ON THIS DAY

2007 – Chris Hargreaves joins from Oxford United and becomes club captain

Veteran Chris Hargreaves had played for a number of clubs in a long career, including Northampton, Plymouth, West Brom and Hull City, and after being released by relegated Oxford United in May 2007, the midfielder was pinpointed as the ideal man to lead the newly revitalised Gulls squad under Paul Buckle, who brought him to Plainmoor on 20th June 2007.

By then Hargreaves was 35, but any doubts about his energy levels were soon dispelled in the 2007-08 season as the man nicknamed ‘Tarzan’ became one of United’s most important players in an eventful season in the Conference. Time and time again his lung busting runs helped drag the Gulls through games, and although Torquay fell short in the play-offs and FA Trophy, he could be proud of his efforts and was deservedly named Player of the Year.

The next year United would of course go one better in the league and Hargreaves was vital once again, developing a midfield partnership with Nicky Wroe that helped take Buckle’s team all the way to the play-off final. On a sunny day at Wembley the skipper delivered a fantastic goal to give Torquay the lead, and with Sillsy (Zorro) bagging the other, Hargy lifted the trophy and we had our place back in the EFL.

In the end the step up to the EFL was too much for Hargreaves, who returned to Oxford United, and helped them win promotion to the EFL in his final season as a player. Later Chris would return as manager in 2014 at a difficult and frustrating time at Plainmoor. It wasn’t to be a glorious 2nd chapter at the club, but his whole-hearted efforts and leadership between 2007-09 are fondly remembered, and rightfully so.