Torquay United
2007–08 season
ChairmanAlex Rowe
ManagerPaul Buckle
Conference National3rd
FA CupSecond round
FA TrophyRunners-up
Conference League CupFourth round
Top goalscorerLeague:
Tim Sills (19)
All:
Tim Sills (23)
Highest home attendance6,015 v Exeter City, 1 May 2008
(Conference National play-off)
Lowest home attendance1,277 v Bashley, 15 Dec 2007
(FA Trophy)
Average home league attendance3,864

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 Qualification or relegation
1 Aldershot Town (C, P) 46 31 8 7 82 48 +34 101 Promoted to League Two
2 Cambridge United 46 25 11 10 68 41 +27 86 Qualified for play-offs
3 Torquay United 46 26 8 12 83 57 +26 86
4 Exeter City (O, P) 46 22 17 7 83 58 +25 83
5 Burton Albion 46 23 12 11 79 56 +23 81
Source: [6][7]
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored.
(C) Champion; (O) Play-off winner; (P) Promoted

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
ResultDWWWDWWLWWWWWLDWWLWWWLWWLDWWDWDLLLWWDWLWWWLDLL
Position13211111311111121122222222322222223422222222223
Source: Torquay United
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

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

Win Draw Loss
DateOpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 1]ScorersAttendancePosition
12 August 2007Grays AthleticHome0–04,01213
15 August 2007Aldershot TownAway3–0Sills, Stevens, Zebroski3,1392
18 August 2007Northwich VictoriaAway3–1Sills, Phillips (2)1,1171
25 August 2007Rushden & DiamondsHome3–2Sills, Phillips, Zebroski3,1071
27 August 2007Forest Green RoversAway2–2Hargreaves, Robertson2,3821
1 September 2007Stafford RangersHome2–0Todd, Benyon2,9801
4 September 2007Salisbury CityHome4–0Todd, Phillips, Sills (2)3,2151
10 September 2007Burton AlbionAway1–3Benyon2,0863
14 September 2007Halifax TownHome3–1Robertson, Sills, Hockley2,7271
18 September 2007Histon TownAway5–4Sills, Mullings, Zebroski (2), Todd7631
22 September 2007Kidderminster HarriersAway5–2Hinshelwood, Sills, Zebroski (2), Phillips2,0271
25 September 2007WeymouthHome3–2Zebroski, Phillips, Hill3,5481
29 September 2007DroylsdenHome2–1Sills, Phillips3,3211
6 October 2007Ebbsfleet UnitedAway1–2Ellis1,3861
11 October 2007Oxford UnitedAway3–3Welsh, Zebroski, Sills4,6332
14 October 2007Stevenage BoroughHome4–2Zebroski (2), Julian (og), Phillips3,7441
21 October 2007York CityAway1–0Todd2,4831
3 November 2007Cambridge UnitedHome1–2Benyon3,3682
17 November 2007Crawley TownAway3–2Mansell, Ellis, Sills1,8482
24 November 2007WokingHome2–0Benyon, Hargreaves3,2752
12 December 2007Farsley CelticAway2–1Zebroski, Stevens7172
26 December 2007Exeter CityAway3–4Todd, Phillips, Nicholson7,8392
29 December 2007WokingAway1–0Sills2,1812
1 January 2008Exeter CityHome1–0Sills6,0212
7 January 2008Burton AlbionHome1–2Zebroski2,3592
19 January 2008Salisbury CityAway0–02,6333
28 January 2008HistonHome1–0Sills2,4822
9 February 2008Kidderminster HarriersHome1–0Ellis3,0122
12 February 2008WeymouthAway0–01,9702
16 February 2008Ebbsfleet UnitedHome3–1Mohamed (2), Zebroski2,7042
26 February 2008AltrinchamHome1–1Zebroski2,3102
1 March 2008Grays AthleticAway0–21,0182
3 March 2008Aldershot TownHome1–2Phillips4,5102
11 March 2008Halifax TownAway2–3Phillips (2)8943
22 March 2008Stafford RangersAway2–0Sills, Dsane9054
24 March 2008Forest Green RoversHome1–0Dsane3,0712
29 March 2008AltrinchamAway1–1Hill1,1632
1 April 2008DroylsdenAway2–1Sills, Dsane4762
5 April 2008Farsley CelticHome0–12,4062
8 April 2008Oxford UnitedHome3–2Zebroski (2), Sills2,2412
12 April 2008Stevenage BoroughAway3–1Hargreaves, Zebroski, Sills2,6732
15 April 2008Northwich VictoriaHome1–0Zebroski2,2702
17 April 2008Rushden & DiamondsAway1–2Benyon1,2762
19 April 2008York CityHome0–02,1652
22 April 2008Cambridge UnitedAway0–24,1002
26 April 2008Crawley TownHome1–2Sills3,1213


Conference National play-offs

Win Draw Loss
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 1]ScorersAttendance
Semi-Final(first leg)1 May 2008Exeter CityAway2–1Sills, Zebroski8,276
Semi-Final(second leg)5 May 2008Exeter CityHome1–4Hill6,015
Exeter City won 5–3 on aggregate

FA Cup

Win Draw Loss
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 1]ScorersAttendance
4th Qualifying Round27 October 2007Bath CityAway2–0Phillips, Stevens2,149
1st Round11 November 2007Yeovil TownHome4–1Todd (2), Stevens (2)3,718
2nd Round1 December 2007Brighton & Hove AlbionHome0–2—4,010

