It is certainly getting interesting now. You just can not write this Torquay United team off. A fantastic win over Notts County last weekend shows the grass isn’t always greener for some……..
It’s Easter weekend, and there’s a massive 6 points up for grabs! Easter Sunday see’s a chance for the U18’s to claim their second piece of silverware this season. Let’s take a look ahead to an important Gulls week.
What’s happening this week……..
Good Friday – Woking v TUFC @ Kingsfield Stadium (15.00 KO)
Three wins, twelve goals and still in the running for that all important 7th spot is the story of United’s last 3 games. The Plainmoor faithful have been treated to a feast of goals lately, and taking that form into the Easter fixtures is vital.
The Gulls are on their travels for the first time in nearly a month, where they face an inconsistent Cards side. Newly appointed Darren Sarll took over last month, after leaving troubled Yeovil, and has one win and one defeat from his two matches so far. The Surrey side sit in 14th, ten points adrift on GJ’s men, and have little to play for this season. But as we all know, Torquay & Woking games are rarely boring….
It’s just over 3 years ago since ‘Ben Wynter’ day, a day etched into Torquay history when he grabbed THAT last minute equaliser. Can history repeat itself, can Torquay go one better and get that all important 3 points.
Easter Sunday – TUFC Youth U18’s v Tavistock Youth U18’s (14.00 KO) @ Devon FA HQ, Coach Road, Newton Abbot
After wrapping up the league title last month, Chris Todd and his players face the first of their two finals. The U18 Devon County Cup will be contested between the two sides, who reside in different divisions.
United have beaten Barnstaple, Chaddlewood Miners, Drake FC, Alphington & Plymouth Parkway to reach this stage.
A chance of double success for these youngster’s and something in which they can cherish for life. If you can, go down and support the lads as they try to achieve what no other Torquay Youth team has been able to. Good luck!
Birthdays
Jackson Longridge – 27
The former Gulls loanee turns 27 on Tuesday. The on loan Bradford left back played 7 times for the Gulls before COVID brought a halt to proceedings. He is currently with Livingston, north of the border.
Matt Villis – 38
Matt will celebrate his 38th birthday on Wednesday. He played 46 times in Yellow, after making his initial loan spell from Plymouth permanent back in 2005.
Brendan Moore – 30
The New-York born stopper will turn 30 next Saturday. Another who impressed on loan, before signing permanently for the Gulls in 2016. The USA keeper was most recently with Atlanta Utd in the MLS.
On this day……
13th April 2021 – The Gulls secure a crucial 3 points as they defeat Sutton 1-0 at Gander Green Lane. An Asa Hall first half header is enough for the win.
13th April 2019 – Torquay clinch the NLS title with a 2-0 win over Eastbourne Borough. Lemonheigh-Evans & Andrews score on an historic day for the club.
16th April 2016 – Nicholson’s great escape is complete after a 2-0 away win at Bromley. The Gulls were 12 points from safety and rock bottom just two months previous, but a fantastic run of form saw them survive and maintain National League status.
14th April 2007 – Relegation to the Conference for the first time in the club’s history is confirmed, after a 1-1 draw with Peterborough.
13th April 2006 – Ian Atkins is brought in to save Torquay United’s football league status. The club are 5 points adrift at the bottom, with only six games remaining.
15th April 1988 – Sir Alex Ferguson is in the Plainmoor crowd to watch 16 year old Lee Sharpe. Man Utd make a bid that evening.
14th April 1987 – Mark Loram scores a wonder goal, dribbling from his own half in a 2-2 draw with Burnley.
14th April 1979 – The Yellows play their 1000th home Football League game. The game ends in a 2-0 win for the Gulls over Newport County.
12th April 1972 – Relegation bound Torquay beat champions elect Aston Villa 2-1 at Plainmoor. See ‘A trip down memory lane’.
16th April 1949 – A Don Mills hat-trick secures a 7-1 win over Leyton Orient. His first goals as a Torquay player.
14th April 1937 – Sailors from the visiting German battleship Schlesien played a match against a Torquay United XI at Plainmoor and gave a Nazi salute during the national anthem
11th April 1931 – Torquay defeat Swindon 5-0 Plainmoor with Jimmy Trotter netting a brace. In doing so, he becomes the first United player to score 20 goals in a single season.
As it stood…….(17th April)
2015: It was an unusually boring end to the season for the Gulls who had little to play for. Having been relegated the previous season, Chris Hargreaves’ side sat 12th in the table, 13 points clear of relegation, and 19 adrift of the play-offs.
2005: United gave themselves real hope of surviving the League One drop with back to back wins over MK Dons & Port Vale respectively. The Gulls were level on points with the Dons heading into the final 3 matches, which were against Oldham, Blackpool & Colchester.
1995: It was 14th for Don O’Riordan’s men who consolidated their place in Division Three.
‘A trip down memory lane’
Torquay 2-1 Aston Villa
Wednesday 12th April 1972 – Division Three
Venue: Plainmoor
Attendance : 9,928
United line up: Mahoney, Boulton, Stocks, Lucas, Edwards, Sandercock, Stuckey, Welsh, Tearse, Stubbs, Jackson
Jack Edwards’ Torquay perhaps caused the shock of the season as the bottom of the table side upset the odds to beat table toppers Villa. After the relative success of the season before, the Gulls had endured a wretched campaign by their standards, and had won just 9 of their opening 39 matches.
Villa, by contrast, were in fine form. Six points clear at the top in their second consecutive season in the third tier, it was only a matter of time the league title would be wrapped up by the former FA Cup winners.
United took the lead just before half time through Cliff Jackson on this Wednesday evening. It was then club-record signing David Tearse who made it 2 to give the Gulls a surprising advantage. Villa hit back 5 minutes from time but it was the boys from Devon who held on for a vital 3 points in their bid for safety.
TORQUAYTALK 
4 thoughts on “THE GULLS WEEK 11th-17th APR by Danny Burnell”