Jim Fryatt

I am Jim Fryatt's son and it's great to see that he is remembered fondly by supporters for the teams that he played for in the Football League, particularly Torquay.  Our family, including Dad, are now living in the US and, through the magic of the Web, are able to go back in history and also track how Torquay, as well as other clubs, are doing.
Mum and Dad relayed how much they enjoyed living in Torquay, my sister was born there, and really didn't want to leave.  I was curious as to the circumstances of my Dad leaving?  Apparently, it was after one away game where Mr. O'Farrell approached my Dad and mentioned that Stockport was interested in him.  My Dad was of the thought that if a manager didn't tell an interested club that he wasn't for sale but rather came to the player to relay that another club was interested then he took it that it was time to leave (hence, the multiple clubs that my dad played for).  So, after that particular game the players returned to Torquay by train while my Dad, boots in hand, took a separate train up to Stockport only to sign for them that weekend and return the following week to prepare for the move north.
My Dad went on to play for other clubs but wanted to say that he really enjoyed his time in Torquay playing with John Bond, Kenny Brown, etc. and thanks all of you thinking of him.  Good luck next season and, hopefully, there are better days ahead for the Gulls!

Thanks for the post Barton.
Although he played for many northern teams, yes, Dad still has his Southampton (Swaythling) accent as well as my Mum, who hails Leigh-on-Sea.  My Dad's voice can be heard in the following 1973 Philadelphia Atoms promotional, featuring Andy Provan and my dad, who had just played together at Southport, winning the 4th Division championship, and ironically, both of them had played for Torquay at different times although they did end up playing together at Torquay in 1974 for a handful of games.  Andy talks in his scottish brogue at 1:12, my Dad at 2:09, and you'll also see a young Roy Evans, later of Liverpool fame, playing for Philadelphia and pouring in left-footed crosses at 0:56 and 2:55: 
In reading through the earlier posts in this thread some interesting notes:
- My Mum and I were actually at the away game at Barnsley, 1974 for which you're showing the program for; it was probably to pick Dad up and bring him home after the game to Rochdale as that was where we were living at the time.
- Would love to hear about the 'off field indiscretions' - my Dad would particularly like to know the details and especially my Mum  :-)
- Matty Fryatt is no relation but it was exciting to see the 'FRYATT' name on the back of the Hull jersey in the recent FA Cup Final!
- Captain Charles Fryatt was, indeed, related to our family and my Nan Daisy would tell us the story about Captain Fryatt and how he was shot illegally by the Germans who violated the Geneva Convention with this action.
- And, as I understand it, Andy Provan still lives in Torquay and owns a little cafe there.
Cheers!

It's always good to hear from family of a former player.

When you look at Fryatt's scoring record, you cannot help but wonder would have happened had he stayed with us throughout the 1967/68 season - when we came so close to the second division, but fell just a few goals short.

Annoyingly, we got rid of one of the finest headers of the ball just after we had signed up one of the greatest crossers of the ball in Tony Scott.