An Afternoon For Holmesy

Former Torquay United stars are coming together for 'An Afternoon For Holmesy' in aid of their teammate Paul Holmes, who is fighting cancer.

Darren Moore, Matt Elliott, Paul Hall, Sean Joyce and Russell Musker are just a few of the Gulls favourites who have signed up for the fund-raising get-together at Plainmoor's Boots & Laces on Sunday, September 10.

United supporters led by celebrity fan Helen Chamberlain recently mounted an appeal in support of Newton Abbot-based Holmes, 55.

Now the Gulls are to host next month's gathering, when his ex-colleagues will travel from all over the country to pay tribute to the attacking right-back who made 269 appearances for Torquay in two spells.

Holmes was signed from Doncaster Rovers for £6,000 by the late Cyril Knowles in 1988, with midfielder Joyce, and he was a member of the United team which won promotion to what's now League One in 1991, beating Blackpool on penalties in the Wembley Play-Off Final.

He was sold to Birmingham City for £40,000, later moving on to Everton (£100,000) and WBA (£80,000) before returning to Plainmoor in 1999 for another four years.  His total career appearances numbered 575.

Holmes has worked for the NHS for many years, based at Torbay Hospital.

Tickets for Sep 10 (email sharonm@torquayunited.com or call 07949 005832) will cost £25 (seated with buffet) or £10 (standing), with doors opening at 1pm for a 2pm start.