Torquay United Top 100 Matches

wivelgull · Post by **wivelgull** » 24 Mar 2016, 19:04

Meanwhile back in the jungle.....Mark Coombe!!!

Plymouth Gull · Post by **Plymouth Gull** » 24 Mar 2016, 20:43

JOINT 26th: Torquay United 1 - 0 West Ham United - 1989/90

15 points, 2 votes (6+9)

FA Cup 3rd Round
6th January 1990
Plainmoor
Attendance: 5342

United's one and only meeting with West Ham is next to feature. It came in the FA Cup 3rd Round back in 1990, and we beat the Hammers 1-0 at Plainmoor. I'm hoping Stefano can continue with his teams from the past as I struggle to find them (if you hadn't noticed!!)

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JOINT 26th: Torquay United 6 - 1 Wrexham - 1987/88

15 points, 2 votes (6+9)

Division 4
15th August 1987
Plainmoor
Attendance: 1817

Another match from the late 1980's is joint 26th. An early season smashing of Wrexham features. Again, I can't find a lot about this but 6-1 is a decent scoreline!

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JOINT 26th: Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - 2 Torquay United - 1988/89

15 points, 2 votes (10+5)

Sherpa Van Trophy South Final
18th April 1989
Molineux
Attendance: 22532

Torquay: Kenny Allen; Paul Holmes, Jim McNichol, Matt Elliott, Phil Lloyd, Tom Kelly; John Morrison, Ian Weston, Mark Loram; Dean Edwards, Jimmy Smith (Daral Pugh).

Torquay scorers: Dean Edwards, Mark Loram

Torquay United made history at Molineux by getting to a Wembley final for the first time in the clubs history. Wolves, the holders of the Sherpa Van Trophy after winning it in 1988, were comfortable favourites for this Southern Area Final. They won 2-1 at Plainmoor. They had two strikers who scored a shedload (Steve Bull scored over 100 over the 1987/88 & 1988/89 seasons) and Andy Mutch had over 20+ too. Manager Cyril Knowles went for a 5-3-2 at Molineux and it worked effectively - United were able to shut out Bull and Mutch and record a 2-0 win. Over 22000 fans were there to see it - with 400 Gulls in attendance (this was limited by Wolves). Dean Edwards scored the opener, before Mark Loram put United 3-2 up on aggregate. The Gulls held on to reach Wembley for the first time - a great upset and achievement from Knowles' side.

Uberwozza-san · Post by **Uberwozza-san** » 24 Mar 2016, 23:47

Wolves is only 26th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow. Maybe only those who went, and there weren't many of us after Bull robbed us in the home leg, voted for it.

If i am trying to explain to anyone what it means to be a football supporter, and that ANYTHING can happen in sport - this is the game i describe.

Probably 300 or 400 of us tucked into a tiny corner of a massive stand. Wolves had ALREADY PRINTED details of the Wembley trip booking in their programme that night to give you some indication of how ridiculous this was. 22000 went silent went Deano nicked one, and then Lors with some creative free kick genius when they werent ready to go ahead in aggregate. McNichol, Elliot and Lloyd a magnificent wall in front of kenny, kenny allen in our goal.

You also have to understand that Wembley was an impossible dream in those days - only the FA Cup and League Cup final got played there. So to win at Wolves in front of that crowd, with that first leg score and get to Wembley was as close to heaven on earth as you will get.

Wolves fans got nasty at the end after being turned over. Police escort out of the ground and bricks thrown against the coach but who cared.

Que sera, sera

Added in 4 minutes 51 seconds:
btw - obviously i was the '10'

Just want to say thanks again for whoever organised this thread. bringing back some fantastic memories.

stefano · Post by **stefano** » 25 Mar 2016, 01:22

Plymouth Gull wrote:JOINT 26th: Torquay United 1 - 0 West Ham United - 1989/90

15 points, 2 votes (6+9)

FA Cup 3rd Round
6th January 1990
Plainmoor
Attendance: 5342

United's one and only meeting with West Ham is next to feature. It came in the FA Cup 3rd Round back in 1990, and we beat the Hammers 1-0 at Plainmoor. I'm hoping Stefano can continue with his teams from the past as I struggle to find them (if you hadn't noticed!!)

