ON THIS DAY

2004 – David Graham joins Wigan Athletic for £215,000

After just over 3 years at Plainmoor, striker David Graham left for Championship team Wigan Athletic on this day in 2004.

Graham originally joined Torquay in early 2001 on loan from Dunfermline, as Colin Lee looked to save the Gulls from relegation to the Conference. It all came down to a final day decider at Underhill, and Graham was on target as United scraped home 3-2. Soon after, the striker signed on permanently, with Roy McFarland his new manager.

There was little to report during the next season under McFarland, and it took the introduction of Leroy Rosenior in 2002 to exploit the undoubted potential of the Scotsman. It all led to the glorious 2003-04 season where United had the right blend of experience and skill to push for promotion, Graham bagging 23 goals along the way, including one in the unforgettable day at Southend.

His goals were a mixture of long range arrows, close range finishes, clever headers and volleys, showcasing everything that Graham had in his locker. This earnt David a place in the Division 3 Team of the Year, and whilst United had achieved promotion, it soon became apparent that he would be moving to pastures new.

In the end Graham never found success at Wigan, or in spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Bradford, and returned to United in 2007 in a brief loan spell that fizzled out very quickly. No matter, he had helped provide the Yellow Army with one of the best seasons we’ve ever experienced and a number of goals and memories that will live with us for a very long time.