Jon
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Post by Jon on Nov 1, 2012 21:36:59 GMT
 I was very grateful when teignmouth54 helped me to find my bearings at Plainmoor 1946: torquayfansforum.co.uk/thread/9988/plainmoor-1946?page=1I think we are looking at a similar angle here, but this time we are back in 1924 - before the Buckfastleigh grandstand was erected as recorded here: torquayfansforum.co.uk/thread/9990/new-2nd-hand-grandstand-1927You can see the side of the pre-1927 stand on the left of the photo above. Both before and after the 1927 ground improvements, there was a "paddock" area between the grandstand and the Ellacombe end. Judging by the state of the pitch, I would have though that wearing wellies would have been recommended for paddock dwellers. Given that summers were long and dry in the good old days, when was this wintry scene snapped? On 20th September 1924 - FA Cup vs Green Waves. |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Nov 17, 2012 13:30:15 GMT
This one is actually from 21 March 1923, but I didn't think it was worth starting a new thread. A good view of what the grandstand looked like in our pre-league days, before we brought in the one from Buckfastleigh.  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Nov 18, 2012 8:22:45 GMT
Maybe not enough for another thread, Jon, but always brilliant to hear and see more about such a fascinating period in the club's history. The 1920s - and the transformation of the club during a few short years - really is worthy of closer investigation and attention. I guess there would have been sceptics but it must have been an exciting time at Plainmoor. Just as well those Babbacombe boys came on board. You wouldn't have done it without us!
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Post by gullone on Nov 18, 2012 16:02:41 GMT
Great picture that one Jon, guessing from a WMN. Never seen a picture of the pre Buckfastleigh grandstrand until now, superb.
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Nov 19, 2012 19:54:00 GMT
Great picture that one Jon, guessing from a WMN. It is indeed. Plymouth-based media biased in favour of Argyle? Surely not!  |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Nov 19, 2012 19:56:37 GMT
Maybe not enough for another thread, Jon, but always brilliant to hear and see more about such a fascinating period in the club's history. The 1920s - and the transformation of the club during a few short years - really is worthy of closer investigation and attention. I guess there would have been sceptics but it must have been an exciting time at Plainmoor. Just as well those Babbacombe boys came on board. You wouldn't have done it without us! We Torquay boys were still desperately trying to distance ourselves from the bad lands. Any idea where in Ellacombe we would have had in mind?  WMN 20/02/24 |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 19, 2012 20:06:53 GMT
"Flat fields are not common".
You could say that again.
The idea of a football ground anywhere in steep-sided Ellacombe is mind-boggling. But I guess that 1924 would pre-date the newer housing around Berea Road and Egerton Road.
Traffic may have been an issue in years to come!
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Nov 27, 2012 23:36:04 GMT
Two more from 1923. A view of the Pop from the first time we played a Football League team in the FA Cup - Aberdare Athletic on 17 November:  Another view of the old grandstand from a Southern League match with Argyle Reserves on 29 December:  |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Nov 28, 2012 12:20:47 GMT
Thanks Jon for posting up another two great finds. What is interesting is we ended up replacing Aberdare Athletic in the football league in 1927.
Aberdare Athletic Football Club were founded in 1893, Aberdare were Welsh Cup runners-up, in 1903–04 1904–05 and 1922/23. In 1920–21 they joined the Welsh Section of the Southern League and duly finished runners-up in their first season. That gained them entry to the Football League Third Division South in time for 1921–22.
Aberdare spent six seasons in the League, with their best season being 1921–22, when they finished 8th. That same year, 1926, Aberdare merged with nearby Aberaman Athletic; the first team continued to compete in the Football League under the name Aberdare Athletic, while the reserve team played in the Welsh League under the name Aberdare & Aberaman Athletic.
However, in the next season, 1926–27 Aberdare Athletic finished bottom of the Third Division South and failed to gain re-election to the league; Torquay United took their place.The merged club fully renamed themselves as Aberdare & Aberaman Athletic, and rejoined the Southern League.
However, the merged club only survived for another year, and in 1928 the Aberaman faction split away from the club to re-form Aberaman Athletic, while the Aberdare half folded. After World War II, in 1945 a reformed Aberdare & Aberaman Athletic was formed, but this side also split into two, in 1947; the Aberdare Town fc club continue to this day and play in the Welsh Football League.
The club had several different team colours during their existence.Their membership of the Football League coincided with that of a team from another Welsh town Merthyr Town.
The popside picture is very interesting and shows the houses in Marnham Road, do we know when they were built, I only ask as sometime up until 1905 the rugby club played at Plainmoor ans I was wondering if the houses were built when the site might have just been an open public space.
What is surprising is the size of the crowd for the Southern League match, the stands look full and I wonder what sort of gates we were getting at the time.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Nov 28, 2012 12:50:12 GMT
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