2007–08 Torquay United F.C. season

Torquay United
2007–08 season
Chairman Alex Rowe
Manager Paul Buckle
Conference National 3rd
FA Cup Second Round
FA Trophy Runners-up
Conference League Cup Fourth Round
Top goalscorer League:
Tim Sills (19)
All:
Tim Sills (23)
Highest home attendance 6,015 v Exeter City, 1 May 2008
(Conference National play-off)
Lowest home attendance 1,277 v Bashley, 15 Dec 2007
(FA Trophy)
Average home league attendance 3,864
Home colours
Away colours
← 2006–07 2008–09 →

The 2007–08 season was Torquay United's first season in the Conference National after being relegated from League Two. The season runs from 1 July 2007 to 30 June 2008.

Overview

Having been a Football League team for 80 years, Torquay United were finally relegated at the end of the 2006–07 season. After the most chaotic and disastrous season in Torquay's history, chairman Mike Bateson eventually sold the club to an eight-man consortium with Alex Rowe appointed as the new chairman and former-Gull Colin Lee returning as chief executive.[1][2] Although Leroy Rosenior had previously been announced as the new manager, the consortium decided to go in a different direction and install ex-Torquay midfielder and current Exeter City assistant manager Paul Buckle as the new boss.[3][4] With only a handful of players still on the club's books, Buckle had to work fast to build a new team in time for Torquay's first season in the Conference.

Despite a slightly nervous 0–0 draw with Grays Athletic in their first ever Conference match, the Gulls soon established themselves within the division and quickly became the team to beat. Buckle had managed to create a particularly potent strike force with new signings Tim Sills, Chris Zebroski and Lee Phillips combining to score nearly 50 league goals between them and Torquay were never out of the play-off spots all season. United were also enjoying more TV coverage than ever before with Setanta Sports now televising live Conference games and the BBC even coming to Plainmoor to broadcast the 4–1 FA Cup First Round victory over League One side Yeovil Town. Yeovil had themselves previously inflicted a cup 'upset' over Torquay in 1992 when they were a non-League side, so it was sweet revenge for the Gulls now that the two team's fortunes had been reversed.

After eventually finishing 3rd in the Conference, Torquay met their local rivals Exeter City in the play-off semi-final. Despite coming away from St James Park with a 2–1 lead in the first leg and going 1–0 up in the return match at Plainmoor, Exeter managed to score four goals in the final 18 minutes of the match to condemn Torquay to a 5–3 aggregate defeat and another season in the Conference. There was the possibility of a consolation for Torquay just a few days later as they had reached the final of the FA Trophy which entailed a trip to the new Wembley Stadium. However, a 1–0 defeat by Ebbsfleet United resulted in another disappointing day for the Gulls. Maybe the only highlight of the day was a late substitute appearance from Kevin Hill who made his 474th and final appearance for Torquay United, breaking the all-time appearance record which had been set by Dennis Lewis back in 1958.[5]

Although Torquay United were perhaps a club who were fortunate to even still be in existence after the débâcle of the previous season, this was a campaign which had promised to deliver so much but had ultimately ended in disappointment. Having failed to return to the Football League at the first attempt, Torquay would now have to make sure they achieved it at the second time of asking.

League statistics

Conference National

Pos
 Team
 Pld
 W
 D
 L
 GF
 GA
 GD
 Pts
Promotion or relegation
1 Aldershot Town (C) (P) 46 31 8 7 82 48+34 101 Promotion to League Two
2 Cambridge United 46 25 11 10 68 41+27 86 Qualification for Conference National playoffs
3 Torquay United 46 26 8 12 83 57+26 86
4 Exeter City (P) 46 22 17 7 83 58+25 83
5 Burton Albion 46 23 12 11 79 56+23 81
6 Stevenage Borough 46 24 7 15 82 55+27 79
7 Histon 46 20 12 14 76 67+9 72
8 Forest Green Rovers 46 19 14 13 76 59+17 71
9 Oxford United 46 20 11 15 56 48+8 71
10 Grays Athletic 46 19 13 14 58 47+11 70
11 Ebbsfleet United 46 19 12 15 65 61+4 69
12 Salisbury City 46 18 14 14 70 60+10 68
13 Kidderminster Harriers 46 19 10 17 74 57+17 67
14 York City 46 17 11 18 71 74−3 62
15 Crawley Town 46 19 9 18 73 67+6 060*
16 Rushden & Diamonds 46 15 14 17 55 550 59
17 Woking 46 12 17 17 53 61−8 53
18 Weymouth 46 11 13 22 53 73−20 46
19 Northwich Victoria 46 11 11 24 52 78−26 44
20 Halifax Town (R) 46 12 16 18 61 70−9 042‡
21 Altrincham 46 9 14 23 56 82−26 41
22 Farsley Celtic (R) 46 10 9 27 48 86−38 39 Relegation to Conference North/Conference South
23 Stafford Rangers (R) 46 5 10 31 42 99−57 25
24 Droylsden (R) 46 5 9 32 46 103−57 24

