2008–09 Torquay United F.C. season
Torquay United 2008–09 football season
| 2008–09 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chairman | Alex Rowe | ||
| Manager | Paul Buckle | ||
| Conference National | 4th Promoted via Play-offs | ||
| FA Cup | Fourth round | ||
| FA Trophy | Third round | ||
| Conference League Cup | Fourth round | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Tim Sills (13) All: Tim Sills (17) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 6,018 v Coventry City, 24 January 2009 (FA Cup) | ||
| Lowest home attendance | 1,176 v Bath City, 13 December 2008 (FA Trophy) | ||
| Average home league attendance | 3,278 | ||
| |||
The 2008–09 Torquay United F.C. season was Torquay United's second consecutive season in the Conference National. The season runs from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009.
Overview
Despite gaining just five points from their first seven games, which saw the Gulls languishing in 18th place in the Conference, manager Paul Buckle soon set Torquay on a run of form which saw the team achieve a club record of seventeen games unbeaten.
Torquay also enjoyed their most successful FA Cup run since 1990. After easing through a qualifying round against Chipstead, the Gulls then had to see off Evesham and Oxford to set up a Third round clash with Championship side Blackpool. In one of the major upsets of the third round, the Gulls won the match 1–0 against a side placed three leagues above them. However, they were to narrowly lose their Fourth round tie to Coventry, also of the Championship, thanks to an 87th-minute header from Elliott Ward.
The 2008–09 season was also notable for the departure of two of Torquay's longest serving players. After a brief appearance in the 2008 FA Trophy Final defeat, Torquay's all-time leading appearance maker Kevin Hill made his official departure in July. Later in the season the Gulls also said farewell to another stalwart as defender Steve Woods left the club in April after an eight-year spell encompassing 281 appearances.
The season ultimately finished in thrilling style when, after beating Conference Champions Burton Albion on the final day of the season, Torquay qualified for the Play-off Semi-finals in which they beat Histon 2–1 on aggregate over two legs. The result meant the Gulls would make their second visit to Wembley in two seasons. However, unlike the previous season, the Torquay fans were treated to a 2–0 victory over Cambridge United thanks to goals from Chris Hargreaves and leading scorer Tim Sills. The win secured Torquay United's return to the Football League after a two-year absence.
League statistics
Conference National
| Pos | Team
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Promotion, qualification or relegation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Cambridge United | 46 | 24 | 14 | 8 | 65 | 39 | +26 | 86 | Qualification for Conference Premier play-offs |
| 3 | Histon | 46 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 78 | 48 | +30 | 83 | |
| 4 | Torquay United (P) | 46 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 72 | 47 | +25 | 83 | |
| 5 | Stevenage Borough | 46 | 23 | 12 | 11 | 73 | 54 | +19 | 81 | |
| 6 | Kidderminster Harriers | 46 | 23 | 10 | 13 | 69 | 48 | +21 | 79 |
Updated to match(es) played on 26 April 2009. Source: Football Conference
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(P) Promoted
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(P) Promoted
Results summary
| Overall | Home | Away | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
| 46 | 23 | 14 | 9 | 72 | 47 | +25 | 83 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 38 | 23 | +15 | 12 | 7 | 4 | 34 | 24 | +10 |
Source: Torquay United
Results by round
Source: Torquay United
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Season diary
- 1 July: Club record appearance holder Kevin Hill leaves to join Dorchester Town on a free transfer[1]
- 14 July: Mustapha Carayol joins from Milton Keynes Dons on a two-year contract[2]
- 18 July: Michael Poke re-joins on loan from Southampton[3]
- 13 August: Martin Rice joins Truro City on loan until the end of the season[4]
- 9 September: Roscoe Dsane and Michael Brough are made available for loan[5]
- 25 September: Goalkeeper Scott Bevan joins on loan from Shrewsbury Town as cover for the injured Michael Poke (himself a loanee).[6]
- 19 November: Torquay defender Chris Todd announces that he has been diagnosed with leukaemia[7]
