A positive or negative February will more than likely determine United’s season, and the month started with a bang over big spending Wrexham. The games are coming thick and fast. Check out what’s happening this week….
What’s happening this week……
Saturday – Dover v TUFC @ The Crabble (15.00 KO)
You don’t usually hear this phrase when it comes to league fixtures, but this is a massive ‘banana-skin’. Dover continue to prop up the table as one win in their 26 league games means their negative points tally remains just that. Dover did get that solitary win recently over Eastleigh, so the Gulls will have to be aware of the threat posed. Back at Plainmoor in October, it took a late Armani Little strike to seal the 3 points, where it was far from ‘routine’. A match marred by the totally idiotic and un-necessary ‘booing’ of the afore mentioned midfielder, who’s double that day earned the MOTM accolade. And not for the first time this season!
There’s no two ways about it, Torquay must simply beat Andy Hessenthalers’ men if they want to be taken seriously for a play-off push. Anything less is a disaster.
Saturday – TUFC Youth U18’s v Wimborne Town U18’s @ South Devon College Sports Centre (10.30 KO)
It’s the third meeting between the two sides this season, with the Gulls triumphing on both previous occasions. A league double over their opponents, to add to the cup success, will be a massive boost in their pursuit of Bridgwater United at the top.
Sunday – TUFC Women v Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies @ Speedwell Stadium, Stoke Gabriel FC (14.00 KO)
Bassett Ladies come to South Devon as Grant’s ladies look to further rubber stamp their title credentials. A hard fought 1-0 win last time out against FGR was vital, as the end of season draws ever closer. The two are yet to meet this season, with the visitors sitting in mid-table.
Sunday – Lakeside Athletic Ladies v TUFC Women Development @ The Parkway (14.00 KO)
United travel to bottom placed Lakeside on Sunday afternoon looking to follow up on their impressive 5-3 over Signal Box Oak Villa last weekend. This will be only the hosts fifth fixture this season.
Birthdays
Steve Tully – 42
It will be 42 for the Paignton born ex-Gull on Thursday. The former Truro manager played over 100 times for the Gulls during a 5 year spell.
David Fitzpatrick – 27
The former loanee with turn 27 on Thursday. The midfielder scored 3 times in a Gulls shirt, including a stunning free-kick in that crazy 5-5 draw on New Years Day 2017 against FGR.
On this day……
12th February 2019 – A comprehensive 4-1 away win at Hemel Hempstead backs up the previous week’s 7-2 success. Janneh, Andrews, Hall & Reid with the goals.
7th February 2015 – An incredible atmosphere inside Plainmoor as FC United of Manchester come to town for the FA Trophy Quarter Final clash. Ryan Bowman’s strike 7 minutes from time is enough for the victory.
11th February 2012 – A solitary Taiwo Atieno goal against Shrewsbury gives the Gulls their sixth successive win.
7th February 2007 – Two days after the sacking of Kubik, Colin Lee is brought in as Director of Football. His first job is to appoint new manager Keith Curle, who arrives swiftly after.
11th February 2003 – A Martin Gritton strike gives the Gulls the bragging rights as they defeat Exeter 1-0 at Plainmoor.
10th February 1973 – After 263 Gulls appearances, including 133 goals, Robin Stubbs plays what turns out to be his last game for Torquay. The Gulls beat Peterborough 1-0.
9th February 1957 – Torquay hit Swindon for seven. See ‘A trip down memory lane’.
8th February 1930 – Torquay are defeated 5-0 for the third successive game. This defeat to Brighton is on top of the 5-0 hammerings suffered at the hands of Clapton Orient & Brentford.
A trip down memory lane..
Torquay 7-0 Swindon Town
Saturday 9th February 1957 – Division Three (South)
Venue: Plainmoor
Attendance : 7,028
United line up: Gill, J. Smith, Lewis, Norman, Shaw, S. Collins, Mills, A. Collins, H. Smith, Dobbie, Clarke
Torquay were flying high in second place come February of the 1956/57 season. Only Colchester and 2 points stood between them and the top of the table as second from bottom Swindon came to Plainmoor.
It had been a strange season for Eric Webber’s men, who despite pushing hard for the title, had suffered two 6-0 defeats and a 7-2 loss earlier in the campaign. Brighton, Ipswich & Millwall respectively dealt the thrashings, but Torquay ploughed on with the job in hand and knew a victory over their Wiltshire opponents would pile the pressure firmly on the U’s.
It was a day which saw record goal TUFC goal scorer Sammy Collins net a hat-trick, one of 8 (league) in Torquay colours. Ron Shaw, Tony Collins & Harold Dobbie were the other United scorers that afternoon, with Swindon’s Earl putting through his own net.
Torquay’s afore mentioned thrashings came back to haunt them as Ipswich pipped the Gulls to the title on goal difference. A 7-1 victory 2 weeks later over Norwich further imposed their promotion push, but the away form suffered dearly where they were condemned to 5 losses from their final 7 away games. Ipswich were promoted to Division Two where they were rubbing shoulders with Liverpool, West Ham and the like. What could have been for Webber’s men…..
TORQUAYTALK 
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