Alix Dorrington's introduction to Torquay United.

Torquay United must be one of the teams who expected it most. I'm talking about two things; the first is that the time would come when they would slip through the dreaded trapdoor into non-league, the other is that they'd be firing on all cylinders to bounce back straight away.

After finishing in the bottom six of the Football League a disturbing eight times in fourteen years, last year Torquay could delay the inevitable no longer, and joined the growing ranks of established league sides piling up in the Blue Square Premier.

The main reason for Torquay's demise was a season of instability that ended up with matters off the field resembling a circus more than a football club, going through numerous chairmen (numerous times), board members and managers. Their fate was sealed when they could only muster a point against our beloved neighbours Peterborough United, a 1-1 draw that curtailed any hope that Torquay would manage their 81st league season without taking a hiatus first.

It might have been slightly more surprising that after the season they had that they were willing to take a chance like appointing the managerially inexperienced assistant manager of their arch rivals, Exeter City.

A bold move that might have been, but most certainly not one that's been regretted so far, with Paul Buckle (below) guiding Torquay United safely into the play-off showdowns with games to spare, not to mention signing a host of experienced Conference players that would be in demand at any non-league side who can pay their way.

Lee Phillips and Chris Todd made the jump from local rivals Exeter City, Tim Sills returned to the Conference from Hereford United, whilst Chris Hargreaves sailed in from Oxford (not literally, of course). Also worth a mention are Torquay United luminaries Kevin Hill and Steve Woods, who have amassed over 650 appearances in the Yellow and Blue of the Gulls between them.

Looking through Torquay United's squad it's easy to see why they're having such a successful season, with a host of players who are more than capable, but the real question that needs to be asked is who is going to be in the squad on Tuesday? With one eye on the Play-offs and the other on the FA Trophy final, it would be no surprise if a somewhat less familiar line-up trots out at the Abbey for our final home game of the year. This has been the case lately, with Torquay fielding under-par teams against everyone they've faced since they've secured their play-off berth.

Coming into this crucial clash, Torquay are on a patch of erratic form. After dispatching of Northwich Victoria at Plainmoor by the solitary goal, The Gulls proceeded to go down 2-1 at Rushden and play out a dire 0-0 at home to York. Despite the fact it may not be a first team who take to the field tonight, Torquay remain a side with strength in depth that will be a danger to anyone who takes them lightly, so expect a tough performance from a side we could see at least once more this season.

Alix Dorrington

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