hector
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Post by hector on Aug 14, 2014 19:38:20 GMT
It does seem to happen that when some players leave they seem to be rejuvenated...I wonder if Nico would have shed those extra pounds if still playing for us though! I remember when the greatest player ever to put on a Torquay shirt went up the road and joined Bristol Rovers, when he returned to play us he looked sharper and fitter than I remembered him. I can still see him now thundering towards the Mini-Stand leaving all his ex team mates in his wake, except that little chap (smaller than li'l Danny I think), Mel somebody, who had to grab him round the waist to arrest his progress...Stubbsy was real pissed off!
Ahhhh, those were the days! The same thought crossed my mind. Had Hargreaves jumped in with a 2 year contract, I suspect Nicholson would not be in the shape he is in when he is fighting for a contract with Kidderminster - not that I think he is unprofessional in any shape or form, it is just there would not have been the need to be and perhaps a little complacency may have crept in. I guess the proof is in the pudding in that he didn't look as lean and as fit when playing for us last season. |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 14, 2014 22:46:03 GMT
that little chap (smaller than li'l Danny I think), Mel somebody, who had to grab him round the waist to arrest his progress Mal Lucas. Welsh international and hard man. My first very vivid Plainmoor memory is of Boxing Day 1970 v Argyle - it was bloody freezing! Lucas launched himself into a sliding tackle across the icy surface from about twenty yards away and slid in on his backside to clatter man and ball into the advertising hoardings. As you say, those were the days. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 15, 2014 7:21:52 GMT
that little chap (smaller than li'l Danny I think), Mel somebody, who had to grab him round the waist to arrest his progress Mal Lucas. Welsh international and hard man. My first very vivid Plainmoor memory is of Boxing Day 1970 v Argyle - it was bloody freezing! Lucas launched himself into a sliding tackle across the icy surface from about twenty yards away and slid in on his backside to clatter man and ball into the advertising hoardings. As you say, those were the days.
Yes, it's strange how things stick in your mind, 'cause I too remember that Argyle game and it was bloody tatters! Won on the day by a penalty I believe, lucky rebound of the keeper to have a second go at it!
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Post by valgull on Aug 15, 2014 12:04:52 GMT
Mal Lucas. Welsh international and hard man. My first very vivid Plainmoor memory is of Boxing Day 1970 v Argyle - it was bloody freezing! Lucas launched himself into a sliding tackle across the icy surface from about twenty yards away and slid in on his backside to clatter man and ball into the advertising hoardings. As you say, those were the days.
Yes, it's strange how things stick in your mind, 'cause I too remember that Argyle game and it was bloody tatters! Won on the day by a penalty I believe, lucky rebound of the keeper to have a second go at it!
Mal Lucas - didn't he get taken to hospital for an emergency appendectomy just after an away game at Barnet? If my memory is right I'm not sure he even got back to Torquay. And on the subject of short players, keeper Bill Hayes can't have been much/any more than 5'6. |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 16, 2014 12:23:47 GMT
Mal Lucas - didn't he get taken to hospital for an emergency appendectomy just after an away game at Barnet? If my memory is right I'm not sure he even got back to Torquay. Well remembered Val. Jack Edwards' comments courtesy of Timbo's excellent programme archive:  Full programme here: www.torquayfans.boards.net/thread/4949/18-12-71-rotherham-unitedBarnet programme here: www.torquayfans.boards.net/thread/9009/barnet-fa-cup-round-11It must have been pretty serious if it kept Mal out of action for six weeks. He was the kind of guy who would play on if you cut both his arms off, claiming it was only a flesh wound. Was that appendix problem a turning point in our season? We had had a min-revival - winning four and drawing one of our last five league and cup games up to and including Barnet. The five games Lucas missed were all lost - as were the next three. |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Aug 16, 2014 12:27:24 GMT
]Yes, it's strange how things stick in your mind, 'cause I too remember that Argyle game and it was bloody tatters! I remember that there was a fatality in the crowd. I was absolutely convinced that somebody had frozen to death, but I think it was a heart attack. |
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JamesB
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Post by JamesB on Aug 16, 2014 18:35:02 GMT
In other news, Mansell scored today. Not been confirmed how many fists were pumped yet, though. But they did lose
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hector
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Post by hector on Aug 16, 2014 19:57:05 GMT
With regard to the above programme, I was more drawn to the cost of an all-inclusive trip to Majorca - £49.75!!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2014 23:52:26 GMT
In other news, Mansell scored today. Not been confirmed how many fists were pumped yet, though. But they did lose A single point from a potential nine has starkly brought into focus for Rovers' fans just how tough life really is in the Conference. Already being eight points adrift of the one automatic promotion place does not bode well for their introspective belief of an instant return. The table didn't lie at the end of last season and proves that the bottom two L2 clubs are not as good as the top 6 Conf clubs - in reality it's probably the bottom four L2 clubs - so they shouldn't expect to easily return at the first time of asking. If we were to make the play-offs this season I would be ecstatic. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 17, 2014 20:28:07 GMT
* LEGEND WATCH *
How nice it is to see discussion of some of the old players from bygone eras on this thread. While they may not have been capable of delivering a thunderbolt shot with the accuracy of Kevin Nicholson, or commanding the midfield from first minute to last as Cap'n Manse could in his prime, there's no need to let the nagging concern that those players of yesteryear weren't fit to lace the boots of modern day Superheroes such as Nico and Manse stop our reminiscences.
