Rob
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Post by Rob on Jan 24, 2009 23:34:35 GMT
Proud of the lads performance today ... but we DO need to sign another striker ... someone who knows where the back of the net is! I really hope the board back Bucks, as I am pretty sure he feels the same way too - our play off hopes may well ride on it. I agree we need a striker. Bevon scored another 2 today. that's 4 in 2 games. what has happened here? we have plenty of cash now. probably more than Bournemouth who were linked with him He has had talks with League 1 Yeovil. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2009 0:08:18 GMT
A slightly belated posting because I rushed back home to Exeter straight after the game in order to make a couple of job applications before I disappear for a few days on TUFC-related business (glad to see the weather forecast for Sussex is improving). My task is now complete for the evening - less home games at Plainmoor for me if either application is successful - and there's a chance of doing a "reccy" on another job if I make it to Southport next weekend. There's a definite need to raise spirits after an annoying foray into the labour market earlier in the week. All I can say, relating these things to football naturally, is that you're often better opting for the journeyman pro (such as me) rather than someone who may have been attached to a bigger-name outfit for a while. But kudos is sometimes the name of the game and they don't learn, do they?
Anyway, a case of spirits lifted and hopes dashed today. I've not felt as flat after a game since...well...you know when. And that, of course, is a reflection on how well we played today. I just didn't expect to be so utterly down (but still encouraged) after holding a Championship side to a single goal. From early on, it looked a game that would be decided - if at all - by one goal and I became more optimisitic as it wore on. Many parallels with the Blackpool match which I didn't expect at the outset with Coventry initially looking more "up for it" than our last Championship opponents. But that was an illusion and, in due course, we saw our qualities emerge alongside their shortcomings.
I don't want to steal Merse's thunder, having watched the game with him, but we did talk about the comfort zone that many Championship players appear to inhabit these days. Anonymous figures many of them - maybe I'm getting old and out-of-touch but plenty are just names on a long team sheet, aren't they? - all nicely earning a few thousand pounds a week. Yes, I know football is a commercial world - the market place is king - and (I think) I understand why the really top players earn £100,000 a week or whatever. But it's the hundreds of mediocre Championship players on - let's say £5-10,000 a week - that really makes me wonder what the hell's going on.
Anyway, that should not detract from our performance today which offers further evidence that the rest of the season should be worth watching. Oh, but for a few more goals, eh? Matt Green is getting there and looks - unlike one or two others to be honest - a player who will improve by the season. I thought he was excellent today. And I maintain that, if you watch his contribution carefully, there's a lot to appreciate in Wayne Carlisle.
A good occasion today with a smashing atmosphere. But, of course, there were the odd moaners against us and I quite possibly encountered one of the most negative of all today. There's a certain attitude that truly amazes me and I wonder if similar souls inhabited the terraces during those days of yore we've discussed recently. Were there shouts of "sort it out, Mackrill" within five minutes of the start of that very first League game in 1927?
Today, being a 4th round game at Plainmoor, was a rare event and will - in one way or another - be discussed many years from now. Dave, picking up on the 1927 picture, reminded me of the timelessness of these events. En route to the ground I bought the Herald Express from what I still consider to be Bondy's Tuck Shop and - give or take a few degrees - the sun (if it was out on those occasions) would have been shining in the same places as it did against Leeds and Huddersfield and Spurs. And, yes, in the queue outside Wivelgull was discussing Spurs 1965 (which I missed) with me answering by talking about Spurs 1971 (which he missed).
Just a pity we didn't win today, isn't it?
PS Good to meet Timbo and Romford Kev and also to make the connection - thanks to evidence presented on this site - between lost football grounds and antique clocks.
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Post by Budleigh on Jan 25, 2009 9:18:38 GMT
Ha ha... Not sure how many of us there are in this world with a passion for both old grounds and old clocks! Is it just me??
