Valentines week is upon us, but will it be lady luck for the Gulls, or down in the dumps. In this TGW, we give you next weekends fixtures from the men, youth and ladies teams, birthdays, on this day and a trip down memory lane.
What’s happening this week……..
Saturday – TUFC v Barnet @ Plainmoor (15.00 KO)
We are back at Plainmoor for the visit of Barnet. The Bees come to South Devon off the back of some turmoil amid racism issues, and their form is no better. Barnet shipped 6 at Notts County recently and find themselves languishing in 19th.
The Gulls enter this game off the back of back-to-back wins, with the impressive Wrexham victory, followed up by a 3-1 win at Dover . Barnet came out on top when the two met in November, but not before POTS candidate Armani Little smashed home a scrumptious 30 yard free kick. 3 points will be most welcome for the Gulls to keep up the run of good form that will hope to see them hunt down that all important 7th place spot.
Saturday – TUFC Youth U18’s v New College Swindon (Academy) U18’s @ South Devon College Sports Centre (10.30 KO)
Todd’s youngsters welcome a New College side routed firmly to the foot of the table. The Wiltshire side have just one win from their 13 games so far this season, so the young Gulls will be red-hot favourites. It was a comprehensive 6-0 win for the Gulls back in November.
Sunday – Ilminster Town Ladies v TUFC Women @ Archie Gooch Pavilion (14.00 KO)
It’s a big top of the table clash on Sunday as Torquay travel to Ilminster. The two met on gameday 2 and played out a 2-2 draw, but it’s all to play for here with just 2 points separating them heading into this clash. The Gulls took full advantage of numerous postponements on Sunday to climb into top spot.
Sunday – TUFC Women Development v Halwill Ladies @ GJ Churchward Memorial Ground (14.00 KO)
The ladies will be eager to keep the pressure up on top side Activate, hoping for a slip up. Halwill visit who sit in mid table.
Birthdays
Gabby Rogers – 21
Gabby will celebrate his 21st on Monday. The midfielder, initially on trial, signed permanently in the summer after a string of fine performances in pre-season. Have a good one Gabby!
Harry Perritt – 21
Another 21st birthday on Wednesday as former Gulls loanee Perritt celebrates. The defender, signed on loan from Accrington, played 7 times for the Gulls earlier this season.
Kalvin Kalala – 24
The Paris born winger will turn 24 on Wednesday. The trickster, originally signed by GJ from Cheltenham, made a good impression with Gulls fans before departing at the end of the 19/20 season. After a spell back in his native country, he is currently on the books at Dartford in the league below.
Jean Y’ves Koue Niate – 29
Fellow Paris born Jean will celebrate his 29th on Sunday. The big centre back spent 18 months at Plainmoor before departing for Aldershot.
On this day……
20th February 2021 – Torquay’s stutter continues with a 3-2 home loss to Halifax. A run that sees them having won just one of their last 7 games.
20th February 2016 – Boreham Wood 0-1 Torquay. See ‘a trip down memory lane’.
14th February 2015 – Torquay actually win away at Eastleigh. Briscoe scores a late winner to give the Gulls a 2-1 win. The Gulls have not won there since.
20th February 2013 – Alan Knill is appointed ‘temporary’ manager after Martin Ling’s sick leave.
19th February 2000 – Over 3,200 inside Plainmoor to witness Torquay edge out Exeter. A solitary goal is enough for the 1-0 win.
15th February 1993 – Neil Warnock is installed as Torquay manager until the end of the season. Warnock saved the Gulls from relegation to the Conference after winning 5 of the last 15 league games.
18th February 1984 – The Dude, Derek Dawkins, makes his debut in a 1-0 win over Wrexham.
17th February 1973 – Robin Stubbs plays his final game before an injury forces retirement. He had made his final Plainmoor appearance 7 days earlier, this would be his last as a professional footballer. Unfortunately, Torquay lose 2-1 at Aldershot.
19th February 1962 – The Gulls concede for the 38th straight match, thus handing an unwanted club record of consecutive games without a clean sheet.
14th February 1955 – The great Stanley Matthews makes a one off special guest appearance for Torquay in a ‘floodlight special’ friendly. The Gulls welcomed Blackburn to Plainmoor for this special event under the newly installed floodlights.
‘A trip down memory lane’
Boreham Wood 0-1 Torquay
Saturday 20th February 2016 – National League
Venue: Meadow Park
Attendance : 555
United line up: Lavercombe, Berry, MacDonald, Smith, Butler, Ajala, Richards, Racchi, Rees, Harrad, Blissett
By no means a classic this one as just 555 were in attendance for this 20th v 24th National League clash. The Gulls were in a state of disarray. Rock bottom of the table, just 20 points and 4 wins on the board, manager Kev Nicholson driving the team bus. It was desperately depressing. Torquay came into the game off the back 4 straight league losses, and no points since Boxing day. Wood were themselves flirting with relegation just 2 points outside the drop zone.
After a despairingly drab first half, Nathan Blissett scored the first and only goal as right back Durrell Berry’s cross found the big target man. The victory was far from routine however, as United stopper Dan Lavercombe stood strong in goal. Wood hit the bar in injury time but it was the Gulls who held onto a vital three points which proved to be the ultimate turning point of the 15/16 campaign.
That result left them 10 points from safety with 16 games left. The Gulls went on a rampant spell which saw them unbeaten in their next seven league games, winning four of those. Nicholson’s men went onto complete the great escape a couple of months later when they defeated Bromley to secure their place in the NL. The Gulls ended the season on 51 points, 3 clear of the drop. An incredible 31 points from their final 17 games. The greatest of great escapes.
TORQUAYTALK 
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