Normality resumes as the Gulls are back in action. I take a look at the upcoming weeks events, this weeks birthdays, memorable ‘on this day’ events and a trip down memory lane.
What’s happening this week……
Saturday – Altrincham F.C v TUFC @ Moss Lane (15.00 KO)
The Gulls return to action off the back of a two week hibernation with a trip to Altrincham. United will want to re-kindle the form shown over the festive period which yielded 13 points from a possible 18. They will be looking to seek revenge following Alty’s 3-1 opening day win at Plainmoor. Our opponents have been in poor form and currently sit in 16th place.
Saturday – TUFC Youth U18’s v Yeovil Town U18’s @ South Devon College Sports Centre (10.30 KO)
In a repeat of the fixtures Gary Johnson’s men encountered over Christmas, the young Gulls host the Glovers at South Devon College. Todd’s men will be looking for the same outcome as their senior counterparts.
Sunday – Liverton United U18’s v TUFC Women @ Liverton FC (14.00 KO)
It’s cup action for the Ladies this week as they travel to Liverton. With solid back to back wins in the league over Middlezoy, the Gulls will be looking to progress against their opponents who reside in the league below.
Birthdays
Ian Twitchin – 69
A birthday section all to himself this week, for none other than Mr Ian Twitchin. The very definition of one-club man, the Torquay legend played his whole professional career for the Gulls, making an incredible 436 appearances across an 11 year Plainmoor spell. He sits 4th on the all time TUFC appearance list, behind Kevin Hill, Dennis Law & Tommy Northcott. Following his glittering Torquay career, he played locally for Minehead and later had a role as player-manager for Newton Abbot Spurs.
Ian would have turned 69 on Saturday. His dedication to Torquay United was without doubt, remarkable.
On this day……
19th January 2021 – An emphatic 4-0 win at Boreham Wood sees United through to the FA Trophy 5th round. Second half strikes from Hall, Waters, Randell & Lemonheigh-Evans.
19th January 2019 – The Gulls 10 league game winning run ends as they are defeated 3-2 at Bath.
21st January 2012 – United record their third successive 2-1 away win, as they defeat Morecambe. Danny Stevens & Mark Ellis with the goals.
20th January 2007 – A 5-2 defeat away at Notts County sets up an unwanted club record for most league games without a win, 19.
20th January 2001 – Torquay 2-1 Exeter. See ‘A trip down memory lane.
23rd January 1973 – Robin Stubbs scores goal number 133rd in a Torquay shirt. It would turn out to be his last.
18th January 1965 – 9 days after a remarkable 3-3 draw with Spurs at Plainmoor, United head to White Hart Lane for the replay. Unfortunately, there was no fairy tale ending as 55,081 spectators see Spurs eventually overcome a spirited Gulls 5-1, with none other than the late Jimmy Greaves scoring a hat-trick.
18th January 1947 – Talking of one-club men and TUFC legends, Ron Shaw makes his debut in a Torquay shirt. He sits just behind Twitchin in the all time appearance list, in 5th place.
21st January 1928 – A first ever Football League hat-trick for Torquay is scored by Bert Turner, as United run out 4-2 winners over Norwich.
A trip down memory lane..
Torquay 2-1 Exeter City
Saturday 20th January 2001 – Division 3
Venue: Plainmoor
Attendance : 4,053
United line up: Northmore, Aggrey, Herrera, Neil, L. Russell, Tully, Chalqi, Ford, Hill, Bedeau, Williams
Subs: Gayle, Holmes, Parker
A six pointer of all six pointers at Plainmoor as the Devon rivals clashed. Wes Saunders Gulls sat 22nd, with their opponents in 23rd, however, both knew that the one relegation spot was firmly within lurking distance as bottom side Carlisle had 4 games in hand.
*Table as at 19/1/2001
The Grecians boasted no less than 2 future Gulls manager in their starting XI, with Paul Buckle & John Cornforth operating in midfield. Arjan Van Heusden was tasked with keeping the ball out the net for the away side.
The game was just 5 minutes old when Exeter’s captain Chris Curran received his marching orders for for a foul on Torquay’s frenchman Khalid Chalqi. It was on the stroke of half time that United took full advantage when Tony Bedeau was tripped inside the box. Mark Ford duly obliged slotting the penalty home. United led 1-0 at the break.
Exeter kept battling, and got their rewards on 69 minutes when Mark Rawlinson equalised. The away side would have been the happier of the two to receive a share of spoils, but substitute Kevin Parker had other ideas. His 95th minute left foot strike sent Plainmoor into raptures and seal a vital 3 points in their quest for safety.
That result moved Torquay above York into 21st, and left the Grecians in deep, deep trouble.
TORQUAYTALK 
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