Mal Lucas
Sad passing of United legend
Mal Lucas, one of Torquay United’s oldest surviving players, has died at the age of 85.
The former Welsh international made 135 appearances for the Gulls between 1970-1974 and was rated by many older fans as one of the best wing halves/midfielders ever to play for the club.
Wrexham-born Lucas joined United, then a power in the old Third Division (League One), after making more than 350 appearances for Leyton Orient and Norwich City.
He played for the O’s in Division One and cost Norwich £25,000 in 1964, establishing himself as a big favourite at Carrow Road.
Two of his best performances for Torquay came when they beat Aston Villa twice in the 1970-71 season, including a famous 1-0 victory at Villa Park and a 3-1 win at Plainmoor in the FA Cup.
As popular off the field as he was on it, when he left United it was to return to East Anglia to become player-manager of Gorleston Town for four years.
Lucas worked for a leisure company after retiring from football, living in Norwich until he passed away this week.
The thoughts of everyone are with Mal’s family and friends.
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