Could it just be a coincidence that within weeks of signing a legendary defender and adding his calming and skilful attributes to their defence that Kidderminster Harriers are now the only team in the Vanarama Conference that have still not conceded a goal all season ? The advantages of signing a quality defender don't have to be guessed at, one look at Harriers 'goals against' column provides the answer. At this rate Nico is on course to achieve legendary status in double quick time at Aggborough.
'The manager also praised Kyle Storer, Kevin Nicholson and Jared Hodgkiss, who provided the ammunition for Chey Dunkley’s brace against Alfreton and Marvin Johnson’s goal.
He said: “Chey is a big strong lad who likes to attack the ball, but the quality of delivery was excellent as well.
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“If we’ve got balls like that coming into the box then there’s every chance we will score goals.
“Kevin and Jared are experienced players and I have been very pleased with the way they have settled into the side.
“I was pleased for Nathan Blissett as well. He’s a nice lad who works very hard and is starting to come into his own."
Nicholson, 33, agreed to play for Harriers on non-contract terms last week as Whild's side Harriers were not in a position to offer him a permanent deal.
The left-back was eager to play for Kidderminster after two encouraging pre-season performances. While based in Torquay, he will travel up to train with Harriers twice a week.
Whild added: “The situation with Kevin is flexible, but he’s a very experienced player who was keen to play for us and we’re very pleased to have him here.”
Those who read 'Torquay United Viewpoint' in Saturday's Western Morning News will remember Dave Thomas stating: 'But it would be folly to think that Hargreaves could wave a magic wand over a relegated squad, and produce a consistently winning team in the space of three months'.
Much the same point was made at greater length and in more detail in The Sunday Independent some weeks back regarding the difficulties Bristol Rovers will face in changing both mindset and performance. Those enormous difficulties are put into even sharper focus when it is realised that even an inspirational figure such as Cap'n Manse can't solve all Rovers problems for them single-handedly, although it does appear that he's having a damned good try. Cajoling them to up their game, running the midfield and now even scoring the team's goals for them; just think of the even bigger mess Rovers would be in if they didn't have the ever dependable Manse to rely on.
Sadly for Rovers fans, they just don't have enough players with the quality and high standards that great professionals such as Cap'n Manse expect, despite what he may say in an attempt to defend his inferior teammates:
Meanwhile, on their poor start to the season, Mansell said: “I wanted to win three out of three, I mean everyone in that changing room wanted to win three out of three.
“Unfortunately we’ve picked one point out of three. We know that’s not good enough and we know that’s miles away from what’s expected of us. But there won’t be anyone beating themselves up as much as us in the changing room."
LINK - Only 3 wins good enough for Cap'n Manse
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rjdgull
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Post by rjdgull on Aug 18, 2014 20:39:08 GMT
Sounds likes it won't be too long until they are talked about in the same revered tones at their new clubs! Love the picture, AJ, legendary in caption competitions.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 23, 2014 18:21:19 GMT
A decent start to the Bank Holiday weekend fixtures for Kev & Lee. Further congratulations to Nico are surely in order as his steadfast defensive know-how and experience has transformed the previously shaky Harriers defence into one which has just completed a row of four Conference games without conceding.
As the Kidderminster Shuttle was quick to proudly report:
HARRIERS continued their perfect defensive record at the start of the 2014-15 Vanarama Conference with a battling point at Macclesfield.
Gary Whild's side have kept a clean sheet in all four games, the first time they have done so in living memory.
Hardy Harriers have not let in a goal in over six hours of football.
And at long last it's a win for Cap'n Manse and his Bristol Rovers side. Let's face it, so far the managerial reign of Darrell Clarke at Rovers has been an unmitigated disaster, and it's my guess that they've now started to lean more heavily on the legendary leadership qualities of Cap'n Manse, as Clarke was appearing to be increasingly clueless. We well remember when the Knill fiasco could be tolerated no longer and Cap'n Manse was quickly on hand to sort out the team and take on all the necessary player/manager duties while Geoff Harrop was sent off to shake hands with supporters in Boots & Laces.
