Graham Bond

Background

Bond was born in Torquay and was playing amateur football for local side Hele Spurs when he signed for Torquay United in September 1951.

Career

He played as an inside-forward, most notable for Torquay United in the 1950s. In October 1960, after scoring 46 goals in 128 league games for the Gulls, he moved to local rivals Exeter City, but was to only play 10 league games for the Grecians (scoring 4 goals). He moved to non-league Weymouth, before returning to Torquay United in October 1961.

He played only a further 5 league games for the Gulls, scoring once, before rejoining Weymouth.

He later joined Bideford, playing in their 1963-1964 Western League Championship side and going on to score 82 goals in 181 appearances for the North Devon side. He was appointed manager of Bideford during the 1969-1970 season, guiding them to the Western League title in the 1970-1971 and 1971-1972 seasons and through their subsequent promotion to the Southern League.

Bond died in June 1998.

Achievements

• lieutenant took him a few years to win a first team place, but once he did he proved himself to be a regular goalscorer as Torquay battled away at the top of Division Three (South).