Top 100 Torquay United Players

[Plymouth Gull]

The final player to share this spot on the list was a goalkeeper, and the third to appear on the list. It's…



Kenny Allen - 10 points

Time spent at club: 1984-1985, 1986-1988, 1989
Gulls Appearances: 132
Gulls Goals: 0

Kenny Allen began his career as a trainee at Hartlepool United, having joined them from local side Tow Law Town. He made 7 appearances for the North East club, before moving on to Hellenic, a side in South Africa. He returned to England in 1972 with West Brom, but left without making an appearance. He had spells with Workington and Bath City. His spell at Bath was successful, making over 300 appearances over a 5 year spell with the club. Having left Bath, he went to Bournemouth, making over 150 appearances for the Cherries.

In 1983, Allen had unsuccessful spells at Bury and Peterborough, before moving to Sweden to play for Goteborg. A year later, he returned to the UK and joined Torquay for his first spell in 1984. He made 58 appearances in just over a season of football, before moving to Swindon. A year later, he returned to Plainmoor, and played a part as the club survived relegation in dramatic fashion against Crewe. In the 87/88 campaign, Allen was ever-present as the club reached the playoffs, but he was released that summer. He returned to Bath for a year, before a leg break ended his career there. After a spell at Newport, Kenny rejoined Torquay again as back up to Ken Veysey. Allen ended up playing in the Sherpa Van Trophy final in 1990 as Veysey and Mark Coombe were injured and cup-tied respectively.

Allen retired in the summer of 1989 and is believed to still live in Devon.

[Plymouth Gull]

Moving on to joint 24th in the list, where two players share the spot. The first player is…



Paul Gibbs

Time spent at club: 1997-1998
Gulls Appearances: 47
Gulls Goals: 9

Paul Gibbs began his career at Diss Town, where he scored a penalty at Wembley against Taunton Town in the 1994 FA Vase Final. After brief spells in Norway and back in the UK with Luton, before joining Colchester in 1995. He spent two years at Layer Road, making over 50 appearances for the U's; this included another trip to Wembley in the Auto-Windscreens Trophy Final, where they lost to Carlisle. In the summer of 1997, Gibbs joined Torquay United, and proved a huge success at wing back, along with Andy Gurney. Between them, Gibbs and Gurney found the net 16 times, hugely impressive for defenders. The season ended in another Wembley appearance, and unfortunately another Wembley defeat, for Gibbs, as United lost out to the club Gibbs left 12 months previously - Colchester.

In 1998, he moved down the A38 to Plymouth Argyle, before spells with Brentford and Barnsley. In 2003, Gibbs dropped into non-league after injuries had spoiled his career progress. After spells with Gravesend & Northfleet (aka Ebbsfleet), Canvey Island, Weymouth and finally Gorleston.

[Plymouth Gull]

Sharing this spot with Paul Gibbs is a man who is still active at the club, and has been for several years. It's…



Kenny Veysey - 11 points

Time spent at club: 1987-1990, 1997-1999
Gulls Appearances: 120?
Gulls Goals: 0

Kenny began his career at Arsenal, but failed to make the grade there and so moved to Devon with his family in the mid-1980's. He played for Dawlish Town for a while, before he was signed by Torquay United in 1987. He took some time to make the first team keeper spot his own, patiently waiting behind Kenny Allen and Paul Crichton. Eventually Veysey's chance came, and he took it. He played a key role as the club reached Wembley in 1989, but unfortunately injury meant that Kenny had to miss the Semi Final second leg, and the eventual game at Wembley.

The following season, Veysey made around 55 games in total, and won the clubs Player of the Year. In October 1990, he moved to Oxford United, initially on loan, before the U's paid £110,000 for his services. After a few years at the Manor Ground, he moved to Reading, before joining Exeter City in 1993. After leaving City after a year, Kenny had a spell with Dorchester Town, before he rejoined Torquay in 1997, as back up to Matt Gregg. United pushed for promotion that season, and reached the playoffs. However, Veysey got sent off for handling outside his box in the first leg of the Semi Final, thus missing the chance to play at Wembley once again.

In 1999, Kenny joined Plymouth Argyle having been released by United. He left after 6 appearances, going to Taunton, before returning to Plainmoor as goalkeeping coach in 2000. Seven years later, he retook that role, which he still holds now.

