The games are coming thick and fast, let’s see what’s happening this upcoming week.
What’s happening this week……
Tuesday – Aldershot v TUFC @ Recreation Ground (19.45 KO)
Torquay have the novelty of a midweek league fixture, something the fans have somewhat been deprived of this season. This marks their third (fourth in all comps) midweek fixture in a row where they have been away from Plainmoor.
United head to an Aldershot side struggling near the foot of the table. They did inflict defeat on Grimsby last time out to end a spell of 5 straight league defeats. The Shots had no weekend fixture so will be fresh for the challenge of the Gulls on Tuesday night. Torquay fans will be familiar with the Rec, as we have shone their on a number of occasions, notably when we ran out 4-1 winners last October.
Saturday – TUFC v Halifax @ Plainmoor (15.00 KO)
Back to home comforts for the Gulls after back-to-back away fixtures. Torquay are looking for a fifth straight home league victory to bolster their league position, but in Halifax, face tough competition. Pete Wild’s men currently occupy the play off places and boast top scorer and former Yellow Billy Waters as their main threat.
Torquay have partnered up with #HerGameToo and will be once again opening up the Wollens terrace, and offering 1,000 free tickets to females. This follows the success of NHS staff & Carers day, and Community day, with the club now offering 3,000 free tickets in the last 3 home games. Incredible stuff from TUFC. More details here > https://torquayunited.com/tuafc-announce-partnership-with-hergametoo/
Saturday – TUFC Youth U18’s v Swindon Supermarines Youth U18’s @ South Devon College (10.30 KO)
United are back in cup action, this time the ‘Gary Else Memorial’ League Cup as they host the Supermarines. The young Gulls play their second group match of this competition, after receiving a ‘walkover’ against Paulton last month.
Sunday – TUFC Women v Bishops Lydeard Women @ Stoke Gabriel FC (14.00 KO)
After a comprehensive 12-0 win over Bideford last weekend, the Ladies host Somerset side, Bishops Lydeard at SGFC. The two met on the opening day where United ran out 4-2 winners.
Birthdays
Courtney Richards – 28
The tough tackling, hard working former midfielder turns 28 on Monday. After leaving Plainmoor in 2017, the Jamaican played for the likes of Macclesfield, Braintree and Nuneaton. He is currently with Hednesford Town in the Southern League Central.
Liam Davis – 35
The hugely popular former left back celebrates turning 35 on Tuesday. Sadly, injuries ended Davis’ spell way too early, and have no doubt had he not have sustained such prolonging setbacks, he’d still be a major part of this squad. Have a good one Liam!
Danny Stevens – 35
The little magician turns 35 on Friday. Danny certainly left his mark on this football club, initially signed by Buckle in our inaugural Conference season, he spent 7 years at Plainmoor, making near on 200 appearances. Baller.
Bobby Olejnik – 35
Another former Gull celebrating his 35th on Friday is Bobby O. The Austrian stopper made a huge impact in his one and only season at Plainmoor, but is regular inducted into various dream-teams as Gulls #1.
On this day……
24th November 2018 – For the first time in the club’s history, Torquay have to qualify for the FA Trophy proper. They beat Basingstoke on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the third qualifying round.
25th November 2017 – Torquay record back-to-back wins for the first time that season with a comprehensive 3-0 win over Leyton Orient.
22nd November 2016 – On-loan Kieffer Moore plays his first match for his hometown club. He scores a delightful hat-trick to give Torquay a 3-0 win over Solihull Moors. United’s first win in 7.
27th November 2006 – The Lubos Kubik reign commences as he replaces Ian Atkins in charge of the Gulls. (Insert slapped face emoji)
25th November 1995 – After signing from Bournemouth for £50,000, Alex Watson makes his Gulls debut in a 1-1 draw away at Cambridge.
23rd November 1991 – The late great Justin Fashanu signs for Torquay, after Newcastle pass up on the option to sign him.
26th November 1988 – Derek ‘the Dude’ Dawkins makes his final Gulls appearance in a 1-0 loss away at Scunthorpe.
22nd November 1952 – Dennis Lewis makes the first, of what would be 221 consecutive Gulls appearances. A club record. Unfortunately for him, United lost 2-1 to Peterborough in the FA Cup.
22nd November 1954 – Torquay host their first ever game under floodlights. A 3-2 friendly win over Birmingham.
28th November 1925 – Torquay’s first ever FA Cup proper match. See ‘A trip down memory lane’.
24th November 1906 – Torquay travel to 111th Battery RFA for a planned league match in the East Devon division. The match is voided and played as a friendly as United turn up with just 8 players.
A trip down memory lane..
Torquay 1-1 Reading
Saturday 28th November 1925 – FA Cup First Round
Venue: Plainmoor
Attendance: 6,000 approx
United line up: N/A
Manager: Percy Mackrill
Starting their FA Cup journey in the Preliminary round, Torquay, a then Southern League Western Section side, fought off Green Waves, Taunton, Kingswood, Mid Rhondda & Yeovil & Petters to set up a first ever FA Cup first round proper tie. Their opponents, Third division South high-fliers Reading.
The non-league underdogs took the lead in the first half through Vallis, before Reading equalised in the second half from the penalty spot. Torquay took the Berkshire side back to Elm Park and again grabbed a surprise draw to force a 2nd replay, in which Torquay eventually lost 2-0.
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