Source: English Football
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.
Only applicable when the season is not finished:
(Q) = Qualified to the phase of tournament indicated; (TQ) = Qualified to tournament, but not yet to the particular phase indicated; (RQ) = Qualified to the relegation tournament indicated; (DQ) = Disqualified from tournament.
 * Crawley Town deducted 6 points for financial irregularities.[6]
‡ Halifax Town deducted 10 points for entering administration. Club relegated instead of Altrincham after going into liquidation.[7][8]

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
46 26 8 12 83 57  +26 86 15 3 5 39 21  +18 11 5 7 44 36  +8

Source: Torquay United

Results by round

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122232425262728293031323334353637383940414243444546
GroundHAAHAHHAHAAHHAAHAHAHAAAHHAHHAHHAHAAHAAHHAHAHAH
Result D W W W D W W L W W W W W L D W W L W W W L W W L D W W D W D L L L W W D W L W W W L D L L
Position 13 2 1 1 1 1 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 3

Source: Torquay United
Ground: A = Away; H = Home. Result: D = Draw; L = Loss; W = Win; P = Postponed.

Season diary

Match results

All friendly matches and first team games in Conference National, FA Cup, FA Trophy and Conference League Cup are listed below. Reserve matches and regional cup competitions are not included.

Conference National

For information on this season's Conference National, see Conference National 2007-08
DateOpponentVenueResultPositionAttendanceScorers
12 August 2007Grays AthleticHomeDrew 0-0134,012
15 August 2007Aldershot TownAwayWon 3-023,139Sills, Stevens, Zebroski
18 August 2007Northwich VictoriaAwayWon 3-111,117Sills, Phillips (2)
25 August 2007Rushden & DiamondsHomeWon 3-213,107Sills, Phillips, Zebroski
27 August 2007Forest Green RoversAwayDrew 2-212,382Hargreaves, Robertson
1 September 2007Stafford RangersHomeWon 2-012,980Todd, Benyon
4 September 2007Salisbury CityHomeWon 4-013,215Todd, Phillips, Sills (2)
10 September 2007Burton AlbionAwayLost 3-132,086Benyon
14 September 2007Halifax TownHomeWon 3-112,727Robertson, Sills, Hockley
18 September 2007Histon TownAwayWon 5-41763Sills, Mullings, Zebroski (2), Todd
22 September 2007Kidderminster HarriersAwayWon 5-212,027Hinshelwood, Sills, Zebroski (2), Phillips
25 September 2007WeymouthHomeWon 3-213,548Zebroski, Phillips, Hill
29 September 2007DroylsdenHomeWon 2-113,321Sills, Phillips
6 October 2007Ebbsfleet UnitedAwayLost 2-111,386Ellis
11 October 2007Oxford UnitedAwayDrew 3-324,633Welsh, Zebroski, Sills
14 October 2007Stevenage BoroughHomeWon 4-213,744Zebroski (2), Julian (og), Phillips
21 October 2007York CityAwayWon 1-012,483Todd
3 November 2007Cambridge UnitedHomeLost 2-123,368Benyon
17 November 2007Crawley TownAwayWon 3-221,848Mansell, Ellis, Sills
24 November 2007WokingHomeWon 2-023,275Benyon, Hargreaves
12 December 2007Farsley CelticAwayWon 2-12717Zebroski, Stevens
26 December 2007Exeter CityAwayLost 4-327,839Todd, Phillips, Nicholson
29 December 2007WokingAwayWon 1-022,181Sills
1 January 2008Exeter CityHomeWon 1-026,021Sills
7 January 2008Burton AlbionHomeLost 2-122,359Zebroski
19 January 2008Salisbury CityAwayDrew 0-032,633
28 January 2008HistonHomeWon 1-022,482Sills
9 February 2008Kidderminster HarriersHomeWon 1-023,012Ellis
12 February 2008WeymouthAwayDrew 0-021,970
16 February 2008Ebbsfleet UnitedHomeWon 3-122,704Mohamed (2), Zebroski
26 February 2008AltrinchamHomeDrew 1-122,310Zebroski
1 March 2008Grays AthleticAwayLost 2-021,018
3 March 2008Aldershot TownHomeLost 2-124,510Phillips
11 March 2008Halifax TownAwayLost 3-23894Phillips (2)
22 March 2008Stafford RangersAwayWon 2-04905Sills, Dsane
24 March 2008Forest Green RoversHomeWon 1-023,071Dsane
29 March 2008AltrinchamAwayDrew 1-121,163Hill
1 April 2008DroylsdenAwayWon 2-12476Sills, Dsane
5 April 2008Farsley CelticHomeLost 1-022,406
8 April 2008Oxford UnitedHomeWon 3-222,241Zebroski (2), Sills
12 April 2008Stevenage BoroughAwayWon 3-122,673Hargreaves, Zebroski, Sills
15 April 2008Northwich VictoriaHomeWon 1-022,270Zebroski
17 April 2008Rushden & DiamondsAwayLost 2-121,276Benyon
19 April 2008York CityHomeDrew 0-022,165
22 April 2008Cambridge UnitedAwayLost 2-024,100
26 April 2008Crawley TownHomeLost 2-133,121Sills

