The 1927–28 Torquay United F.C. season was Torquay United's first season in the Football League and their first season in Third Division South. The season runs from 1 July 1927 to 30 June 1928.
Overview Under the guidance of player-manager Percy Mackrill, Torquay United won the Western section of the Southern League in 1927 in only their sixth season as a professional football club. This achievement (along with an impressive three-leg resistance against high-flying Reading in the 1925–26 FA Cup) earned Torquay election to the Football League in time for the 1927–28 Third Division South season, at the expense of Aberdare Athletic.Edwards, Leigh; Gibbes, Jon; Lovis, John (1999). Torquay United, The Official Centenary History, 1899–1999. Yore Publications.
After an encouraging Football League debut – a 1–1 draw against Exeter City in front of over 10,000 supporters at their Plainmoor home ground – Torquay then suffered a humiliating 9–1 defeat away to eventual champions Millwall two days later. Although United did manage to restore some dignity in their next game with a 3–1 win away to fellow strugglers Merthyr Town, the season would prove to be a challenge for the debutants. Among the few highlights of a tough campaign were Bert Turner's hat-trick during the 4–2 win over Norwich City in January and the home and away victories over Brentford and Queens Park Rangers. Incidentally, Torquay were excused from this season's FA Cup as the additional qualifying rounds which had already been allocated to them before their election would have caused a significant disruption to their League fixtures.
Notable players during Torquay's first League season included the aforementioned Turner (top scorer with 11 goals), outside right Jim Mackey who played in all but two games and goalkeeper Archie Bayes who, despite missing out on the debut match against Exeter City, played a total of 37 games during the season. Significant contributions were also made by centre forwards Bob Ringland (9 goals in 14 appearances) and Lew Griffiths (8 goals in 12 appearances). However, of these players, only Mackey would still be lining up for Torquay during the following season.Edwards, Leigh (1997). The Definitive Torquay United F.C.. The Association of Football Statisticians. .
With only 8 wins from 42 games, Torquay United ended their first season in the Third Division South in last place and had to seek re-election in order to remain in the Football League for the 1928–29 season.
League statistics
Third Division South
Results summary
Results by round
Match of the season TORQUAY UNITED 1–1 EXETER CITYThird Division SouthPlainmoor, 27 August 1927
TORQUAY UNITED:GK1 Laurie MillsomRB2 George CookLB3 George SmithRH4 Maurice WellockCH5 Frank WraggeLH6 Jack ConnerOR7 Jim MackeyIR8 Bert Turner CF9 Jimmy Jones IL10 Tom McGovernOL11 Dan Thomson
Torquay United's very first match in the Football League was a Devon derby with nearest rivals Exeter City. Percy Mackrill fielded a side which would have been largely unfamiliar to supporters who had watched the Magpies in the Southern League. Fourteen new players were signed by Torquay before their first League campaign began and ten of those made their debuts in the first match of the season.Holgate, Mike (1999). Torquay United Football Club 1899–1999. Tempus Publishing. Only Laurie Millsom had previously played for the Magpies before and he was only selected due to an injury to first choice keeper Archie Bayes (a Torquay veteran himself).
Player-manager Mackrill declined to select himself at left back, instead choosing George Smith to partner George Cook in defence. Centre half Frank Wragge anchored the midfield with captain Jack Conner on his left and (despite being an experienced forward) Maurice Wellock playing as a right wing half. Meanwhile, Welsh centre forward Jimmy Jones was flanked by inside forwards Tom McGovern and Bert Turner while Dan Thomson and Jim Mackey adopted the outside forward positions.
Torquay's debut Football League game ended in a 1–1 draw, with Bert Turner scoring the home side's goal from the penalty spot and Exeter's Billy Vaughan scoring a late equaliser for the visitors.
Results
Third Division South
Club statistics
First team appearances NatPosPlayerThird Division SouthAppsGoalsGKArchie Bayes370GKLaurie Millsom50DFGeorge Cook290DFJack Price260DFPercy Mackrill60DFGeorge Smith60MFClaude Gough280MFFrank Wragge270MFJack Conner240MFCharlie Davis180MFHugh Good160MFDavid Daniel152MFFrank Clarke60FWJim Mackey (footballer)403FWBert Turner3811FWMaurice Wellock273FWJack Pattison265FWJimmy Jones206FWTom McGovern181FWBob Ringland149FWLew Griffiths128FWDan Thomson112FWHerbert Budd72FWAlwyn Thomas50FWGeorge Orrick30FWAlf Knapman10 Source:
Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameThird Division South1 FW Bert Turner 112 FW Bob Ringland 93 FW Lew Griffiths 84 FW Jimmy Jones 65 FW Jack Pattison 56 FW Jim Mackey 3= FW Maurice Wellock 38 FW Herbert Budd 2= MF David Daniel 2= FW Dan Thomson 211 FW Tom McGovern 1 Own goals 1 TOTAL 53 Source:
Transfers
In First appearanceNat.Pos.NameFrom27 August 1927MFJack Connor Newport County27 August 1927 DFGeorge Cook Preston North End27 August 1927FWJimmy Jones Aberdare Athletic27 August 1927FWJim Mackey West Stanley27 August 1927FWTom McGovern Queen of the South27 August 1927DFGeorge Smith Walsall27 August 1927FWDan Thomson Bournemouth & Boscombe27 August 1927FWBert Turner Brierley Hill Alliance27 August 1927FWMaurice Wellock Oldham Athletic27 August 1927MFFrank Wragge Stafford Rangers3 September 1927MFCharlie Davis Bath City3 September 1927DFJack Price Brentford17 September 1927MFClaude Gough Queens Park Rangers3 December 1927FWGeorge OrrickBristol City17 December 1927FWHerbert BuddBude27 December 1927FWBob RinglandCupar (Ireland)14 January 1928FWLen KnapmanUnattached18 February 1928MFHugh GoodBristol City31 March 1928MFFrank ClarkeCoventry City
Out Last appearanceNat.Pos.NameTo17 September 1927DFGeorge SmithExmouth Town17 December 1927FWGeorge OrrickShiney Row Swifts27 December 1927MFDavid DanielReleased31 December 1927FWDan ThomsonWalsall14 January 1928FWJimmy Jones Worcester City14 January 1928FWAlf KnapmanDartmouth United7 April 1928MFFrank ClarkeLeamington Town7 April 1928FWMaurice WellockPeterborough & Fletton United9 April 1928MFClaude GoughClapton Orient9 April 1928FWBob RinglandBroadway United28 April 1928FWTom McGovernSheppey United5 May 1928MFJack ConnorReleased5 May 1928DFGeorge CookCarlisle United5 May 1928MFHugh GoodRaith Rovers5 May 1928FWLew GriffithsCrystal Palace5 May 1928FWJack PattisonTaunton United5 May 1928FWBert TurnerBristol Rovers5 May 1928MFFrank WraggeWalsall Source:
References
External links