TT BLOG

Dom Roman

@DomRoman

Players come and go at Plainmoor, many stay for a while, but many stay for only a short time (especially during 2022-23). Using the alphabet and Torquay Fan Stats as my guide, I take a look at some ‘Forgotten Gulls’ who have represented Torquay United, and see what they’ve been up to since.

A – ZEMA ABBEY

UNITED CAREER: Ex-Cambridge and Norwich City striker Zema Abbey looked like he could be a sound signing by Leroy Rosenior when he arrived in March 2005 on a short term contract. Injuries had interrupted Zema’s career at Norwich, and by 2005 he was grasping for opportunities to resurrect his career. With Torquay battling to avoid relegation from League 1, the striker started 2 games and managed one goal against MK Dons, a second half header that was good enough to take all 3 points. Unfortunately United were relegated at Colchester in final day heartbreak, Abbey coming on as a sub. He was then released that summer.

AFTER UNITED: Abbey then dropped out of the Football League to play for Forest Green, Kettering, Barton Rovers and finally Arlesey Town, who he joined as player/assistant manager.

MANAGEMENT: In 2011 he was named as Arlesey manager, then jointly managed St Neots Town with Gary King, before moving back to Arlesey to manage them alongside his brother (and another ex-Gull) Nathan Abbey. Goalkeeper Nathan had a spell at United in 2006 under Ian Atkins and Lubos Kubik.

AWAY FROM FOOTBALL: Zema has a degree in Sports Science and Leisure Management from the University of Bedfordshire and owned a Streetwear and Sneaker Boutique called Twisted Tongues between 2007-14. There is no information I can find on what Abbey is up to since then, his Linkedin profile states ‘Company Director/Team Manager’.

OTHER INFO: Zema played alongside Paul Gascoigne in 2004 at Boston United. He has a First Division Championship medal from the 2003-04 season at Norwich City.

ABBEY STATS: AGE: 46, BIRTH PLACE: LUTON, HEIGHT: 1.85M, POSITION: STRIKER

TUFC STATS: SIGNED BY LEROY ROSENIOR MARCH 2005, APPEARANCES 6, GOALS 1

B – MICHAEL BROUGH

UNITED CAREER: Ex-Notts County youngster Michael Brough joined the Paul Buckle Gulls revolution from Forest Green in 2008. Brough made his debut against Crawley in August 2008, but struggled to find any game-time after that, and was eventually loaned out to both Salisbury (missing out on the play off victory at Wembley) and Stevenage in 2009. He then moved to Mansfield on loan at the end of that year, and left for the Stags for good in early 2010.

AFTER UNITED: Brough went onto play briefly for Darlington and Guiseley, before spending the end of his career at Harrogate Town (back when they were leagues below us!). He retired in 2018.

INTERNATIONALS: Brough played 4 times for Wales Under-21s in the early 2000s.

AWAY FROM FOOTBALL: Michael completed an Open University course in Law in 2013, and then became a recruitment specialist, founding Northwood Executive Search in 2022 as managing director. Who needs Football!

OTHER: Brough was named captain at Forest Green by future Gulls manager Gary Owers.

BROUGH STATS: AGE: 41, BIRTH PLACE: NOTTINGHAM, HEIGHT: 1.82M, POSITION: MIDFIELDER

TUFC STATS: SIGNED BY PAUL BUCKLE MAY 2008, APPEARANCES 6, GOALS 0

C – CHINUA COLE

UNITED CAREER: Left back Chinua Cole joined the struggling Gulls under caretaker boss Robbie Herrera in August 2017, and impressed with a handful of decent performances in defence. This wasn’t enough to keep him at United though, as he was released by new boss Gary Owers on his arrival in September.

AFTER UNITED: Chinua has played for a number of non league clubs since then, including Maidenhead and Hampton & Richmond. During 2022-23 he played for West London team Southall FC in the Isthmian League, the team finishing 10th.

AWAY FROM FOOTBALL: According to Linkedin Chinua was still employed by Nat West Bank as a Personal Banker when he played for Torquay, and he is now a Sales and Account Manager at We Clear Junk Ltd, a waste collection company based in London (what a load of rubbish…). With 500+ connections on Linkedin Chinua is a man in demand.

OTHER: Cole signed for United on the same day as George Dowling on 31st August 2017. His debut for United was at Plainmoor two days later, making up a back four that also included Myles Anderson, Sean McGinty and Ryan Higgins.