Basingstoke FC V Torquay United - Match day thread

[arcadia]

The goal Paul scored against West Ham was some strike, he's probably lived off the banter in the pub for years! I think he went on the beer on the Sunday and Cyril Knowles was not happy with him being in the papers, Paul will know the story better than me, but it was a short lived career and he could play!

Spoke to Paul yesterday and he said it was David Smith who was manager at the time.

[PlainmoorB0b]

Dave Caldwell is a legend beyond all question.

As was posted earlier, you need to look beyond the stats.

His approach to the game was heroic. As a fan, you want players who will die for the cause - he was prepared to do just that. He often put his head and body where others would shirk from putting their boot!

He took it and he dished it out. He was a highly effective goal scorer but was clearly feared by opposing teams and their fans who knew all about him - so his reputation went beyond the confines of Plainmoor.

A swashbuckling Roy of the Rovers figure - hell, he even scored with an overhead scissor kick on his debut!

Never seen our front line led so aggressively since and doubt I will.

[davidcaldwell123]

Nice comments ! Players need to accept responsibility for their performances and not look to blame or hide, I was too transparent for my own good at times as I never hid or shirked responsibility, it was my job to lead the line and win games, what ever needs to be done to achieve this was down to me.

Added in 13 minutes 23 seconds:
I had a reputation anyway, I think the Swansea team full of experienced players I think 7 ex internationals in their team, you may be getting mixed up with the Scunthorpe game, its was brutal, I was elbowed in the throat and came on as sub in the away leg and needed a police escort, the final game of the season was against them and think I put two of their players in hospital, then joined them when elbowed in the throat, the game has changed, there were no prisoners in those days and it was part of the game, its difficult to compare with todays game and some may reflect on todays game and say I was too physical. I was very fast and defenders feared my pace, over the years I took my fair share of over zealous tackles from defenders, but it was all part of the game in those days, what I liked about my time at Torquay was the whole team believed they could beat anyone on the day, there was a real buzz when we played, the game is different now, but I also like the tactical side of the modern game, could write a book on my time at Torquay, I am down soon and was thinking about hosting an evening at the club to answer all the questions I get!

Was Davey not sent off once, very early on during a match against Swansea City at the old Vetch Field?
Seem to remember him being shown a red after something like 10 minutes during a vital match.

Any memories DC?

[gateman49]

David,

Well put!

I have happy memories of the unflinching way in which you lead the line at Torquay. As you say, you had a 'reputation' and unfortunately, as a result, it appeared to me at any rate, that referees were always looking for you and you didn't get a fair hand from them.

You scored some cracking goals for us and, for me, that one at Ashton Gate was one of the most memorable.

[chunkygull]

Some stuff from that Scunthorpe game, a goal from Mr Caldwell then the aftermath of when he got chopped in the throat, Cyril not too happy about it!

[youtube]UXjK0b4TOIw[/youtube]

[youtube]18rt-LVM5cU[/youtube]

I remember the Scunthorpe play off 1st leg was very brutal, we had lost to them on the last game of the season 8 days earlier, we would have got promoted with a win from either of our last 2 matches. Scunthorpe seemed to want to batter us into submission, which never would have happened. But I do remember Caldwell getting some stick up at the Vetch and getting laid out in the middle of the goal mouth, we were looking right down on it from that steep, high stand, of course Dave got right back up and we did claw a goal back to set up the home tie.

Added in 10 minutes 8 seconds:

Nice comments ! Players need to accept responsibility for their performances and not look to blame or hide, I was too transparent for my own good at times as I never hid or shirked responsibility, it was my job to lead the line and win games, what ever needs to be done to achieve this was down to me.

Added in 13 minutes 23 seconds:
I had a reputation anyway, I think the Swansea team full of experienced players I think 7 ex internationals in their team, you may be getting mixed up with the scunthorpe game, its was brutal, I was elbowed in the throat and came on as sub in the away leg and needed a police escort, the final game of the season was against them and think I put two of their players in hospital, then joined them when elbowed in the throat, the game has changed, there were no prisoners in those days and it was part of the game, its difficult to compare with todays game and some may reflect on todays game and say I was too physical. I was very fast and defenders feared my pace, over the years I took my fair share of over zealous tackles from defenders, but it was all part of the game in those days, what I liked about my time at Torquay was the whole team believed they could beat anyone on the day, there was a real buzz when we played, the game is different now, but I also like the tactical side of the modern game, could write a book on my time at Torquay, I am down soon and was thinking about hosting an evening at the club to answer all the questions I get!

