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Late Penalty Gives Torquay The Win

Torquay won their first match of the season thanks to a late penalty from midfielder Luke Young.

Torquay played the majority of the second half with ten men when midfielder Jay Harris was sent off two yellow cards. The hosts went ahead after Nathan Blissett was brought down in the box before Young cooly slotted the penalty home. Torquay host Barrow in their next match.

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Starting XI: Moore; Eckersley, McGinty, Gallifuoco [C], Rowe-Turner; Richards, Young*, Harris; Blissett, Kashket**, Williams***.
Subs: Gerring, Chaney*, Lathrope**, Chamberlain, Ambalu***.

Herrera Denied First Win As Torquay Boss

Torquay let a two goal lead slip as Macclesfield came from behind to draw in an entertaining encounter at the Moss Rose.

New loan signing Scott Kashket had put the visitors ahead before strike partner Nathan Blissett doubled the away side's lead with a fine header. Torquay looked to be heading for the win before Macclesfield winger Danny Rowe grabbed a goal back late on. Brandon Thomas-Asante then grabbed the equaliser with only minutes left on the clock to secure the draw for John Askey's side. Torquay face Bromley next at home.

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Starting XI: Moore; Eckersley, McGinty, Gallifuoco [C], Rowe-Turner; Richards, Young*, Harris**; Blissett***, Kashket, Williams.
Subs: Gerring, Chaney*, Lathrope**, Chamberlain***, Ambalu.

5th August 2016

Torquay United: Squad Numbers Announced

Torquay United have announced their squad numbers for the upcoming season. The season gets underway tomorrow away to Macclesfield in what will be Robbie Herrera's first game as manager of The Gulls.

1- Brendan Moore [GK]
2- Richard Eckersley
3- Lathaniel Rowe-Turner
4- Sean McGinty
5- Giancario Gallifuoco
6- Courtney Richards
7- Sam Chaney
8- Luke Young
9- Nathan Blissett
10- Scott Kashsket
11- Brett Williams
12- Aman Verma
13- Jame Robba [GK]
14- Jamie Reid
15- Ben Gerring
16- Daman Lathrope [C]
17- Charlie Duke
18- Daniel Sparkes
19- Joel Ambalu
20- Jamie Chamberlain
21- Jay Harris
22- Joe Ward

20th July 2016

Two New Signings For Torquay

Torquay United have announced the loan signing of Tranmere midfielder Jay Harris and also the permanent signing of defender Richard Eckersley. Harris has joined until the end of the season while Eckersley has signed a two-year deal at the club.

Centre midfielder Jay Harris, 29, is an experienced player in the Conference, having previously had spells at Wrexham before joining Tranmere. The Liverpool born player featured forty-three times last season for Tranmere but has been let go by manager Micky Mellon. Richard Eckersley was most previously at League One side Oldham after a spell in America with New York Red Bulls. The defender can either play at right or left back and has signed a deal until the end of next season.

10th July 2016

Scott Kashket Signs On Loan

Striker Scott Kashket has joined Conference side Torquay on a six-month loan from League One side Wycombe Wanderers. The striker recently joined the club after his release from Leyton Orient.

Kashket, 20, has signed a 6 month loan deal and it is believed that the deal will be extended if he impresses. The highly rated youngster is new manager Robbie Herrera's first signing since taking over from Kevin Nicholson. Kashket stated that he was happy to be joining Torquay and getting some games under his belt: "I'm really happy to be here and can't wait to get started. It was a slight shock as I obviously have just joined Wycombe from Leyton Orient but I am happy to have joined Torquay and hopefully get amongst the goals". Torquay have also sent winger Will Hancox out on loan to Northern Premier side Ilkeston until the end of the season.

5th July 2016

Backroom Changes At Torquay

Former Wrexham director Barry Horne has been appointed Director Of Football at Torquay United. The club has seen a whole host of changes to the backroom staff with a number of new recruits being drafted in to support new manager Robbie Herrera.

In terms of scouting, former Leeds United defender Paul Butler has been appointed Chief Scout. Patrik Anderson, who was last in work at Manchester United has also joined the scouting team along with James Smith, previously a scout at Nottingham Forest. Former Scunthorpe defender Cliff Byrne has joined the club as a coach whilst Sean Reed and Mark Ellis also join the coaching team after leaving Fulham and Bradford respectively. Richard Allen has joined the club as Head Of Youth Development, a role he previously held at Tottenham Hotspur and QPR. Finally, in terms of the medical team, Mel Singleton has taken up the role as Head Physio and will be supporting by Richard Collinge, formerly of Cardiff.

Torquay manager Robbie Herrera stated that the move to bring in an experienced backroom would help him in this first job in management: "I'm really happy that the board have decided to bring in a number of staff members to support me. I am really excited about this season and I am looking forward to working with this coaching team."