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 25, 2009 9:53:28 GMT
We won four ties in 1910/11. We won five ties in 1921/22, 1923/24 and 1925/26. In 1921/22 we actually won six games if you count the abandoned match with Spencer Moulton. Good to see the " Gatekeeper of Our History" at his best here! I'd noticed Spencer Moulton when looking through the old FA Cup results. It was a works team from Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire, the business eventually being acquired by what is now Avon Rubber. Years later a team called Avon (Bradford) competed in the Western and Hellenic leagues and played our reserves in the early 1970s. After Torquay Town's pre-war cup exploits, the period between 1921 and 1927 saw - as Jon indicates - long runs through the qualifying rounds of the FA Cup. This meant plenty of games against clubs from Bristol (St George's, Hanham, Kingswood) - as well as the likes of Minehead, Frome, Clevedon, Welton Rovers, Coleford, Green Waves (Plymouth), the original Taunton club, Trowbridge, etc. Then, with entry to the Football League in 1927, we were granted exemption until the First Round proper for then on. Well, in theory anyway, because there was a problem in 1927/28. The centenary history records the club received permission to withdraw from the FA Cup because it hadn't been exempted from the qualifying rounds before gaining election to the League. To have played through the qualifiers would have meant too much disruption to league fixtures. Whereas Man U withdrew to go to Brazil it seems we sat it out so as not to go to Frome or Clevedon. Any extra details anybody? |
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merse
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Post by merse on Jan 25, 2009 14:36:56 GMT
 Well I'm well knackered after a 22 hour day yesterday that began with the 5 am alarm and ended by hitting the sack at my weekday rising time of 3am...................I'm getting too old for this and really am feeling the pace of being a 56 year old father of two young kids going stir crazy because it is hosing it down outside! First job on the trek yesterday was to ensure TB1  didn't manage to get lost on the ten pace walk from his front door to my car and then we became probably the only two people to gaze on Wembley Stadium who would be at Plainmoor later in the day (just don't suggest Coventry City might get there) and so it was to Ealing to collect "Ilych"  . Now our locally based sponsor of Matt Green has a shocking and deservedly reputation as a poor timekeeper and so we decide to give him the first of two planned alarm calls from Hanger Lane to which he replies "oh you're running early" (we're not) and when we get the second one in just outside his house his little son spills the beans that Daddy's still faffing about upstairs..............hmmph!  Ross the secret journo  calls as anticipated to tell he's struggling to find the exit required from the Great Chertsey Road for Rigsby Towers before it's too late and he's swanning off down the M3 but as fortune would have it he's just behind us and all that's required is for us to pull over and wait for him to pull up behind so that we can guide him in to the Shepperton residence of Miss Jones  who's waiting beaming at the open front door - that's more like it and then we're off through Staines and Runnymede for our Windsor rendezvous with "Our Man at the FO" - Steve  and Fully  whom my little girl is convinced is Andy Johnson of Everton and to whom she told her mum when he was on TV "look mummy, that's Daddy's friend.....he's called "Fully" 'cos he plays for Fulham". ;D Chas has brought with him a lovely little package of baby boots and stuff that his old mum has knitted for Bijou and I (and there was I thinking it was a Willy Warmer) and that is a treasure believe me ................."Ta Mrs C!"It's now 9.30 as we hit the M4 at Junc 8 and "Mr Selector Capital Gull" (Miss J) has found a nice Fratellis CD to get us all in the football mood...................... da, da da da; da da dadda dadda.........................daddaa dadda - you get the drift.  and it's a non stop bomb down to Plainmoor without a sight of a single "CovCar" which leads us to agree they really must ALL live in Torbay these days then....................oh and the connection (as I saw it) in the answer to the quiz question was that Coventry City were formed as Singers FC by workers of George singer the cycle factory owner who I always believed was indeed one of Isaac's many off spring and thus Oldway Mansion was the other half of the equation......................maybe I am wrong? I soon get on every body's Bristols at Plainmoor by getting dragged into meet and greet situations with so many old faces and as usual am last to the bar and keeping my travelling mates waiting for their tickets...................sorry (again) guys! Boots gets far too crowded and so I elect to get onto the Pop at two o'clock to pick up a pasty and chips plus coffee and devour them in the nice spot I hope to find with Romford and