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Mark Hirst
@MarkAHirst
Mark names his Gulls dream team
GOALKEEPER
KENNY VEYSEY
The goalkeeping department has had a fully working revolving door over the years, so this was a very close call. But Kenny was completely dependable, even turning up to end of season Subbuteo awards in a mate’s garage
STATS – 1987-90 & 1997-1999 – APPEARANCES 138
FULL BACKS
LB – PAUL GIBBS
Hard to have Gibbs without Gurney. His goals swung it.
STATS – 1997-98 – APPEARANCES 51 – GOALS 10
RB – PAUL HOLMES
More for his first spell than the second. Never cracked it at Everton, but easy to see what clubs of that standard would have seen in him.
STATS – 1988-92 & 1999-2003 – APPEARANCES 270 – GOALS 6
CENTRE BACKS
MATT ELLIOTT
Plucked from Charlton, he was clearly far too good for Torquay. Disappointed that we let him go when we did. His career was a bit of a slow burner, but got to the top eventually. Big fan of the Hideaway apparently.
STATS – 1989-92 – APPEARANCES 158 – GOALS 20
WES SAUNDERS (C)
A Rolls Royce of a defender. Also a great example of never asking a legend to be manager.
STATS – 1990-93 – APPEARANCES 74 – GOALS 11
MIDFIELDERS
BRIAN HEALY
My wildcard. Brought down from the North East by Wes, he oozed class. A torn ACL wrecked any hope of him becoming a legend.
STATS – 1998-2001 – APPEARANCES 63 – GOALS 11
ALEX RUSSELL
Everything good went through him in the 03-04 side. I think he only ever played 1 game in his career at a higher level than the 3rd tier, which is astonishing.
STATS – 2001-05 – APPEARANCES 163 – GOALS 22
PAUL TROLLOPE
He’ll do the running, the other two in midfield will provide the ammunition. Went onto have a fine career after leaving Torquay.
STATS – 1992-95 – APPEARANCES 132 – GOALS 17
ATTACKERS
RODNEY JACK
Just give him the ball and let him run. Players at that level simply can’t cope. The play-off game v Scarborough was a masterclass.
STATS – 1995-98 – APPEARANCES 105 – GOALS 28
MARK LORAM
First name on the team sheet. Talented enough to be a top division star, but preferred Brixham to the bright lights of London. A genius when in the mood.
STATS – 1984-86, 1987-92 & 1994 – APPEARANCES 331 – GOALS 63
DAVE CALDWELL
10 goals in 41 League appearances, but did enough to leave a real impression. The type of centre forward that fans instantly warm to.
STATS – 1987-88 & 1989-90 – APPEARANCES 52 – GOALS 13
THE LINE-UP
SUBS
NEVILLE SOUTHALL – GK – 1998-2000
JIM MCNICHOL – CB – 1986-89
KEVIN HILL – MF/WG – 1997-2008
EUNAN O’KANE – MF/WG – 2010-12
DAVID GRAHAM – ST – 2001-04 & 2007
THE MANAGER
CYRIL KNOWLES
Turned the club around after the disastrous mid 80s (we were very lucky the Football League was a closed shop). We’ve plenty to be grateful to him for.
STATS – 1987-89 – TOTAL GAMES 133, WON 55, DRAWS 28, LOST 50 – 41.35% WIN RATE
COYY – MARK
*Stats from Torquay Fan Stats
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