The 1931–32 Torquay United F.C. season was Torquay United's fifth season in the Football League and their fifth consecutive season in Third Division South. The season runs from 1 July 1931 to 30 June 1932.
Overview Having just enjoyed their most successful season so far in the Football League, Torquay United were keen to build upon last season's achievements. Unfortunately, the season got off to a terrible start with an opening day 7–0 defeat at Crystal Palace. After conceding six goals to Watford in their second home game of the season, Torquay then had to endure a mortifying 10–2 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage. Results did slowly begin to improve after that humiliation but Torquay would never find themselves any higher than 15th in the League table all season. The team were also to make an early exit from the FA Cup, losing 3–1 at home to Southend United in the First Round.
Torquay also had to make do without last season's top goalscorer Jimmy Trotter for the second half of the season after he was sold to Watford in December.Edwards, Leigh; Gibbes, Jon; Lovis, John (1999). Torquay United, The Official Centenary History, 1899–1999. Yore Publications. Billy Clayson did his best to fill Trotter's boots, eventually becoming this season's top scorer. However, Cyril Hemingway, returning for his second spell at the club, could not recreate the form which saw him top Torquay's goalscoring charts for the 1928–29 season. Nevertheless, Paignton born striker George Stabb showed much potential after signing from Dartmouth United, while another local lad, Lew Tapp, was also a promising new addition to the defence.
Torquay did at least have one memorable victory with an 8–1 defeat of Bristol Rovers on Easter Monday, but it was ultimately a hugely disappointing season for Frank Womack and the team. Finishing in 19th place and narrowly avoiding the need for re-election, it was clear that Torquay United were in desperate need of improvement.
League statistics
Third Division South
Results summary
Results by round
Results
Third Division South
FA Cup
Club statistics
First team appearances NatPosPlayerTotalThird Division SouthFA CupAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsGKJoe Wright29028010 GKLaurie Millsom14014000DFJack Fowler43842810DFWally Webster24024000DFLew Tapp19018010DFJim Wright202000 MFDon Hewitt28027010MFBob Smith28027010MFTed Anderson19019000MFJack Butler18018000MFGeorge Parkin808000MFWilf Freer616100MFBob Meacock404000 FWAlbert Hutchinson4310421010FWBilly Clayson4114401410FWRalph Birkett37837800FWHarry Waller28428400FWCyril Hemingway24423410FWJimmy Trotter1911181011FWJack Cooper14714700FWGeorge Stabb12311310FWWillie Miller717100FWArthur Griffiths515100FW? Rodgers100010 Source:Edwards, Leigh (1997). The Definitive Torquay United F.C.. The Association of Football Statisticians. .
Top scorers PlacePositionNationNameThird Division SouthFA CupTotal1 FW Billy Clayson 14 0 142 FW Jimmy Trotter 10 1 113 FW Albert Hutchinson 10 0 104 FW Ralph Birkett 8 0 8= DF Jack Fowler 8 0 86 FW Jack Cooper 7 0 77 FW Cyril Hemingway 4 0 4= FW Harry Waller 4 0 49 FW George Stabb 3 0 310 MF Ted Anderson 1 0 1= MF Wilf Freer 1 0 1= FW Arthur Griffiths 1 0 1= FW Willie Miller 1 0 1 TOTAL 72 1 73 Source:
Transfers
In First appearanceNat.Pos.NameFrom29 August 1931MFGeorge ParkinWest Ham United2 September 1931MFBob MeacockBlackpool5 September 1931DFWally WebsterSheffield United7 September 1931FWJack CooperWalsall7 September 1931FWGeorge StabbDartmouth United12 September 1931DFLew TappNewton Abbot F.C.16 September 1931FWCyril HemingwayWolverhampton Wanderers26 December 1931MFTed AndersonWolverhampton Wanderers30 January 1932FWWillie MillerSt Johnstone28 March 1932FWArthur GriffithsUnattached
Out Last appearanceNat.Pos.NameTo2 September 1931DFJim WrightGrimsby Town26 September 1931MFBob MeacockTranmere Rovers12 December 1931MFGeorge ParkinHalifax Town12 December 1931FWJimmy TrotterWatford13 February 1932GKJoe WrightBrighton & Hove Albion20 February 1932FWCyril HemingwayDartmouth United19 March 1932FWWillie MillerReleased9 Apr 1932MFBob SmithReleased23 Apr 1932FWJack CooperReleased30 Apr 1932MFWilf FreerReleased7 May 1932MFJack ButlerDaring Club7 May 1932FWBilly ClaysonScarborough7 May 1932FWArthur GriffithsNewport County7 May 1932GKLaurie MillsomReleased7 May 1932FWHarry WallerWrexham
References
External links