Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police F.C.

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Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police
Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police FC.png
Full nameStoke Gabriel & Torbay Police Football Club
Nickname(s)The Bees
Founded1905 (Stoke Gabriel)
2010 (Torbay Police)
2021 (Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police)
GroundKia Speedwell Stadium, Stoke Gabriel
ChairmanAndy Perrin
ManagerDennis Perry
LeagueSouth West Peninsula League Premier Division East
2020–21South West Peninsula League Premier Division East (season curtailed)
WebsiteClub website

Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police Football Club is a football club based in Stoke Gabriel, Devon, established in the early 1900s as Stoke Gabriel AFC.[1] In June 2021, the club merged with Torbay Police FC. It competes in the South West Peninsula League Premier Division East and currently plays at the G.J. Churchward Memorial Ground.

History[]

Stoke Gabriel[]

Formed in the early 1900s, Stoke Gabriel Football Club had relied on the generosity of local farmers to provide a ground during which the changing rooms remained in the village where both the school room and an old army hut were utilised. In 1981 the club purchased land in Broadley Lane and developed a sloping field into their current home, the G.J. Churchward Memorial Ground, named in honour of the Great Western Railway Chief Engineer who was born in Stoke Gabriel. The ground was officially opened in 1984 with a visit from Torquay United. The opening of the new ground coincided with the most successful era of the club during which the South Devon League Premier Division, The Herald Cup and the George Belli Cup were won.[citation needed]

Stoke Gabriel were founder members of the Devon County League in 1992, and were champions in 1994–95 and 1996–97. After struggling in the league during the early 2000s, they were founder members of the South West Peninsula League in 2007, playing in Division One East. Runners-up three times in four years, they won the championship in 2013–14.[2] They were demoted to Division One East at the end of the 2017–18 season after failing to install floodlights by the required deadline.

The club installed floodlights prior to the 2019–20 season, in order to comply with the conditions imposed upon them to enable their promotion back to Step 6.[3]

During the 2020–21 season, Stoke Gabriel received national media attention after losing their opening ten games of the season, scoring twice and conceding 122 goals.[4] The season was eventually curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Stoke Gabriel having conceded 207 goals, scoring seven times, in 18 matches.[5]

Torbay Police[]

Torbay Police Football Club were originally founded in 1969 before eventually folding in 1989. During this period the original club competed in the Police Divisional Cup, Wednesday League, East Devon League & South Devon Football League. The club successfully won many local honours and titles.[citation needed]

The club, in its new guise, was formed on 15 October 2010 by two local police officers; Dave Thomas and Lee Langley. It was set up at this time to play in exhibition matches in aid of local charities and children with life limiting or changing conditions. The club hosted and played in a number of high profile events, taking on the likes of Tottenham Hotspurs Legends, Arsenal FC XI, Aston Villa XI, Torquay United XI, Plymouth Argyle XI and Exeter City XI to name a few. The Torbay Police sides were never too far away from the mark in these matches and often impressed in front of crowds exceeding 2,000, on top of this the events raised thousands for charities.[citation needed]

The club evolved and affiliated teams in the South Devon Football League and rose to the Premier Division. The club were nicknamed 'The Bees' mainly due to the club home colours and the club also established a thriving youth set-up.

On 2 June 2021, Stoke Gabriel had announced they had merged with Torbay Police to create Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police. The first team continue at step 6 in the South West Peninsula League, alongside a development team and a range of youth sides.[6]

Current squad[]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player

Former players[]

1. Players that have played/managed in the Football League or any foreign equivalent to this level (i.e. fully professional league).
2. Players with full international caps.
3. Players that hold a club record or have captained the club.

Honours[]

League honours[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Stoke Gabriel AFC history". Stoke Gabriel AFC. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c "Stoke Gabriel at the Football Club History Database". FCHD. Retrieved 22 August 2014.
  3. ^ "New Floodlights Ready for Action". Stoke Gabriel F.C. 17 July 2019. Retrieved 18 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Stoke Gabriel FC: Non-league side concede 122 goals in 10 games". BBC Sport. 12 October 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  5. ^ "South West Peninsula League". The Football Association. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  6. ^ "Stoke Gabriel woes arrested with Police merger". Non League Paper. 13 June 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.

External links[]

Coordinates: 50°24′50.9″N 3°37′02.8″W / 50.414139°N 3.617444°W / 50.414139; -3.617444

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