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.

M – MARTIN MCNEIL

UNITED CAREER: Scottish defender Martin McNeil started his career with Roy McFarland at Cambridge, and when Roy took the reins at Plainmoor in 2001 he brought the centre back with him. McNeil first joined on loan and made his debut in an opening day 1-0 defeat at Bristol Rovers. He then signed a two year deal with United and played 18 games in the first half of the season, his last one being a 2-0 away defeat to Rochdale in early November before injury problems hit. Then with the team due to play on New Year’s Day McNeil was seen out drinking with team mate (and fellow ex-Cambridge player) Christian Hansen the night before into the early hours. The club acted swiftly a few days later, sacking McNeil and sending Hanson back to his parent club Middlesborough. It was an abrupt end to his time at Plainmoor.

AFTER UNITED: Football-wise McNeil would never recover from his dismissal by United, and he spent the rest of his career with non-league teams such as King’s Lynn (3 spells and his last club around 2010), Fakenham, Wroxham, Wisbech, Soham Town and Lowestoft. In becoming a part-time player McNeil would have to get a proper job! He has been a Personal Banker, Sales Negotiator, Sales Specialist and a Metrology Department Facilitator. But football would pull him back into it’s clutches in 2022, as he became Academy Coach at his old King’s Lynn stomping ground, with Stephen Cleeve as the owner I’m sure it’s never dull!

PROMOTION: At Cambridge McNeil played 6 league games as the U’s won promotion from Division 3 in 1999, Brentford winning the D3 title. Meanwhile in Division 2 a team called Man City won the play-offs at Wembley.

OTHER: Another player to follow McFarland from Cambridge in 2001 was midfield maestro Alex Russell, who did somewhat better in his time at United! Martin’s debut on 11th August 2001 was in the following Gulls team – Dearden, Tully, Herrera, McNeil, Aggrey, Russell, Brandon, Healy, Bedeau (O’Brien), Williams (Roach), Graham.

MCNEIL STATS: AGE: 42, BIRTHPLACE: RUTHERGIEN, HEIGHT: 1.85M, POSITION: CENTRE BACK

TUFC STATS: SIGNED BY ROY MCFARLAND AUG 2001, APPEARANCES 18 GOALS 0

N – MARK NICHOLLS

UNITED CAREER: Mark Nicholls played 48 times for Chelsea in the late nineties, but became surplus to requirements at the end of the decade and worked his way around a few clubs before Roy McFarland tempted him down to Plainmoor on non-contract terms in September 2001. With his smart blonde locks and experience at the top level hopes were reasonably high, and Nicholls made his debut for the Gulls as a late sub for Kevin Hill in a home defeat against Plymouth. He scored one goal in a home win over Darlington, but struggled to make an impression and was released towards the end of October 2001 having played only 11 games for United.

AFTER UNITED: Nicholls bounced around a number of teams after leaving United, including Hamilton Academical, Clydebank, Chesham, Maidenhead, Northwood, Hendon (where he was also assistant manager), Uxbridge, Hayes, Beaconsfield, Walton Casuals, North Greenford (assistant manager again), Southall and finally a last playing spell at North Greenford around 2019. After retiring Nicholls managed Essex team FC Clacton between 2020-21. His main career now is as a Football Coach at ‘Nico Player Development’, where he coaches youngsters of various ages alongside current Ipswich Town Women midfielder, Bonnie Horwood. ‘Mark’s personable style and extensive knowledge of the game lead to fun and inspirational coaching sessions, whether they be one-to-one or with groups of 15 to 20 boys and girls’. Based in Brightlingsea, Nico’s flowing locks and middle parting are no longer around but the passion for football remains!

CHELSEA: At Chelsea he played under footballing legends such as Gianluca Vialli, Glenn Hoddle and Ruud Gullit, and was part of cup runs that lead to League Cup and Cup Winners Cup Final successes.

OTHER INFO: The first XI on his Torquay debut was: Dearden (Banger!), Tully, Woods (Herrera), Woozley, McNeil, Rees, Brandon, Russell, Graham, Roach (Williams), Hill (Nicholls). He was assistant to old Chelsea colleague Neil Shipperley at North Greenford. Nico became renowned for bad behaviour in his non-league days, this included an end of season brawl and an accusation of spitting at a referee. Naughty naughty!

NICHOLLS STATS: AGE: 46, BIRTHPLACE: HILLINGDON, HEIGHT: 1.78M, POSITION: STRIKER

TUFC STATS: SIGNED BY ROY MCFARLAND SEP 2001, APPEARANCES 11, GOALS 1

O – GARETH OWEN

UNITED CAREER: Stoke youngster Gareth Owen joined United in 2004 as they approached a rare season in League One under Leroy Rosenior. His debut came at Ashton Gate as a late sub for Jason Fowler, picking up a yellow card for his troubles as a Steve Woods penalty grabbed a point for United. The defender played five more games for the Gulls in his loan spell, versus Sheffield Wednesday, Luton Town, Walsall, MK Dons and Coventry (League Cup). Heady days indeed! With Woods and Taylor still the preferred CB combination, Owen spent four more games on the bench as an unused sub, before returning to Stoke City.

AFTER UNITED: He ended his time at Stoke with a move to Oldham in 2005 for 50k, spending only one season at the Latics before leaving for Stockport County. During his stay at County he was loaned to Yeovil and Port Vale, and he made the move to Vale permanent in 2009, playing over 100 league games for the club before retiring from playing in 2013 at the age of 30 after a number of injuries. At Port Vale he was given some scouting duties and also coaching experience with the reserves by manager Mickey Adams. and was also the club’s PFA representative as the club entered a precarious administration situation during the 12/13 season. He returned to Stoke City in 2013 as Lead Foundation Phase Football Coach, spent time as the U18s assistant manager in 2018 and then rose to Academy Director in 2019, a post he still holds now.

QUALIFICATIONS: Owen has a degree in Professional Sports Writing and Broadcasting, and wrote columns on Port Vale for a local newspaper. He also has a UEFA A Licence, and is endorsed for Public Speaking and Event Management on Linkedin.

INTERNATIONALS: Gareth has two caps for Wales U19s from 2001, both against the mighty Faroe Islands, with 4-1 and 8-2 victories. The man in charge? Ex-Gull and legend Neville Southall.

OTHER: He captained Stockport County to League 2 play-off success in 2008 at Wembley, wearing a face mask in the final (sounds familiar) against Rochdale.