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JOINT 26th: Torquay United 6 - 1 Wrexham - 1987/88

15 points, 2 votes (6+9)

Division 4
15th August 1987
Plainmoor
Attendance: 1817

Another match from the late 1980's is joint 26th. An early season smashing of Wrexham features. Again, I can't find a lot about this but 6-1 is a decent scoreline!

V WEST HAM: A good victory over a team two divisions above us when we were a lower half of table Division 4 (League 2) team. It was a bit of a nip and tuck game which one goal was going to win, and we got it when substiture Paul Hirons stroked home with 5 minutes to go. Great scenes of celebration, but that elusive 5th round was still to elude the Gulls as we went down 1-0 away to Blackpool in the 4th.

TORQUAY (v WEST HAM): Kenny Veysey, Paul Holmes, Phil Lloyd, John Matthews, Matt Elliott, John Uzzell, Jimmy Smith, Dean Edwards, (?) Taylor, Dave Caldwell, Ian Weston; Sub: Paul Hirons.

V WREXHAM: Not 'early season' only of course but first day! Having finished bottom of the Football League in 1984/85 and 1985/86 before automatic relegation to the Conference was in place, then having survived with nearly the last kick of the game from Paul Dobson against Crewe in 1986/87 to finish 23rd out of 24 and send Lincoln City down, this result on the opening day of the next season was quite a shock to the Plainmoor faithful. As we all expected Wrexham took the lead. We were used to that! Then we equalised, and it got better and better and better.....

Cyril Knowles had arrived on the scene! He chopped a couple of yards off the size of the pitch either side to condense the play to the way he wanted. Suddenly after years in the doldrums it was bingo! We should really have been promoted that year. We messed up on the very last day when we only needed a draw but lost 2-1 at home to Scunthorpe. We then the next week played Scunthorpe in the play-offs and although Kenny Allen gave us the jitters late on we beat them over two legs (I know a regular contributor here will have memories of that!). Then disappointingly in the last season of two leg play off finals before it moved to Wembley we lost 5-4 on aggregate to Swansea. A good friend of mine scored for Swansea in both legs, and I know the 3-3 2nd leg at Plainmoor will feature in this thread later as I voted for it and it hasn't yet!

Other memories from the Torquay United renaissance was beating a strong Tottenham Hotspur team 1-0 in the League Cup and totally outplaying the FA Cup holders Coventry City at Highfield Road and being extremely unlucky to lose 2-0 to two late goals.

TORQUAY (v WREXHAM): Kenny Allen, Jim McNichol, Tom Kelly, Sean Haslegrave, Dave Cole, John Impey, Mark Gardiner, Phil Lloyd, Alan McLoughlin, Mark Loram, Paul Dobson Subs: Russell Musker and Gerardo Nardiello (Gerry to his mates though I haven't seen him for ages!)

SCORERS: Dobson (3), McLoughlin (2), Cole

As an extremely old person I am not 100% on the teams as above so any corrections would be appreciated.

Plymouth Gull · Post by **Plymouth Gull** » 25 Mar 2016, 07:06

23rd: Torquay United 3 - 0 Bury - 1967/68

16 points, 2 votes (9+7)

Division 3
16th March 1968
Plainmoor
Attendance: 10693

Another game from the run-in of the 1967/68 season is next up. Isn't this the match that we appeared on Match of the Day?

