and Nico Lawrence (Southampton) all excelled for United after joining on loan, which reflects Johnson's record of developing young players from higher division clubs. And there could yet be a number of new faces who might join the aforementioned list. 

IN: Kevin Dawson (Gloucester City), Jack Stobbs (Oldham Athletic), Bradley Ash (Weymouth), Lewis Collins (Newport County)

OUT: Olaf Koszela and Alex Moyse (Dorchester Town), Jack Winsor (Bideford), Lewis Brooks, Ali Omar, Ben Wyatt, Jacob Mensah

TROLLOPE AND MOORE BOTH WIN PROMOTIONS ON SAME DRAMATIC WEEKEND

 In many ways it's perhaps fitting that former Torquay United duo Paul Trollope and Darren Moore guided teams to promotion on the same weekend. 

Former Wales international Trollope helped to steer Luton Town to promotion to the Premier League as the assistant to Hatters boss Rob Edwards, which saw the Hatters become the first team to rise from the National League to the Premier League, after they emerged as victors on penalties after drawing 1-1 in normal time against Coventry City in the Championship play-off final. 

Two days later, Moore led Sheffield Wednesday to victory over their South Yorkshire neighbours Barnsley in the League One final, with Josh Windass scoring the game's decisive goal deep in injury time to seal a return to the Championship for the Owls. 

The pairs success comes nearly 30 years since they last appeared for the Gulls and their spells at Plainmoor came in a similar era. They both made the debuts in the 1991-92 season; Trollope as a loanee from Swindon Town (where his father John was the club's record appearance holder) against Stoke City and Moore as a second year YTS player against Birmingham City. 

In the 1992-93 campaign, Trollope and Moore were both part of the United side who avoided relegation from the Football League under Neil Warnock after beating Carlisle United 1-0 in their penultimate game of the season at Brunton Park. 

This was followed in the following 1993-94 season with a play-off challenge from the Gulls under Warnock's successor Don O'Riordan and a two legged semi-final with Preston North End awaited United. They won the first leg at Plainmoor 2-0 with Moore and Duane Darby finding the target with Trollope also featuring. The second leg was the final match that took place on Preston's infamous plastic pitch. It was all going so well as United were drawing 1-1 - Barbadian international Gregory Goodridge scored for the Gulls - until Moore was involved in the off-the-ball scuffle with Preston midfielder Paul Raynor, in which Raynor went down clutching his face, that earned Moore a red card (even though replays have since shown Moore didn’t make contact with him). 

Both of them would leave the club in 1995, Trollope joined Derby County for £50,000 and Moore headed to Doncaster Rovers for £62,500. They then went on to enjoy careers which would see them reach Premier League and appear internationally for Wales and Jamaica respectively before entering coaching and management.

 

 

 

WEMBLEY BECKONS FOR EX- GULL MOORE

After seeing him upset the odds to overturn a four-goal deficit against Peterborough United, all Torquay United fans will be rooting for Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore when the Owls face Barnsley in the League One play-off final on Bank Holiday Monday. 

Wednesday trailed Peterborough United 4-0 after the first leg of their semi-final at London Road, and some Owls fans were calling for his dismissal, and he also suffered further abuse online; the kind that the perpetrators wouldn't dare to say to his face if they met him in the street. Of course, in the second leg at Hillsborough Wednesday won 5-1 after extra time before winning 5-3 on penalties and the rest, as they say, is history. 

However, those who know Moore's career well are no doubt aware that he is indeed no stranger to adversity. He took a similar route to Plainmoor to the one that Lee Sharpe followed in 1987, when he joined the Gulls as a 16-year old apprentice in 1990 - moving away from his West Midlands home in the process. 

His professional debut soon followed in March 1992 against Birmingham City and he played a handful more games as United were relegated from the 'old' Third Division - now League One at the end of the 1991-92 campaign. 

