The 1923–24 Torquay United F.C. season was Torquay United's third season in competitive football and their second season in the Southern League. The season runs from 1 July 1923 to 30 June 1924.
| 1923–24 season | ||
|---|---|---|
| Chairman |  George Perry | |
| Manager |  Crad Evans | |
| Southern League Western Section | 4th | |
| FA Cup | Fourth round qualifying | |
| Devon Professional Cup | Semi-final | |
| Top goalscorer | League: Billy Kellock (13) All: Billy Kellock (23) | |
|
| ||
Overview
editTorquay's second season in the Southern League saw them transferred to the newly created Western Section. Although consisting of the same mix of professional and reserve sides as the old English Section, the new league now entailed several trips into Wales. United improved upon a satisfying first season in the Southern League by ending the season in 4th place, with the most notable performance of the campaign being an 8–0 thrashing of the Swindon Town Reserves on Boxing Day. The Magpies also had a busy FA Cup schedule, playing eight fixtures in all before finally being knocked out in a fourth qualifying round replay with Third Division South side Aberdare Athletic.[1]
Much of United's success this season was due to some exciting new attacking players. Helping himself to 23 goals in all competitions was former Plymouth Argyle inside forward Billy Kellock, while Cornish centre forward Percy Varco scored six goals before being signed by First Division club Aston Villa for a £200 fee.[2]
Despite an impressive season, Torquay did not attempt to seek election to the Football League this year, deciding instead to focus their efforts on another successful season in the Southern League.[1]
Competitions
editSouthern League Western Section
editStandings
edit
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GR | Pts | Qualification[a] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Plymouth Argyle II | 34 | 21 | 5 | 8 | 74 | 37 | 2.000 | 47 | |
| 3 | Pontypridd | 34 | 19 | 8 | 7 | 81 | 44 | 1.841 | 46 | |
| 4 | Torquay United | 34 | 19 | 7 | 8 | 59 | 25 | 2.360 | 45 | |
| 5 | Bristol City II | 34 | 17 | 9 | 8 | 63 | 39 | 1.615 | 43 | |
| 6 | Swansea Town II | 34 | 19 | 5 | 10 | 62 | 38 | 1.632 | 43 |
Rules for classification: The system of using goal average to separate two teams tied on points was used up until the 1976–77 season. The points system: 2 points for a win, 1 point for a draw and 0 points for losing.
Notes:
- ^ Number of goals for and/or against is inaccurate.
Matches
edit| 25 Aug 1923 | Torquay United | 1–1 | Cardiff City Reserves | Plainmoor |
Rodgerson  |
|
| 1 Sep 1923 | Swansea Town Reserves | 1–0 | Torquay United | Vetch Field |
| |
| 15 Sep 1923 | Torquay United | 3–1 | Pontypridd | Plainmoor |
| Kellock Pearson Burton |
|
| 29 Sep 1923 | Weymouth | 1–0 | Torquay United | Recreation Ground |
| Bell |
Attendance: 1,852 |
| 13 Oct 1923 | Torquay United | 5–0 | Barry | Plainmoor |
| Jackson Kellock Rodgerson |
| 27 Oct 1923 | Barry | 0–1 | Torquay United | Jenner Park |
| Pearson |
| 10 Nov 1923 | Newport County Reserves | 3–3 | Torquay United | Somerton Park |
| |
Varco Burton |
| 24 Nov 1923 | Torquay United | 3–1 | Newport County Reserves | Plainmoor |
| Rodgerson Kellock |
|
| 1 Dec 1923 | Bridgend Town | 2–2 | Torquay United | Brewery Field |
| |
(o.g.) Varco |
| 8 Dec 1923 | Torquay United | 4–0 | Bridgend Town | Plainmoor |
| (o.g.) Pearson Kellock Burton |
| 15 Dec 1923 | Torquay United | 3–2 | Bristol Rovers Reserves | Plainmoor |
| Varco |
|
| 26 Dec 1923 | Torquay United | 8–0 | Swindon Town Reserves | Plainmoor |