Plymouth Gull · Post by **Plymouth Gull** » 25 Mar 2016, 07:28

22nd: Bolton Wanderers 4 - 1 Torquay United - 1988/89

16 points, 3 votes (1+7+8)

Sherpa Van Trophy Final
28th May 1989
Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 46513

Torquay: Kenny Allen, Daral Pugh, Tom Kelly, Jim McNichol, Matt Elliot, Mark Loram, Carl Airey, Phil Lloyd, Dean Edwards, Ian Weston, John Morrison. Subs: Sean Joyce, Paul Smith

Bolton scorers: Julian Darby, Dean Crombie, Trevor Morgan, Jeff Chandler
Torquay scorer: Dean Edwards

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The last defeat to feature on the list, and it comes in just outside the top 20. This was the clubs first visit to Wembley Stadium. Having beaten Wolves on aggregate, United travelled to London to play against Bolton. Unfortunately for the Gulls, they were comfortably beaten. Dean Edwards put us ahead early on, but Wanderers stormed back and scored 4 goals without reply. It wasn't to be for United, but around 20,000 Gulls were happy at seeing their team at the home of English football for the first time ever.

Plymouth Gull · Post by **Plymouth Gull** » 25 Mar 2016, 07:30

21st: Portsmouth 0 - 1 Torquay United - 2013/14

16 points, 4 votes (3+6+2+5)

League 2
Saturday 1st February 2014
Fratton Park
Attendance: 15474 (740 Gulls)

Torquay: Michael Poke, Dale Tonge, Antony O'Connor, Krystian Pearce, Kevin Nicholson, Damon Lathrope, Joss Labadie, Shamir Goodwin, Jayden Stockley, Elliot Benyon, Billy Bodin. Subs: Lee Mansell, Tom Cruise, Aiden O'Brien, Aaron Downes, Karl Hawley, Martin Rice, Jordan Chapell

Torquay scorer: Billy Bodin

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Torquay United travelled to Portsmouth for a League 2 fixture in 2013/14. And won it. United were struggling at the foot of the table near the time, under the fresh stewardship of Chris Hargreaves. We went to Fratton Park, roared on by 700+ loud Torquay fans. We didn't expect much, so that made the win even sweeter. Billy Bodin scrambled us ahead around half an hour in. Then it was backs to the wall. For most of the second half. Blocks on the line, penalty claims against us, missed sitters from the hosts. We managed to hold on.

This was an incredible atmosphere - Pompey itself is a very atmospheric ground but I feel we won the battle off the pitch too. While I didn't vote for it, it was an excellent result for the club and certainly deserving of a place - albeit higher than I anticipated.

wivelgull · Post by **wivelgull** » 25 Mar 2016, 08:11

The 3-0 defeat of Bury is mine. Of all matches ever played at Plainmoor, this must be the one that could be described (in United's eyes) as complete football. There were 10000 in the crowd, we (and Bury) were top of Div. 3. (present league One) and the Match of the Day cameras were there (don't forget they only showed one game then). We absolutely walloped Bury. From then on, the sky was the limit for Torquay: we were going up to Div. 2 (Championship), we had the best players in the league (Div. 3), we had the crowds, the enthusiasm, people came from all over to watch us play, you had to get there early (and I mean early), soon we would be getting league crowds of 13, 14,000. Nothing could stop us...and the players! I won't say their names again and again (as I have done), but when the statue goes up outside Plainmoor it will be of one of those players. Glory, Glory....so where did it all go wrong?

stefano · Post by **stefano** » 25 Mar 2016, 09:01

wivelgull wrote:The 3-0 defeat of Bury is mine. Of all matches ever played at Plainmoor, this must be the one that could be described (in United's eyes) as complete football. There were 10000 in the crowd, we (and Bury) were top of Div. 3. (present league One) and the Match of the Day cameras were there (don't forget they only showed one game then). We absolutely walloped Bury. From then on, the sky was the limit for Torquay: we were going up to Div. 2 (Championship), we had the best players in the league (Div. 3), we had the crowds, the enthusiasm, people came from all over to watch us play, you had to get there early (and I mean early), soon we would be getting league crowds of 13, 14,000. Nothing could stop us...and the players! I won't say their names again and again (as I have done), but when the statue goes up outside Plainmoor it will be of one of those players. Glory, Glory....so where did it all go wrong?

