TUFC TOP TRUMPS
A TT jury rank ex-Gulls Top Trumps style
M = MACDONALD – MANSELL – MCCALL – MCFARLANE – MCGINTY
ANGUS MACDONALD
Defender – 2012-2016
GAMES – 98** GOALS – 3***
PACE – 8 PASSING – 6
POWER – 9 SKILL – 6
SHOOTING – 5 TACKLING – 8
OVERALL – 70%*
Profile – Angus MacDonald started his career at Reading but was loaned out to a few teams, including Torquay United in early 2012 and then again later that year. A third spell would then follow, this time initially on a 1 year deal in the summer of 2014. The defender spent his first season trying to establish himself in the first team, but it was 2015-16 when he would make his big breakthrough. With Kevin Nicholson now in charge, the big defender was given the captain’s armband and he became an integral part of that season’s great escape, scoring a memorable header as the Gulls clinched safety at Bromley. He then left for Barnsley in 2016.
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LEE MANSELL
Midfielder – 2006-2014
GAMES – 391 GOALS – 25
PACE – 7 PASSING – 6
POWER – 7 SKILL – 6
SHOOTING – 6 TACKLING – 7
OVERALL – 65%
Profile – Lee Mansell joined the Gulls in 2006 from Oxford United and went onto spend the next 8 years at Plainmoor. It was a rollercoaster time for United, as they were relegated in 2007, but then with Mansell often playing at right back the Gulls were promoted back up in 2009 with Paul Buckle in charge. Manse was made captain in 2010 and continued to be a big influence for the team, helping United secure two play-off finishes under Buckle and then Ling. Lee’s finest season came in 2011-12 as the midfielder played a more advanced role and was rewarded by being named in the League 2 team of the year. He was also voted as the club’s player of the year. Unfortunately the next two seasons saw United toil and after relegation in 2014 he left for Bristol Rovers.
TT Article – Lee Mansell by Sam Druiff
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STEVE MCCALL
Midfielder – 1996-98
GAMES – 59 GOALS – 3
PACE – 5 PASSING – 9
POWER – 6 SKILL – 9
SHOOTING – 7 TACKLING – 7
OVERALL – 72%
Profile – Hugely experienced midfielder Steve McCall had enjoyed an excellent career at Ipswich, Sheff Wednesday and Plymouth before joining United at the age of 35 in 1996. The cultured McCall was far from past it and under Kevin Hodges he became an important part of a promotion chasing team. He scored a fabulous goal in a famous win v Scarborough in the play-off semi-final and then made his first ever appearance at Wembley in 1998, but unfortunately the Gulls lost to Colchester 1-0. McCall then followed Kevin Hodges back to Plymouth that summer, playing for another couple of years before retiring.
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ANDY MCFARLANE
Striker – 1996-99
GAMES – 64 GOALS – 13
PACE – 5 PASSING – 5
POWER – 8 SKILL – 5
SHOOTING – 6 TACKLING – 6
OVERALL – 58%
Profile – Andy McFarlane first made his mark at Plainmoor in 1995, scoring 4 goals for Scunthorpe as the Gulls were embarrassed 8-1. He then joined United, rarely capturing that same form in front of goal but dovetailing well at times with a certain Rodney Jack, as Kevin Hodges’ side just missed out on promotion. The big striker playing at Wembley, in a frustrating defeat to Colchester. McFarlane retired from professional football one year later in 1999.
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SEAN MCGINTY
Defender – 2016-2018
GAMES – 97 GOALS – 6
PACE – 6 PASSING – 5
POWER – 7 SKILL – 5
SHOOTING – 7 TACKLING – 8
OVERALL – 63%
Profile – Ex-Manchester United youngster McGinty was signed by Kevin Nicholson in 2016 after spells at various lower league clubs. United struggled that year, but finished strongly to avoid relegation, with Sean’s performances improving as the season went on. The tall centre back winning the supporters Young Player of the Year award. The next season proved even more difficult, with Gary Owers arriving and an unsettled team rarely finding form. His confidence suffered and the Gulls were eventually relegated to the NLS, Gints leaving for Partick Thistle soon after.
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