TT BLOG

Alan Wills

@alanjwills

Alan names his Gulls dream team

GOALKEEPER

NEVILLE SOUTHALL

Despite being in the twilight of a glittering career at the top level with Everton and Wales, and not quite as lean, Big Nev was outstanding at Plainmoor, commanding his area, and making saves that goalkeepers in the modern era could only dream of.

STATS – 1998-2000 – APPEARANCES 61

DEFENCE

PAUL GIBBS

Tall, strong, and quick with ever-fashionable bleached hair, he is the one by which I have measured all of those playing in the left back position since. Along with Andy Gurney in the right wing back position, he scored an amazing 10 goals from left wing back in 1997/98. His best game had to be the playoff semi final against Scarborough at Plainmoor. Unfortunately, he departed for Plymouth Argyle soon after.

STATS – 1997-98 – APPEARANCES 51 – GOALS 10

---

JIM MCNICHOL

It is now football folklore that he was bitten by a police dog in only my second game at Plainmoor, which allowed the six minutes of injury time for Paul Dobson to score the equaliser and Torquay to stay up on goal difference. However, the following season under new manager Cyril Knowles he was outstanding, marauding down the right wing to sneak in and score a number of important goals. Six in a season is not bad at all for a defender, who was also a rock at the back.

STATS – 1986-89 & 1991-92 – APPEARANCES 162 – GOALS 19

---

MATT ELLIOTT

A regular at The Hideaway on a Saturday night, he deserved his fun after some commanding displays in the centre of defence. Great in the air, and even had a brief stint as a striker in partnership with Jimmy Smith. Moved onto greater things with Leicester City at the top level, and was even capped by Scotland, courtesy of his Scottish grandmother.

STATS – 1989-92 – APPEARANCES 158 – GOALS 20

---

WES SAUNDERS

The former Newcastle United defender was a marquee signing in 1990. He led by example, and spurred the team on to a play-off final at Wembley, where he scored before the mighty Gulls clinched their first promotion for 25 years on penalties. He was also a future Torquay manager of course, and instrumental in bringing his Geordie mates Paul Gascoigne, Chris Waddle and Jimmy “Fivebellies” to Plainmoor for physio Norman Medhurst’s testimonial.

STATS – 1990-93 – APPEARANCES 74 – GOALS 11

MIDFIELDERS

ASA HALL

Captain Fantastic. Always pops up with important goals, and we’re a better team with him, than without him. A club stalwart, and the current longest serving player. Absolutely delighted he is signed up for another season, and I’m keeping my fingers crossed he can stay injury free.

STATS – 2018-PRESENT – APPEARANCES 164 – GOALS 40

---

KEVIN HILL

Record appearance holder, and was much better in the air than his height suggests. Another midfielder with a knack of scoring vital goals, and with a great engine. He never stopped. Gary Johnson would have loved him.

STATS – 1997-2008 – APPEARANCES 474 – GOALS 57

---

LEE MANSELL

Yet another long serving club legend with an eye for a goal. Played mostly in midfield, but had a stint at right back. I recall he was one of only three players remaining at the club the first time we got relegated from the Football League, and he was a key member of the team that won promotion back to the promised land..

STATS – 2006-14 – APPEARANCES 391 – GOALS 25

ATTACKERS

RODNEY JACK

There is no doubt that the Trinidad and Tobago international is the most exciting player I have seen during my four decades following The Gulls. Unplayable during the 1997/98 season where we just missed out on promotion. We definitely missed him when he signed for Crewe in the close season.

STATS – 1995-98 – APPEARANCES 105 – GOALS 28

---

MARK LORAM

Legendary local lad from Brixham. He was signed by QPR, but came back on loan as he was homesick and helped Torquay stay up in the Football League on goal difference. A regular for several seasons after that, as he signed for Torquay permanently. A great left foot with which he scored a number of free kicks. A keen socialiser and during some matches we were convinced he was still inebriated, but such was his natural talent that he could still perform to a level above many other players even when drunk.

STATS – 1984-86, 1987-92 & 1994 – APPEARANCES 331 – GOALS 63

---

JAMIE REID

Who doesn’t love a local lad playing and scoring goals for the club he had supported from the Pop Side? Struggled at first, but came into his own when Gary Johnson joined the club. Outstanding for the next two seasons as we won the National League South Title, and consolidated in the National League. I’m still hoping he’ll come back home one day.

STATS – 2015-20 – APPEARANCES 176 – GOALS 63

SUBS

GARETH HOWELLS – GK – 1990-92

DARREN MOORE – CB – 1992-95

PAUL HOLMES – FB – 1988-92 & 1999-2003

ARMANI LITTLE – MF – 2019-22

LEE SHARPE – WG – 1987-88

BEN WHITFIELD – WG – 2019-21

PAUL DOBSON – ST – 1986-88

THE MANAGER

LEROY ROSENIOR

STATS – 2002-06 – TOTAL GAMES 184, WON 59, DRAWS 59, LOST 66 – 32.07% WIN RATE

COYY – MARK

*Stats from Torquay Fan Stats

OTHER ARTICLES

SQUAD BUILDING FOR 23/24 by Dom Roman

TT PARTNERS

TWITTER – INSTAGRAM – ETSY – YOUTUBE – FACEBOOK