As Torquay United manager Kevin Nicholson sets about building a competitive squad for the Gulls 2017-18 National League campaign, we will now look at five players who could potentially be of interest to the Gulls' boss.
Alex Lawless (central midfield):
Many of the Plainmoor faithful will remember Alex Lawless as a right-back/right midfielder who made 16 appearances for the Gulls during the 2005-06 season and received international recognition for Wales Under-21 level - becoming the first Torquay United contracted to represent one of the home nations at senior or Under-21 level.
Since then Lawless has re-invented himself as a holding midfielder, whilst he can also fill in as a right or left winger or at right-back, and has appeared for Forest Green Rovers, York City, Luton Town - who helped to win promotion back to the Football League in 2014 - and Yeovil Town, who he appeared for last season, since he was released by Ian Atkins in the summer of 2006.
With Aman Verma having departed and Courtney Richards still uncertain over his future, Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson, who was a teammate of Lawless during the 2005-06 season at Forest Green, arguably needs an experienced head in the centre of the play and there are surely worst options than enticing Lawless back to Plainmoor for a second spell.
Anthony Jeffery (winger):
Released by Forest Green Rovers at the end of last season, former Arsenal youngster Anthony Jeffery is a proven player at National League level having made 24 appearances for Boreham Wood last season and scored three goals. Jeffery can play on either wing as well as upfront and would provide a much needed injection of pace into Nicholson's side if he did end up at Plainmoor.
Louis Rooney (striker):
From John Uzzell and John Matthews in 1989 to Luke Young in 2014, many players in recent times have swapped the green of Plymouth Argyle for the yellow of Torquay United.
With Ruairi Keating the only striker currently under contract with the Gulls at the moment, the need to strengthen United's attacking options is a must and Northern Ireland Under-21 international Rooney, who has previously had loan spells with Truro City and Hartlepool United as well as his appearances for Argyle, is a player who, like Keating, is young, hungry and keen to prove himself.
Corey Jordan (central defender):
Over the last few years, Torquay United has provided a temporary home for young players on loan from Premier League side AFC Bournemouth such as Baily Cargill, Josh Wakefield, Josh Carmichael, Joe Quigley and Jordan Lee.
Towards the end of last season the aforementioned Lee grew in stature, following an indifferent debut, and scored his first senior goal and won the sponsor's man of the match award in United's final two home games against Braintree Town and North Ferriby United respectively, a fact that would have impressed Cherries manager Eddie Howe when giving the seal of approval to sending his young charges out on loan. Another such player he could have earmarked for such a move is Corey Jordan, a young central defender who made one appearance for Bournemouth in the EFL Cup and is a player who could benefit from a similar arrangement to the one that saw Lee flourish as a player in the 2016-17 campaign.
Jake Gosling (winger):
No stranger to the South West after coming through the youth ranks with Exeter City before joining Bristol Rovers, as well as spending time on loan with Dorchester Town, Gloucester City and Forest Green Rovers at different stages of his career, Jake Gosling is a player for whom geography probably wouldn't be an issue for if he wished to sign for Torquay United.
In addition to this, he is to undoubtedly familiar with the National League after helping Bristol Rovers win an immediate return to the Football League in the 2014-15 season and he appeared for Forest Green during their promotion winning campaign last season.
He is also a Gibraltar international, having won 11 caps for the island.
