1923–24 Torquay United F.C. season

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.

Torquay United
1923–24 season
ChairmanEngland George Perry
ManagerWales Crad Evans
Southern League
Western Section
4th
FA CupFourth round qualifying
Devon Professional CupSemi-final
Top goalscorerLeague:
Billy Kellock (13)

All:
Billy Kellock (23)

Overview

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Torquay'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

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Southern League Western Section

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Standings

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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
Source: [citation needed]
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:
  1. ^ Number of goals for and/or against is inaccurate.

Matches

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25 Aug 1923 Torquay United 1–1 Cardiff City Reserves Plainmoor
Rodgerson    
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  
8 Dec 1923 Torquay United 4–0 Bridgend Town Plainmoor
(o.g.)  
Pearson  
Kellock  
Burton  
26 Dec 1923 Torquay United 8–0 Swindon Town Reserves Plainmoor
Miller    
Burton  
Babbage      
Kellock    
5 Jan 1924 Torquay United 2–0 Bath City Plainmoor
Fretwell-Hall  
Kellock  
9 Feb 1924 Torquay United 5–0 Aberaman Athletic Plainmoor
Kellock    
Rodgerson  
Scott    
23 Feb 1924 Yeovil & Petters United 3–2 Torquay United Pen Mill Athletic Ground
      Miller  
Scott  

FA Cup

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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  
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

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References

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  1. ^ a b Edwards, Leigh; Gibbes, Jon; Lovis, John (1999). Torquay United, The Official Centenary History, 1899-1999. Yore Publications. ISBN 1-874427-38-0
  2. ^ Holgate, Mike (1999). Torquay United Football Club 1899-1999. Tempus Publishing. ISBN 0-7524-1814-9
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