Sal and lo and behold Kev manages to find little Dave and introduce us recording the event for posterity on his Box Brownie. Dave is a lot taller than I imagined but then I look down and see he is standing on top of one of his old milk crates, with his "organ" stool balanced on top and two steps higher than me for good measure  I find a nice spot on the back wall beside Barton Downs and unfortunately alongside some of the mentally challenged idiots who decide to whinge and moan at Green (can't shoot) Carlisle (doesn't do anything) and Dsane (bring Danny) from the opening whistle. Three visits to the toilet before half time give a good indication how they have "pre-matched" and conditioned their collective single brain cell and fortunately a priority of "getting into Boots" leads then to disappear for ever before half time..................just how much of the game have they watched? We've oohed and aahed, leaned and craned our necks, shifted from foot to foot and headed every ball but STILL the bloody thing won't go into the Cov net where it deserves to be and so their sadly predictable all black clad (is that the ONLY away kit these mediocre middle sized clubs feel obliged to wear?) and distinctly comfort zone trotting front line of Eastwood, Morrison and Farty little Mifsud behind them give the minimum of effort and total lack of passion that to me is an absolute insult to the commitment and devotion of their travelling fans. Of course our boys gave their all and of course they just needed that little bit of good fortune and little more composure in front of goal but anyone who dares criticise their heroics of yesterday will have to "Come and see Me" on Monday morning I'm afraid as I'm just not having it that they could have done any more. Yes they scored from a corner and yes the scorer wasn't picked up......these things happen in the heat of battle - always have and always will. We were going to go out of the cup at some stage and to bemoan future monies "lost" is to lose sight of the fact that they were never ours in the first place as they hadn't been "won". Enjoy the FA Cup for the fantastic and joyful journey it is - when your time comes to get off the ride and go home leave with good grace and enjoy and savour the ride. It's been great this season (again) and now it's down to the gritty and real business of trying to win promotion and the FA Trophy.................lots to play for and lots to enjoy between now and May. It took us two hours to prise ourselves away from the Gulls Nest after the match and only an hour up the road another two hours to enjoy a leisurely meal at the "Waterloo Inn" adjacent to junc 27 of the M5 on the A38 towards Wellington. Unfortunately the M4 was closed between junctions 17 and 16 forcing us onto a "B" road diversion around it in appalling rain and dreadfully poor visibility and so at the end of the day it was the music of the sound system that was keeping me alert rather than conversation as one by one my travelling companions departed to the Land of Nod and by the time I crawled into bed at three o'clock this morning I was feeling about a hundred and three I can tell you. Tired, happy in the knowledge that we had enjoyed a quality day out and looking forward to the Dripping Pan and some Harveys Real ale on Tuesday. 
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Post by ohtobeatplainmoor on Jan 25, 2009 15:23:41 GMT
Mixed feelings about yesterday - I felt disappointed for the players, but also very proud of their efforts both yesterday and on the FA Cup run that we have had this season. Hopefully it won't be 19 years until we reach the 4th round again!!
I don't feel that we could have done anything different in terms of the formation of the team or the selection. I was disappointed to hear boo'ing when the subs were made - I'm not entirely sure why.
I thought nearly every single player did themselves justice today considering the players that they were up against. Our defence coped admirably with the likes of McKenzie, Morrison and Eastwood who have all proven that they can perform at Championship level in their careers.
I must admit that I was already thinking of arrangements to go to the replay when they broke our hearts with the winner!
I really feel that our luck is going to turn, hopefully starting on Tuesday so that we can cement a play-off place that is under threat from the likes of Wrexham and Oxford who are snapping on the fringes.
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mike
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Post by mike on Jan 25, 2009 15:31:19 GMT
[!!
I was disappointed to hear boo'ing when the subs were made - I'm not entirely sure why.
I am sure that most supporters thought that Matt Green, who had been giving the Coventry defence a hard time all afternoon ,should have stayed on
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jan 25, 2009 17:20:27 GMT
A small video clip of the team being called out by the announcer,just for those who could not make it to get a small feel of the atmosphere.