- 19 November: Torquay set a new club record number of games without defeat[8]
- 3 December: Torquay's club record unbeaten run of 17 games ends with defeat away to Forest Green Rovers in the Conference League Cup[9]
- 1 January: Scott Bevan joins on an 18-month contract from Shrewsbury Town[10]
- 2 January: Tristan Plummer joins on loan from Bristol City until the end of the season[11]
- 3 January: Torquay defeat Championship side Blackpool in the FA Cup 3rd round[12]
- 14 January: Striker Tim Sills signs a new contract until the end of the 2009–10 season[13]
- 20 January: Former striker Jamie Ward moves from Chesterfield to Sheffield United for an initial fee of £330,000, triggering a 25% sell-on clause[14]
- 24 January: Torquay exit FA Cup after 1–0 defeat at home to Coventry City[15]
- 31 January: Tristan Plummer ends his loan spell early and returns to Bristol City[16]
- 31 January: Torquay exit FA Trophy after 3–0 defeat Away to Southport[17]
- 2 February: Striker Iyseden Christie joins on a free transfer from Stevenage Borough, signing a contract until the end of the season[18]
- 2 February: Defenders Chris Todd and Michael Brough join Salisbury City on a month's loan[19]
- 4 March: Trainee Jordan Charran leaves the club[20]
- 20 March: Chris Todd returns to the club after his loan spell at Salisbury City[21]
- 27 March: Swindon Town Striker Blair Sturrock joins the club on loan until the end of the season[22]
- 2 April: Defender Steve Woods leaves Torquay United after eight years and 281 appearances[23]
- 9 April: Michael Brough returns after his loan deal with Salisbury City ends[24]
- 26 April: In a tense final game of the season, Torquay beat Burton Albion 2–1 to finish fourth and secure a place in the Conference National play-offs. Despite Burton losing, the result is enough to crown them the Conference champions[25]
- 27 April: Striker Roscoe Dsane leaves the club[26]
- 4 May: Despite a 1–0 second leg defeat to Histon, Torquay win the Conference Play-offs 2–1 on aggregate to book a place in the Conference National play-off final at Wembley against Cambridge United.[27]
- 17 May: Torquay Utd are promoted back to the Football League after beating Cambridge United 2–0 in front of a crowd of over 35,000 at Wembley[28]
- 21 May: United celebrate their return to the Football League with a victory parade through the streets of Torquay.[29]
- 22 May: Defender Kevin Nicholson signs a new one-year deal with the club.[30]
- 1 Jun: Striker Iyseden Christie is released by the club.[31]
- 2 Jun: Goalkeeper Martin Rice signs a new one-year contract after having spent the majority of the season on loan to Truro City.[32]
- 16 Jun: Skipper Chris Hargreaves agrees a new one-year deal in a role involving both playing and coaching.[33]
- 23 Jun: Striker Matt Green agrees a season long loan to Oxford Utd.[34]
Match of the season
CAMBRIDGE UNITED 0–2 TORQUAY UNITED
Conference National Play-off Final
Wembley Stadium, 17 May 2009
Torquay United's second trip to Wembley in two seasons was only made possible by the slenderest of margins. After having sneaked into the play-offs by beating Conference champions Burton Albion on the final day of the season, the Gulls only just managed to beat third placed Histon 2–1 on aggregate in the play-off semi-finals. They now faced the final hurdle preventing them from returning to the Football League after a two-year absence: a play-off final with the team who had finished second in the Conference, Cambridge United.
Cambridge had been defeated in the previous year's play-off final by Torquay's arch-rivals Exeter City (who had also knocked the Gulls out in the same year's semi final). As such, they were eager to make it second time lucky, although, having experienced defeat themselves in the previous year's FA Trophy Final at Wembley, the Gulls were also keen not to repeat the disappointment of the previous season. Although Cambridge began the brighter of the two sides, it was Torquay (wearing their white and blue away strip) who took the lead through captain Chris Hargreaves after 35 minutes. Cambridge had more chances in the second half, but their cause was hindered when defender Phil Bolland was sent off after a second yellow card for a tackle on Elliot Benyon in the 70th minute. Striker Tim Sills effectively sealed the victory five minutes later after he headed home a pin-point cross from winger Wayne Carlisle.
