THE GULLS WEEK
Danny Burnell – @danny_burnell92
The Gulls Week – w/c 20th December
As we enter the festive period, Merry Christmas to all the Yellow Army.
What’s happening this week……
Sunday – TUFC v Yeovil Town @ Plainmoor (15.00 KO)
With the Trophy now a distant memory, Torquay will be looking for their third straight league win as they host west country rivals Yeovil. With games coming thick and fast this is a great opportunity for the Gulls to accrue some much needed points in a bid for a second half of the season play off push. With Danny Wright getting some vital minutes, alongside new recruits Sparkes & Felix, GJ should have the options available to him to keep the team fresh with 3 games in the space of a week.
A repeat of last season’s affair would be most welcome, but that looks unlikely as they face a Yeovil side top of the form table and unbeaten since October 23rd. If they play like they did against Stockport, the Yellows will be sure to give the Glovers a stern test.
On this day……
26th December 2020 – Torquay thump Yeovil 6-1 at Plainmoor in a dazzling display worthy of top of the table.
26th December 2018 – The Gulls record their 7th straight league win in a Boxing Day triumph over Truro. Hall scores an outrageous goal in the 4-2 win.
26th December 2016 – Ben Gerring scores a 81st minute winner in a 7 goal thriller at Plainmoor, where Torquay beat FGR 4-3.
26th December 2004 – Brentford 1-3 Torquay. See ‘A trip down memory lane’.
23rd December 1960 – Torquay show off their new £9,000 floodlights as they host Watford.
26th December 1958 – Dennis Law makes his 442nd and final Gulls LEAGUE appearance in a defeat to Coventry. A league appearance record that stands to this day. (Kevin Hill has most appearances in any competition for the Gulls)
25th December 1957 – Christmas day 1957, the last time Torquay would play a game on the Holy day. They lose 3-1 to Exeter, and 5-1 to the same opponents a day later.
20th December 1952 – Don Mills nets in a 4-2 victory over Southend, on his second debut for the Gulls, after his record transfer from Leeds.
26th December 1933 – United’s Leslie Lievesley makes history in becoming the first player to be sent off in a Football League fixture.
A trip down memory lane..
Brentford 1-3 Torquay
Sunday 26th December 2005 – League One
Venue: Griffin Park
Attendance: 6,419
United line up: Gottskalksson, Robinson, Villis, Woods, Canoville, Woodman, Gosling, Hill, Russell, Bedeau, Constantine
Subs: Kuffour, Hockley, Phillips, Akinfenwa, Boardley
Boxing day 2004, a day infamously remembered as over 200,000 people tragically lost their lives in that awful Tsunami disaster.
On the pitch, the festive fixture saw a 20th placed United, travel to West London to take on promotion chasing Brentford. The home side were hotly tipped for promotion that season, and boasted a side that included John Salako, Deon Burton & Steve Claridge. Leroy’s Gulls travelled in hope more than expectation, as they looked to pull away from the relegation zone. They had lost 3 and drawn 1 of their previous 4 matches.
Defender Sam Sodje opened the scoring on 26 minutes to give the hosts a deserved and expected lead. Steve Claridge took great joy in telling the travelling Yellow Army what the score was at HT, but it was the Devonians who would have the last laugh.
Leon Constantine had only been a permanent Gulls player for a matter of weeks, but this will go down as his most memorable contribution. A second half hat-trick from the big man saw him take home the match ball, and calls of, ‘Claridge, what’s the score’ were ringing loud around the open terrace.
A boxing day to remember for the Yellow Army, who hoped that would kick start their season. It would be February before they won again however.
It’s fair to say these two sides have gone in opposite directions since that game 17 years ago!
COYY – Danny
Other Articles:
THE TT MATCH VERDICT – TONBRIDGE ANGELS 2-1 TUFC, 18th Dec 21
TORQUAYTALK 
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