FA Trophy

Win Draw Loss
RoundDateOpponentVenueResult[lower-alpha 1]ScorersAttendance
1st Round15 December 2007BashleyHome1–0Sills1,277
2nd Round12 January 2008Newport CountyAway2–1Hargreaves (2)1,510
3rd Round4 February 2008AFC WimbledonAway2–0D'Sane, Phillips4,085
4th Round23 February 2008Crawley TownHome4–1D'Sane, Mohamed (2), Phillips2,301
Semi-final (first leg)7 March 2008York CityHome2–0Sills, Phillips2,286
Semi-final (second leg)15 March 2008York CityAway0–1[lower-alpha 2]—3,625
Final10 May 2008Ebbsfleet UnitedWembley0–1—40,186

Conference League Cup

RoundDateOpponentVenueResultAttendance
4th Round22 December 2007St Albans CityAway0–1454

Player statistics

As of final game of the season on 10 May 2008[42]

No. Player League Apps League Goals Cup Apps Cup Goals Total Apps Total Goals YC RC
24England Steve Adams1207019010
36Denmark Mikkel Andersen30003000
12England Jody Banim80008010
15Grenada Tony Bedeau2304027040
9England Elliot Benyon2258030510
20England Roscoe D'Sane1936225530
25England Mark Ellis2237029330
14England Chris Hargreaves38314252580
11England Kevin Hill1327120300
2England Paul Hinshelwood71108110
16England Matthew Hockley2914033150
20England Scott Laird20002000
10England Lee Phillips4112135541760
7England Lee Mansell34114048171
23Wales Kaid Mohamed1024214400
17England Darren Mullings61107111
3England Kevin Nicholson46116062100
27England Michael Poke40206000
1Canada Simon Rayner3003033000
21England Martin Rice9011020010
5Scotland Chris Robertson2328031230
8England Tim Sills4419154592350
19England Danny Stevens29210339520
24England Leslie Thompson10102000
6Wales Chris Todd42515257780
18England Ishmael Welsh1814022400
4England Steve Woods2108029050
12England Danny Wring60107000
26England Chris Zebroski4618151611970

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 Torquay United's score shown first
  2. ↑ Torquay United won 2–1 on aggregate

References

  1. ↑ "Takeover is completed at Torquay". BBC Sport. 24 May 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  2. ↑ "Lee back in new role at Torquay". BBC Sport. 25 May 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  3. ↑ "Gulls set to reveal Rosenior exit". BBC Sport. 21 May 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  4. ↑ "Buckle named as new Torquay boss". BBC Sport. 2 June 2007. Retrieved 9 March 2012.
  5. 1 2 "Hill's bitter sweet Wembley day". BBC Sport. 12 May 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  6. ↑ Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2007–2008. Glenda Rollin & Jack Rollin (eds.). Headline, 2008.
  7. ↑ "England 2007–08". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 18 November 2010.
  8. ↑ "Torquay sign ex-Pirates youngster". BBC Sport. 1 August 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  9. ↑ "Torquay swoop for Lions striker". BBC Sport. 1 August 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  10. ↑ "Torquay 0-0 Grays". BBC Sport. 12 August 2007. Retrieved 16 December 2008.
  11. ↑ "Man Utd youngster joins Glovers". BBC Sport. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  12. ↑ "Plymouth loan out Laird to Gulls". BBC Sport. 20 September 2007. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
  13. ↑ "Second loanee for Buckle". NonLeagueDaily. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  14. ↑ "Boss hails Torquay's cup success". BBC Sport. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 5 December 2008.
  15. ↑ "BBC to show Torquay-Yeovil game". BBC Sport. 29 October 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  16. ↑ "Torquay 0-2 Brighton". BBC Sport. 1 December 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  17. ↑ "Torquay extend Ellis loan stay". BBC Sport. 19 December 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  18. ↑ "Setanta Shield results 2007-08". BBC Sport. 4 April 2008. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  19. ↑ "Torquay get Bolton winger on loan". BBC Sport. 3 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  20. ↑ "Gulls boss Buckle agrees new deal". BBC Sport. 4 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  21. ↑ "Torquay sign Southampton goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 7 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  22. ↑ "Torquay's Rayner loaned to Boston". BBC Sport. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  23. ↑ "Thompson heads back to Bolton". BBC News. 24 January 2008. Retrieved 13 January 2009.
  24. 1 2 3 "Torquay complete triple signing". BBC Sport. 27 January 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  25. 1 2 "Stevens pens new Torquay contract". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  26. ↑ "Gulls sign Dane Andersen on loan". BBC Sport. 26 February 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  27. 1 2 "Gulls sign Banim as Bedeau leaves". BBC Sport. 12 May 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  28. ↑ "Gull's heartbroken by loss - Todd". BBC Sport. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  29. ↑ "Ebbsfleet 1-0 Torquay". BBC Sport. 10 May 2008. Archived from the original on 21 February 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  30. ↑ "Bedeau among four leaving Torquay". BBC Sport. 13 May 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2008.
  31. ↑ "Torquay striker moves to Rushden". BBC Sport. 16 May 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2009.
  32. ↑ "Torquay sign Forest Green skipper". BBC Sport. 19 May 2008. Retrieved 4 December 2008.
  33. ↑ "Torquay sign Crawley midfielder". BBC Sport. 20 May 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  34. 1 2 "Midfield pair sign Torquay deals". BBC Sport. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  35. ↑ "D'Sane signs new Plainmoor deal". BBC Sport. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  36. ↑ "Torquay sign Wroe from York City". BBC Sport. 28 May 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  37. ↑ "Green switches to Devon". NonLeagueDaily. 2 June 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  38. ↑ "Former boss returns to Plainmoor". BBC Sport. 3 June 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  39. ↑ "Torquay pair put on transfer list". BBC Sport. 11 June 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  40. ↑ "Torquay bag ex-Argyle man Hodges". BBC Sport. 13 June 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  41. ↑ "Crawley bag Torquay keeper Rayner". BBC Sport. 30 June 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2009.
  42. ↑ 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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