The score remained 2–0 until the final whistle, and Torquay United could finally celebrate their return to the Football League after two years in the Conference.
|
|
Results
Conference National
Histon v Torquay United
| 9 Aug 2008 | Histon | 1 – 1 | Torquay United | Bridge Road |
| 15:00 BST | Knight-Percival  89' | Report | Sills 55' (pen.) | Attendance: 928 Referee: Michael Naylor |
Torquay United v Woking
| 12 Aug 2008 | Torquay United | 2 – 1 | Woking | Plainmoor |
| 19:45 BST | Benyon 60' Carlisle 82' | Report | Sole 35' | Attendance: 2,881 Referee: J. Farries |
Torquay United v Ebbsfleet United
| 18 Aug 2008 | Torquay United | 0 – 2 | Ebbsfleet United | Plainmoor |
| 19:45 BST | Report | Moore 26' Akinde 78' | Attendance: 2,372 Referee: P. Melin |
Crawley Town v Torquay United
| 23 Aug 2008 | Crawley Town | 3 – 1 | Torquay United | Broadfield Stadium |
| 15:00 BST | Pittman 9' Pinault 32' (pen.)Cook 77' (pen.) | Report | D'Sane 49' | Attendance: 1,154 Referee: Darren Sheldrake |
Torquay United v Salisbury City
| 25 Aug 2008 | Torquay United | 0 – 1 | Salisbury City | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Griffin 90' | Attendance: 2,001 Referee: W. Barratt |
Torquay United v York City
| 28 Aug 2008 | Torquay United | 1 – 1 | York City | Plainmoor |
| 19:45 BST | Stevens 65' | Report | Sodje 87' | Attendance: 1,598 Referee: Brendan Malone |
Kidderminster Harriers v Torquay United
| 4 Sep 2008 | Kidderminster Harriers | 1 – 0 | Torquay United | Aggborough |
| 19:45 BST | Barnes-Homer 44' | Report | Attendance: 1,345 Referee: R. Lewis |
Torquay United v Northwich Victoria
| 7 Sep 2008 | Torquay United | 2 – 1 | Northwich Victoria | Plainmoor |
| 14:00 BST | Carlisle 10' Sills 90' (pen.) | Report | Steele 53' | Attendance: 1,752 Referee: A. Sainsbury |
Cambridge United v Torquay United
| 13 Sep 2008 | Cambridge United | 0 – 1 | Torquay United | Abbey Stadium |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Carlisle 90' | Attendance: 4,041 Referee: A. Hendley |
Torquay United v Eastbourne Borough
| 20 Sep 2008 | Torquay United | 2 – 0 | Eastbourne Borough | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 BST | Thompson 23' Hargreaves 73' | Report | Attendance: 1,921 Referee: Steve Rushton |
Forest Green Rovers v Torquay United
| 23 Sep 2008 | Forest Green Rovers | 1 – 2 | Torquay United | The New Lawn |
| 19:45 BST | Smith 45+4' | Report | Benyon 69' Green 90+3' | Attendance: 1,022 Referee: Paul Tierney |
Wrexham v Torquay United
| 27 Sep 2008 | Wrexham | 1 – 1 | Torquay United | Racecourse Ground |
| 15:00 BST | Brown 44' | Report | Sills 35' | Attendance: 2,897 Referee: G. Sutton |
Torquay United v Stevenage Borough
| 4 Oct 2008 | Torquay United | 3 – 0 | Stevenage Borough | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 BST | Robertson 67' Sills 71'Wroe 87' | Report | Attendance: 2,066 Referee: N. Kinseley |
Torquay United v Oxford United
| 9 Oct 2008 | Torquay United | 1 – 1 | Oxford United | Plainmoor |
| 19:45 BST | Robertson 21' | Report | Trainer 89' | Attendance: 1,955 Referee: A. Sainsbury |
Rushden & Diamonds v Torquay United
| 12 Oct 2008 | Rushden & Diamonds | 1 – 3 | Torquay United | Nene Park |
| 15:00 BST | Panther  52'Smith 68' | Report | Carlisle 7' Sills 15'Wroe 51'Green 54' | Attendance: 1,649 Referee: Ian Cooper |
Ebbsfleet United v Torquay United
| 18 Oct 2008 | Ebbsfleet United | 0 – 2 | Torquay United | Stonebridge Road |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Wroe 42' Carlisle 55' | Attendance: 1,781 Referee: R. Lee |
Torquay United v Mansfield Town