In the 1992-93 season, Moore was part of the Gulls side who avoided relegation from the Football League under Neil Warnock, with survival secured thanks to a 1-0 away win at Carlisle United in their penultimate league fixture. Moore's contribution was recognised by the fact he won the club's player of the season award for the campaign.

Then in the following 1993-94 season, United qualified for the play-offs with a sixth placed finish, where they faced Preston North End in the semi-finals. The Gulls overcame the Lilywhites 2-0 in the first leg at Plainmoor with Duane Darby and Moore finding the target and the challenge of overcoming Preston on their much maligned plastic pitch. 

It was all going so well as United were drawing 1-1 - with Barbadian international Gregory Goodridge scoring for the Gulls - until Moore was involved in an off-the-ball scuffle with Preston midfielder Paul Raynor, in which Raynor went down clutching his face, even though replays have since shown Moore didn’t make contact with him.

To make matters worse, Preston won 4-1 on the night, and 4-3 on aggregate, with Raynor scoring the winning goal.

Nevertheless, Preston were beaten in the final at Wembley by a Wycombe Wanderers side managed by Martin O’Neill and remained in Division Three, and the Gulls secured a measure of revenge by completing the ‘double’ over them in the 1994-95 campaign.

Moore would leave Plainmoor in the summer of 1995 to move to Doncaster Rovers for a fee of £62,500, and would go on to enjoy a 650 game career with Bradford City, Portsmouth, West Bromwich Albion, Derby County, Barnsley and Burton Albion.

Once he hung up his boots, he then embarked on a career in coaching and management with West Brom, Doncaster and now Sheffield Wednesday.

It’s been quite a journey for him – and one that started at Plainmoor and the United faithful will be hoping that his Owls' side can do the business once more for him at Wembley. 

 

HELLIER COMPLETES GLOVERS PURCHASE

 After months of speculation, Yeovil Town now have a new owner in the form of local businessman Martin Hellier. 

Former chairman Scott Priestnall had previously announced a group called SU Glovers, headed by Matt Ugla and former England Rugby Union international Paul Sackey, who were unveiled as custodians. 

However, Uggla was unable to get the deal over the line and Hellier, a long-time sponsor of the club, has now agreed a deal to purchase the Glovers, who were relegated to National League South in the 2022-23 season after being a Championship club as recently as 2014. 

Hellier has also confirmed that he intends to buy back Huish Park, which was previously sold to South Somerset District Council, and has made £2million available to invest in the club. 

In addition to this, he also announced that Mark Cooper will remain as manager and the Glovers will remain full-time, as they embark on their first season in the sixth tier since 1997. 

GULLS MAKE IT A DOZEN AS FOUR MORE AGREE TERMS

 Torquay United have now taken the number of players that they have under contract for the 2023-24 to 12, after goalkeeper Mark Halstead, central midfielders Tom Lapslie and Kevin Dawson and young centre back Ollie Tomlinson all agreed terms with the club. 

Halstead and Lapslie will be signing up for their third seasons with Gary Johnson's men, having arrived at Plainmoor in the summer of 2021 - following the Gulls' National League play-off final defeat to Hartlepool United.

Former Plymouth Argyle hopeful Tomlinson spent last season on loan at Taunton Town and Chippenham Town in the National League South - the division that the Gulls have relegated into - and will be looking to challenge for a regular first team spot. 

Dublin-born midfielder Dawson, who played under Johnson at both Yeovil Town and Cheltenham Town, technically becomes United's first summer signing, as he spent the final few months of the 2022-23 season on loan from National League North side Gloucester City. The Irishman officially becomes a Torquay United player on July 1. At 32, he brings a wealth of experience to the squad, which includes helping the Glovers to win promotion to the Championship with Johnson against the odds in 2012-13.

They join a list that includes captain Asa Hall and vice-captain Dean Moxey, who were first to agree terms and Dylan Crowe, Ross Marshall, Shaun Donnellan, Ryan Hanson, Brett McGavin and player of the season and leading scorer Aaron Jarvis.