Is Manse already the De facto manager at Rovers ? A great leader on and off the field, scorer of the teams goal last week, and providing the on field leadership that brought his team a crucial victory today. Manse's tireless running and positional awareness no doubt being the major factor in Rover's clean sheet this afternoon. But as we know, his abilities don't stop there, and early reports from The Western Daily Press suggest that The Gasheads were treated to a world class free kick at The Memorial stadium today:
'Had AFC Telford goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge not made a decent stop to repel Lee Mansell’s attempt to convert a free-kick from all of 30 yards just after the hour mark the margin of what was a much-need victory could have been greater'.
Older Forum members will remember those powerful and wickedly swerving free kicks of Roberto Rivelino back in the 1960's and 70's. I'm sure The Shropshire Star's correspondent who was covering the game would confirm that Manse's long range effort was one that even the legendary Brazilian Rivelino himself would have been proud of:
'The hosts then enjoyed a purple patch, buoyed by the goal, and a swerving Lee Mansell free-kick again tested Hedge's agility from distance'.
Shropshire Star - Mansell too good for Telford
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 11:48:54 GMT
What a fine away win for the young Gulls side that went to Lincoln. A great confidence boost going into the home game with Nuneaton, in which we'll also have Ryan Bowman available. Like the rest of you, as soon as the win at Lincoln was confirmed, my mind immediately turned to thinking 'I wonder how our dear old friends Manse and Nico got on today. Well, it was also a day of maximum points for both of our fondly remembered legends.
Nico's remarkable transformation of the Kidderminster defence continues, as they will enter September still proudly boasting that they've yet to concede a goal while having 11 men on the field. Kev has expertly marshalled the defence to such an efficient level that Harriers remain unbeaten this season, and are riding high in the play-off positions.
Cap'n Manse's influence is also growing at Bristol Rovers. Visiting table toppers Halifax Town couldn't stop Manse leading his team to victory, and in doing so racking up an impressive 7 points from a possible 9. The Rovers Board must increasingly wonder why they both employing Darrell Clarke, as they'll surely have cottoned on to where the real leadership is coming from that is now turning their sorry club around.
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hector
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Post by hector on Aug 31, 2014 20:58:42 GMT
You will be pleased to know, Alpine Joe, that Richard Latham is 'gushing' about Mansell (as much as a Bristol City fan can be about Rovers when he is only writing in a half-arsed way because the Janner Indy doesn't have a Rovers correspondent anymore) when he stated 'I also like the look of steely determination on Lee Mansell's face from kick-off to final whistle...and is setting the right example as the team adjust to non-league football'.
Clearly, Richard Latham is easily impressed, or too busy tuning into Bristol City's away games to notice much going on when he is reporting on Rovers but Mansell's manic eyes must have caught his attention. He doesn't make too much mention of any footballing prowess, other than a long-range shot and a corner.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Sept 6, 2014 21:14:09 GMT
How tempting it can be on days like these, to wallow in our own success, and almost forget to give even a second thought to our former legends who were also in action today. The performance at Plainmoor featuring slick passing moves of such quality, that fans could be forgiven for thinking that surely Martin Ling had returned to take charge of us for the day.
Well, did Nico & Manse also enjoy a pleasant afternoon in the sun ? It's a case of contrasting fortunes, so we'll start with the good news first. Kev, like us, seems to have had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon, as his Harriers team put on a display befitting 'Non League Day'
'In front of a bumper (and one suspects, miscounted) crowd of 2607, Gary Whild's charges passed their first test against a team who many expect to be in and around the title scene come May. It was, of course, Non-League Day and with it came the first chance for Harriers to suck in some of the more casual, or indeed curious fans of higher division clubs. With the sun beaming down on the Aggborough turf the new visitors to our second home could hardly complain about the weather.
Kev's team taking the lead just 9 seconds into the second half, as they went on to record a 2-1 victory over a decent (as we know to our cost) Gateshead team.
'Referee Darren England's last blow on his whistle was the cue for an almighty roar to be unleashed around Aggborough, a well-earned standing ovation for the lads in Red was appreciated by the players.
Despite off-field concerns financially, Harriers went out and entertained a bumper crowd, got all three points and sent the fans home happy, both debutants and regulars. Let's just hope that the bug has bit them and that we see them down the road, and not just on marquee days such as Sunderland or Non-League Day. Still unbeaten, we now travel to Southport on Tuesday night in search of another three points to consolidate our play-off position at this early stage of the season.
LINK - Nicholson's Harriers March On
Yet in stark contrast, what a tale of woe for Cap'n Manse and his hapless - or to be strictly accurate 'clueless' - Bristol Rovers. A 2-0 defeat at Braintree. The home side's opening goalscorer being punched by Rovers fans via the back of the net, the Braintree goalkeeper being targeted with a plastic bottle by a visiting supporter, the great Cap'n Manse himself being issued with a yellow card, and Rovers manager Darrell Clarke branding his players as 'clueless' during his post match comments. Sounds very much like a day to forget for The Cap'n.
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