| 1 Nov 2008 | Torquay United | 2 – 0 | Mansfield Town | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | D'Sane 54' Woods 69' | Report | Attendance: 2,267 Referee: Brendan Malone |
York City v Torquay United
| 15 Nov 2008 | York City | 1 – 2 | Torquay United | Bootham Crescent |
| 15:00 GMT | Greaves 85' | Report | D'Sane 68' Ellis 90+1' | Attendance: 2,412 Referee: P. Curry |
Torquay United v Lewes
| 18 Nov 2008 | Torquay United | 4 – 1 | Lewes | Plainmoor |
| 19:45 GMT | Sills 2' 45' Stevens 28' 48' | Report | Taylor 52' | Attendance: 2,118 Referee: A. Sainsbury |
Woking v Torquay United
| 22 Nov 2008 | Woking | 2 – 2 | Torquay United | Kingfield Stadium |
| 15:00 GMT | Enver-Marum 6' Vernazza 22' | Report | Benyon 55' Stevens 65' | Attendance: 2,452 Referee: D. Ford |
Torquay United v Cambridge United
| 6 Dec 2008 | Torquay United | 0 – 0 | Cambridge United | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Attendance: 2,310 Referee: R. Merchant |
Eastbourne Borough v Torquay United
| 9 Dec 2008 | Eastbourne Borough | 4 – 2 | Torquay United | Priory Lane |
| 19:45 GMT | Barnes 8' Crabb 51' 56'Smith 71' | Report | Benyon 34' 90+1' | Attendance: 1,204 Referee: R. Whitton |
Torquay United v Histon
| 20 Dec 2008 | Torquay United | 4 – 1 | Histon | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | D'Sane 7' 22' Wroe 62'Sills 85' | Report | Wright 49' | Attendance: 2,201 Referee: R. Lee |
Weymouth v Torquay United
| 26 Dec 2008 | Weymouth | 0 – 1 | Torquay United | Wessex Stadium |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Green 24' | Attendance: 2,323 Referee: Steve Creighton |
Torquay United v Kidderminster Harriers
| 28 Dec 2008 | Torquay United | 0 – 1 | Kidderminster Harriers | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Riley 73' | Attendance: 2,749 Referee: Simon Beck |
Torquay United v Wrexham
| 16 Jan 2009 | Torquay United | 1 – 1 | Wrexham | Plainmoor |
| 19:45 GMT | D'Sane 61' | Report | Flynn 31' | Attendance: 1,842 Referee: Darren Sheldrake |
Lewes v Torquay United
| 27 Jan 2009 | Lewes | 0 – 2 | Torquay United | The Dripping Pan |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Nicholson 44' D'Sane 84' | Attendance: 558 Referee: R. Whitton |
Torquay United v Weymouth
| 10 Feb 2009 | Torquay United | 0 – 2 | Weymouth | Plainmoor |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Williams 45+1' Beavon 88' | Attendance: 1,743 Referee: A. Hendley |
Torquay United v Altrincham
| 14 Feb 2009 | Torquay United | 3 – 1 | Altrincham | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Sills 19' 55' (pen.) Benyon 76' | Report | Doughty 87' | Attendance: 1,760 Referee: M. McLaughlin |
Kettering Town v Torquay United
| 21 Feb 2009 | Kettering Town | 2 – 1 | Torquay United | Rockingham Road |
| 15:00 GMT | Marna 9' Seddon 12' (pen.) | Report | Nicholson 45+2' | Attendance: 1,869 Referee: Jock Waugh |
Torquay United v Forest Green Rovers
| 24 Feb 2009 | Torquay United | 3 – 3 | Forest Green Rovers | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Green 18' Hargreaves 45+3'Christie 80' | Report | Mangan 28' (pen.) 36' 42' | Attendance: 1,554 Referee: Steve Creighton |
Oxford United v Torquay United
| 28 Feb 2009 | Oxford United | 0 – 2 | Torquay United | Kassam Stadium |
| 19:45 GMT | Nelthorpe 33' | Report | D'Sane 59' Benyon 64' 70' | Attendance: 5,837 Referee: Simon Beck |
Grays Athletic v Torquay United
| 3 Mar 2009 | Grays Athletic | 1 – 2 | Torquay United | New Recreation Ground |
| 19:45 GMT | Dinning 26' | Report | Nicholson 13' Carlisle 87' | Attendance: 510 Referee: D. Ford |
Torquay United v Rushden & Diamonds
