TUFC TOP TRUMPS
A TT jury rank ex-Gulls Top Trumps style
N = OASTLER – OATWAY – O’BRIEN – O’KANE – O’RIORDAN
JOE OASTLER
Defender/Midfielder – 2010-13
GAMES – 122** GOALS – 1***
PACE – 7 PASSING – 6
POWER – 8 SKILL – 6
SHOOTING – 6 TACKLING – 7
OVERALL – 67%*
Profile – Joe Oastler originally joined United on loan from QPR at the end of 2010 and ended up staying at Plainmoor, as his move became permanent in the summer of 2011. Joe had made early appearances in midfield but found a regular place at right back under Martin Ling in 2011-12. The defence went onto have an excellent season, breaking the Gulls clean sheet record and pushing Ling’s team to the brink of promotion. Unfortunately United were denied in the play-offs and the next season saw the team struggle, with Joe’s confidence dented along with rest of the squad. He then left in 2013 for Aldershot Town.
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CHARLIE OATWAY
Midfielder – 1995-97
GAMES – 71 GOALS – 1
PACE – 6 PASSING – 7
POWER – 8 SKILL – 5
SHOOTING – 6 TACKLING – 8
OVERALL – 67%
Profile – Charlie Oatway followed old boss Eddie May to Plainmoor at the end of 1995. The strong and combative midfielder soon made his presence felt at United and went onto be voted Player of the Year for 1995-96. Charlie stayed for one more season, and it was a season of struggle as the Gulls finished bottom of the Football League (only avoiding relegation due to Stevenage’s ground not meeting standards), before following Eddie May to Brentford in the summer of 1997 for a small fee.
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MICK O’BRIEN
Midfielder – 1999-2002
GAMES – 64 GOALS – 7
PACE – 6 PASSING – 8
POWER – 6 SKILL – 8
SHOOTING – 8 TACKLING – 6
OVERALL – 70%
Profile – Mick O’Brien started out as a youth player at Everton but struggled with injuries and ended up joining United in 1999. The talented midfielder showed glimpses of his talent throughout 1999-2000, scoring on his debut and also a stunning free kick against QPR in the FA Cup 3rd round. O’Brien fell out of favour during the next season under Wes Saunders, but did return towards the end of the campaign as a sub under new temporary manager Colin Lee. Roy McFarland became the Gulls manager in 2001, and Mick left the club for Droylsden soon after.
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EUNAN O’KANE
Midfielder/Winger – 2010-12
GAMES – 122 GOALS – 14
PACE – 7 PASSING – 8
POWER – 7 SKILL – 10
SHOOTING – 8 TACKLING – 6
OVERALL – 77%
Profile – Eunan O’Kane was a youth player at Everton before playing for Coleraine in Ireland. Paul Buckle’s was alerted to the youngster’s ability and gave him a trial at the start of 2010, and was sufficiently impressed to hand him a two year contract that summer. Eunan never looked back and went on to play a part in two promotion chasing campaigns. The 2011-12 season saw his game reach new levels and two goals in a home win versus Plymouth cemented his reputation as one of United’s most gifted players in recent decades. O’Kane was allowed to roam in midfield behind Rene Howe and provided a number of assists as the Gulls enjoyed an excellent season. Alas, play-off disappointment would follow and Eunan joined AFC Bournemouth in 2012, but the Irishman had certainly shined brightly in his time at Plainmoor.
