TORQUAY UNITED'S match-day programme, which is currently reproducing editions from the club's first 1959-60 promotion season, threw up a gem for last Saturday's game against Crewe.

In his 'Manager's Chair' column, Eric Webber congratulated Torquay tennis stars Mike Sangster and Angela Mortimer on their victories in the national indoor championships the previous week.

He added that, after winning the title Sangster had travelled back to South Devon on the Friday night, ready to turn out for the United 'A' team — he could have been a pro if tennis hadn't taken him — the following afternoon.

Sangster, a Wimbledon semi-finalist in 1961, who died tragically young at the age of only 44, scored a hat-trick against Paignton at Clennon Valley, to boot!

Can't quite see that sort of thing happening today, can you?

DEBUT AGAINST UNITED: The untimely death of Macclesfield town manager Keith Alexander has saddened all who knew him or watched him work. But, for the record, he made his playing debut as a young centre-forward for Grimsby against Torquay in a 1-0 win for the Mariners at Blundell Park in September 1988.

GENEROUS: The Plainmoor crowd contributed £516.95 in a collection for the Help For Heroes charity at last Saturday's match against Crewe.

LONG WAIT: That 'Burton 5 Cheltenham 6' scoreline last Saturday is a very rare occurrence indeed. The last time it happened was more than 55 years ago — Manchester United beat Chelsea 6-5 at Stamford Bridge in the old First Division in October 1954...I'll get mi' coat!

HELPING OUT: Former Gulls supremo Dave Webb, 63, is 'advising' League One club Southend during their current financial crisis.