Well, someone made a suggestion on another thread which is for ideas to help the club about doing something just like this, so if a legendary ex player is offering to do this sort of thing then I couldnt think of a better way to start.

Postby tommyg » 21 Oct 2015, 12:11
In an effort to enhance the 'match-day experience', the club could invite former players/managers back as a special guest for the day. They could have a Q&A style event before a home game - say 1-2pm - where they talk about their time at Torquay and answer questions from fans. Could section off a part of Boots & Laces (or whatever it's called these days) like at the fans' forum. Have a raffle for a few signed items, photo opportunities etc.

I always enjoy listening/reading what former players have to say about the club. I'm an exile so struggle to get to many home games but if the club said a Rodney Jack or Alex Russell for example was going to be at Plainmoor for an event like this then I'd make an extra effort to get down there. The reason some fans don't turn up is because they don't think the product on the pitch is value for money and it just makes them miserable if we don't play well and lose. If you promoted an event like this before the match, then at least people who attend can say they enjoyed part of their day even if the football is crap.

[Bomber]

Good idea, maybe for each home game we could invite an ex-player to every home game and get them to do the half-time draw and Steve Breed could then ask them questions about their time at Plainmoor. I know Argyle do a similar thing with ex-players.

[hector]

Was Davey not sent off once, very early on during a match against Swansea City at the old Vetch Field?
Seem to remember him being shown a red after something like 10 minutes during a vital match.

Any memories DC?

He was sent off there in a League match for fighting with a young Chris Coleman. I remember Swansea fans saying to me after the game that Torquay were the dirtiest team he had ever seen. I know it's wrong but I felt quite proud.

Terry Yorath - at the times of the play-offs - said something along the lines of ' for doing things outside the laws of the game, Torquay win hands-down'.

How often have we had a horrible tough team? Just then, I suspect.

Added in 6 minutes 9 seconds:
I think just after Dave Caldwell was carried off and Cyril Knowles was sent off, Kenny Allen fumbled the ball to allow Scunny to score. Luckily we held out for the 2nd half.

[chunkygull]

He wasnt a bad keeper Kenny Allen, just prone to the odd gaff, sadly in the end of season game the previous week vs Scunthorpe where a win would have seen us promoted he made his biggest from what should have been a routine take by patting the ball down in front of their striker, Andy Flounders I think his name was and he was quite prolific and of course he scored.Forward 8 days later and a similar thing happened again in the play off semi. Typical Torquay!

[cambgull]

It's great having someone on here showing such confidence in the team. Kevin Nicholson/Robbie Herrera will turn things around - you just wait and see. Great to see a post from Dave Caldwell. Good memories of his time at Plainmoor and thanks for a positive post. I reckon he could still put on his boots and do a job for us up front !! .

A bit late to reply to this one but I haven't been on here for a few days. I was being sarcastic. Very sarcastic.

[davidcaldwell123]

I was sent off with Chris Coleman, longest walk ever as the tunnel was at the bottom corner and we got sent off at the corner flag far end!!

He was sent off there in a League match for fighting with a young Chris Coleman. I remember Swansea fans saying to me after the game that Torquay were the dirtiest team he had ever seen. I know it's wrong but I felt quite proud.

Terry Yorath - at the times of the play-offs - said something along the lines of ' for doing things outside the laws of the game, Torquay win hands-down'.

How often have we had a horrible tough team? Just then, I suspect.

Added in 6 minutes 9 seconds:
I think just after Dave Caldwell was carried off and Cyril Knowles was sent off, Kenny Allen fumbled the ball to allow Scunny to score. Luckily we held out for the 2nd half.

Added in 2 minutes 14 seconds:
Will be down in Torquay Thursday and again on the 29th for a legends game, lets hope they find some legends to play. LOL

Added in 31 minutes 37 seconds:
Coventry Vs Torquay, the overhead kick goal of the season had it gone in!!!!

[chunkygull]

Blimey, I have never seen that! Brillant, well unlucky on the overhead kick, I remember everyone who saw it raving about it at the time. Cov were raining cup champs at the time I think and little TUFC gave them all they could handle just a few months after beating Spurs in the home leg of the league cup.

Heres one I found in a TUFC history book.

[davidcaldwell123]

Amazing what you find on the internet, just wish I still had the hair!!!

Blimey, I have never seen that! Brillant, well unlucky on the overhead kick, I remember everyone who saw it raving about it at the time. Cov were raining cup champs at the time I think and little TUFC gave them all they could handle just a few months after beating Spurs in the home leg of the league cup.

Heres one I found in a TUFC history book.

10603440_471830959626184_2145275415816668928_n.jpg