Reasons for Gulls fans to be cheerful
THERE isn't a Torquay United fan who wouldn't have wanted Martin Ling's side to smack three or four past Cheltenham Town on Thursday night, but going out at this stage doesn't mean its all doom and gloom at Plainmoor.
So for all those fans nursing hangovers today – or just putting up with that sickening feeling that their team deserved much more – here are a few reasons to keep your chin up.
:: WEMBLEY'S NOT THE MONEY-SPINNER IT ONCE WAS
Torquay United didn't make money from last year's play-off final, so there's no guarantee they would have made any by playing under the giant steel arch on May 27.
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A showdown with Crewe Alexandra might have been a good footballing spectacle – as both sides play some attractive football – but it would probably not have made the club any better off (especially if they failed to win).
:: PROMOTION WASN'T EVEN THE AIM THIS SEASON
United's incredible run into the automatic promotion places made the season a vintage one for Gulls fans even though they'll still be in League Two next season. And Martin Ling would not have been expected to take them up while simultaneously rebuilding the squad. Even he was surprised by the run his side went on. So just think what they could do next season.
:: IT WAS MARTIN LING'S FIRST SEASON
The former Leyton Orient and Cambridge man seems to have been a perfect fit at Plainmoor, and has quietly gone about the business of building a potential championship-winning squad with authority and assurance. The signings he has made have, on the whole, made a terrific impact and fans should look forward to more of the same this summer and beyond. His Herald Express column is not bad either.
:: THE NEW STAND GOES UP NEXT SEASON
What better welcome for Bristow's Bench than derby clashes against Plymouth Argyle, Exeter City and Bristol Rovers next season? And with a squad capable of beating all of them. Even better, the extra revenue from bums on seats could contribute a bit more to the squad kitty.
And…
:: WE'RE NOT IN ARGYLE'S POSITION
There might be a lot of talk from James Brent about making Plymouth Argyle into a side capable of competing in the Championship or beyond, but for now, it's the Gulls who are on top. Two derby victories this season and a side which, if it can be kept together, should make a storming start next year.
...
Herald Express Sports Editor Andy Phillips can be reached on aphillips@heraldexpress.co.uk or on Twitter at mrandyphillips@twitter.com
Comments
by lorenzo
Monday, May 21 2012, 9:30AM
“While I agree that we may have overachieved this season , you have to look at the big picture here and some of the comments made above dont ring true with me , quote "promotion wasn't the aim this season and " It was Martin Lings First season " unquote.
When a side is sitting in second place four points above the third team and forth teams albeit they had two games in hand what do we do nothing,Does the board think oh well we have done very well this year and we will take what ever comes our way and we will go for promotion next year ,This to me is thinking of a club with no ambition and we are happy to stay in this league.
Surely we all want to see Torquay succeed and not just a case of survival year in year out!
OK the money may not be there but as the old saying goes you dont look a gift horse in the mouth and we had the chance to strengthen the current quad but chose not too and you dont have to be a rocket scientist to see that we happened in the last six league games .
We have just thrown away promotion when the chance arose and for a team that contains quite a few players from last years playoff final .
You have to think are we ever going to get out of this league.I hope we do but we may never have a chance as what we had this season.
Yes it has been a great season but it could have been so much better.”
by pitprop
Saturday, May 19 2012, 1:19PM
“It doesn't hurt to look on the bright side but the evidence isn't persuasive.”
by Chelseymay
Saturday, May 19 2012, 9:57AM
“HAHA the gulls played like the amatures they are...Rubbish team.”
by TimDis
Friday, May 18 2012, 8:05PM
“Great comments chaps. Last night re-affirmed my belief in the team, the club ethos and the classy way we go about our business. Clearly another goal finisher to complement Rene Howe is a priority but in reality that what every team is after and often discriminates the successful team from the also-rans. At least we get to thrash Exeter twice next season ! I love this club.”
by goalfar
Friday, May 18 2012, 2:47PM
“WELL, THE DUST SETTLES ON PLIANMOOR, ON A LONG HARD SEASON ,
The shouts of Yellow Army can no longer be heard,
The scarves, & flags that were thrust into the Torquay sky, are grounded
Paper cups ,50/50 tickets, disused pasty's, & disappointment , now stand on the terrace
where the BOYS from all round the Bay were stood . We were United in the belief that we could
overturn a 2-0 defeat , & go onto the Final at Wembly .
The new stand, almost complete, looked down, as we threw everything at Cheltenham,
the opposing team were terrified, as ELLIS kicked, headed, tackled anything in a 50m range
of him, Manse, covered more mileage than a used car , O'Kane was the master- craftsman in
mid-field, spaying the ball around, but we lacked a goal-scorer, someone who was a fraction
ahead of the defenders, we needed a Goal Hero ,”
by AdrianGull
Friday, May 18 2012, 1:28PM
“I think that the "reasons to be cheerful" article is a great summary of our season.
If back in August we'd have been told that we would be in the play-offs I think many supporters would have thought that unlikely.
We have the nucleus of a a really good side but ultimately our lack of firepower cost us dear, lots of 1-0 wins shows that the defence and keeper are doing a good job, but going 1-0 down mean't we obviously had to score twice, which we didn't do often enough this season.
That come at a premium, but a another goal scorer must be a priority for next season.
Still a great effort this season, "Come On You Yellows" for 2012 / 2013!”