| 7 Mar 2009 | Torquay United | 1 – 1 | Rushden & Diamonds | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Sills 41' | Report | Tomlin 65' | Attendance: 2,161 Referee: K. Johnson |
Altrincham v Torquay United
| 10 Mar 2009 | Altrincham | 0 – 1 | Torquay United | Moss Lane |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Carlisle 90+2' | Attendance: 735 Referee: J. Adcock |
Torquay United v Barrow
| 14 Mar 2009 | Torquay United | 4 – 1 | Barrow | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Wroe 4' Benyon 39'Sills 68'Green 90' | Report | Brown 12' Walker 90+2' | Attendance: 2,269 Referee: Ian Cooper |
Northwich Victoria v Torquay United
| 21 Mar 2009 | Northwich Victoria | 2 – 3 | Torquay United | Victoria Stadium |
| 15:00 GMT | Perry 34' Allan 56' | Report | Todd 49' Sills 68'D'Sane 76' | Attendance: 705 Referee: Steve Rushton |
Torquay United v Grays Athletic
| 24 Mar 2009 | Torquay United | 1 – 1 | Grays Athletic | Plainmoor |
| 19:45 GMT | D'Sane 48' | Report | Taylor 39' | Attendance: 1,996 Referee: Brendan Malone |
Mansfield Town v Torquay United
| 28 Mar 2009 | Mansfield Town | 1 – 1 | Torquay United | Field Mill |
| 15:00 GMT | Duffy 36' | Report | Sturrock 64' | Attendance: 2,437 Referee: Paul Tierney |
Torquay United v Kettering Town
| 4 Apr 2009 | Torquay United | 2 – 0 | Kettering Town | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 BST | Robertson 20' Sturrock 65' | Report | Attendance: 2,503 Referee: P. Melin |
Burton Albion v Torquay United
| 6 Apr 2009 | Burton Albion | 0 – 1 | Torquay United | Pirelli Stadium |
| 19:45 BST | Pearson 36' | Report | Stevens 10' | Attendance: 4,891 Referee: Jock Waugh |
Torquay United v Crawley Town
| 11 Apr 2009 | Torquay United | 0 – 2 | Crawley Town | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Bulman 38' Matthews 90+2' | Attendance: 3,031 Referee: Brendan Malone |
Salisbury City v Torquay United
| 13 Apr 2009 | Salisbury City | 2 – 2 | Torquay United | Raymond McEnhill Stadium |
| 15:00 BST | Griffin 45+3' Ademeno 81' | Report | Carlisle 20' (pen.) Brough 84'Wroe 90+1' | Attendance: 2,039 Referee: J. Hopkins |
Stevenage Borough v Torquay United
| 18 Apr 2009 | Stevenage Borough | 0 – 0 | Torquay United | Broadhall Way |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Mansell 64' | Attendance: 2,819 Referee: A. Hendley |
Barrow v Torquay United
| 21 Apr 2009 | Barrow | 1 – 1 | Torquay United | Holker Street |
| 19:45 BST | Walker 12' | Report | Hargreaves 49' | Attendance: 1,918 Referee: R. West |
Torquay United v Burton Albion
| 26 Apr 2009 | Torquay United | 2 – 1 | Burton Albion | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 BST | Hargreaves 13' Benyon 46' | Report | Goodfellow 8' | Attendance: 4,528 Referee: Paul Tierney |
Conference National play-offs
Torquay United v Histon
| 1 May 2009 Semi-final 1st Leg | Torquay United | 2 – 0 | Histon | Plainmoor |
| 20:00 BST | Wroe 36' Sills 74' | Report | Attendance: 3,737 Referee: Jock Waugh |
Histon v Torquay United
| 4 May 2009 Semi-final 2nd Leg | Histon | 1 – 0 | Torquay United | Bridge Road |
| 17:30 BST | Andrews 16' | Report | Attendance: 2,481 Referee: Steve Rushton |
Cambridge United v Torquay United
| 17 May 2009 Final | Cambridge United | 0 – 2 | Torquay United | Wembley Stadium |
| 16:00 BST | Bolland 70' | Report | Hargreaves 35' Sills 75' | Attendance: 35,089 Referee: Gary Sutton |
FA Cup
Torquay United v Chipstead
| 25 Oct 2008 Fourth round qualifying | Torquay United | 4 – 1 | Chipstead | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 BST | Thompson 9' 40' Sills 87' 88' | Report | Coleman 68' | Attendance: 1,800 |
