TUFC TOP TRUMPS
A TT jury rank ex-Gulls Top Trumps style
L = LABADIE – LATHROPE – LEADBITTER – LLOYD – LORAM
JOSS LABADIE
Midfield – 2013-14
GAMES – 17** GOALS – 5***
PACE – 7 PASSING – 7
POWER – 8 SKILL – 7
SHOOTING – 7 TACKLING – 7
OVERALL – 72%*
Profile – Joss Labadie joined United on loan from Notts County in the 2012-13 season as the club struggled towards the bottom end of League Two. The tall and strong midfielder made a storming start, scoring four goals and generally impressing with his bustling runs from midfield. Labadie rejoined the Gulls in early 2014, and it was a controversial second spell as he was banned for 10 games for biting an opponent, never playing for United again.
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DAMON LATHROPE
Midfield – 2010-14 & 2016-18
GAMES – 168 GOALS – 0
PACE – 6 PASSING – 7
POWER – 7 SKILL – 7
SHOOTING – 6 TACKLING – 7
OVERALL – 67%
Profile – Norwich City youngster Damon Lathrope was signed by Paul Buckle in the summer of 2010. The combative midfielder initially struggled to find a place in the line-up, but eventually clawed his way in – playing in the play-off final at Old Trafford versus Stevenage. The following season saw Lathrope become a vital cog in Martin Ling’s new look side with a string of impressive performances, but unfortunately there was more play-off disappointment at the end. The next two years saw struggle and disharmony at Plainmoor, and Damon left for Hereford in 2014. He would return in 2016, before sadly retiring through injury in 2018 after moving briefly to Woking.
TT Article – Damon Lathrope by Ben Currie
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CHRIS LEADBITTER
Midfielder – 1997-99
GAMES – 73 GOALS – 2
PACE – 6 PASSING – 7
POWER – 7 SKILL – 7
SHOOTING – 7 TACKLING – 7
OVERALL – 68%
Profile – Chris Leadbitter joined United from Plymouth Argyle in 1997 as Kevin Hodges shaped a promotion chasing team. The Middlesbrough-born midfielder soon settled in and enjoyed a productive first season Plainmoor alongside the likes of Steve McCall and Gary Clayton, with the Gulls flying high before losing out in a dreary Wembley play-off final to Colchester. Leadbitter remained at United for another season, before following Hodges back to Argyle in 1999.
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PHIL LLOYD
Defender – 1987-92
GAMES – 217 GOALS – 11
PACE – 6 PASSING – 7
POWER – 8 SKILL – 6
SHOOTING – 6 TACKLING – 9
OVERALL – 70%
Profile – Phil Lloyd initially made his name at Darlington before joining the Gulls in 1987. The consistent defender became an ever-present under Cyril Knowles from there forward and was an important part of Cyril’s successful time at the club, including our first visit to Wembley in 1989. A strong and determined competitor, Phil never gave less than 100% for the Gulls and this was appreciated by the United faithful. Unfortunately the popular defender suffered a double fracture in late 1990, and eventually left the club in 1992.
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MARK LORAM
Winger – 1984-86 & 1987-92
GAMES – 331 GOALS – 63
PACE – 7 PASSING – 9
POWER – 7 SKILL – 10
SHOOTING – 9 TACKLING – 6
OVERALL – 80%
Profile – Mark Loram started his professional career at United in 1984 and immediately became a fans favourite with his dazzling skills and eye for goal. Scouts soon noticed his talent and he joined QPR in 1986. Lors never made an appearance for QPR and returned to Plainmoor in 1987. He picked up where he left off at United and enjoyed a wonderful spell under Cyril Knowles, creating chance after chance for gleeful strikers and playing at Wembley in 1989. After Cyril left, the winger remained loyal to Torquay and was in John Impey’s 1991 play-off final side that triumphed over Blackpool. By then Mark had firmly established himself as a Gulls legend and one of the most gifted players to ever pull on a TUFC shirt.
TT Article – Mark Loram by Clive Hayward
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TORQUAYTALK 
Absolutely love my hometown club Torquay utd, and always have been and always will, My father the real and original Spud Murphy sold programs by the old social club beside the pop side for well over 45 years and seen it all at plainmoor, but sadly passed away in the year 2001, we scattered dad’s ashes on the pitch, I remember me putting some his ashes in both hands and ran down the wing like a spitfire fighter plane in front of pop side gently releasing part of his remains through my fingers, what a dad and man and legend, loved the times we had together, proud, thanks for the memories love always Spud Murphy m11
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That’s lovely to hear mate – we’ve plugged on this year despite the long time without footie and I hope our love for the club shines through. Guys like your dad are what makes Torquay United so special over the years. All the best. Dom
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