Torquay United manager Martin Ling has made the first flurry of signings since he was appointed as successor to Paul Buckle.
Joe Oastler, who was with the Gulls last season on loan from Queens Park Rangers, has joined Torquay on a permanent basis. He was soon followed by the returning Chris McPhee who previously played for the Gulls during the 2006-07 season, the campaign that saw Torquay lose their league status.
The trio is completed by Daniel Leadbitter, a young right back who has recently been released from Newcastle United., whom Ling had been monitoring during scouting missions for Hibernian and Walsall
Out of the three signings the one that will probably raise the most eyebrows amongst the Gulls' faithful is the acquisition of McPhee who, of course, made 43 appearances in all competitions (26 as a sub) and scored one goal as the Gulls plummetted out of the Football League.
It was a campaign which both player and supporters alike would prefer to forget and McPhee has already stated his desire to right what he considers to be a wrong in his career. It is probably fair to say that few were able to thrive professionally in the environment at Plainmoor at that time as the club had three managers and three chairmen in the space of a season.
Since leaving Plainmoor in 2007, McPhee has enjoyed successful spells with Ebbsfleet United and Kidderminster Harriers in the Blue Square Premier and he was on the score sheet for Ebbsfleet when they beat the Gulls 1-0 in the FA Trophy final in 2008.
The trio could be joined very soon by former Leyton Orient central defender Brian Saah and former midfield favourite Alex Russell looks set to return to the Gulls in a player-coach after announcing he will be leaving Yeovil Town.
Both players are known to have been in talks with Martin Ling.
