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Squad Number: 1
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 32 Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 14st 2lbs
Born: Luton
Career (384 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Tottenham Hotspur (1/0), Cambridge United [loan] (15/0), Hartlepool United [loan] (10/0), Oxford United [loan] (0/0), Swindon Town [loan] (1/0), Peterborough United [loan] (7/0), Hull City [loan] (3/0), Rochdale [loan] (2/0), Birmingham City [loan] (12/0), Portsmouth [loan] (0/0), Brentford (205/0), Barnet [loan] (1/0), Huddersfield Town [loan] (0/0), Wrexham (81/0), Torquay United (46/0)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 14/0
Details: Much-travelled goalkeeper with fifteen League clubs to his name, although at three of those his loan periods did not actually include a League match. Dearden began his career at Spurs, where he signed on professional terms after impressing as a trainee. In his six seasons with the North London club he only managed one League appearance as a substitute and one League Cup tie. Having been farmed out on loan to nine clubs in that time he moved across the capital to Brentford, where he was the first-choice as they twice narrowly missed out on promotion to Division One via the Play-Offs. Short spells at Barnet and Huddersfield ensued as Ron Noades imposed his own style of management at Griffin Park, and he joined Wrexham in 1999. Two seasons there ended last season, when he was ever-present for Torquay. He was last years Supporters Club Player of the Year, but has been injured in recent weeks. May be fit enough to make a return on Saturday.
Rueben Hazell
Squad Number: 2
Position: Defender
Age: 23 Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 11st 11lbs
Born: Birmingham
Career (61 League Appearances/ 1 Goal): Aston Villa (0/0), Tranmere Rovers (42/1), Torquay United (19/0)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 23/1
Details: Young Brummie who scored his first League goal for Torquay to give them a last-minute draw at home to Rochdale last month. Began his career as a trainee at local club Aston Villa, but after three years without seeing first-team action he moved to Tranmere, where he never really established himself. Signed on a free transfer for the Gulls after a loan spell in February last year, and has enjoyed his time at Plainmoor, where he is highly regarded. Just under three years ago Hazell played at Wembley as Tranmere went down 2-1 to Leicester in the Worthington Cup.
David Woozley
Squad Number: 3
Position: Defender
Age: 23 Height: 6ft Weight: 12st 10lbs
Born: Berkshire
Career (52 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Crystal Palace (30/0), Bournemouth [loan] (6/0), Torquay United (16/0)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 23[1]/0
Details: Woozley began his career at Crystal Palace, where he made 30 League appearances. However, in his last two seasons at Selhurst Park the 23 year old had made no impression on the first-team, and he was shipped out on loan, first to Bournemouth and then to Torquay the next season. Both clubs were interested in his signature, but come deadline day 2002, it was the Devon side that secured it, and the centre-back settled in well. He was appointed captain by new boss Leroy Rosenoir at the start of this season, but lost his place in the side for the defeat against Orient to Steve Woods.
Sean Hankin
Squad Number: 4
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Age: 21 Height: 5ft 11ins Weight: 12st 4lbs
Born: Camberley
Career (28 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Crystal Palace (1/0), Torquay United (27/0)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 14/1
Details: Defender who joined the Gulls as a midfielder in December 2001 after a two-moth loan spell had proved successful. Hankin, like David Woozley started out at Crystal Palace, but unlike his team-mate, he had precious little opportunity to shine at all. Previous Plainoor manager Roy McFarland spotted his talent, and offered him the chance to impress at Division Three level. Employed by Rosenoir as a left-back, Hankin has become Torquay's free-kick and corner specialist, opening his Football League account with a strike in the 4-3 defeat to York earlier this season. Last seasons Young Player of the Year.
Steve Woods
Squad Number: 7
Position: Defender
Age: 26 Height: 6ft Weight: 13st
Born: Northwich
Career (102 League Appearances/ 2 Goals): Stoke City (34/0), Plymouth Argyle [loan] (5/0), Chesterfield (25/0), Torquay United (38/2)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 2/0
Details: Club captain, who regained his starting position in the team after keyhole surgery for the League clash with Orient a week ago. Woods became a vital member of the side last year after signing from Chesterfield, and has been both strong and impressive since his move to Plainmoor. Began his career as a trainee in the Potteries, but after four seasons with Stoke, he moved to Chesterfield. Had a loan spell at Torquay's local rivals Plymouth during the 1997/8 season.