Torquay United v Evesham United
| 8 Nov 2008 First round | Torquay United | 2 – 0 | Evesham United | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Sills 28' 75' | Report | Attendance: 2,275 Referee: Darren Sheldrake |
Torquay United v Oxford United
| 29 Nov 2008 Second round | Torquay United | 2 – 0 | Oxford United | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Benyon 41' 83' D'Sane 45+1' | Report | Attendance: 2,647 Referee: R. East |
Torquay United v Blackpool
| 3 Jan 2009 Third round | Torquay United | 1 – 0 | Blackpool | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Green 32' | Report | Attendance: 3,654 Referee: Andy Penn |
Torquay United v Coventry City
| 24 Jan 2009 Fourth round | Torquay United | 0 – 1 | Coventry City | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Report | Ward 87' | Attendance: 6,018 Referee: K. Friend |
FA Trophy
Torquay United v Bath City
| 13 Dec 2008 First round | Torquay United | 2 – 0 | Bath City | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Mansell D'Sane | Report | Attendance: 1,176 |
Torquay United v Rushden & Diamonds
| 10 Jan 2009 Second round | Torquay United | 1 – 0 | Rushden & Diamonds | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 GMT | Hargreaves | Report | Attendance: 1,728 |
Southport v Torquay United
| 31 Jan 2009 Third round | Southport | 3 – 0 | Torquay United | Haig Avenue |
| 15:00 GMT | Daly 13' 75' Lee 81' | Report | Attendance: 980 Referee: R. West |
Conference League Cup
Weymouth v Torquay United
| 4 Nov 2008 Third round | Weymouth | 0 – 3 | Torquay United | Wessex Stadium |
| 19:45 GMT | Sills Benyon | Attendance: 621 |
Forest Green Rovers v Torquay United
| 2 Dec 2008 Fourth round | Forest Green Rovers | 1 – 0 | Torquay United | The New Lawn |
| 19:45 GMT | Symonds | Report | Attendance: 421 |
Friendlies
Newton Abbot v Torquay United
| 15 Jul 2008 | Newton Abbot | 0 – 7 | Torquay United | Coach Road |
| Report |
Torquay United v Bristol Rovers
| 19 Jul 2008 | Torquay United | 1 – 1 | Bristol Rovers | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 BST |
Torquay United v Chelsea
| 26 Jul 2008 | Torquay United | 0 – 1 | Chelsea | Plainmoor |
| 15:00 BST | Report | Stoch 37' | Attendance: 1,963 |
South West Challenge Cup
Bideford v Torquay United
| 22 Jul 2008 | Bideford | 0 – 2 | Torquay United | Bideford Sports Ground |
| 19:00 BST | Report | Carayol Thompson | Attendance: 550 |
Eastleigh v Torquay United
| 24 Jul 2008 | Eastleigh | 0 – 0 (3 – 2 p) | Torquay United | Bideford Sports Ground |
| 19:00 BST | Report |
Yeovil Town v Torquay United
| 26 Jul 2008 Semi-final | Yeovil Town | 1 – 1 (3 – 5 p) | Torquay United | Mill Road, Barnstaple |
| 20:00 BST | Schofield | Report | Benyon | |
| Penalties | ||||
Murtagh  Schofield  Owusu Wagenaar | D'Sane Adams Nicholson Robertson Rice | |||
Torquay United v Eastleigh
| 28 Jul 2008 Final | Torquay United | 2 – 2 (2 – 3 p) | Eastleigh | Bideford Sports Ground |
| 20:00 BST | Yeoman 83' Carayol 84' | Report | Adeniyi 39' (pen.) Harris 70' |
Devon St Luke's Bowl
Cullompton Rangers v Torquay United
| 25 Feb 2009 Second round | Cullompton Rangers | 0 – 2 | Torquay United | Speed's Meadow |
| 19:45 GMT | Report | Stevens 39' 88' | Referee: Marc Whaley |
Elmore v Torquay United
| 21 Apr 2009 Quarter Final | Elmore | 1 – 0 | Torquay United | Horsdon Park |
| 19:45 BST | | [ Report] | Referee: Andrew Rodda |
Club statistics
First team appearances
| No. | Pos. | Name | Conference National | Conference National play-offs | FA Cup | FA Trophy | Conference League Cup | Total [4] | Discipline | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |  |  | |||
