TT BLOG

Danny Burnell – @dannyburnell_92

Danny previews the upcoming week, as well as looking at events that happened on this day for the week commencing 8th August

THE WEEK AHEAD

Saturday – Halifax v TUFC @ The Shay (15.00 KO)

The Gulls’ first trip of the season sees us take on last season’s Play-Off semi finalists Halifax. Like GJ, Manager Chris Millington has had a rebuild job on over the summer, after losing the likes of top scorer Billy Waters, and captain Niall Maher. United will be looking for revenge after the Shayman recorded the double last season, but the Yorkshire ground has proved happy hunting ground in recent seasons.

It will be a tough test for Johnson’s newly assembled side, and should give a measure of how far they have progressed against very capable opposition.

Sunday – TUWFC v Barry Town Ladies @ Home (14.00 KO)

Steve Elswood’s ladies preparations continue as they host Welsh side Barry Town. The team will be looking to gather momentum as they head into the season opener in September.

PLAYED FOR BOTH

Billy Waters spent a single season at both clubs, but without doubt enjoyed his spell at The Shay more, netting 20 times in the league. Midfielder Simon Heslop spent the 2007/08 season on loan at Halifax, and turned out for the Gulls’ 8 seasons later, making 20 league appearances. Former front-man Tyrone Thompson enjoyed his longest spell as a professional in Yorkshire, making 79 league appearances, before moving to Crawley, and eventually Plainmoor, where he netted 3 times in 61 appearances between 2008 & 2010.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT : MARK LORAM

Position: Midfielder

Place of birth: Paignton

DOB: 13/08/1967

TUFC Stats (all competitions) : 331 appearances, 63 goals

Clubs represented: Brixham Villa, Torquay, QPR, Stockport, Exeter, Yate Town, Minehead, Elmore

Memorable moment: A masterclass away at Wolves secured United’s place in the Sherpa Vans Trophy. Highlights below

BIRTHDAYS

Kieffer Moore – The local lad may have only made 4 appearances in Yellow, but he certainly made a lasting impression. The Welsh international and now Premier League footballer will turn 30 on Monday.

Sean McGinty – The former Man Utd youngster has an ever present over 2 seasons at Plainmoor, scoring 6 times in 97 appearances. He now plays north of the border for Ayr United, and will celebrate his 29th birthday on Wednesday.

Mark Loram – A true United legend in the 80’s & 90’s. He enjoyed 3 separate spells at Plainmoor, before his retirement in 1995. The great man will turn 55 on Saturday.

ON THIS DAY

14th August 2012 – Jamie Vardy scores his first Leicester goal in a 4-0 League Cup win at Plainmoor. Future PL winners Kasper Schmichael & Wes Morgan are also amongst the starting XI

12th August 2007 – A bumper crowd of over 4,000 are inside Plainmoor to witness the Club’s first ever non-league game. It ends 0-0 with Grays Athletic in front of the TV cameras.

9th August 1997 – Kevin Hill makes his debut as a substitute away at Macclesfield.

14th August 1993 – David Byng becomes the Gulls’ youngest ever goal scorer, aged just 16y 36d.

NOSTALGIA STREET

BRISTOL ROVERS 1-2 TUFC

Date: 13th August 2011

Competition: League Two

Venue: Memorial Ground

Attendance: 8,427

Starting Line-Up: Olejnik, Oastler, Robertson, Saah, Nicholson, Stevens, Mansell, O’Kane, Morris, Howe, Atieno

Three months on from losing out to Stevenage at Old Trafford, United, led by Martin Ling, visited the Mem, managed by none other than Paul Buckle. Having taken the likes of Scott Bevan & Chris Zebroski with him, Rovers were one of the favourites for promotion. ‘Judas’ signs were aplenty in the away end, as the Gulls’ sought revenge on the former manager.

Taiwo Atieno opened the scoring early on, and then won his side a penalty just 4 minutes later. Rene Howe dispatched with ease as Torquay went 2 up. Rovers pulled one back in the second half, but it wasn’t enough, much to the delight of the Yellow Army.