He was behind Mike Trebilcock and Robin Stubbs in the strikers' pecking order.
And I guess part of the problem was that Trebilcock - only twenty-seven when he joined us from Portsmouth - wasn't even "ageing". In fact, probably not a happy season for any of them: the end of Stubbsey's career; Trebilcock didn't score - and barely played - after Christmas; Dave Tearse only appeared in half of the fixtures. Clint Boulton and Dick Edwards played up front ahead of Martin Wright on occasions and he only really got a run towards the end of the season (scoring the second and third goals of his Torquay career in his final appearance for us).
It's funny that the word "kop" is still used to describe steep terraced stands at Football Grounds. "Kop" is dutch word meaning "head" or "hill" but the usage over here comes from the Battle of the Spion Kop in Natal, South Africa during the Second Boer War. 30,000 British Troops their 36 field guns were defeated by 8,000 South African Republic Troops with 4 field guns and 2 Pom Pom guns, which incidently were considered by the British to be obsolete weapons. Just another page of history where numerically superior forces struggle like hell to fight uphill battles with an enemy who are well dug in and well prepared.
Allowing for possible errors and omissions, the Wikipedia entry on Spion Kop (stadia) makes for good reading.
I was pretty certain the Liverpool "Spion Kop" - as it was nearly always called once upon a time - dated from just a few years after the end of the Boer Wars. However the article claims the expression was first used at Woolwich Arsenal's Manor Ground as early as 1904.
I do like their Kop end though. Reminds me of the old Popside at Plainmoor before the latest glorified bus stop shelter. I wonder it's actually the largest terraced area left in British football or is Carlisle bigger?
"Largest terraced area" - that's a statement to make you stop and think. Carlisle or Chesterfield - you're probably right. Mind you, with so many all-seater grounds now, even Aldershot's covered end and - whisper it - the Big Bank at Exeter might even sneak on to the shortlist!
« Last Edit: Jan 17, 2010, 3:48pm by Barton Downs »
It's funny that the word "kop" is still used to describe steep terraced stands at Football Grounds. "Kop" is dutch word meaning "head" or "hill" but the usage over here comes from the Battle of the Spion Kop in Natal, South Africa during the Second Boer War. 30,000 British Troops their 36 field guns were defeated by 8,000 South African Republic Troops with 4 field guns and 2 Pom Pom guns, which incidently were considered by the British to be obsolete weapons. Just another page of history where numerically superior forces struggle like hell to fight uphill battles with an enemy who are well dug in and well prepared.
Allowing for possible errors and omissions, the Wikipedia entry on Spion Kop (stadia) makes for good reading.
I was pretty certain the Liverpool "Spion Kop" - as it was nearly always called once upon a time - dated from just a few years after the end of the Boer Wars. However the article claims the expression was first used at Woolwich Arsenal's Manor Ground as early as 1904.
I do like their Kop end though. Reminds me of the old Popside at Plainmoor before the latest glorified bus stop shelter. I wonder it's actually the largest terraced area left in British football or is Carlisle bigger?
"Largest terraced area" - that's a statement to make you stop and think. Carlisle or Chesterfield - you're probably right. Mind you, with so many all-seater grounds now, even Aldershot's covered end and - whisper it - the Big Bank at Exeter might even sneak on to the shortlist!
I was gonna mention the Big Bank in Exeter but I couldn't quite bring myself to say it. Apparently the Big Bank holds 4,000 fans. Quite impressive really as much as it pains me to say it. I think Wrexham's is quite big but it's either still closed off or demolished which leaves with the following...
Hailfax's Shay Ground has a North Stand which supposedly holds 4,000 fans but whether or not it safe is anyone's guess!
Carlisle's Brunton Park has the Warwick Road End with the three arched roofs and holds 3,500.
Northwich Victoria's Ground has the Dale Bank Stand which also holds 3,500.
Hereford's Meadow End holds 3,500. I would imagine that the main covered end at Bristol Rovers would hold something similar as well as the side stand at Bath City's Twerton Park.
Chesterfield's Karen Child Kop holds just over 2,000 supporters so I was way off the mark.
The biggest terraces in England now belong to Rugby League grounds such as Bradford's Odsal Stadium with its vast open terraces (it once held 102,569 fans for a Rugby League Game in 1954, St Helen's crumbling Knowsley Road (although St Helens are moving soon) , Warrington's newly built Halliwell Jones Stadium has a terraced side to it. Then you can chuck in Castleford's "the Jungle" and Belle Vue in Wakefield.
There are still some big stands left in Scotland. Queen of the South, Ayr United and Greenock Morton have large terraced areas. Although Ayr and Greenock are supposed to be moving soon.
But, unlike Germany we seem to be going down the road of eradicating all terracing from football, which is a shame. Sitting down at football matches is a nice choice for those wanting to sit down but there should also be a choice for people to stand especially as most do in seating areas whenever the ball goes into the final third!
Barton Downs Torquay United Historian member is offline
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Re: FL2: Chesterfield v Torquay United 16th Jan 20 « Reply #63 on Jan 17, 2010, 7:54pm »
Impressive stuff, Mr Hayes. I suppose it's the scale of the roof at Saltergate - rather than the terracing itself - which catches the eye.
Halifax: I was there for our 2008 game - when the whole place had a kiss of death - and, yes, it's a tidy expanse of terracing (I now believe I have watched as an "away fan" from all four sides of the Shay).
Northwich: oh gosh, yes. All the standing is down one side, isn't it? Surprised by the figure for Hereford and thought of the Clubhouse Terrace at The Mem when replying. Also a fair old shed at Twerton (Trumpton to Bristol City supporters) which - in places - is as undulating as the hills which surround the city of Bath.
As for Warrington, I know of one tick-box merchant who has seen a women's football international there and - in Scotland - I recall something cavernous when I once caught the last fifteen minutes (as you do) of a reserve game at Ayr. And how could I forget Cappielow and one of the most bonkers Saturday afternoons I've ever experienced?
« Last Edit: Jan 17, 2010, 7:54pm by Barton Downs »
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Re: FL2: Chesterfield v Torquay United 16th Jan 20 « Reply #64 on Jan 18, 2010, 4:15pm »
Having viewed the TV footage of "that" disallowed goal by Thomson, I must say there is no definitive evidence from that angle.
Given what can be seen Thomson could well have been offside from the original pass and therefore the deflection off the defender is irrelevent. Even if the Assistant flags late, it is better to flag late and be correct than to flag instantaneously and be wrong.
She could well have been flagging for offside from the original pass but after the deflection........................and one more thing (having seen Chris's pics and sat there myself last time at Saltergate) there is no way any travelling supporters sitting there at the game could have called it either way with any knowledge!
mariapetre Torquay Fans Forum Member member is offline
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Re: FL2: Chesterfield v Torquay United 16th Jan 20 « Reply #66 on Jul 1, 2010, 8:34pm »
Hi there, DG's girlfriend here...not famous Blue Peter presenter. It's lovely to here nice things said about David. It's his first night tonight playing football since he broke his leg, will show him your post
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Having viewed the TV footage of "that" disallowed goal by Thomson, I must say there is no definitive evidence from that angle.
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