TUFC TOP TRUMPS
A TT jury rank ex-Gulls Top Trumps style..
“I am back with the 2nd edition of TUFC Top Trumps as we tackle 5 ex-Gulls beginning with B. Check out the panel’s scores below…”
B is for…
TONY BEDEAU
Winger/Striker – 1995-2006 & 2007-08
GAMES – 374** GOALS – 65***
PACE – 8 PASSING – 5
POWER – 7 SKILL – 8
SHOOTING – 8 TACKLING – 5
OVERALL – 68%*
Profile – Tony Bedeau made his debut for United at the age of just 16 in 1995 and signed his first professional contract two years later. It wasn’t long before Beds became a first team regular and he played a part in Kevin Hodges 97-98 play-off squad (coming on as sub at Wembley). Bedeau’s pace and goalscoring form attracted interest from Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland amongst others, but in the end the attacker stayed loyal and was a valuable squad member in the 2003-04 promotion campaign, before being awarded a testimonial in 2005. Tony finally left for Walsall in 2006, before returning briefly in 2007 under Paul Buckle.
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ELLIOT BENYON
Striker – 2007-10 & 2013-15
GAMES – 214 GOALS – 54
PACE – 7 PASSING – 5
POWER – 6 SKILL – 6
SHOOTING – 8 TACKLING – 6
OVERALL – 63%
Profile – Bristol City youngster joined Paul Buckle’s Plainmoor revolution in 2007 and became a handy squad player in United’s arsenal. By 2008-09 he was pushing for a regular first team place with his work rate and eye for goal, and was an important player in the Wembley win versus Cambridge as United’s league place was regained. That summer he signed a new contract and rewarded United by scoring a number of goals as the Gulls looked to consolidate their place in League Two. His form attracted attracted Swindon Town and he joined them in January 11. After struggling to make an impact elsewhere Benyon returned in 2013 to help United avoid relegation, but then fell out favour before finally leaving in 2015.
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BILLY BODIN
Winger – 2011-14
GAMES – 92 GOALS – 11
PACE – 7 PASSING – 7
POWER – 6 SKILL – 8
SHOOTING – 8 TACKLING – 6
OVERALL – 70%
Profile – Billy Bodin joined United on loan in August 2011 from Swindon Town and soon impressed the Yellow Army with his skill and dangerous shooting. The winger scored five goals that season, including a memorable one at Home Park, as United pushed for promotion. Unfortunately the loan was ended before the season’s climax, but Billy eventually returned for good in 2012 on a 2 year deal. Unfortunately the next two years saw the Welshman struggle with confidence and injuries, and he left Plainmoor in 2014.
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GUY BRANSTON
Defender – 2010-2011
GAMES – 69 GOALS – 2
PACE – 5 PASSING – 6
POWER – 9 SKILL – 5
SHOOTING – 5 TACKLING – 9
OVERALL – 65%
Profile – Guy Branston had been on Paul Buckle’s radar for a while and finally made the move down to Plainmoor on loan from Burton in early 2010. The signing paid off as the ‘Picklers’ intimidating presence helped United not only avoid relegation, but also become promotion challengers the very next season (Branston signing a contract in the summer of 2010). Branston won the club’s player of the year award in 2011 and was also voted into the League Two team of the year, but ultimately the season ended in disappointment at Old Trafford. The popular centre back left for Bradford that summer.
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PAUL BUCKLE
Midfielder – 1993-96
GAMES – 73 GOALS – 9
PACE – 6 PASSING – 8
POWER – 7 SKILL – 7
SHOOTING – 7 TACKLING – 8
OVERALL – 72%
Profile – Paul Buckle’s time as United manager has over-shadowed his time at Plainmoor as a footballer, however Bucks was an assured midfielder in a typically topsy turvy time for the Gulls. He tasted a promotion push under Don O’Riordan in 1994, as United lost controversially to Preston North End in a play-off semi-final. Buckle eventually left for Devon rivals Exeter City, returning in 2007 as boss.
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TORQUAYTALK 
Graham Bond…….
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