Torbay’s naturally inspiring newspaper, Torbay Weekly, features more key moments from throughout the club’s history in this week’s chapters from Inside the Gulls.
The series reaches new heights this week, with another four fascinating chapters from the Torquay United past.
It all starts with a story on two legendary chairmen, Tony Boyce and Mike Bateson. Both men had to deal with the full spectrum of triumph and disaster during their custodianship, as untold stories are revealed from their tenures.
One of the most frustrating experiences for the Yellow Army is remembered next. After an enthralling League Two campaign under manager Paul Buckle, United needed to win just one more game. The Gulls travelled to Old Trafford as firm favourites for a Play-Off Final against Stevenage but, from the start, it was not our day.
The weekend opens with the story of Cyril Knowles, a legendary former player at Tottenham Hotspur, who arrived at Plainmoor as manager in 1987 and immediately embarked on a marathon season to success. Cyril was an icon of the United past, a great manager who was sadly taken from us far too young.
Things are then rounded off with captain Lee Mansell, who fell in love with Torquay – and it showed with every single performance. This chapter looks at the influence of Manse on his team-mates and the respect he earned from the Yellow Army.
Thanks to Pinnacle Photo Agency, Paul Levie and the late Colin Bratcher for providing the images for Inside the Gulls.
Inside the Gulls is a downloadable series available through the Torbay Weekly website, with subscriptions available for just £9.99 here – Equating to just 25p per chapter.
In addition to your digital version of Inside the Gulls, subscribers will receive a printed glossy bookazine copy on completion of the series. Even if you subscribe later in the series, all previously published chapters will be available to enjoy.
Signing up to Inside the Gulls also benefits Torquay United AFC, with a percentage from every subscription donated to supporting the club, as well as a specific Plainmoor project sponsored by Torbay Weekly.