Why TUFC?:By virtue of being born in Torquay. Also, in addition to having various family members who support the club, I also have a former player as a relative in the form of former goalkeeper Phil Joslin, who played for United between 1936 and 1948 before joining Cardiff City, who was my grandmother’s cousin.
Year started supported TUFC and 1st game?: A pre-season friendly on the eve of the 1991-92 season against Millwall, which was played at Abbrook Park in Kingsteignton, that Torquay won 2-1. My first game at Plainmoor followed in the following month against Fulham for a league game, in what is now League One, which was a 1-0 defeat. Still, I was hooked!
Favourite all-time TUFC players?:Kevin Hill, Rodney Jack, Alex Russell, Neville Southall, Martin Gritton and David Graham to name but a few. Honourable mentions also to Mark Loram, Alex Watson, Matt Elliott and Eunan O’Kane.
Best TUFC memory?:The final day 2-1 win against Southend United in the 2003-04 season remains my personal best Torquay United memory. However, the final day win over Barnet three years earlier deserves a mention, as without that result the promotion under Leroy Rosenior of 2003-04 may not have happened.
Worst TUFC memory?: The last day 2-1 defeat to Colchester United in 2004-05 – 12 months on after the aforementioned victory over Southend. After winning the previous four games to get back into contention, being denied at the death in that manner was a real sickener.
Favourite spot at Plainmoor?: The press benches in Bristow’s Bench when I am on Non League Paper duty offers arguably the best view in the house, and on a clear day it also provides a great view of Haytor.
2 thoughts on “MEET THE TEAM – Steve Harris – Contributor”
With regard to Torquay playing Millwall back in 1991.
That match was organised with then Millwall manager Bruce Rioch to help raise funds for a local lad who had sustained a bad injury earlier that year.
What may not be remembered was that Rioch trained and played at WBB for a few months after his spell with Torquay and could not have been more helpful to the local club, always the gentleman and what a player .
I shall always remember a direct free kick he scored for WBB against Windsor United from just inside the Windsor half !
Thanks Bruce always the consumate professional during his time at Abbrook.
Tony Counter
Yes, the game was arranged to raise funds for a local lad. The lad in question was Martin Wildman, the son of the legendary Kingsteignton Athletic player Malcolm Wildman.
Bruce Rioch did indeed play for WBB following his departure as Torquay manager. A friend of my dad’s was a teammate of Bruce’s during that brief time, and the stories that I have heard about match everything that you have included in your post above.
TORQUAYTALK 
With regard to Torquay playing Millwall back in 1991.
That match was organised with then Millwall manager Bruce Rioch to help raise funds for a local lad who had sustained a bad injury earlier that year.
What may not be remembered was that Rioch trained and played at WBB for a few months after his spell with Torquay and could not have been more helpful to the local club, always the gentleman and what a player .
I shall always remember a direct free kick he scored for WBB against Windsor United from just inside the Windsor half !
Thanks Bruce always the consumate professional during his time at Abbrook.
Tony Counter
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Hi Tony,
Yes, the game was arranged to raise funds for a local lad. The lad in question was Martin Wildman, the son of the legendary Kingsteignton Athletic player Malcolm Wildman.
Bruce Rioch did indeed play for WBB following his departure as Torquay manager. A friend of my dad’s was a teammate of Bruce’s during that brief time, and the stories that I have heard about match everything that you have included in your post above.
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