The Gloucester Gulls are organising a  coach to Wembley for the FA Trophy Final. Details are being confirmed but the coach will start in Bristol - picking up from the central, Southmead and Filton areas - beforing going up the A38 to Gloucester and Cheltenham.  If you live in Bristol, Gloucester, Cheltenham, Forest of Dean, Worcestershire areas, or on the route via Oxford A40/M40 you will be made welcome.

It is anticipated that the coach trip will cost between £15 to £18. Any one who want to join us in making it a day to remember will you please contact Andy on 0117 9696 111.

Just one season after the football club appeared to be in free-fall following their relegation from the Football League, the Gulls have booked their place in the final of FA Trophy at Wembley Stadium. This is a clear indication of the turn around that has taken place at Plainmoor under the new owners, Colin Lee (the Chief Executive), manager Paul Buckle and all his coaching staff and the players themselves.

The final will be against Ebbsfleet United on Saturday 10 May 2008.

The members of the Gloucester Gulls wish the management, players, supporters and everyone associated with Torquay United Football Club a very Merry Christmas and a happy, successful and promotion winning New Year.

Good luck in 2008.

The Torquay United first team squad for the 2007/08 season is as follows:

1. Simon Rayner (Goalkeeper)

2. Paul Hinshelwood (Defender)

3. Kevin Nicholson (Defender)

4. Steve Woods (Defender)

5. Chris Robertson (Defender)

6. Chris Todd (Defender)

7. Lee Mansell (Midfielder)

8. Tim Sills (Striker)

9. Elliot Benyon (Striker)

10. Lee Phillips (Striker)

11. Kevin Hill (Midfielder)

12. Danny Wring (Midfielder)

13.

14. Chris Hargreaves (Midfielder)

15. Tony Bedeau (Striker)

16. Matt Hockley (Midfielder)

17. Darren Mullings (Midfielder)

18. Ishmael Welsh (Midfielder - on loan from Yeovil Town)

19. Danny Stevens (Midfielder)

20.

21. Martin Rice (Goalkeeper)

22.

23.

24.

25.

26. Chris Zebroski (Striker - on loan from Millwall)

Good luck to the team as they look to regain their league status.

It has been a long time since fans of  Torquay United have been so optimistic about the start of a new season. They may no longer be a Football League side but after a number of dramatic changes over the close season there is a sense of quiet optimistism surrounding the club.

In a few short months the club is under new ownership (a consortium of local businessmen under the chairmanship of Alex Rowe); has a new Chief Executive (Colin Lee); a new manager (Paul Buckle); a new coach (Shaun North); a goalkeeping coach (Ken Veysey); a General Manager (Daryl Batten); a new groundsman (Mark Burd) and has re-introduced a Youth Team (under the guidance of Matt Williams).

It is not only behind the scenes where there have been changes. Since losing their place in the Football League the following players have all left Torquay United:

Lee Andrews, Craig Taylor, Matt Villis (Tiverton), Lee Thorpe (Brentford), Mark Robinson (York City), Stephen Cooke (Halesowen), Chris McPhee (Ebbsfleet trial), Martin Horsell, Stev Angus (Grimsby trial), Paul Smith, Dean Gordon, Martin Phillips.

In their place, the new manager - Paul Buckle - has brought in:

Martin Rice, Chris Todd, Steve Phillips and Raiff Gwinnett (all Exeter City), Kevin Nicholson (Forest Green Rovers), Chris Robertson (Sheffield United), Paul Hinshelwood (Brighton), Simon Rayner (Lincoln City), Chris Hargreaves (Oxford United), Tony Bedeau (Walsall), Tim Sills (Hereford United), Danny Wring and Elliot Benyon (Bristol City), Danny Stevens (Luton Town), Chris Zebrowski (Millwall).

Indeed a transfer fee was paid to Exeter City for Chris Todd and Steve Phillips.

All the members of the Gloucester Gulls wish everyone at Torquay United a successful season and hope that it will be the shortest possible stay in non-league football.

Kevin Hill - midfield player - has completed over 10 years with Torquay United. He has been granted a Testimonial Match (home to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday 14 July 2007).

Just before this match, Kevin Hill has been honoured with a letter from Sepp Blatter - the President of FIFA (the world governing body for football). It is believed that this is the first time that a player has been recognised in this way.

In his letter, Blatter says: "I am sure that you will appreciate that I am not able to be present personally at this match, but I would like to send you my congratulations for everything that you have achieved for football and for your club. Football is not only a wonderful sport, but one that encompasses all levels and ages and brings us all together as a 'family'. Loyalty and dedication are some of the most important values of football and you have shown these with distinction throughout your career with Torquay United. Long may it continue and I wish you personally every success for the future"

Kevin Hill joined Torquay United in 1997 and they have been his only league club. A truly dedicated player who has seemingly played in every possible position (except goalkeeper) for the Gulls and has scored some vital, and memorable, goals. Kevin Hill richly deserves this recognition.

Get to Plainmoor and Support Kevin on his big day.

The Gloucester Gulls are proud to announce that they will be sponsoring Lee Mansell, the current Totquay United Player of the Year, for the 2007/08 season.

Lee Mansell is a local lad, having been born in Gloucester. For further information on Lee's career to date click here.

To celebrate 100 years of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA), the PFA have announced plans to produce a Centenary Hall of Fame - a list of the top 100 players to have played professional football over the last 100 years. One player will be selected from each of the 100 professional clubs which have played in the Football League over the last 100 years.

The PFA, together with the football clubs and a panel of sports journalists, have produced a top ten list for each club. The list for Torquay United is as folows:

A - DON MILLS

B - SAMMY COLLINS

C - DENNIS LEWIS

D - TOMMY NORTHCOTT

E - ROBIN STUBBS

F - KEVIN HILL

G - STEVE COOPER

H - MARK LORAM

I - RODNEY JACK

J - IAN TWITCHIN

Voting is being organised by Torquay United with votes being cast by e-mail. To vote for your favourite player from the short-list send an email to tufc.webmaster@hotmail.co.uk. The only thing to be aware of is that voting will close at 1 pm on Monday 25 June 2007 so get voting NOW !

...on TV next season ? The Setanta satellite TV station has signed a new contract to screen live games from ...   more »