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Jason Fowler
Squad Number: 8
Position: Midfielder
Age: 28 Height: 6ft 3ins Weight: 12st 7lbs
Born: Bristol
Career (184 League Appearances/ 15 Goals): Bristol City (25/0), Cardiff City (145/14), Torquay United (14/1)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 21[1]/3
Details: Lanky midfielder who began his career with local side Bristol City, but only played 25 games with the Robins in four years having signed as a trainee. Crossed the border into Wales to join Cardiff, and quickly established himself in the Bluebirds team. However, he fell foul of an illness that cut twelve months out of his career, and by the time he returned last season, his team-mates had moved up the League to Division Two. His days at Ninian Park were numbered, and McFarland seized the chance to sign him for the Gulls. Has already become just as much a crowd favourite at Plainmoor as he was with the Welsh, and has become a huge physical presence in the centre of the park.
Tony Bedeau
Squad Number: 9
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Age: 23 Height: 5ft 10ins Weight: 12st 3lbs
Born: Hammersmith
Career (178 League Appearances/ 40 Goals): Torquay United (175/40), Barnsley [loan] (3/0)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 20/2
Details: Fast and furious striker who has been transformed into a right winger by Leroy Rosenoir this season. Has scored all 42 of his League goals for Torquay, although he did have a three game loan spell at First Division Barnsley in February this year, coming on as a substitute on all three occasions. Scored 16 League goals as the Gulls nearly got promoted in 1999/2000, but has not been in such sharp-shooting form since. Rosenoir, and Torquay's fans, hope that his new role will revitalise him.
Kevin Hill
Squad Number: 11
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Age: 26 Height: 5ft 8ins Weight: 10st 6lbs
Born: Exeter
Career (203 League Appearances/ 25 Goals): Torquay United (203/25)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 18/3
Details: Short and tenacious left-sided player who has been employed as a midfielder and as a wing-back. Was signed as a 21 year old from non-League Torrington, where his hard background stood him in good stead. Quickly slotted into the side, and has played in nearly every Gulls game since, scoring a number of vital goals, including the one that left Barnet without Football League status at the expense of Torquay in 2000/1. Has a reputation, despite his obvious lack of height, to outjump any defender. Leon Cort had better be on his best behaviour. Injuries have been evident this time around, but he is expected to return to action having come through a Reserve outing at Ilfracombe on Wednesday.
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Squad Number: 12
Position: Defender/Forward
Age: 21 Height: 6ft Weight: 11st 4lbs
Born: Ealing
Career (14 League Appearances/ 1 Goal): Arsenal (0/0), Northampton Town [loan] (2/0), Torquay United (12/1)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 15/0
Details: Tall forward who has yet to score this season in fifteen matches, although he did open his League account with the second in Torquay's 3-0 defeat of Rochdale in April. Began his career at Highbury after coming through the F.A. Schools project, but obviously with the depth of talent at Arsenal, he had little chance of succeeding. Northampton gave him a loan spell two years ago, but Canoville chose Torquay in September last year. Is versatile enough to be considered as a first choice right-back in Rosenoir's plans for this season.
Matt Hockley
Squad Number: 14
Position: Defender/Midfielder
Age: 20 Height: 5ft 10ins Weight: 11st 11lbs
Born: Paignton
Career (18 League Appearances/ 1 Goal): Torquay United (18/1)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 16[6]/2
Details: Hockley has progressed through the youth set-up at Plainmoor having joined his local side as a youngster along with his brother. Started out as a right-back, but under Leroy Rosenoir he has been converted into a sweeper. Was earmarked for the chop at the end of last season, but Roy McFarland's departure saved him, and he has enjoyed the current campaign, performing as a midfielder on a number of occasions and contributing two goals already.
Kevin Wills (on loan from Plymouth Argyle)
Squad Number: 15
Position: Midfielder
Age: 22 Height: 5ft 9ins Weight: 10st 4lbs
Born: Torbay
Career (32 League Appearances/ 1 Goal): Plymouth Argyle (32/1)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 0[2]/0
Details: Young midfielder who was signed on loan by Rosenoir to bolster his team at the end of November. Born down the road in Torbay, it was Plymouth who snapped him up as a youth, and he has played on and off in their side over the past four seasons. He appeared eighteen times in Paul Sturrock's sides promotion-winning campaign last time around, although five of those were as substitute. Had not participated in a Second Division fixture this year, so Torquay allowed him the opportunity to play in the Third again.