Good description Wivel but I think the players deserve a mention!

TORQUAY: Andy Donnelly, Eric Burgess, Bob Baxter, Jimmy Dunn, Alan Smith, Bill Kitchener, Doug Clarke, John Smith, Trevor Shepherd, Alan Welsh, Tony Scott.

Playing against a strong wind towards the Ellacombe end in the first half a 'goal' from our exciting on loan forward from Coventry City Trevor Shepherd was ruled out for something that only the referee had seen. Goalless at half time, in the second half it was one way traffic against our main promotion rivals. Cracking goals came from John Smith (ex West Ham), full back Bob Baxter (ex-Brighton - a 30 yard 'grubber' just inside the post), and Tony Scott (ex-West Ham & Aston Villa).

The strength of the club at that time can be gauged by a look at our players who didn't play in that game: John Bond (FA Cup winner with West Ham), Ken Brown (England international & FA Cup & European Cup Winners Cup with West Ham), Robin Stubbs (our hero ex-Birmingham City), John Benson (ex-Manchester City), Ronnie Barnes (ex-Peterborough & Blackpool)

That win seemed to have sealed promotion with 2 points for a win and only the top two going up. We were now 2 points clear of Bury who were in 2nd place and importantly 5 points clear of the 3rd place team. There was room for the odd slip, and the BBC reporter in the studio could have been believed when he said, "It looks as though it is just a matter of who will be going up with Torquay now".

The kiss of death of course as we then won only 3 of our last 12 games, lost our last 2 when wins would have seen us up, and we slipped to 4th and Oxford and Bury were promoted. The run in saw us on the telly once more. The ITV cameras were at Vicarage Road to record a 2-1 defeat at Watford for the Sunday afternoon programme.

Post by **Southampton Gull** » 25 Mar 2016, 09:17

Plymouth Gull wrote:21st: Portsmouth 0 - 1 Torquay United - 2013/14

16 points, 4 votes (3+6+2+5)

League 2
Saturday 1st February 2014
Fratton Park
Attendance: 15474 (740 Gulls)

Torquay: Michael Poke, Dale Tonge, Antony O'Connor, Krystian Pearce, Kevin Nicholson, Damon Lathrope, Joss Labadie, Shamir Goodwin, Jayden Stockley, Elliot Benyon, Billy Bodin. Subs: Lee Mansell, Tom Cruise, Aiden O'Brien, Aaron Downes, Karl Hawley, Martin Rice, Jordan Chapell

Torquay scorer: Billy Bodin

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Torquay United travelled to Portsmouth for a League 2 fixture in 2013/14. And won it. United were struggling at the foot of the table near the time, under the fresh stewardship of Chris Hargreaves. We went to Fratton Park, roared on by 700+ loud Torquay fans. We didn't expect much, so that made the win even sweeter. Billy Bodin scrambled us ahead around half an hour in. Then it was backs to the wall. For most of the second half. Blocks on the line, penalty claims against us, missed sitters from the hosts. We managed to hold on.

This was an incredible atmosphere - Pompey itself is a very atmospheric ground but I feel we won the battle off the pitch too. While I didn't vote for it, it was an excellent result for the club and certainly deserving of a place - albeit higher than I anticipated.

Obviously high on my list this one. Incredible effort on the pitch only beaten by the fans off it. The fans were superb all game and I'm sure it spurred the team on that day. As much as I dislike the city and it's fans I've always admired the support they give to their club but that particular day we were simply better than them.

wivelgull · Post by **wivelgull** » 25 Mar 2016, 11:59

Actually Alan Smith seems to be one of the forgotten heroes. We all mention Robin, Tommy, Don, Ernie, Sammy, but Alan Smith was a stalwart (and good too!) for many years in United's back line. He wasn't a BIG BOOT (like Reg Wyatt and, later, John Uzzell and Phil Lloyd) but he was a hard man and, in my opinion), every team needs a hard man to impose a bit of discipline - on the opponents! Alan Smith never seems to be mentioned when we discuss our glory days, but he was always there. Where is he now, I wonder?

