TT BLOG

Clive Hayward – @Byehorse

Clive discusses the Gulls, the draw at Plainmoor and more

JIM MCNICHOL

What a pleasure it was to meet the big man on Saturday. He’s retired now, after many post-football years running a pub with his family. Like many of us, he’s got less hair than he had in his twenties, and nowadays he has a couple of unobtrusive hearing aids, but he spoke with real enthusiasm about his football career and time at Plainmoor.

He sells himself short, downplaying his ability as a goalscoring defender. A born centre back, he was employed in Cyril Knowles’ promotion chasing team as a wing-back “before they were fashionable”.

More fool us when we made him an offer he could definitely refuse in the summer of 89. He sorted himself a 2 year deal at Exeter and helped them win the division, an old head in a young team of many talents.

His humbleness was typified when he got the call from a Netflix producer asking him to take part in their Crewe Alex Highlights Show (I think that’s what it was called?). He thought it was a wind-up, and it was only when Dave Thomas told him it was legit that he agreed to get involved: and he loved it!

HOLMESY’S FINAL GOAL

As announced by Russell Musker on Saturday, Friday October 4th will give us a chance to raise money for Rowcroft. Paul wanted this to happen, to put something back for the love and care he received there.

It’s £25 for a meal and some fun and games in The Cove, overlooking the pitch which Paul graced for so long.

Mrs Byehorse is going to join me, and a fun evening awaits. The food promises to be banging too, if the new chef’s efforts on Saturday are anything to go by. You can get your ticket on the club website here:

https://torquayunited.ktckts.com/event/torrow2425/rowcroft-fundraiser

ST ALBANS (H)

I should probably mention the football. A deeply frustrating afternoon all round, with insufficient attacking spark to beat our 10 man bottom of the league opponents. The referee capped an awful performance by waving away United’s penalty claims in the dying moments as Omar Moussa’s standing leg was hacked from under him. It looks a bad injury and what he now needs is some support at what might be a horrible time. I am as guilty as anyone else of getting wrapped up in the emotion of the 90 minutes but some things are more important than three points.

FCA AWARDS

TorquayTalk has been shortlisted in not one, not two but three categories this year – Best in Non League – Editorial, Podcast & Video.

It’s a real feather in the cap for all my fellow contributors.

People have been very kind about our Gulls Eye View offering on You Tube (and did you know you can also listen to us on Spotify?). We’ve managed to get some club legends involved this year: Club Chairs past and present, Lee Mansell and Jim.Proudfoot to name but five. This month we even had a stab at a live Boots and Laces show, and nobody died!

This week we will be recording with the incomparable Dave Thomas, and Paul Mulhearn, Helen Chamberlain and Paul Bastard are also straining at the leash for future shows.

There is an awards evening at Tottenham in November. That’s not been a happy hunting ground for Torquay in the past, but it would be fun to bring something home this time.

You know what to do, Yellow Army: