Post by Deleted on Nov 20, 2008 22:58:19 GMT
There was a time when we joked there was a one-way ticket out of Plainmoor to Taunton Town. Over the years, especially when Russell Musker was manager, dozens of ex-Torquay players appeared for Taunton together with other South Devon "names" such as Phil Hunt, Gary Fisher, Jason Heath and the moaning, whingeing, goal-scoring legend "Lynchy".
It never harmed the Town as the club went head-to-head with Tiverton for several years (some of the games between them drawing four-figure crowds) piling up four Western League titles and the FA Vase in 2001. The Vase-winning team included the following with South Devon connections: Ian Down, Tom Kelly, Derek Fields, Ellis Laight, Darren Cann, Ian Bastow, Anthony Lynch and Leon Hapgood. Then, from other seasons, throw in the likes of Mark Loram, Chris Myers, Derek Fowler and John Durham.
The South Devon link is no more. By the time Taunton stepped up to the Southern League the best days had gone and the club now finds itself marooned in a No Man's Land of a far-flung league (up to Birmingham some seasons, over to London the next). The dream was to push on to the Southern Premier - and perhaps Conference South - but now it looks like there may be a return to the Western League either through relegation or choice. Quite sensibly, given the league's geography, the decision was made to concentrate on Bristol-based managers and players. This hasn't worked and now there are far more rumours about the future - and the odd irregularity - than there are supporters. It's all rather sad.
I've seen them twice recently. First against Totton, one of the more ambitious clubs at that level, and last night against an Uxbridge team which put five past Truro on Saturday. Taunton did well to grimly defend a 1-0 lead and claim the points last night. The visitors fielded an extremely talented but snarling midfielder called Mark Nicholls. The penny usually drops quicker than it did yesterday but this is the same Mark Nicholls who played thirty-odd games for Chelsea as a youngster and ended up at Plainmoor in 2001. I can only remember him being wholly anonymous when he was us: aged 24, washed out and going nowhere (save for, as it happened, Northwood, Hayes and Hendon). Last night the class showed but I don't think I've ever seen such an angry footballer. There must be a tale there somewhere.
It never harmed the Town as the club went head-to-head with Tiverton for several years (some of the games between them drawing four-figure crowds) piling up four Western League titles and the FA Vase in 2001. The Vase-winning team included the following with South Devon connections: Ian Down, Tom Kelly, Derek Fields, Ellis Laight, Darren Cann, Ian Bastow, Anthony Lynch and Leon Hapgood. Then, from other seasons, throw in the likes of Mark Loram, Chris Myers, Derek Fowler and John Durham.
The South Devon link is no more. By the time Taunton stepped up to the Southern League the best days had gone and the club now finds itself marooned in a No Man's Land of a far-flung league (up to Birmingham some seasons, over to London the next). The dream was to push on to the Southern Premier - and perhaps Conference South - but now it looks like there may be a return to the Western League either through relegation or choice. Quite sensibly, given the league's geography, the decision was made to concentrate on Bristol-based managers and players. This hasn't worked and now there are far more rumours about the future - and the odd irregularity - than there are supporters. It's all rather sad.
I've seen them twice recently. First against Totton, one of the more ambitious clubs at that level, and last night against an Uxbridge team which put five past Truro on Saturday. Taunton did well to grimly defend a 1-0 lead and claim the points last night. The visitors fielded an extremely talented but snarling midfielder called Mark Nicholls. The penny usually drops quicker than it did yesterday but this is the same Mark Nicholls who played thirty-odd games for Chelsea as a youngster and ended up at Plainmoor in 2001. I can only remember him being wholly anonymous when he was us: aged 24, washed out and going nowhere (save for, as it happened, Northwood, Hayes and Hendon). Last night the class showed but I don't think I've ever seen such an angry footballer. There must be a tale there somewhere.
