The A-Z of Torquay United

A reminder of the people, teams, places and animals that have had an impact and influence on Torquay United during our long history – all categorised alphabetically.

Q/R

Joe Quigley

Joe made 10 appearances in 2015 for ‘the Gulls’ on loan from AFC Bournemouth, but is on this feature for one reason only. He is the only player in our history to have a surname beginning with Q!

Courtney Richards

Brighton trainee Courtney was brought to Plainmoor by Chris Hargreaves in 2014, and immediately combined well with Luke Young in the United engine room. Since then the combative midfielder has played over 100 games for United, and was an important player in last season’s ‘great escape’. Last summer Richards was rewarded with the club captaincy by manager Kevin Nicholson; a position he continues to hold as United look to climb up the National League table.

Roots Hall

Roots Hall gets a place in this feature for the last of the day of the 2003-04 season. Leroy Rosenior’s side travelled to Essex, knowing that they would have to better Huddersfield’s result at Cheltenham to win promotion from Division Three. United were leading 2-1 at half-time (Woods and Graham the early goalscorers), whilst Hudderfield had a 1-0 advantage over Cheltenham. In a nail biting second-half a red card saw Cheltenham reduced to 10 men, but then score an unlikely equaliser. United held on bravely to take the three points and pip Huddersfield on goal difference. It was our first promotion for 38 years and a glorious afternoon around 3,000 United travelling away supporters will never forget!

Leroy Rosenior

When Roy McFarlane departed Plainmoor in the summer of 2002, Mike Bateson decided to give the job to former West Ham striker Leroy Rosenior. Leroy soon won the approval of the Gulls faithful, developing an attractive style of play at Plainmoor based around pass and move. United did ok in his first season, but it was 2003-04 when the team really found its form. With the likes of David Graham and Alex Graham excelling, and Leroy’s positive approach bearing fruit it was a superb season at Plainmoor. The team were on fire especially at home, and promotion was achieved in final day drama at Southend (see above).

The following season saw Rosenior’s team battle manfully in League One; but with a limited budget and small playing squad United just fell short. Back in League Two Leroy tried to re-model the team, but could not recapture the magic of 2004 and he left by mutual consent in January 2006.