TT BLOG

Thomas Kelly – @tommyktufc

TOP OF THE XMAS TREE RECENT HISTORY

2018/19 – Finished 1st

It had been a turbulent start to the Gulls first ever foray into National League South football, after a disastrous 17/18 campaign which saw Kevin Nicholson sacked after just four games into the season, set the tone for what was to come for the Gulls that season, who in polite terms were absolute rubbish, well apart from an away win to Ebbsfleet United in which newly appointed manager Gary Owers claimed his side were “not rubbish anymore.”

Despite picking up 7 points from 9 in our first three league games, Torquay looked laboured and the style of football left much to be desired. Defeats at home to Hampton & Richmond, a pitiful 0-1 defeat in front of just over 1400 against Chippenham, alongside two abject goalless draws to Slough Town & Gloucester City proved the end for Gary Owers tenue at the club.

In came Gary Johnson who transformed things immediately. Torquay didn’t lose another league game for the rest of the year after his appointment, as the Gulls rose from 14th place in Johnson’s first game, eventually reaching top spot in early December after a 2-0 win at Dartford.

The Gulls would only relinquish top spot once for the rest of the season in a tightly contested battle with Woking who had followed the Gulls to the NLS the season before.

Torquay’s habit of scoring goals proved to be important, including a 7-2 home demolition of Oxford City saw the Gulls comfortably have a better goal difference than their Surrey based opposition

Alan Dowson’s side began to drift towards the end of March as the Gulls built a second point gap to the Cardinals before the clash of the top two sides at Kingfield in front of a sold out away end of 1500 Gulls fans. Despite a poor performance that day, Ben Wynter’s last minute equaliser against the Cards all but confirmed the Gulls first title win since 1927. A week later Torquay did confirm top spot beating Eastbourne Borough 2-0 at Plainmoor as Woking lost 2-0 away to Chelmsford City.

Torquay had returned to the National League after just one season away and pride (at the time) had been restored to the faithful Yellow Army, who broke the National League South attendance record with over 5,341 inside Plainmoor, although Torquay’s post title winning form dipped with defeats to Chippenham and Hungerford.

Torquay though ended the season with a 4-0 thrashing of St Alban’s to send the Yellow Army happy ahead of a return to National League Football.

2020/21 – Finished 2nd, lost Play Off Final

After the previous season was curtailed due to the COVID 19 pandemic, there was a lot of uncertainty as to how the 2020/21 season would pan out. Would football return at all?

The season began in early October, with football set to be played across empty football stadiums across the country, football returned to our screens with the football authorities allowing clubs to livestream games in order for supporters to follow along from home.

In true Torquay United style, the Gulls put their best foot forward when none of us could attend in person!

Gary Johnson’s team started the season strongly, beating title favourites Stockport County at Plainmoor and despite a 2-1 defeat to Eastleigh, Torquay quickly found their feet with a last-minute Danny Wright penalty seeing off Bromley on their travels.

A 4-1 win away at Aldershot and a 5-0 demolition of Hartlepool on TV signalled to all in the division that Torquay United were genuine title contenders.

Torquay were well clear of second placed Sutton United and when fans were allowed back into stadiums, Torquay dispatched Wrexham 3-1 and followed it up with a 2-1 win to Maidenhead United.

Despite a defeat at home to Dagenham, Torquay ended up being 3 points clear of Sutton come Christmas day and eased to a 6-1 thrashing of Yeovil Town on Boxing Day.

As we all know, results dipped in the new year and injuries to key players saw Torquay fall behind Sutton, who to their credit, just kept winning their games.

In the end, despite a valiant effort from the Gulls, Torquay finished four points behind Sutton in 2nd place and it was to be the lottery of the play offs for Gary Johnson’s side.

Having finished 2nd, Torquay had the luxury of a home semi-final, in front of a “sold out crowd” of over 1750 people in glorious sunshine in TQ1.

Notts County came to the bay after a morale boosting victory over Chesterfield in the eliminator round, coming from behind twice to win 3-2.

In a pulsating affair, Torquay overcame Notts in extra time after Notts came from behind twice in normal time to draw 2-2. An Asa Hall goal and a controversial penalty which Moxey dispatched saw the Gulls head to Ashton Gate for the final.

Of course, we all know how the play off final went and I won’t say any more about that day. It still hurts to this day.

It would be the start of a painful downfall which in just a few years’ time would leave Torquay United’s existence cast into doubt and would change our club forever.

2024/25

All roads lead into this season and what a season it’s been so far for Torquay United.

Administration in February, Survival in April, the Bryn Consortium takeover in June and a football club quite literally rebuilt from the ashes of those who failed us.

With only one played under contract, new manager Paul Wotton had a monumental job to attract players to the club on a reduced budget compared to the season before and with the expectation of the club from many in the fan base fighting for at least a play-off position, in a division which looks to the strongest it’s ever been.

I think it’s fair to say that things are going very well for the Gulls this season, both on and off the pitch, attracting record season ticket sales, record sponsorship deals, beautiful kits, much sort after ground repairs and the fantastic TUST Community Share order, our club is back on the road to recovery.

With no runaway team in the division, things have been very tight, with just four points separating us in 1st with Eastbourne Borough in 8th.

Torquay’s rise to top spot can be thanked mostly with their home form. The Gulls will end the year with an unbeaten home record in the league and despite some early disappointing results on the road, Torquay haven’t tasted defeat since the end of October and have one of the best defensive records in the division. Goals from Cody Cooke and excellent recruitment with the signings of Jordan Young, Dylan Morgan, Jordan Thomas and the extension loan of Will Jenkins Davies have the Gulls in good stead on the pitch.

The real battle will be on our travels, with United still having to go to fellow promotion contenders such as Dorking Wanderers, Maidstone United, Truro City, Weston Super Mare & Worthing in 2025.

One thing is for sure, the support of the Yellow Army will play a huge factor in the success of this season and with home attendances head and shoulders above everyone else in the division, I’m sure the Yellow Army will continue to do our part and support the lads all the way to future success.

I hope everyone has a lovely Christmas, thanks again for all your support of TorquayTalk this year and let’s go into 2025 with continued belief that something special is brewing at TUFC!

Up the Gulls