Post by Jon on Apr 16, 2011 12:48:55 GMT
The club has had a request for info from Ralph Calland's grandson. I have sent the following potted summary of his career - can anyone add any memories of Ralph in his time as a player or as manager of the A team, Brixham United or anywhere else?
Ralph first signed for Torquay from Charlton in the summer of 1939. He made his League debut in the third game of the 1939/40 season - the day after Hitler invaded Poland and the day before Britain declared war on Germany.
The League ceased immediately and so Ralph's debut was chalked off the records. I'm not sure what Ralph did during the War, but he didn't play in the regional league games of 1939/40 and did not return to the club until March 1946. The League started up again officially for 1946/47 with Ralph making his official debut seven years after he had thought he had made his debut.
Ralph was ever-present in 1946/47 and was a regular at left back in the following five seasons. Injuries hampered his last two seasons at the club and he retired in 1954.
Without those seven lost War years, he could possibly have been TUFC's record appearance holder.
Ralph's two younger brothers Ted and Albert both had spells at TUFC in the 50s.
On retirement Ralph became a groundsman for Torquay Council and I believe he lived in a house next to the Cricketfield Road ground now used by Barton CC and Upton Athletic FC. Various generations of Callands have been heavily involved with Baron CC ever since.
Ralph's involvement with TUFC continued after he retired from professional soccer as he became manager of the hugely successful A team which played in the South Devon League and developed young players for the reserve team and first team. They had played at Stoodley Knowle, but moved to Cricketfield Road when Ralph took over in 1954. The A team was scrapped at the end of the 1965/66 season.
I think Ralph went on to be manager of Brixham United - one of the best local sides who were playing in the Plymouth and District League at the time. I'm not sure how long he was there and what other local sides he may have been involved with.
Ralph's nickname was "Scrumpy" Calland - he liked a drop of cider apparently!
Ralph first signed for Torquay from Charlton in the summer of 1939. He made his League debut in the third game of the 1939/40 season - the day after Hitler invaded Poland and the day before Britain declared war on Germany.
The League ceased immediately and so Ralph's debut was chalked off the records. I'm not sure what Ralph did during the War, but he didn't play in the regional league games of 1939/40 and did not return to the club until March 1946. The League started up again officially for 1946/47 with Ralph making his official debut seven years after he had thought he had made his debut.
Ralph was ever-present in 1946/47 and was a regular at left back in the following five seasons. Injuries hampered his last two seasons at the club and he retired in 1954.
Without those seven lost War years, he could possibly have been TUFC's record appearance holder.
Ralph's two younger brothers Ted and Albert both had spells at TUFC in the 50s.
On retirement Ralph became a groundsman for Torquay Council and I believe he lived in a house next to the Cricketfield Road ground now used by Barton CC and Upton Athletic FC. Various generations of Callands have been heavily involved with Baron CC ever since.
Ralph's involvement with TUFC continued after he retired from professional soccer as he became manager of the hugely successful A team which played in the South Devon League and developed young players for the reserve team and first team. They had played at Stoodley Knowle, but moved to Cricketfield Road when Ralph took over in 1954. The A team was scrapped at the end of the 1965/66 season.
I think Ralph went on to be manager of Brixham United - one of the best local sides who were playing in the Plymouth and District League at the time. I'm not sure how long he was there and what other local sides he may have been involved with.
Ralph's nickname was "Scrumpy" Calland - he liked a drop of cider apparently!
