The return of the Tuesday night football under the Plainmoor floodlights. Let’s hope it goes better than last time. I take a look at the upcoming weeks games, as well as the usual birthday and on this day sections, with the added ‘As it stood’ feature.
What’s happening this week……..
Tuesday – TUFC v Boreham Wood @ Plainmoor (19.45 KO)
The FA Cup giant killers come to town, in what will undoubtedly be a tough game for the Gulls. Wood are water-tight at the back, having conceded just 17 this season, but the Hertfordshire side may have one eye on their impending trip to Goodison Park.
After the disappointment of letting a 2 goal lead slip at home to Barnet, Torquay will be looking to get back to winning ways to reignite their play-off ambitions.
Saturday – Wealdstone v TUFC @ Grosvenor Vale (15.00 KO)
The Yellow Army are on the road once more after back-to-back home games. Wealdstone the destination, and the Gulls will be hoping for a repeat of the annihilation dealt to their opponents back in October. Torquay do have the upper hand over their counterparts, on paper at least, having won 4 and drawn 1 of their previous 5 meetings.
The Stones currently sit in 16th place, 10 points outside the drop. Former Gulls Josh Umerah and Matt Buse will have a point to prove to their former employers.
Saturday – Paulton Rovers U18’s v TUFC Youth U18’s @ Paulton Rovers FC (10.30 KO)
The Gulls head to Somerset face second from bottom side Paulton. Todd’s men dismantled them 10-3 on the opening day back in September.
Sunday – Royal Wootton Bassett Town Ladies v TUFC Women @ Gerard Buxton Sports Ground (14.00 KO)
Grant Fisher’s table-toppers head to Wiltshire for game number 15 of the season. The two met as recently as two weeks ago, where the Gulls ran out 5-0 winners.
Sunday – TUFC Women Development v Lakeside Athletic Ladies @ GJ Churchward Memorial Ground (14.00 KO)
The two sides face off again, just a fortnight after their initial meeting. The Gulls ran riot last time in a 10-0 mauling.
Birthdays
Luke Young – 29
The former two time Player of the Season will turn 29 on Tuesday. Luke played over 130 times for the Gulls, before leaving for Wrexham.
Wes Saunders – 59
Wes will celebrate turning 59 on Wednesday. The former Newcastle man plied his trade at Plainmoor between 1990 and 1993, before managing the club 5 years later.
Leon Constantine – 44
Constantine will celebrate his 44th birthday on Thursday. The former striker remains the Gulls club record transfer when he signed for £75,000 back in 2004.
Ashley Yeoman – 30
The former Plainmoor youth candidate with be celebrating a milestone 30th on Friday. The Kingsbridge born striker played for numerous managers over a 7 year spell at Torquay, but managed just 62 appearances.
On this day……
23rd February 2021 – Scott Boden signs on loan from Chesterfield for the remainder of the season. Torquay travel to Solihull that evening and win 2-1. Not without incident as MacDonald is sent off late on.
23rd February 2019 – Torquay record a double win in the week, with the 5-2 win over Dulwich Hamlet, followed up by a 2-1 away at East Thurrock 3 days later. Ruairi Keating with a 90th minute winner.
25th February 2017 – After ‘Pie-gate’ results in Sutton keeper Wayne Shaw being sacked a few days earlier, the U’s travel to Plainmoor. The visitors goalkeeper goes off injured early in the game, forcing an outfield player to go between the sticks. In true Torquay style, Sutton still manage to get the win.
26th February 2013 – United make it seven losses on the spin, as Wycombe claim all 3 points at Plainmoor.
27th February 2010 – Torquay beat Accrington 2-1 curtesy of a last minute OG. This is the Gulls first win since boxing day, ending a run of 10 league games without a win.
21st February 2007 – After an ill-fated 4 months at the helm, Chris Roberts resigns as Chairman. Keith Richardson assumes the role a couple of days later.
21st February 2004 – Torquay record a fantastic 1-0 win away at Hull. A huge boost to the Gulls promotion hopes. See ‘A trip down memory lane’.
23rd February 2002 – Alex Russell scores a superb hat-trick in a 3-1 home in over Darlington.
24th February 1974 – Plainmoor hosts its first ever Sunday fixture. 4,186 spectators turn up to witness Torquay beat Northampton 1-0.
23rd February 1957 – United make it back to back home wins, both in which they score 7. Norwich the victims this time.
21st February 1953 – Torquay record a thumping 5-2 win over local rivals Exeter.
22nd February 1919 – The first game after World War I. Torquay Town beat Dartmouth 5-1 at Plainmoor.
As it stood…….(27th February)
2021: It was tight at the top come the end of February. Torquay’s 2-1 away win at Solihull a few days earlier was matched by the ever persistent Sutton who themselves won by the same score line at Dagenham. Come the 27th February, the Gulls were clinging onto top spot by the slimmest of margins. Just one point separated the top 3, as Sutton and Hartlepool were breathing down Gary Johnsons neck. The U’s had two vital games in hand.
2011: The Gulls were having a solid campaign in their second season back in the Football League. Sat in 11th place, just four points separated them and Gillingham in the last play-off spot.
2001: It wasn’t looking too rosy for the Gulls, who had been struggling all season. Wes Saunders men were in 20th, 6 points off the bottom, having played 3 more games.
1991: United were having a very good season in the old Division Four, with just 4 losses from their 26 league games. 11 wins and 11 draws saw the Gulls occupy the last play off place approaching March.
1981: It was a steady eddy season for the Gulls who sat in 12th. A 15-4-15 record perhaps showing their inconsistency, and thus, their inability to really trouble the Division Four play-offs.
1971: The Gulls were enjoying a very successful season in Division Three. Allan Brown’s men were 6th, just two places behind big timers Aston Villa, in their quest for Second division football for the first ever time.
‘A trip down memory lane’
Hull City 0-1 Torquay
Saturday 21st February 2004 – Division Three
Venue: KC Stadium
Attendance : 15,222
United line up: Dearden, Canoville, Taylor, Woods, McGlinchey, Hockley, Fowler, Russell, Hill, Graham, Kuffour
Subs: Van Heusden, Woozley, Hazell, Bedeau, Gritton
Leroy’s Gulls travelled to table toppers Hull, just one spot and 2 points outside the play-off places. Torquay came into the game off the back of consistent form. Four wins from their previous five had given the Yellow Army promotion hopes, but a home defeat by fellow league rivals Huddersfield a week earlier stemmed their flow. Hull were in fine fettle themselves. 22 points from their last 24 available saw them nudge ahead of Doncaster in their bid for the Division Three title.
Un-phased by the task in hand, Torquay took the game to the their hosts in front of a 15,000+ strong crowd. Tigers keeper Boaz Myhill kept the score level, but the Gulls deservedly broke the deadlock on the stroke of half time. David Graham’s put his header goalward before strike partner Gritton, who had earlier replaced Kuffour, prodded home from six yards, much to the delight of the travelling faithful. Torquay held on, and really should have scored more, but for poor finishing and great shot stopping. Matt Hockley was denied by the woodwork late on, but at full time, it would be Torquay who grabbed the crucial win, and send the 3 points sailing back down the M5.
That result saw Hull drop down to 2nd, whilst Doncaster reclaimed top spot. The Gulls re-established themselves in the play-off places at the expense of Lincoln. It was all to play for, entering the final 15 games of the season.
TORQUAYTALK 