TUFC TOP TRUMPS
A TT jury rank ex-Gulls Top Trumps style..
“We are back with the 4th edition of TUFC Top Trumps as we tackle 5 ex-Gulls beginning with D (from the modern United era). Check out the panel’s scores below…”
D is for…
DUANE DARBY
Striker – 1991-95
GAMES – 128** GOALS – 29***
PACE – 7 PASSING – 6
POWER – 7 SKILL – 6
SHOOTING – 8 TACKLING – 6
OVERALL – 67%*
Profile – Birmingham-born Duane Darby started his football career as an apprentice at United in the early 90s. The striker was still a trainee when he made his first appearance as a sub versus Reading, and he marked the occasion by scoring in a 2-1 defeat. The shaven haired attacker soon impressed the Yellow Army with his determined approach and eye for a goal, bagging 29 in his time at Plainmoor before departing for Doncaster Rovers in 1995.
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RYAN DICKSON
Midfield – 2006-07 & 2018-20
GAMES – 40 GOALS – 1
PACE – 6 PASSING – 8
POWER – 6 SKILL – 7
SHOOTING – 7 TACKLING – 6
OVERALL – 67%
Profile – Dickson first impressed on loan at United in 2007 as they struggled in League Two. 11 years later the midfielder returned to Plainmoor as Gary Owers looked to reboot his squad for NLS action. As the Gulls struggled early on so did Dickson, and whilst Gary Johnson’s arrival improved our fortunes, Ryan struggled with injuries and found it difficult to win a place back in the line-up. However he did play a part in the end of season title triumph. Dickson was then loaned out to Truro early in the 19-20 campaign and signed a contract with the White Tigers this week.
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AARON DOWNES
Defender – 2012-15
GAMES – 120 GOALS – 16
PACE – 5 PASSING – 6
POWER – 9 SKILL – 5
SHOOTING – 6 TACKLING – 9
OVERALL – 67%
Profile – Our current Assistant Manager was signed by Martin Ling from Chesterfield in the summer of 2012. The big central defender soon made an impression at Plainmoor with his strong physical presence and ability to find goals from set pieces. He was named as the club’s Player of the Season for 2012-13 and then stayed for another two seasons, during which time the club unfortunately found themselves back in the Conference. As the Gulls struggled financially and Chris Hargreaves left, Gary Johnson stooped in to sign the Aussie for Cheltenham Town in 2015, before then bringing him back to Plainmoor in 2018.
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ROSCOE D’SANE
Winger/Striker – 2007-09
GAMES – 60 GOALS – 15
PACE – 7 PASSING – 6
POWER – 7 SKILL – 7
SHOOTING – 7 TACKLING – 5
OVERALL – 65%
Profile – Roscoe D’Sane was signed from Accrington Stanley by Paul Buckle, and re-united with his old Aldershot striking partner Tim Sills. Roscoe often found himself out wide rather than in his favoured striking role and struggled to win over the Yellow Army. But to his credit the former Crystal Palace youngster did bag 15 goals in all comps for the Gulls, and was part of the squad that won promotion back to the Football League. D’Sane then left in the summer of 2009.
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MANNY DUKU
Striker – 2019-20
GAMES – 16 GOALS – 0
PACE – 6 PASSING – 5
POWER – 6 SKILL – 5
SHOOTING – 5 TACKLING – 5
OVERALL – 53%
Profile – After struggling to establish himself at Cheltenham Town, Manny Duku was reacquainted with old boss Gary Johnson at United in the summer of 2019. The striker scored in a pre-season friendly versus Exeter City, but found life difficult at Plainmoor once the season got under way. Duku’s confidence suffered badly and he left by mutual consent in December without scoring a competitive goal (unless you count the Devon Bowl) – eventually re-joining old club Hayes and Yeading in January 20.
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TORQUAYTALK 
Paul Dobson….
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Hi Phil – just the last 30 years we’re sticking to, as I don’t go any further back! Dom
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