The Ultimate TUFC Team – REVEALED

Torquay United's chief reporter for over 50 years, Dave Thomas, completed his countdown to the ultimate Torquay United team with a gala event at Plainmoor, attended by legends of the past and the Yellow Army:

As part of the festivities, Torquay United co-chairman Michael Westcott that the new media centre being constructed at Plainmoor will be proudly named The David Thomas Media Suite.

This is it, after more than 2,200 games and 50 years of covering the Gulls, Dave has selected the Ultimate Team in Yellow and Blue.

Manager – Frank O’Farrell After a playing career with Preston, West Ham and the Republic of Ireland, Frank joined United from Weymouth in May 1965. Under him, the Gulls won automatic promotion in his first season, finished 7th and 4th in what’s now League One and were in contention again when he left in December 1968. He went on to manage Leicester City, Manchester United, Cardiff City, the Iranian national team and later returned for two more short stints in charge at Plainmoor.

Goalkeeper - Neville Southall Former Everton and Wales legend came out of retirement at the age of 40. Big Nev defied age and initial scepticism to show why he was once considered the greatest goalkeeper in the world. Southall in a legend of Wales, Everton and Torquay United. Even after leaving Plainmoor, he played for two more years.

Right Back – John Bond A member of West Ham’s 1964 FA Cup winning team, Bond signed for Frank O’Farrell’s United only two years later and became a big favourite. He made 145 appearances and scored 13 goals before moving on to a successful career in management.

Right Centre Back – Alex Watson Scouser Alex cost United £30,000 from Bournemouth in the 1996 bottom of the table season. It still turned into an absolute bargain as he went on to captain the club in 226 games over six eventful years in which he was an automatic choice.

Left Centre Back – Craig Taylor The quiet but hugely respected captain of Leroy Rosenior’s 2004 automatic promotion team, Plymothian Craig was strong in the air, cool on the ground and he played just as well in League One and subsequent relegation battles, totalling 138 games over four years.

Left Back – Brian McGlinchey Signed from Plymouth, Ulsterman Brian was considered by many Gulls fans to be the final piece of the 2004 promotion jigsaw under Leroy Rosenior. Comfortable in defence and attack, he made 76 appearances in League Two and League One before a back injury ended his career all too early.

Right Wing – Rodney Jack Out wide or up front, St Vincent-born Rodney Jack held Plainmoor in the palm of his hand over three years, 87 games and 26 goals. There wasn’t much of him, but he had skill, pace and bravery to evade those despairing tackles, which prompted Crewe to pay £600,000 for him in 1998.

Centre Midfield – Tommy Mitchinson No better passer of the ball can have pulled on a United shirt than ex- Sunderland and Villa favourite Tommy, an old-fashioned ‘inside forward’ who played 123 stylish League One games from 1969-72.

Centre Midfield - Alex Russell Quiet, unassuming and not very quick, yet he was the conductor of United’s orchestra for 163 games over four memorable years from 2001-2005. Alex never took three or four touches where one would do, and he made most of them count.

Left Wing – Mark Loram The boy from Brixham who had everything - except an ounce of ambition. What other players dreamed of doing, Mark did with a casual shrug and his wand of a left foot, making 332 appearances and scoring 63 goals in some of the most exciting seasons in United’s history.

Striker – Robin Stubbs Second only to Sammy Collins in United’s all-time scoring list, Robin hit 133 goals in 263 games, all but one of them in six thrilling years from 1963-69. Pace, power, out-of-your-seat excitement – he had the lot.

Striker - Steve Cooper Steve’s partnership with Les Lawrence is fondly recalled as one of United’s best-ever striking duos. Blessed with springs in his heels and the biggest of hearts, ‘Coops’ was a terror for defenders, staying on after Les left to score 90 goals in 271 appearances from 1978-84.

For pictures from a wonderful evening at Plainmoor, pick up your special Christmas edition of the Torbay Weekly on Thursday.