Former Man Utd and Leeds United star sad to see Gulls in decline

By Jon Couch

SADDENED: Lee Sharpe

FORMER Torquay United winger Lee Sharpe says it is a shame to see the Gulls languishing in National League South – but hopes the club can make it back to where he believes they “should be”.

Sharpe, 52, started his professional career as a fresh-faced 17-year-old at Plainmoor before signing for Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United in a record £200,000 deal in June 1988.

But while he went on to win three Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a League Cup with the Red Devils, Torquay slipped down the Pyramid and last season were relegated in to the sixth tier of English football for the first time.

Tuesday 3-2 defeat at Maidstone United was a third straight loss for Gary Johnson’s men who are in danger of missing out on a play-off place.

Sharpe says he is saddened to see the Gulls in the position they’re in, but is still backing them to return to their former glories.

“Torquay was an amazing place to be for my first club,” Sharpe told luckyblock.com. “It was a great town and I was surrounded by lovely people. When we got into the play-offs, we had such a strong bond in the dressing room so I have such fond memories of the place and the club, it was such an amazing time to play there.

“It’s a shame to see them where they are now, but you can’t single Torquay out. There are a few clubs that have let themselves slip way too far down below where they should be and it’d be great for the town of Torquay to get back up – granted, that’s a big ask.

“It’s tough for them to get players down there, it’s far away and it’s an expensive place to live. I can only wish them the best of luck in their pursuit of getting players to move down there. Hopefully, they can get back into the Football League as soon as possible.”