Conference National Play-offs

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
Semi-Final(first leg)1 May 2008Exeter CityAwayWon 2-18,276Sills, Zebroski
Semi-Final(second leg)5 May 2008Exeter CityHomeLost 4-16,015Hill
Exeter City won 5-3 on aggregate

FA Cup

For information on this season's FA Cup, see FA Cup 2007-08
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
4th Qualifying Round27 October 2007Bath CityAwayWon 2-02,149Phillips, Stevens
1st Round11 November 2007Yeovil TownHomeWon 4-13,718Todd (2), Stevens (2)
2nd Round1 December 2007Brighton & Hove AlbionHomeLost 2-04,010

FA Trophy

For information on this season's FA Trophy, see FA Trophy 2007-08
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendanceGoalscorers
1st Round15 December 2007BashleyHomeWon 1-01,277Sills
2nd Round12 January 2008Newport CountyAwayWon 2-11,510Hargreaves (2)
3rd Round4 February 2008AFC WimbledonAwayWon 2-04,085D'Sane, Phillips
4th Round23 February 2008Crawley TownHomeWon 4-12,301D'Sane, Mohamed (2), Phillips
Semi-final (first leg)7 March 2008York CityHomeWon 2-02,286Sills, Phillips
Semi-final (second leg)15 March 2008York CityAwayLost 1-03,625
Torquay United won 2-1 on aggregate
Final10 May 2008Ebbsfleet UnitedWembleyLost 1-040,186

Conference League Cup

For information on this season's Conference League Cup, see Conference League Cup 2007-08
RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendance
4th Round22 December 2007St Albans CityAwayLost 1-0454

Player statistics

As of final game of the season on 10 May 2008.[43]
No. Player League Apps League Goals Cup Apps Cup Goals Total Apps Total Goals YC RC
24 England Adams, SteveSteve Adams 1207019010
36 Denmark Andersen, MikkelMikkel Andersen 30003000
12 England Banim, JodyJody Banim 80008010
15 Grenada Bedeau, TonyTony Bedeau 2304027040
9 England Benyon, ElliotElliot Benyon 2258030510
20 England D'Sane, RoscoeRoscoe D'Sane 1936225530
25 England Ellis, MarkMark Ellis 2237029330
14 England Hargreaves, ChrisChris Hargreaves 38314252580
11 England Hill, KevinKevin Hill 1327120300
2 England Hinshelwood, PaulPaul Hinshelwood 71108110
16 England Hockley, MatthewMatthew Hockley 2914033150
20 England Laird, ScottScott Laird 20002000
10 England Phillips, LeeLee Phillips 4112135541760
7 England Mansell, LeeLee Mansell 34114048171
23 Wales Mohamed, KaidKaid Mohamed 1024214400
17 England Mullings, DarrenDarren Mullings 61107111
3 England Nicholson, KevinKevin Nicholson 46116062100
27 England Poke, MichaelMichael Poke 40206000
1 Canada Rayner, SimonSimon Rayner 3003033000
21 England Rice, MartinMartin Rice 9011020010
5 Scotland Robertson, ChrisChris Robertson 2328031230
8 England Sills, TimTim Sills 4419154592350
19 England Stevens, DannyDanny Stevens 29210339520
24 England Thompson, LeslieLeslie Thompson 10102000
6 Wales Todd, ChrisChris Todd 42515257780
18 England Welsh, IshmaelIshmael Welsh 1814022400
4 England Woods, SteveSteve Woods 2108029050
12 England Wring, DannyDanny Wring 60107000
26 England Zebroski, ChrisChris Zebroski 4618151611970

