It is with great pleasure and pride that the board of Torquay United AFC have announced the launch of the club’s Former Players Association.
Headed by former Gulls favourite Paul Hall, this select club will be open to all former professional players that have represented the club, with events planned at Plainmoor throughout the course of the year.
Paul made 111 appearances and scored 4 goals for the club between 1990-1993, at the beginning of an outstanding career that would take in spells at the likes of Portsmouth, Coventry and Walsall before culminating in representing Jamaica during the 1998 World Cup in France.
Now Under-23 lead coach at Championship side Queens Park Rangers, the former United winger has remained a frequent visitor to Plainmoor since retiring as a player, and most recently presented the 50/50 prize during half-time at the Stockport County fixture last November.
“Nothing is as special as coming back to an old club let alone your first and spiritual home,” said Hall.
“The way I was made to feel, the familiar faces I saw during my last visit made the whole day amazing. You know you will always hold a special place in my heart.”
The club has already shown a commitment to celebrating the heritage of the club, starting with the introduction of the ‘1899’ insignia to replace a main sponsor logo on all 2019/20 shirts. This symbolic move was further highlighted with the club hosting their 2019 presentation evening on 1st May 2019, the 120th anniversary of United’s formation.
Robin Stubbs was also deservedly given the title of Life President recently, and the next move to recognise our club’s great history sees the launch of the Former Players Association.
The aim of the Association is to recognise those who have contributed to the club on the field over the years, with the focus on being able to collect, preserve, and share the heritage of the club as a whole, in order to give it a platform for future success.
Over the last couple of seasons other ex-players, such as Jim McNichol, have also been involved with the club and welcomed back to Plainmoor.
It is the club’s aim to establish itself within the heart of the local community, and the creation of the FPA is seen as a very important step in that process.
Any former players who are interested in being invited to future events or attending future League Matches are asked to contact Jo Harris on 01803 328666 or via [email protected].
Further details regarding our first event will be announced shortly.
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