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January 1977 Pat Kruse, centre-half for Torquay, creates a world record by scoring an own goal after just six seconds in the league match against Cambridge United at Plainmoor. 1982/83 Torquay United beat Hartlepool United 3-2 in Plainmoor in a match which will be remembered because Hartlepool finished the match with just 8 players. Two Hartlepool players were sent-off for throwing lumps of mud at each other !
1983/84 The Dark Years begin. Dave Webb (the former Chelsea player) becomes Managing Director. 2 May 1984 Only 967 spectators watch the 1-0 victory over Chester at Plainmoor.
1984/85 Torquay United finish bottom of Division Four and have to apply for re-election. 17 May 1985 A "suspicious" fire destroys half of the grandstand. This together with the away end being turned into a used car lot slashes the capacity of Plainmoor to just 4,999.
1985/86 For the second successive year Torquay United apply for re-election. At least Stuart Morgan had now been appointed manager.
November 1986 Riot police assigned for the first time in Torquay following the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers.
9 May 1987 The Great Escape. This season introduced automatic relegation into the Conference League. With the final game of the season to go, Torquay were second from bottom on 47 points, below them was Burnley on 46 points. Lincoln City had 48 points and seemed in least danger.
The final game was against Crewe Alexandra (featuring David Platt) at Plainmoor. At half-time Crewe were leading 2-0 ! Two minutes into the second-half Torquay's centre-half, Jim McNichol, scores from a free kick. Despite an all-out attack, Torquay seem unable to get the equaliser - even hitting the crossbar.
Seven minutes from time a piece of football folklore is created. A Police dog by the name of Bryn believes that Jim McNichol is running to attack his handler, and sinks his teeth into the centre-half's thigh. It was from the resultant four minutes of injury time that Paul Dobson scored possibly the most important goal in the clubs history, and kept them in the Football League. As history shows it was unfortunate Lincoln City that was sent into the Conference League.
1987/88 The dawn of a new era. Cyril Knowles (of 'Nice One Cyril' fame) becomes manager, and so begins one of the most successful periods in the Club's history. The season started with a 6-1 victory over Wrexham at Plainmoor, and ended with Torquay just missing out on automatic promotion but earning a Play-Off place - losing in the Play-Off Final to Swansea (over two legs). In between, Torquay United beat Tottenham Hotspur 1-0 at Plainmoor - Derek 'The Dude' Dawkins scoring the important goal - in the first leg of a League Cup game.; and reached the southern semi-final of the Freight Rover Trophy.
May 1988 Lee Sharpe (a former YTS apprentice) transferred to Manchester United for £180,000. 28 May 1989 Torquay United make their first appearance at Wembley in the Final of the Sherpa Van Trophy. A crowd of 46,513 sees Dean Edwards put Torquay 1-0 against Bolton Wanderers - unfortunately Bolton won 4-1.
30 December 1989 John Barlett, a former Town Crier, is banned from the ground - and almost incites a riot - for ringing his bell.
May 1990 Mike Bateson becomes the owner, and Chairman, of United. He has been responsible for much needed ground improvements and putting Torquay United on a very sound financial footing.
31 May 1991 Torquay United make their second appearance at Wembley. After finishing seventh in Division Three the Gulls win through to the promotion Play-Off Final against Blackpool. Goals from Wes Saunders and Dean Edwards earns Torquay a 2-2 draw after 90 minutes. No further goals in extra time results in a penalty shoot-out. Successful penalties by Mick Holmes, Wes Saunders, Paul Holmes, Chris Myers and Gareth Howells (the goalkeeper) make Torquay winners 5-4 on penalties. The Gulls are promoted to Division 3.