Jimmy Benefield
Squad Number: 16
Position: Midfielder/Forward
Age: 19 Height: 5ft 10ins Weight: 12st 3lbs
Born: Bristol
Career (9 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Torquay United (9/0)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 0[4]/0
Details: Youngster who can be used as an attacking midfielder or as an out-and-out striker. Is coming through the YTS ranks, in the second year of his scholarship this season. Rosenoir is employing him as a forward in the club's Reserve outings, but he is making do with what he can get at first-team level, where he has made four substitute appearances so far this term.
Troy Douglin
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Squad Number: 17
Position: Defender
Age: 20 Height: 6ft Weight: 12st 3lbs
Born: Coventry
Career (9 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Torquay United (9/0)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 1[5]/0
Details: Extremely promising young defender given the opportunity to show Martin O'Neill and Celtic what he could do at the start of 2001. Very strong and agile, Douglin was used sparingly last season in the first year of his scholarship, and that has been the case once again, playing amongst others at Ilfracombe on Wednesday.
Jo Kuffour
Squad Number: 19
Position: Forward
Age: 21 Height: 5ft 6ins Weight: 10st 3lbs
Born: Edmonton
Career (11 League Appearances/ 2 Goals): Arsenal (0/0), Swindon Town (11/2)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 4[4]/1
Details: Young forward who was unable to break through the ranks at Arsenal. Joined Swindon on loan during last season, but despite hitting the net twice, could not obtain a full-time contract. Offered to sign on non-contract terms by Rosenoir for Torquay, he snapped up the chance, and has made a few appearances for the Gulls, often as a substitute. Has tricky legs and bags of pace, and can be used as a late substitute. Scored his first Torquay goal in the F.A. Cup First Round against Boreham Wood.
Martin Gritton
Squad Number: 20
Position: Forward
Age: 24 Height: 6ft 1in Weight: 11st 7lbs
Born: Glasgow
Career (44 League Appearances/ 7 Goals): Plymouth Argyle (44/7)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 20[3]/8
Details: Scottish striker who will lead the line with top-scorer David Graham missing out through suspension, which he talked himself into after Alex Russell's sending off in the F.A. Cup Second Round. Gritton joined from near-neighbours Plymouth, where he fell out of favour last season after hitting the back of the net just once the season before. Had been playing non-League football with Porthleven before moving to Home Park. Impressed Rosenoir in a pre-season 6-1 demolition of Dorchester.
Keith Welch
Squad Number: 21
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 34 Height: 6ft 2ins Weight: 13st 7lbs
Born: Bolton
Career (593 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Bolton Wanderers (0/0), Rochdale (205/0), Bristol City (271/0), Northampton Town (117/0)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 4/0
Details: Signed by Rosenior, who he played with at Bristol City, when Arjun van Heusden was injured during this season, with the youth team custodian having just been released. Welch has made 693 League and Cup appearances in a eighteen year professional career. Starting out at local club Bolton, he moved to Rochdale, where he racked up 205 League games before joining the Robins in 1991. Eight years there ended in 1999 with 271 League games under his belt, and he was a regular between the posts at Northampton last season.
Darren Dunning (on loan from Blackburn Rovers)
Squad Number: 22
Position: Midfielder
Age: 21 Height: 5ft 7ins Weight: 11st 8lbs
Born: Scarborough
Career (20 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Blackburn Rovers (1/0), Bristol City [loan] (9/0), Rochdale [loan] (5/0), Blackpool [loan] (5/0)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 4[2]/0
Details: Young midfielder for whom Torquay are his fourth loan side. Dunning has made just one League appearance for Blackburn in their promotion-winning season of 2000/1. Loan spells at Bristol City, Rochdale and Blackpool have not witnessed permanent deals, and the youngster joins the Gulls until the last day of the year. Although he has got talent, he is said to have a fiery temper, but still manages to captain the Rovers Reserve side.
Arjun van Heusden
Squad Number: 29
Position: Goalkeeper
Age: 30 Height: 6ft 4ins Weight: 14st 5lbs
Born: Alphen
Career (154 League Appearances/ 0 Goals): Port Vale (27/0), Oxford United [loan] (11/0), Cambridge United (42/0), Exeter City (74/0)
This Season (Total Appearances [as substitute]/Goals): 2[1]/0
Details: Signed as cover for Kevin Dearden when his contract ran out at Devon neighbours Exeter, van Heusden proceeded to promptly get injured himself. Brought to England by Port Vale boss John Rudge in 1994, van Heusden never really settled there and after a loan spell at Oxford joined Cambridge. Things didn't really work out at the Abbey Stadium either, so he went south-west, and the tall shot-stopper was well-received by the Grecians. Now on non-contract terms with Torquay.
Robert Craven
www.thelittlegazette.com