[Plymouth Gull]

Two players shared the joint 23rd spot aswell, with 12 points apiece. Funnily enough, both players played in the same position. Starting off with this man…



Kevin Nicholson - 12 points

Time spent at club: 2007-2014
Gulls Appearances: 312
Gulls Goals: 13

The most recent player to make the list, having only left last June, Kevin Nicholson was a fans favourite in his time here. His career started as a trainee at Sheffield Wednesday, before moving to Northampton in 2001. He had a loan spell at Forest Green that year, before moving on to join Notts County. He went on to make close to 100 appearances in the league for the Magpies, and in 2004 he moved on to Scarborough, first on loan before making it a permanent move. After close to another century of appearances, Kev moved on again, this time to Forest Green Rovers. He stayed at the New Lawn for a season, before Paul Buckle signed him for United in 2007.

Nicho has held the left back spot at the club for the most part of his seven year spell, becoming a huge favourite for his ability with his left foot. In his prime, his deliveries from set pieces were exceptional, and often a source for goals. His first goal in the Yellow shirt came in the Boxing Day defeat at Exeter in 2007. Four years on, his best goal in a United shirt was his spectacular 30-yarder in the final minute of a home game against Barnet, curling it perfectly into the top corner. Certainly that goal was my favourite moment of his spell with the club, anyway.

Unfortunately things soured a bit in the last couple of seasons, as it became clear that both Kev and Lee Mansell's careers at the club were coming to an end. Both players left in the summer, with Kev joining Kidderminster Harriers. His first goal for the Harriers came against…Torquay, of course!

[Plymouth Gull]

Sharing this position on the list with Kev Nicholson was another left back, and in my mind the best left back we've had since I started watching regularly. It's…



Brian McGlinchey - 12 points

Time spent at club: 2003-2006
Gulls Appearances: 76
Gulls Goals: 0

Brian McGlinchey started his football career at Manchester City, but failed to make any appearances for the side, and so moved to Port Vale in 1998. After a season playing at Vale Park in the English second tier, Brian moved on, to Gillingham. In his first season he played 13 league games as the club won promotion to the second tier. He failed to establish himself in the side, making just one appearance in 2000/01. He was loaned out to Plymouth that season, where he made around 20 league appearances. That summer, he made the permanent move to Home Park, and stayed at Argyle for close to four years, making nearly 80 appearances. In 2001/02, Brian played his part as Paul Sturrock's side romped to the Division 3 championship.

He moved to Torquay initially on loan in 2003, and played several times as the Gulls won promotion to the third tier. McGlinchey was part of a solid back line including Craig Taylor and Steve Woods. Brian went on to make the move permanent, and appeared over 35 times as the Gulls could not stave off relegation back to the fourth tier 12 months on, with that final day defeat at Colchester. Brian's career took a downward turn after that, as injuries forced an operation. Unfortunately this didn't solve the problem, and so Brian hung up his boots in May 2006.

[Scott Brehaut]

McGlinchey is the best left back that I've seen play for us. He was in my top ten, and definately deserves his place in this list.

[Plymouth Gull]

Yup, excellent full back wasn't he?

Anyway, moving on again to joint-22nd now, with 13 points. Two players shared this, starting with…



Wayne Thomas

Time spent at club: 1995-2000
Gulls Appearances: 119
Gulls Goals: 7

Wayne Thomas started his career at Torquay United in 1995, and made himself a regular over a five year spell. In one season, Thomas played every league game, which is quite a rare feat for a footballer. In 2000, he was attracting the attentions of bigger clubs, and Stoke City, then in the second division, won the race to sign him for £200,000. He made close to 200 appearances for the Potters, winning promotion to the First Division in 2001. In 2005, Thomas left Stoke as they delayed offering him a fresh deal, and he rejoined ex-boss Steve Cotterill at Burnley. An injury-plagued first season didn't stop Wayne from becoming captain when the 2006/07 campaign started. In the summer of 2007, he moved on again, as Southampton splashed out £1m for his services. He made around 50 appearances for the Saints, before leaving in 2010.

Thomas has since played for a variety of clubs, starting with Doncaster before a couple of years playing in Greece. He has since returned to English football, playing for Luton and Rochdale, before dropping down to join Tamworth. He currently plays in the Vanarama North with Worcester City, and made the headlines for going in goal for the club in a match earlier this campaign.

[Gulliball]

Quite a few from my list have appeared recently. Ward, Rosenior and Thomas. All went on to play in the second tier at least after leaving us.

