TUFC TOP TRUMPS
A TT jury rank ex-Gulls Top Trumps style..
DEANO – OPI – EFETE – MATT ELLIOTT – MARK ELLIS
E is for…
DEAN EDWARDS
Midfielder/Striker – 1988-92
GAMES – 155** GOALS – 34***
PACE – 6 PASSING – 6
POWER – 6 SKILL – 6
SHOOTING – 7 TACKLING – 6
OVERALL – 62%*
Profile – Ex-Shrewsbury and Wolves player Deano joined United from Exeter City in 1988 and played an important role in that season’s march to Wembley in the Sherpa Van Trophy. Edwards scored but could not prevent the Gulls falling 4-1 to Bolton Wanderers. The attacking midfielder always posed a danger in the opposition box and two years later he again scored at Wembley, this time in the play-off final versus Blackpool from the penalty spot. United eventually won that evening on penalty kicks to achieve promotion to Division Three. Edwards left part way through the 1991-92 campaign to re-join the Grecians, before representing a number of other teams.
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OPI EDWARDS
Winger – 2018-20
GAMES – 24 GOALS – 5
PACE – 9 PASSING – 6
POWER – 5 SKILL – 8
SHOOTING – 6 TACKLING – 5
OVERALL – 64%
Profile – Opi Edwards joined United on loan from Bristol City in August 2018 as Gary Owers tried to reinvigorate his struggling team. The winger made an immediate impression with his quickness and ability on the ball. Owers then left to be replaced by Gary Johnson, and Edwards enjoyed a profitable link-up under the new boss with fellow loanees Jake Andrews and Saikou Janneh, Unfortunately the winger was then beset by injuries and although he re-joined United on loan for 19-20, the speedy wide man could only manage a few more appearances for the Gulls in a frustrating 2nd season.
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MICHEE EFETE
Defender – 2017-18
GAMES – 27 GOALS – 0
PACE – 6 PASSING – 6
POWER – 7 SKILL – 6
SHOOTING – 5 TACKLING – 7
OVERALL – 62%
Profile – Big Michee joined Torquay on loan from Norwich City at the end of August 2017 as caretaker manager Robbie Herrera tried to steady the Gulls ship. The defender then spent the rest of the season at Plainmoor and in a very tough period for the team did well in spells as Gary Owers chopped and changed his XI. Strong and positive in challenges, the youngster certainly impressed more than most in an awful season for the club. Efete left Carrow Road in the summer of 2018 for Maidstone.
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MATT ELLIOTT
Defender – 1988-92
GAMES – 158 GOALS – 20
PACE – 7 PASSING – 7
POWER – 9 SKILL – 7
SHOOTING – 7 TACKLING – 9
OVERALL – 76%
Profile – Matt Elliott started his professional career at Charlton Athletic, but with opportunities limited the big centre back moved to Plainmoor in 1988. In the next four years the defender would establish himself as a mainstay in the Gulls team, with a fruitful partnership alongside Wes Saunders helping United to Wembley promotion glory in 1991. The defender showed his potential at the back and also in the opposition’s box, bagging 20 goals with his dominating physical presence. In the spring of 1992 (with United floundering in Division 3) Elliott left for Scunthorpe United, before eventually prospering in the Premier League at Leicester City and also representing Scotland.
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MARK ELLIS
Defender – 2007-12
GAMES – 141 GOALS – 12
PACE – 7 PASSING – 6
POWER – 8 SKILL – 6
SHOOTING – 6 TACKLING – 8
OVERALL – 68%
Profile – Kingsbridge-born Mark moved back down to Devon on loan from Bolton Wanderers in 2007. United were experiencing their 1st season outside of the Football League and in the next two seasons the young centre back played a part in two promotion challenges, the 2nd of which was of course successful at Wembley! Ellis struggled to hold down a spot in the first XI and was loaned out to Forest Green by Paul Buckle at the start of 2009-10. However the popular defender eventually found his way back into United’s plans and had his finest season for the Gulls under new boss Martin Ling in 2011-12, with a series of fine displays as United battled for promotion. Mark then left for Crewe Alexandra that summer.
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