References

  1. ↑ "Takeover is completed at Torquay". BBC Sport. 2007-05-24. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  2. ↑ "Lee back in new role at Torquay". BBC Sport. 2007-05-25. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  3. ↑ "Gulls set to reveal Rosenior exit". BBC Sport. 2007-05-21. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  4. ↑ "Buckle named as new Torquay boss". BBC Sport. 2007-06-02. Retrieved 2012-03-09.
  5. 1 2 "Hill's bitter sweet Wembley day". BBC Sport. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  6. ↑ "Crawley hit by six-point penalty". BBC Sport. 2007-08-07. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  7. ↑ "Halifax apply for administration". BBC Sport. 2008-03-14. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  8. ↑ "Leagues agreed for 2008/09 season". BBC Sport. 2008-06-14. Retrieved 2012-03-08.
  9. ↑ "Torquay sign ex-Pirates youngster". BBC Sport. 2007-08-01. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  10. ↑ "Torquay swoop for Lions striker". BBC Sport. 2007-08-01. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  11. ↑ "Torquay 0-0 Grays". BBC Sport. 2007-08-12. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  12. ↑ "Man Utd youngster joins Glovers". BBC Sport. 2007-08-14. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  13. ↑ "Plymouth loan out Laird to Gulls". BBC Sport. 2007-09-20. Retrieved 2008-12-26.
  14. ↑ "Second loanee for Buckle". NonLeagueDaily. 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  15. ↑ "Boss hails Torquay's cup success". BBC Sport. 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
  16. ↑ "BBC to show Torquay-Yeovil game". BBC Sport. 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  17. ↑ "Torquay 0-2 Brighton". BBC Sport. 2007-12-01. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  18. ↑ "Torquay extend Ellis loan stay". BBC Sport. 2007-12-19. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  19. ↑ "Setanta Shield results 2007-08". BBC Sport. 2008-04-04. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  20. ↑ "Torquay get Bolton winger on loan". BBC Sport. 2008-01-03. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  21. ↑ "Gulls boss Buckle agrees new deal". BBC Sport. 2008-01-04. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  22. ↑ "Torquay sign Southampton goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 2008-01-07. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  23. ↑ "Torquay's Rayner loaned to Boston". BBC Sport. 2008-01-17. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  24. ↑ "Thompson heads back to Bolton". BBC News. 2008-01-24. Retrieved 2009-01-13.
  25. 1 2 3 "Torquay complete triple signing". BBC Sport. 2008-01-27. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  26. 1 2 "Stevens pens new Torquay contract". BBC Sport. 2008-01-31. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  27. ↑ "Gulls sign Dane Andersen on loan". BBC Sport. 2008-02-26. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  28. 1 2 "Gulls sign Banim as Bedeau leaves". BBC Sport. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  29. ↑ "Gull's heartbroken by loss - Todd". BBC Sport. 2008-05-06. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  30. ↑ "Ebbsfleet 1-0 Torquay". BBC Sport. 2008-05-10. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  31. ↑ "Bedeau among four leaving Torquay". BBC Sport. 2008-05-13. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  32. ↑ "Torquay striker moves to Rushden". BBC Sport. 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
  33. ↑ "Torquay sign Forest Green skipper". BBC Sport. 2008-05-19. Retrieved 2008-12-04.
  34. ↑ "Torquay sign Crawley midfielder". BBC Sport. 2008-05-20. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  35. 1 2 "Midfield pair sign Torquay deals". BBC Sport. 2008-05-21. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  36. ↑ "D'Sane signs new Plainmoor deal". BBC Sport. 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  37. ↑ "Torquay sign Wroe from York City". BBC Sport. 2008-05-28. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  38. ↑ "Green switches to Devon". NonLeagueDaily. 2008-06-02. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  39. ↑ "Former boss returns to Plainmoor". BBC Sport. 2008-06-03. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  40. ↑ "Torquay pair put on transfer list". BBC Sport. 2008-06-11. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  41. ↑ "Torquay bag ex-Argyle man Hodges". BBC Sport. 2008-06-13. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  42. ↑ "Crawley bag Torquay keeper Rayner". BBC Sport. 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2009-01-06.
  43. ↑ Cup games include the FA Cup (including the FA Cup 4th round qualifying match not reported by Soccerbase), the FA Trophy and the Conference League Cup but not any other competition. Conference play-off appearances are included within Cup Apps
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