10 Years Ago Today

Post by **Gulliball** » 07 Feb 2014, 10:51

On 7th February 2004, we beat Swansea 2-1 away from home at the Vetch Field. This was one of my first ever away games, in a season which, when looking back now, was unfortunately far from typical for life as a Torquay fan. I think in 5 away games I saw us win 4 times and draw once.

David Graham put us one nil up, before they equalised late on, only for substitute Jo Kuffour to hit a late winner.

At the time of the game we were 8th in the league and Swansea were 9th, so this result was big for us, and set us up for the final run in when we overtook Huddersfield on the final day to take the last automatic promotion spot.

Report from a Swansea site on the game:

Cup kings Swansea dropped more home points to put their play-off aspirations in grave danger.

A goal five minutes from time by flu victim Jo Kuffour sent the Swans to defeat and they have yet to win at home in the League in 2004.

"Torquay are a good side and we were second best today," said Swans manager Brian Flynn.

"We made a bright start in the second half because I told the players at half time that we were a 'nearly' team. Torquay are a side in form, we aren't and it showed today as we were very predictable particularly in the first half." The visitors went ahead in the 18th minute when David Graham rounded two defenders before wrong-footing Roger Freestone in the home goal.

Flynn gave his side a half-time roasting and within 60 seconds of the restart they had two shots cleared off the Gulls goal-line as they tried to make up for their poor showing in the first half.

But it was not until the 81st minute that they were back on level terms when a poor clearance by Torquay keeper Kevin Dearden fell to Kevin Nugent who squeezed the ball into the net off the keeper from a tight angle.

Just as Swansea thought they had rescued a point, up popped Kuffour to blast home the winner.

Gulls manager Leroy Rosenior was pleased with Kuffour's match-winning performance.

"He didn't train until Thursday, but I knew I would have him in the squad even if he was still suffering from flu," he said.

"I knew if he had hold of the ball he could cause them problems and as soon as he went onto the pitch that is exactly what happened." Swansea are now eight points adrift of Torquay and unless Flynn quickly restores confidence a place in the end of season play-offs may be beyond them.

Anybody else there that day? Or have any other Swansea memories? Fair to say that Swansea have had a slight upturn in fortunes since then, whilst we are in the same division, with a worse side this year, but have improved a lot in terms of infrastructure and professionalism around the club.

teeboo100 · Post by **teeboo100** » 07 Feb 2014, 11:04

remember that game really well kuffour absolutely smashed the winner after a super little drop the shoulder move around the defender i remember being gutted that they somehow grabbed an equalizer when we seamed in total control of the game. o they where good times under leroy we had a great side then.

Plymouth Gull · Post by **Plymouth Gull** » 07 Feb 2014, 12:13

Yep, awesome day.

Post by **Colorado Gull** » 07 Feb 2014, 13:14

I remember it well, one of the best days out in that wonder season! I remember every single Torquay fan going absolutely mental when super Joe Kuffour smashed the winner home. Great times.

Post by **Dave** » 07 Feb 2014, 14:27

Thanks for sharing those memories, I went to the forgotten play-off final first leg away to Swansea, don't have lot memories, other than the coach getting a rough ride on the way in, having a cordoned off area around the away turnstile, and what seem to be a delay in giving our late goal.

nickfrench82 · Post by **nickfrench82** » 07 Feb 2014, 17:20

I remember this day, drove up to the ground wearing no TUFC colours at all having only decided to make the trip at 11am, had an absolutely great afternoon and then got verbally abused by a TUFC fan(I know exactly who he is and remember him to this day) as being a sheep s**ging, taff w**ker, and to f**k off back to the sheep, as I was returning to my car.

Nice bloke...

Great game though!

ferrarilover · Post by **ferrarilover** » 07 Feb 2014, 17:26

Yaaaay, I've disabled my swear filter.

nickfrench82 · Post by **nickfrench82** » 08 Feb 2014, 01:41

Don't tell me you were able to crack my code Matt?

Dave_Pougher · Post by **Dave_Pougher** » 08 Feb 2014, 09:58

Great day, my boy was 11 and picked to take a penalty against the Swan at half time and was taken on to the pitch just before. He stood by the TQY dug out and being 11 stood with a broad grin straight in front of Leroy, " Hi Leroy" he said as he was trying to watch the action. lol

Think we were second in the league after that match, ironically the highest place (I think) that season.

ferrarilover · Post by **ferrarilover** » 08 Feb 2014, 14:23

nickfrench82 wrote:Don't tell me you were able to crack my code Matt?

I was. Went on a day trip to Bletchley Park last year and haven't been able to stop since.

Matt.

Post by **Gulliball** » 21 Feb 2014, 17:28

10 years ago today:

Hull 0-1 Torquay

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 482191.stm

Hull keeper Boaz Myhill was on top form but could not prevent a Torquay win that sees the Tigers slip to second in the Division Three table.
David Graham headed goalwards and Martin Gritton reacted quickest to convert from six yards.

Myhill continually denied Torquay, who should have added to their tally but for some woeful finishing.

Matt Hockley hit the post from long-range and Gritton wasted a glorious chance to net his second.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hull: Myhill, Thelwell, Joseph, Delaney, Holt, Green, Marshall, Hinds, Elliott, Walters, Burgess. Subs: Musselwhite, Forrester, France, Melton, Peat.

Torquay: Dearden, McGlinchey, Woods, Taylor, Canoville, Fowler, Hockley, Russell, Hill, Graham, Kuffour. Subs: Van Heusden, Gritton, Bedeau, Woozley, Hazell.

Referee: M Ryan (Lancashire)

Hull went on to finish 2nd, one place ahead of us, as both sides went up automatically. So that's Swansea and Hull we beat away from home in our magical 2003/04 season that are now Premiership sides.

Post by **SuperNickyWroe** » 21 Feb 2014, 23:01

Gulliball wrote:10 years ago today:

Hull 0-1 Torquay

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/footbal ... 482191.stm

Hull keeper Boaz Myhill was on top form but could not prevent a Torquay win that sees the Tigers slip to second in the Division Three table.
David Graham headed goalwards and Martin Gritton reacted quickest to convert from six yards.

Myhill continually denied Torquay, who should have added to their tally but for some woeful finishing.

Matt Hockley hit the post from long-range and Gritton wasted a glorious chance to net his second.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hull: Myhill, Thelwell, Joseph, Delaney, Holt, Green, Marshall, Hinds, Elliott, Walters, Burgess. Subs: Musselwhite, Forrester, France, Melton, Peat.

Torquay: Dearden, McGlinchey, Woods, Taylor, Canoville, Fowler, Hockley, Russell, Hill, Graham, Kuffour. Subs: Van Heusden, Gritton, Bedeau, Woozley, Hazell.

Referee: M Ryan (Lancashire)

Hull went on to finish 2nd, one place ahead of us, as both sides went up automatically. So that's Swansea and Hull we beat away from home in our magical 2003/04 season that are now Premiership sides.

nice.

and I think the word bo**ocks sums it up nicely as to where we all are now.

harbertongull · Post by **harbertongull** » 22 Feb 2014, 11:49

That's the story of our existence, look where they are, look where we are!

Post by **Gulliball** » 08 May 2014, 13:22

Guess what happened 10 years ago today?

(A few days later...)

Post by **SuperNickyWroe** » 08 May 2014, 15:04

bo**ocks.

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