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Steve Harris
@steveharris84
In the latest article on our last 10 years in Non-League football, Steve picks his top 50 players
As this summer marks a decade since the Gulls were relegated from the Football League for the second time in their history.
I will now take on the challenge of listing the top 50 players who have appeared in a United shirt between 2014 and 2024. As I know from experience, compiling lists of 50 involving Torquay United can be fun and challenging and whether you agree with my choices or not, they will still create plenty of argument and debate nonetheless.
50 – CALLUM DOLAN (2023)
Callum Dolan’s arrival on loan from Fleetwood Town in October 2023 helped to bring some much needed energy and guile to United’s midfield. He returned to the Fylde Coast after making six appearances and scoring two goals; arguably his best display came in the Gulls’ FA Trophy tie with Yeovil Town where he provided the assist for Dillon De Silva’s opener before finding the back of the net himself in a 2-1 win for United.
DOLAN STATS – POSITION: MIDFIELD, APPEARANCES: 6, GOALS 2
49 – TOBY AJALA (2014-15 & 2016)
One of Chris Hargreaves’ early signings following the Gulls’ relegation in 2014, Toby Ajala emerged as a star performer in the 2014-15 campaign, scoring five goals in 45 league appearances before leaving to join Dover Athletic in the summer of 2015. He would return to Plainmoor in the 2015-16 season, but couldn’t repeat the form of his first spell.
AJALA STATS – POSITION: WINGER, APPEARANCES: 70, GOALS 7
48 – FRANK VINCENT (2018 & 2019-20)
The young central midfielder enjoyed two loan spells from AFC Bournemouth in the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, as the Gulls won promotion from National League South and re-established themselves in the National League. Comfortable on the ball, Vincent has since enjoyed a good career with Notts County and Dagenham & Redbridge.
VINCENT STATS – POSITION: MIDFIELD, APPEARANCES: 34, GOALS 0
47 – JAKE ANDREWS (2018-19 & 2019-2022)
A stand out performer for United in National League South after joining on loan from Bristol City, Jake Andrews found the back of the net 12 times as the Gulls bounced back to the National League at the first attempt. He then joined United on a permanent basis, but didn’t quite hit the same heights in the National League and left in 2022.
ANDREWS STATS – POSITION: MIDFIELD/WINGER, APPEARANCES: 119, GOALS 24
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46 – MARK HALSTEAD (2021-PRESENT)
After a slow start to life at Plainmoor, Mark Halstead established himself as United’s first choice goalkeeper in the 2022-23 season. Halstead has proved himself to be a fine shot stopper and has saved three penalties during his stint with the Gulls (Hampton & Richmond FA Cup, Wrexham & Maidstone United).
HALSTEAD STATS – POSITION: GOALKEEPER, APPEARANCES: 101, GOALS 0
45 – STEPHEN WEARNE (2022)
The young winger joined United on loan from Sunderland in the 2021-22 campaign and returned for a second loan spell from Grimsby Town in the 2022-23 season. His first stint proved to be more successful than his second, as he found the back of the net three times in 14 appearances.
WEARNE STATS – POSITION: WINGER, APPEARANCES: 26, GOALS 5
44 – SHAUN HARRAD (2016 & 2017)
Part of a clutch of signings made by Kevin Nicholson in early 2016 who played a key role in their first ‘great escape’ under Nicholson in the 2015-16 season. Harrad made his experience count and proved to be an excellent foil for Nathan Blissett. He left for Wrexham in the summer of 2016, but returned in January 2017 as the Gulls completed another ‘great escape.’
HARRAD STATS – POSITION: STRIKER, APPEARANCES: 33, GOALS 4
43 – BRETT WILLIAMS (2016-17 & 2018)
Brett Williams’ goals in the 2016-17 season proved to be vital helping the Gulls avoid relegation – including braces against Braintree Town at home and Dover Athletic away in United’s run-in. He left for Bromley in the summer of 2017, but would return to Plainmoor in the 2017-18 campaign, but failed to replicate the form of his first spell.
WILLIAMS STATS – POSITION: STRIKER, APPEARANCES: 77, GOALS 16
42 – WILL GOODWIN (2022-23)
Young striker Will Goodwin joined on loan at the start of the 2022-23 campaign from Stoke City – and scored 8 times in 29 appearances in all competitions. Arguably his most notable goal came when he scored the equaliser in the Gulls’ FA Cup clash with Derby County, which took the tie to a replay.
GOODWIN STATS – POSITION: STRIKER, APPEARANCES: 29, GOALS 8
41 – NATHAN BLISSETT (2016-17)
Nathan Blissett helped to resurrect his career during the 2015-16 season following his release by Bristol Rovers by finishing the campaign as the Gulls’ leading scorer with eight goals. His form for United helped to earn him a move to Plymouth Argyle in January 2017, reportedly worth £30,000.
BLISSETT STATS – POSITION: STRIKER, APPEARANCES: 44, GOALS 12
COYY – STEVE
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