Yes, indeed, it was a splendid evening of which all should be proud. Well done, Lou! I'll do my best to add a few thoughts on top of the thorough overview of the evening already provided by tufc01 and others.
As tufc01 has said,
Robin Stubbs was wonderful company on our table - has he always been such a great talker? (it's the Brummie streak, I suppose) - and it's hard to believe he's now sixty-eight. For those who don't know the basics - and I can think of one younger supporter who, when given a lift to Bristol Rovers along with Robin a few years ago, mentioned that there was "
some old player called Robin in the car" - take a look at this:
Robin Gregory Stubbs, born Warley 22 April 1941Birmingham City (signed April 1958) 61 apps 17 goals
Torquay United (August 1963) 214 apps (+3 sub) 120 goals
Bristol Rovers (July 1969) 90 apps (+3 sub) 32 goals
Torquay United (Feb 1972) 19 apps (+2 sub) 1 goal
One thing I didn't know is that Robin played for Birmingham City when they beat Internazionale at San Siro in the old Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (I'm assuming this was the semi-final of the 1960/61 competition). He was also non-playing, suit-wearing 12th man for the 1960 final against Barcelona. And, of all of Robin's tales last night, some of the best involved his thoughts on the West Ham influence on those Torquay sides of the 1960s and the respective merits of John Smith and Tommy Northcott. Robin also provided some fascinating insights as to the way in which Bristol Rovers
didn't look after their players at the start of the 1970s.
Another thing I didn't know about Robin is that he continues as a part-time youth worker to this very day with PHAB in Torquay.
As others have commented, there was something reverential about
Frank O'Farrell's presence which captivated all including Messrs Woods and Todd who, sat at the next table, were as rapt as the rest of us. As someone who has occasionally commented on Tom Finney's elevation to deity in parts of Lancashire, it's clear that Frank - fifty years on - is of the exactly the same opinion about the Preston Plumber. But, at the same time, you got the feeling that Frank - devout man or not - is
not one who believes in the canonisation of Matt Busby. And, still on those Old Trafford days, Frank's face was a picture when Kenny Allen attempted to argue that George Best never gave any manager a moment's trouble.
Frank was, well,
frank about being refused free entry to Plainmoor when scouting for Norwich City but spoke warmly of the welcome that
now awaits him at every home game and of his admiration for the current board of directors. I think he said that he'll be at Wembley on Sunday and - to conclude the evening's proceedings - he spoke warmly of the generations of Torquay United supporters he has encountered.
A fiendishly cleverly-word question from Jon - which suggested that Cardiff might be a rather more hostile environment than Iran - prompts me to record this little reminder of Frank's career:
Francis O'Farrrell, born Cork 9 October 1927 (capped nine times for Ireland)
West Ham United (signed Jan 1948) 197 apps 6 goals
Preston North End (signed Nov 1956) 118 apps 2 goals
Managerial career:
Weymouth 1961-65
Torquay United 1965-68
Leicester City 1968-71
Manchester United 1971-72
Cardiff City 1973-74
Iran 1974-76
Torquay United 1976-77
Torquay United 1981-82
Torquay United (general manager) 1982-83
Kenny Allen proved to be, as you'd expect, as mad as a Durham badger. Apparently he's writing a book, which a kind gent sat near me offered to proof read and check for historical accuracy. I'd respectfully suggest that those services might be needed as - so much as it's bound to be a belting read - I'd venture to suggest it may end up as the type of historical fiction best taken with a rather large pinch of salt. Nonetheless if Fred Eyre could get away with it, surely Kenny Allen can. I can't wait.
Kenny told a tale about a penalty Robin Stubbs put past him on the day he made his debut for Hartlepool. Robin was a little baffled by this story afterwards and - no wonder! - for it was John Bond who scored from the spot on that day in January 1969:
At this point I fear I'm rambling too much about the evening and will leave it to others to complete the tale. Just to say two more things however. Firstly,
Kevin Hill was brilliant last night in his own inimitable fashion and - all being well - I'm sure he'll still be doing events like this in 20, 30, 40 years time. The more he got into his stride, the more he was loving the platform and - as his excitement rose - one or two of his stories became slightly here, there and every ****ing where. What a lovely character.
Secondly, in this age of blogs and video diaries,
Chris Hargreaves was familiar the moment he opened his mouth. Another man, of course, with a presence and - given the timing of last night's event - it was the perfect performance by a team captain so close to the big day.
I dearly want us to win on Sunday but - if we don't - I shall immediately think of last night as a little safeguard against my disappointment and as a reminder of the past which offers hope for the future. On the other hand - should we win on Sunday - we would still do well to remember how the history and the personalities of the club weld together and prolong our affection and interest.
May I be the first on her to congratulate Steve Woods on receiving the supporters' vote as the "Supporters Player of the Year" (sic, shouldn't that be season?).........................an interesting contrast to the opinion of his former fellow players who made Nicky Wroe their choice. Yes, that's the same Nicky Wroe who managed to gain selection in the England National game squad and was selected to play in 40 BSP during the season by the manager as opposed to Woods' 27.
