Double game week. And no, i’m not talking about Fantasy Football I’m talking the real stuff. Games 6 & 7 are upon us, and as we head into mid-September, the league is starting to form some sort of shape ahead of the gruelling autumn/winter schedule. I take a look at what’s in store at TQ HQ this week, with the men’s, youth & ladies teams.
What’s happening this week……
Tuesday – Solihull Moors v TUFC @ Damson Park (19.45 KO)
The Gulls travel up the M5 (& M42) to Damson Park, looking for a repeat of the Maidenhead 1st half performance. Three home defeats on the bounce will no doubt have knocked the lad’s confidence, and some much needed points & confidence will be a welcome relief for the yellow army. The Gulls last visit to Damson Park ended in a eventful 2-1, where goalkeeper Shaun MacDonald was sent off in the final few minutes of the game. If Torquay can deliver a performance and result like Gary deliver’s his pizza’s, we will sure to be OK.
Saturday – TUFC v Southend United @ Plainmoor (15.00 KO)
The weekend see’s United host another newly relegated team in Southend. The Gulls will be eager to show the fans fight and spirit after an awful bout of home form. Southend come into the game with 5 points from 5 games (as at 12/9), and themselves eager to put last season’s disappointment behind them.
Sunday – TUFC Youth U18’s v Mangotsfield United U18’s @ South Devon College Sports Centre
Fresh from their 3-1 victory over Swindon Supermarines, Todd’s youngster’s face Bristol based Mangotsfield at the college in Paignton. 2 wins from 2 has sparked a fantastic start to the season for the young gulls.
Sunday – Bideford AFC Women v TUFC Women @ Bideford Sports Ground
A 2-2 draw at home to Ilminster last time out means the ladies have made a solid start with 4 points from a possible 6. United will travel north of the county to take on Bideford Women.
Sunday – Halwill Ladies v TUFC Women Development @ Halwill Junction playing fields
A good start from the Ladies development team last week out at Shaldon Villa, where they won 4-3 in the Devon Womens’ Football League (West). Attentions turn to the cup as they travel to Beaworthy to play Halwill Ladies.
Birthdays
Ali Omar – 22
As United take on Solihull on Tuesday, Ali will celebrate his 22nd birthday. A goal & a win will be a very welcome present for the big centre back. Ali signed for the Gulls in the summer from Barnsley.
Lee Phillips – 41
Penzance born Phillips turns 41 on Thursday. Phillips holds a rather unique accolade in turning out for all 3 professional Devon clubs. The striker formed a deadly partnership with Sills in the conference days, netting 12 league goals in 41 games.
Neville Southall – 63
Big Nev, say no more. Unfortunately Nev was just before my time, so I didn’t have the pleasure of seeing him in action. I’m reliably informed the former keeper was and is a United legend, and many clips of his Everton & Gulls days back up that theory. Come Thursday, he’ll be the ripe ‘ol age of 63.
Mark Halstead – 31
From one keeper to another, current Gulls stopper Halstead will turn 31 on Friday. He’ll be sure to enjoy some chicken wings on his birthday.
On this day……
13th September 2018 – On this day, Gary Johnson & Aaron Downes are appointed as manager and assistant manager respectively of Torquay United. Lying in the bottom half of the National League South when they took over, the pair masterminded the Gulls to their first league title in over 90 years. Two days later, on 15th September, United win their first game under Johnson, 2-0 away at Hungerford. Reid & Hall on target that afternoon.
18th September 2015 – Just weeks into the job, Paul Cox resigns as Torquay manager amid claims of not being paid. Having won 2 of their first 3 games, United hadn’t won in 7 leaving them struggling at the foot of the table. A day later, on 19th September, Dean Edwards takes on managerial duties at home to Bromley. Torquay are well and truly battered 3-7. An awful experience.
13th September 2001 – The Gulls travel to White Hart Lane in a landmark game for the club. Torquay lose bravely to a very strong Spurs team in the second round of the League Cup. Ledley King & Les Ferdinand helped Tottenham to a 2-0 victory.
17th September 1966 – Weeks after the World Cup jubilation, Bill Kitchener makes his Gulls debut in a 5-2 victory over Walsall at Plainmoor.
16th September 1899 – There’s a reason 1899 is on the front of our shirts. Torquay play their first ever game, a friendly against Upton Cricket Club. The game was played on one of John Wright’s (a local farmer) fields, located at the top of Penny’s Hill on Teignmouth Road. Torquay won 5-0.
A trip down memory lane..
Histon 4-5 Torquay United
Tuesday 18th September 2007 – Blue Square Premier
Venue: Bridge Road
Attendance: 763
United Line up: Rayner, Robertson, Todd, Woods, Nicholson, Bedeau, Mullings, Hockley, Zebroski, Phillips, Sills
Subs: Welsh, Hill, Benyon, Rice, Wring
Torquay were adapting to conference life well. Just one defeat in their opening 9 games before they travelled to Cambridgeshire put them in a commanding position. No-one quite knew what to expect. Histon & Torquay had never been acquainted with one another. It was a crying shame that just 753 were there to witness such an eventful game however, which, as well as nine goals, saw each team reduced to 10 men. The Gulls raced to a 3-0 HT lead curtesy of goals from Sills, Mullings & Zebroski. Histon pulled 2 back early in the second half, before Zebroski made it 4-2. Down to 10 men, in true Torquay fashion Histon levelled at 4-4 on 88 minutes, and a minute later, were themselves reduced to 10. But for Chris Todd, in the 90th minute, to snatch all 3 points for the Gulls in the most remarkable of circumstances.
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