[Plymouth Gull]

Next on the list, sharing the spot with Wayne Thomas is a man who made many appearances for United. It's…



Tom Kelly - 13 points

Time spent at club: 1986-1989, 1993-1996
Gulls Appearances: 289
Gulls Goals: 14

Tom Kelly began his career in Scotland, with youth spells at Hibernian, Partick Thistle and Queen of the South. He moved south of the border in 1985, joining Hartlepool. He made 15 league appearances for the North East outfit, before moving south to Torquay United on a free in 1986. Kelly was moved from midfield to left back, and made over 110 league starts for United over 3 years. He played a part as the Gulls survived relegation in the year of Bryn the Dog.

In 1989, he moved north, this time to York City. He was a success at the club, making 35 starts before moving to Exeter before the end of his first campaign, for £15,000. He stayed at Exeter for just under 3 years, making 76 league starts. In that time he picked up a Fourth Division Championship medal with the Grecians. In 1993, he rejoined Torquay United on a free. He played a part in another escape from relegation, and went on to make another 117 league appearances for the club. He was released by Eddie May in the summer of 1996.

Since leaving Torquay, Kelly has played for various non-league sides, including Weymouth, Ilfracombe, Taunton, Bideford and Bridgwater. I wonder if Kelly is still active in the game, having held a coaching role at Bovey Tracey most recently, in 2009.

[Mo Gull]

Tom Kelly, my favourite Torquay player. Scored a penalty against Gillingham on the last day of the season at home. Looked so cool and calm, i loved him straight way.

Don't remember him getting done for pace against wingers at all, just a solid professional.

[Plymouth Gull]

Four players sit just outside the top 20, with 14 points apiece. Starting them off, it's…



Paul Holmes - 14 points

Time spent at club: 1988-1992, 1999-2003
Gulls Appearances: 269
Gulls Goals: 6

Paul Holmes began his career at Doncaster Rovers as an apprentice, going on to make over 40 league starts for the clubs first team. In 1988, Torquay paid £6,000 for his services, and he proved a hit at Plainmoor. The defender made over 150 starts for United over a four year spell, with a handful more coming off the bench. He was obviously a success, as Birmingham splashed £40,000 for him. He lasted just one year at the Midlands club though, making just 12 league starts. He moved on to join Everton in 1993, for £100,000. Holmes made around 20 appearances in 3 years for the Toffees, before completing a permanent move to West Brom, after an initial loan spell. The Baggies paid £80,000 for him, and he was close to making 200 appearances for the Black Country club.

After three years at WBA, Holmes returned to Plainmoor, this time for free. He went on to make another 87 league appearances over a four year spell, before leaving the club in 2003.

[tomogull]

Thank goodness we've got this thread to relieve the doom and gloom and more gloom on all of the other threads ! On the other hand, it makes it even more painful to be reminded of all the good players and good professionals that have been at the club.

[Plymouth Gull]

The second player to share joint-21st on the list is…



John Benson - 14 points

Time spent at club: 1964-1970
Gulls Appearances: 240
Gulls Goals: 7

John Benson began his career as a youngster at Manchester City in 1958, going on to make 44 league appearances for the club. In 1964, he moved south to join Torquay United, making the move for a club record £6,000. The right back became a regular over a six-year spell, and was part of the promotion winning side of 1965/66, from Division 4. In 1970, after over 200 appearances for United, he moved to 4th Division side Bournemouth. He earned another promotion, this time in his first year with the club. After just shy of 100 league appearances for the Cherries, Benson moved to join Norwich City. This came a couple of months after a short loan spell with Exeter City.

Benson's move to Norwich saw him play just 30 times, before he made the move back to Bournemouth, in a player-manager role. He made over 50 more appearances for the club, and couldn't quite keep them in the third tier. He resigned in 1978. He moved into coaching upon his retirement from playing, spending time at Manchester City, Burnley, Al-Nasr and most recently Wigan Athletic, where he worked until 2000.

Unfortunately, John passed away in 2010 following a short illness.

[wivelgull]

When you think of John Benson and when you think of what we've got now.....

[stefano]

When you think of John Benson and when you think of what we've got now.....

Yes cracking player and inspirational captain. Another on this thread I had the pleasure of playing with - though only the once a 1-1 draw at Weymouth. I suppose he must have been coming back from injury. Can't think of any other reason he would have been in the side. He wasn't a full back mind. He was what we used to call a right half. Sort of defensive midfield. Was also effective as a sweeper.