United begin their National League campaign on Saturday with the visit of Oldham Athletic providing Gary Johnson’s squad their first test.
Following an action-packed pre-season campaign, Gary Johnson’s men begin the season at Plainmoor, with newly-relegated Oldham Athletic the first challenge for United’s new-look squad.
Who’s the Boss?
John Sheridan is currently in his sixth stint as Head Coach at the Latics, and extended his stay at Boundary Park until summer 2023 after returning in January. After guiding the Club to safety on two previous occasions, his side finished 6 points adrift from safety at the end of the 2021/22 League Two season.
After two spells as interim boss, Sheridan’s first permanent stint as manager came in June 2006, during which he enjoyed FA Cup success against Everton. He returned to the Club in 2016 and 2017 where he guided the side to League One safety on two occasions.
The former Notts County, Chesterfield, and Plymouth manager enjoyed a playing career as a midfielder, playing for the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Leeds, and Doncaster, before six years in the Latics midfield.
How have they been doing?
Oldham Athletic became the first former Premier League side to drop down to the National League in May following their relegation from League Two at the conclusion of last season. John Sheridan’s side will be looking to turn things around following a mixed pre-season, with one win, one draw, and four defeats.
Player to Watch
Zaine Francis-Angol signed on a one-year deal with Oldham over the summer, and is well-accustomed to the National League following two seasons at AFC Fylde, as well as promotions with Hartlepool via the play-offs in 2021, as well as Stockport County on a loan spell last time out.
A defender by trade, Francis-Angol can also play as a left-winger and is known to pose a threat down the left flank.
The Latics seventh signing on the summer began his career as a youngster at Tottenham Hotspur, and has also been capped 19 times by Antigua & Barbuda, his first coming in 2012, where he featured in the country’s World Cup Qualifiers, and CONCACAF League of Nations fixtures.
Played for Both
Former Arsenal starlet Rhys Murphy has represented a whole host of clubs during his career, with Oldham and Torquay just two of them.
Having seen his path blocked at The Gunner, a move abroad to Dutch club Telstar sparked interest back home, and after initially turning out for Dagenham & Redbridge, Rhys made 24 league outings, scoring 3 goals for Athletic before he was on the move permanently again, this time to Forest Green. It was on loan from that club, that Murphy joined United for a ten-game spell in 2016/17.
Since playing for Gillingham, Chelmsford and Yeovil, he can now be found at divisional rivals Southend.
Previous Encounter
Torquay United 2 – 0 Oldham Athletic, 6th November 2004, League One.
The last time the two sides met at Plainmoor was nearly two decades ago in the 2004/05 season. In front of a crowd of over 3,000, it was United who ran out 2-0 winners.
Leon Constantine put United ahead on 9 minutes, before Martin Gritton doubled the advantage in the 71st minute to secure the 3 points for Leroy Rosenior’s newly-promoted side.
Torquay United v Oldham Athletic | 06/08/2022 3pm KO | Plainmoor, Torquay, TQ1 3PS