Thanks for the comments lads, much appreciated. Looking forward to getting back to writing in this style. More updates to come today.

End of my stint. We are definitely good enough to stay up but need to start winning games. Over to @Cymro now.

Lack of discipline cost us again.

Played well but weren't clinical enough.

Nice to get a win. Neto was brilliant for us at the back. Has complained about wanting first team football and has got some interest from sides in Israel but stepped up to the plate today.

Bottled it.

Thought we'd done enough to hold on but wasn't to be. Going down to 9 men fucked us.

Great result especially after finishing with ten men.

Matched them all over the pitch but they were clinical and we weren't. Simple.

This is the season preview by the way. We have a tough season on our hands.

Didn't show up to this one. Deserved to lose.

Fought back from two down. Great result.

Brilliant win. We were massive underdogs but thoroughly deserved this win!

Actually played quite well just didn't take our chances and made some silly mistakes.

First award in our managerial career. Season about to start now.

Out of the cup.

3rd July 2016

Kevin Hill Returns To Torquay As Herrera's Assistant

Torquay United legend Kevin Hill has returned to the club as assistant manager to former teammate Robbie Herrera. The club has moved quickly to appoint Hill after Kevin Nicholson stepped down as manager a few days ago.

Kevin Hill is seen by many as one of Torquay's greatest ever players and played for the club between the years of 1997-2007. Hill, 40, spent last season playing for Tiverton however has now retired as a footballer to fully concentrate on his role as Robbie Herrera's new right hand man.Hill could not hide his excitement at returning to the club: "I'm absolutely delighted to be re-joining the club that has played a massive part of my life. As a player, I had ten great years here and never really wanted to leave. I was shocked to here that Nicho (Kevin Nicholson) stepped down but I was over the moon when Robbie gave me the call... I was never going to say no. I can't wait to meet the lads and get started."

With Torquay expected to be in a relegation battle this season in a tough Conference Premier, the move to appoint the inexperienced Herrera and Hill is seen by many as a big risk. It will be interesting to see how the pair fair this season, with their first match coming away at Macclesfield in just under a month's time.

1st July 2016

Robbie Herrera Appointed New First Team Manager Of Torquay

Conference Premier side Torquay United have announced that manager Kevin Nicholson has stepped down as manager and is it be replaced at Plainmoor by his assistant manager Robbie Herrara.

The move to replace highly-rated Nicholson has been seen a shock by many, especially after he signed a three-year deal only last season. Nicholson managed to keep the club in the Conference last season, despite a number of off-field issues with Torquay finishing in 18th position. It is still unsure why Nicholson decided to step down as manager. His assistant Robbie Herrera, 46, has signed a one-year deal at the club to replace Nicholson.

Herrera worked with the Torquay youth team between the years of 2010 and 2015. He spent a short spell at neighbours Plymouth Argyle as a coach before Nicholson persuaded Herrera to join him as his assistant at the start of last season. This role will be Herrera's first opportunity in the managerial hot-seat. Neither Nicholson or Herrera were available to make a comment however Torquay United chairman David Phillips released a short statement. Phillips said "It is with regret that Kevin Nicholson has stepped down from his position as first team manager of Torquay United football club. Robbie Herrera is the man to replace him and has agreed a 1-year contract. We wish Kevin all the best and I am looking forward to a great future with Robbie."

Class work @Cymro.

Can somebody please explain to me how the Brazilian league works? I don't understand it.

Another win to end my stint. Really happy to get this started again... this is going to be a lot of fun!

Slaughtering. Moreno tore them apart and another HUGE win. Forca Chape! Moreno is already my favourite player on the game. The new Kluk.

MORENO

Amazing first match. Battered them from start to finish.

So, it is down to me to start the rebuild at Chape. The season is about to start and I have brought in 9 new players, bringing our squad size to 20. The squad was filled with 18/19 year old and I have moved the majority of them back down to the Youth side.

Here are the transfers-


Due to our transfer budget, I had to work purely on free transfers. The majority of the players that I have brought in are the wrong side of 30 but they have good stats and hopefully their experience will do us well this season.

Which brings our squad to look like this-


The squad is obviously quite thin but there is a little bit of transfer budget left which I will leave to Cymro or Itchy to spend.

Key Players
GK

Solid GK at this level.

DF

Good all-round CB. Not bad pace either.

MF

Our best player and highest earner at the club. Will hopefully be our key man this season.

ST

New signing. Experienced and good all-round stats to get us the goals... hopefully.


Without a doubt this season is going to be a struggle. We are 1000/1 to win the league and dead certs to get relegated. I just hope we can defy the odds. Forca Chape!

Good luck mate. Nice to see this is still going.