| 1 | GK |  Michael Poke | 12 (1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | DF | Michael Brough | 2 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 (1) | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | DF | Kevin Nicholson | 38 (2) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 (2) | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | DF | Steve Woods | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 5 | DF |  Chris Robertson | 27 (3) | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 30 (3) | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 6 | DF |  Chris Todd | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | MF | Lee Mansell | 41 (1) | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 51 (1) | 1 | 4 | 1 |
| 8 | FW | Tim Sills | 43 (2) | 13 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 52 (2) | 17 | 8 | 0 |
| 9 | FW | Elliot Benyon | 17 (17) | 10 | 1 (1) | 0 | 0 (5) | 2 | 0 (2) | 0 | 1 (1) | 1 | 18 (24) | 12 | 3 | 0 |
| 10 | FW | Roscoe D'Sane | 22 (5) | 9 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 29 (5) | 10 | 2 | 2 |
| 11 | MF | Nicky Wroe | 40 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 50 | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| 12 | MF | Tyrone Thompson | 17 (6) | 1 | 0 (1) | 0 | 3 (1) | 2 | 1 (1) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 20 (9) | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 14 | MF | Chris Hargreaves | 44 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 54 | 6 | 10 | 0 |
| 15 | MF |  Wayne Carlisle | 34 (3) | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 (3) | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| 16 | DF | Lee Hodges | 31 (4) | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 38 (6) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 17 | FW | Matt Green | 15 (14) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 (1) | 1 | 2 (1) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 20 (17) | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 18 | MF |  Mustapha Carayol | 14 (16) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 3 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 2 | 0 | 16 (19) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 19 | MF | Danny Stevens | 15 (14) | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 0 (2) | 0 | 1 (1) | 0 | 18 (18) | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 20 | GK | Scott Bevan | 34 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 21 | FW | Iyseden Christie | 2 (4) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 (4) | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 22 | FW | Ashley Yeoman | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 23 | GK | Martin Rice | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 24 | MF | Steve Adams | 1 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 (2) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 25 | DF | Mark Ellis | 8 (1) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 (1) | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 28 | FW | Jordan Charran | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 (1) | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 32 | FW | Tristan Plummer | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 33 | FW | Blair Sturrock | 6 (1) | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 (1) | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Source: Torquay United, soccerbase
Substitute appearances in brackets.