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jan 25, 2009 17:45:50 GMT
A great post and its amazing that wifes believe and except it takes 22 hours to go out and watch a football match, then come home. I do hope Kev caught my good side ;)I was thinking should I plant a kiss on you or pretend I was punching you in the shot, but as I was aware the nice steward was about to come and move you on, I BENT down and put my arm around you. Mind you I found you were a bit wobbly on those legs of yours Merse, I wonder who it was that really had to many drinks before the match  |
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petef
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Post by petef on Jan 25, 2009 19:10:27 GMT
Mixed feelings about yesterday - I felt disappointed for the players, but also very proud of their efforts both yesterday and on the FA Cup run that we have had this season. Hopefully it won't be 19 years until we reach the 4th round again!! I don't feel that we could have done anything different in terms of the formation of the team or the selection. I was disappointed to hear boo'ing when the subs were made - I'm not entirely sure why. I thought nearly every single player did themselves justice today considering the players that they were up against. Our defence coped admirably with the likes of McKenzie, Morrison and Eastwood who have all proven that they can perform at Championship level in their careers. I must admit that I was already thinking of arrangements to go to the replay when they broke our hearts with the winner! I really feel that our luck is going to turn, hopefully starting on Tuesday so that we can cement a play-off place that is under threat from the likes of Wrexham and Oxford who are snapping on the fringes. Yep all of those things but today after the 5th round draw I feel like the man from Manchester who has just missed double top to win a speed boat on Bulls Eye! "Look what you would have won"  |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Jan 25, 2009 19:45:32 GMT
Then, with entry to the Football League in 1927, we were granted exemption until the First Round proper for then on. Well, in theory anyway, because there was a problem in 1927/28. The centenary history records the club received permission to withdraw from the FA Cup because it hadn't been exempted from the qualifying rounds before gaining election to the League. To have played through the qualifiers would have meant too much disruption to league fixtures. Whereas Man U withdrew to go to Brazil it seems we sat it out so as not to go to Frome or Clevedon. Any extra details anybody? They are always copying us - where do you think they got the name United from? There IS only one United. I have seen sources list the Bristol Rovers games from 1926/27 as 1927/28, but it is true that we did not enter the FA Cup in 1927/28. The funny thing is that we were given a bye to the first round proper in 1926/27 as a reward for our recent performances in the qualifying rounds - but we were not given a bye in 1927/28 despite winning the Southern League Western Section. I believe that the FA chose the exemptions before the end of the season, so by the time we were elected to the League it was too late to change things. |
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Post by romfordkev on Jan 25, 2009 20:00:10 GMT
Sorry for the delay everybody, but finally I bring you photographic evidence from the biggest story in the world this week. No, not that Obama blokes new job - I mean the meeting of Merse and Dave R at Plainmoor!! Although the picture suggests that they are both smiling, I'm sure that "normal service" will be resumed shortly, and they will be both bickering and sniping at each other on these Forum Boards in a manner to which we've all been accustomed!! In the meantime, enjoy history in the making - and an outbreak of peace (while it lasts)......  After thought: Does anybody else think these two could form an official Torquay Fans Forum Gurning Team to perform at Egremont Fair? |
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Jon
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Post by Jon on Jan 25, 2009 20:04:33 GMT
we have plenty of cash now I wouldn't be so sure of that! The Cup run has been great to reduce the running losses, but we are still a long way short of breaking even this season. Hopefully two trips to Wembley will sort that. |
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Dave
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Post by Dave on Jan 25, 2009 20:07:35 GMT
Many thanks Kev, much better than i was expecting, I think me and merse look a really nice couple of blokes  |
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chelstongull
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Post by chelstongull on Jan 25, 2009 20:13:43 GMT
Great picture Romfordkev.
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. Now our locally based sponsor of Matt Green has a shocking and deservedly reputation as a poor timekeeper and so we decide to give him the first of two planned alarm calls from Hanger Lane to which he replies "oh you're running early" (we're not) and when we get the second one in just outside his house his little son spills the beans that Daddy's still faffing about upstairs..............hmmph! 