Added in 5 minutes 5 seconds:
Speaking of Reg Wyatt, can anybody put up a photograph of him? I can clearly visualise all the other heroes down the years but I seem to have forgotten dear ol' Reg. I think he was balding (or maybe bald) and this was long before the days of 'number ones' so his baldness would have stood out.

Added in 3 minutes 16 seconds:
Speaking of Reg Wyatt, can anybody put up a photograph of him? I can clearly visualise all the other heroes down the years but I seem to have forgotten dear ol' Reg. I think he was balding (or maybe bald) and this was long before the days of 'number ones' so his baldness would have stood out.

samuel · Post by **samuel** » 25 Mar 2016, 13:41

I was there at Portsmouth. Oh how optimistic we were. Hargreaves in charge, fist pumping at the end. We could look forward to League 2 salvation under his new regime. How absolutely wrong. This game is stand out for me because Dale Tonge actually had an average game instead of a shocker.

gateman49 · Post by **gateman49** » 25 Mar 2016, 13:58

Oh Stefano and Wivelgull, What bitter sweet memories of the 67/8 season (when the gates averaged over 9,000)!

Re the Bury game, I recall that they had a very short (in stature) ex Leeds star in midfield. Was he Bobby Collins? He didn't make any difference though as we dominated the game as you have stated.

And re Alan Smith, as far as I know he's still around and about in the Bay (not literally obviously).

Yes Reg Wyatt didn't have much hair but he was a class act.

samuel · Post by **samuel** » 25 Mar 2016, 19:58

Torquay v. Bury 16th March 1968 - my 1258th day without missing a Torquay home game and the 19th day I had seen my girlfriend Susan Martin.

Diary entry:
[ [/i]Got up at quarter to nine. Hoovered dining room passage and sitting room. Went into town in morning and then to Paignton. Bought a dark maroon pair of trousers to go with my lilac elephant cord jacket. Looks very smart. Went up Richards place for a while. His dad has bought him a large transistor radio. Took Susan up Plainmoor. Torquay won 3-0 against Bury. Was an excellent match, as good as Walsall. Took Susan out in the evening. Torquay were Match of the Day tonight. Went to be at eleven eleven.

Yep, a great choice by Wivel. Very close to mine, none of which have featured yet. Alan Smith et al. 9000 at Plainmoor. Place was buzzing and the football was pre-Cruyff - Total.

tomogull · Post by **tomogull** » 25 Mar 2016, 22:24

stefano wrote:
TORQUAY (v WEST HAM): Kenny Veysey, Paul Holmes, Phil Lloyd, John Matthews, Matt Elliott, John Uzzell, Jimmy Smith, Dean Edwards, (?) Taylor, Dave Caldwell, Ian Weston; Sub: Paul Hirons.

TORQUAY (v WREXHAM): Kenny Allen, Jim McNichol, Tom Kelly, Sean Haslegrave, Dave Cole, John Impey, Mark Gardiner, Phil Lloyd, Alan McLoughlin, Mark Loram, Paul Dobson Subs: Russell Musker and Gerardo Nardiello (Gerry to his mates though I haven't seen him for ages!)

SCORERS: Dobson (3), McLoughlin (2), Cole

As an extremely old person I am not 100% on the teams as above so any corrections would be appreciated.

Teams correct, Stefano - your Memory Pills are working well ! I well remember the Wrexham game. After dreadful seasons under Dave Webb and that last day survival against Crewe under Stuart Morgan (no criticism of Morgan - he arrived at a club with virtually no players), here we were under Cyril, winning our first game of the season 6 - 1. We couldn't believe what was happening.

My only quibble with your post was Hirons 'stroking the ball home'. I seem to recall a good run to the edge of the area and then he hammered a low shot just inside the post. But then goals from past seasons always grow to wonder goals in the memory.

Agree with Wivel about Alan Smith. Strong, dependable no-nonsense central defender.

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