4 Total excludes FA Cup qualifying round and Conference League Cup.
Transfers
In
| Date | Pos. | Name | From | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 July 2008 | MF | Mustapha Carayol | Milton Keynes Dons | Undisclosed |
| 1 January 2009 | GK | Scott Bevan | Shrewsbury Town | Free |
| 2 February 2009 | FW | Iyseden Christie | Stevenage Borough | Free |
Out
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 July 2009 | MF | Kevin Hill | Dorchester Town | Free |
| 4 March 2009 | FW | Jordan Charran | Released | Free |
| 2 April 2009 | DF | Steve Woods | Stalybridge Celtic | Free |
| 27 April 2009 | FW | Roscoe D'Sane | Released | Free |
| 1 June 2009 | FW | Iyseden Christie | Tamworth | Free |
Loans in
| Date | Pos. | Name | From | Expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 July 2008 | GK | Michael Poke | Southampton | May 2009 |
| 25 September 2008 | GK | Scott Bevan | Shrewsbury Town | 1 January 2009 |
| 2 January 2009 | FW | Tristan Plummer | Bristol City | 31 January 2009 |
| 27 March 2009 | FW | Blair Sturrock | Swindon Town | May 2009 |
Loans out
| Date | Pos. | Name | To | Expiry date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 August 2008 | GK | Martin Rice | Truro City | May 2009 |
| 2 February 2009 | DF | Chris Todd | Salisbury City | 20 March 2009 |
| 2 February 2009 | DF | Michael Brough | Salisbury City | 9 April 2009 |
| 23 June 2009 | FW | Matt Green | Oxford United | May 2010 |
References
- ^ "Torquay legend Hill leaves Gulls". BBC Sport. 18 June 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Torquay sign midfielder Carayol". BBC Sport. 14 July 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Torquay sign Saints keeper Poke". BBC Sport. 22 July 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Keeper Rice joins Truro on loan". BBC Sport. 13 August 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "D'Sane & Brough offered for loan". BBC Sport. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Bevan agrees Torquay loan switch". BBC Sport. 25 September 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Todd reveals leukaemia diagnosis". BBC Sport. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Buckle hails new Gull's record". BBC Sport. 19 November 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Late winner ends Torquay record". BBC Sport. 3 December 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Bevan agrees 18-month Gulls deal". BBC Sport. 30 December 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Gulls sign Bristol City youngster". BBC Sport. 2 January 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Torquay 1-0 Blackpool". BBC Sport. 3 January 2009. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
- ^ "Sills signs new Torquay contract". BBC Sport. 14 January 2009. Retrieved 14 January 2009.
- ^ "Ward deal nets Torquay thousands". BBC Sport. 20 January 2009. Retrieved 22 January 2009.
- ^ "Torquay 0-1 Coventry". BBC Sport. 24 January 2009. Retrieved 24 January 2009.
- ^ "Plummer ends loan spell". The Herald Express. 31 January 2009. Archived from the original on 2 February 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ^ "FA Trophy third round results". BBC Sport. 31 January 2009. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ^ "Torquay capture striker Christie". BBC Sport. 2 February 2009. Retrieved 2 February 2009.
- ^ "Three in for City". Non-LeagueDaily. 2 February 2009. Archived from the original on 3 September 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2009.
- ^ "Gull's snapshots". Herald Express. 5 March 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2009.
- ^ "Chris Todd column". BBC Sport. 20 March 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ "Torquay sign Swindon's Sturrock". BBC Sport. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ "Woods accepts a settlement offer". Herald Express. 2 April 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ "Brough's back for United". Herald Express. 9 April 2009. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ "Torquay 2-1 Burton". BBC Sport. 26 April 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ "United let Dsane go". Herald Express. 27 April 2009. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ "Histon 1-0 Torquay: Gutsy Gulls hang on for Wembley". Herald Express. 5 May 2009. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 7 May 2009.
- ^ "Torquay United 2-0 Cambridge United (FINAL SCORE from Wembley)". Herald Express. 17 May 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
- ^ "The boys are back in town!". Herald Express. 22 May 2009. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
- ^ "Nicholson signs new Torquay deal". BBC Sport. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 24 May 2009.
- ^ "Strike pair released by Torquay". BBC Sport. 1 June 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
- ^ "Rice agrees new Torquay contract". BBC Sport. 2 June 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
- ^ "Hargreaves signs new Torquay deal". BBC Sport. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
- ^ "STRIKER GREEN TO MAKE OXFORD 'U-TURN'". Herald Express. 23 June 2009. Archived from the original on 5 May 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