| Miller Burton Babbage Kellock |
| 29 Dec 1923 | Torquay United | 3–0 | Plymouth Argyle Reserves | Plainmoor |
| Miller Burton Kellock |
| 5 Jan 1924 | Torquay United | 2–0 | Bath City | Plainmoor |
| Fretwell-Hall Kellock |
| 19 Jan 1924 | Cardiff City Reserves | 0–1 | Torquay United | Ninian Park |
| Pearson |
| 2 Feb 1924 | Llanelly | 2–0 | Torquay United | Stebonheath Park |
| |
| 4 Feb 1924 | Pontypridd | 2–0 | Torquay United | Pontypridd |
| |
| 9 Feb 1924 | Torquay United | 5–0 | Aberaman Athletic | Plainmoor |
| Kellock Rodgerson Scott |
| 16 Feb 1924 | Torquay United | 1–0 | Swansea Town Reserves | Plainmoor |
| Scott |
| 20 Feb 1924 | Torquay United | 1–0 | Llanelly | Plainmoor |
| Scott |
| 23 Feb 1924 | Yeovil & Petters United | 3–2 | Torquay United | Pen Mill Athletic Ground |
| |
Miller Scott |
| 1 Mar 1924 | Torquay United | 0–0 | Bristol City Reserves | Plainmoor |
| 15 Mar 1924 | Bristol City Reserves | 1–0 | Torquay United | Ashton Gate |
| |
| 22 Mar 1924 | Bristol Rovers Reserves | 2–0 | Torquay United | Eastville Stadium |
| |
| 28 Mar 1924 | Aberaman Athletic | 0–2 | Torquay United | Aberaman |
| Miller Rodgerson |
| 29 Mar 1924 | Ebbw Vale | 0–1 | Torquay United | Welfare Ground |
| Babbage |
| 5 Apr 1924 | Torquay United | 2–0 | Ebbw Vale | Plainmoor |
| Kellock Pearson |
| 12 Apr 1924 | Torquay United | 1–0 | Weymouth | Plainmoor |
| Kellock |
| 18 Apr 1924 | Swindon Town Reserves | 0–2 | Torquay United | County Ground |
| Burton Scott |
| 19 Apr 1924 | Exeter City Reserves | 1–2 | Torquay United | St James Park |
| |
Scott |
| 21 Apr 1924 | Torquay United | 1–1 | Exeter City Reserves | Plainmoor |
| Scott |
|
| 26 Apr 1924 | Plymouth Argyle Reserves | 1–0 | Torquay United | Home Park |
| |
| 29 Apr 1924 | Torquay United | 0–0 | Yeovil & Petters United | Plainmoor |
| 3 May 1924 | Bath City | 0–0 | Torquay United | Belvoir |
FA Cup
edit| 8 Sep 1923 Extra preliminary round | Newtons & Taunton | 0–3 | Torquay United | Taunton |
| Rodgerson Kellock Fretwell-Hall |
| 22 Sep 1923 Preliminary round | Green Waves | 0–3 | Torquay United | Plymouth |
| Miller Pearson Kellock |
| 6 Oct 1923 First round qualifying | Torquay United | 6–0 | Coleford Athletic | Plainmoor |
| Kellock Townsend |
| 20 Oct 1923 Second round qualifying | Torquay United | 3–0 | Trowbridge Town | Plainmoor |
| Kellock |
| 3 Nov 1923 Third round qualifying | Yeovil & Petters United | 1–1 | Torquay United | Pen Mill Athletic Ground |
| |
Pearson |
| 7 Nov 1923 Third round q. replay | Torquay United | 2–1 | Yeovil & Petters United | Plainmoor |
| Kellock Miller (pen.) |
|
| 17 Nov 1923 Fourth round qualifying | Torquay United | 0–0 | Aberdare Athletic | Plainmoor |
| 22 Nov 1923 Fourth round q. replay | Aberdare Athletic | 4–0 | Torquay United | Aberdare Athletic Ground |
| |
Devon Professional Cup
edit| 26 Sep 1923 Semi Final | Torquay United | 0–1 | Exeter City XI | Plainmoor |
| |
References
edit- ^ a b Edwards, Leigh; Gibbes, Jon; Lovis, John (1999). Torquay United, The Official Centenary History, 1899-1999. Yore Publications. ISBN 1-874427-38-0
- ^ Holgate, Mike (1999). Torquay United Football Club 1899-1999. Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-1814-9
External links
edit- "Torquayunited.com". Archived from the original on 27 December 2009. Retrieved 30 June 2011.
- "TFF History Room". Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
- "TUFC History". Archived from the original on 12 May 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
- "Historical Football Kits". Retrieved 30 June 2011.