Torquay United currently have a squad of 16 players signed up for their bid to win promotion from National League South at the first attempt in the 2023-24 campaign.
United previously won the league in the 2018-19 season under Gary Johnson, after he replaced Gary Owers in September 2018, and will be looking to repeat the feat this time round.
The Gulls will be competing against fellow relegated sides Yeovil Town and Maidstone United - in addition to the likes of Dartford, Braintree and Chelmsford United - meaning the forthcoming campaign is shaping up to be one of the most competitive National League South seasons in many years.
GOALKEEPER
Mark Halstead, Rhys Lovett
Once again Mark Halstead and Rhys Lovett will be sharing goalkeeping duties again, with Halstead acting as first choice and Lovett as his understudy. Halstead established himself one of the leading goalkeepers in the National League in the 2022-23 season, with performances against Scunthorpe United, York City and Wrexham being amongst his stand-out displays, and he is surely likely to emerge as a leading keeper in the National League South.
In Lovett, the Gulls have a keeper who could possibly feature regularly for the majority of clubs in the division - so he's a more than capable deputy when, or if, required to step in.
DEFENDER
Shaun Donnellan, Ross Marshall, Dean Moxey, Ollie Tomlinson
Towards the end of last season United manager Gary Johnson played a back three with Shaun Donnellan and Dean Moxey either side of Southampton loanee Nico Lawrence, who has since returned to the St Mary's Stadium. During his reign as United boss, Johnson has used the loan market to bring a number of young centre backs - including Robbie Cundy, Sam Sherring, Lucas Ness and Lawrence - and it wouldn't be a huge shock if he brings in another young loanee - possibly in the mould of Lawrence - to play in the centre of defence.
Ollie Tomlinson, who gained experience of National League South during loan spells with Taunton Town and Chippenham Town, is also another option and Ross Marshall also remains under contract.
RIGHT WING-BACK
Jack Stobbs, Dylan Crowe
After spending the final weeks of the season on loan from Oldham Athletic, Jack Stobbs made the right wing-back spot his own and is set to continue in that role in the 2023-24 campaign. He will be contesting the position with Dylan Crowe, who showed glimpses of promise following his summer move from Ipswich Town.
MIDFIELD
Kevin Dawson, Asa Hall, Tom Lapslie, Brett McGavin, Ryan Hanson
In midfield, Johnson has plenty of options available to him after securing the signature of Irish midfielder Kevin Dawson for a third time - after previously snapping him up for Yeovil Town and Cheltenham Town - following his successful loan spell from Gloucester City. Dawson formed a dynamic midfield 'holy trinity' with skipper Asa Hall and Tom Lapslie and they look set to continue in United's engine room for the 2023-24 campaign, with back up provided by Brett McGavin and Ryan Hanson. McGavin was mainly used as an impact sub in the end of season run-in, which saw him come off the bench to score in the Gulls' 5-1 defeat to Chesterfield in their penultimate away game of the campaign. The former Ipswich Town prospect will be looking to influence games more from the start, and Hanson will be hoping to make the most of any opportunities that come his way.
STRIKER
Aaron Jarvis, Bradley Ash, Lewis Collins
The news that the Gulls have so far been able to retain the services of last season's leading scorer Aaron Jarvis has arguably been a bigger boost as any new signings that United have made so far. Jarvis netted 18 times in the 2023-24 campaign - which included two hat-tricks, becoming the first Gulls' player to complete that feat since Robin Stubbs in 1965-66 - and he will be aiming to better that tally in 2023-24.
Jarvis looks set to partner new signing Bradley Ash, who scored 18 goals for Weymouth in National League South in 2022-23. Ash, 27, who lists Weston Super Mare, Barnsley, Boreham Wood and Chippenham Town amongst his former clubs, will undoubtably be heading into next season looking to replicate that haul.
In addition to this, Lewis Collins has made his loan stint from Newport County into a permanent move, following a spell that saw him score three times in 15 appearances - which included several games as a left wing-back. Whether he will be deployed further forward by Johnson or in the same role remains to be seen.
IN SUMMARY
All in all Johnson's squad is shaping up quite nicely, although there are a few vacant spots to be filled. Talks remain ongoing with left-back Dan Martin, a player with previous experience of National League South from a loan spell with Weston Super Mare. Other left-backs who have worked with Johnson at his previous clubs are currently available such as Ryan Law (loan spell with the Gulls in 2020-21) and Jordan Cranston (Cheltenham Town 2016-2018), so one of those two could yet end up at Plainmoor.
Johnson could also bring in another striker if he decides to continue to use Lewis Collins at left wing-back. A pacey left winger who could be used as an impact sub might also be on his radar.
Also, don't be surprised if Johnson's final few signings turn out to be loanees. The likes of Adam Randell (Plymouth Argyle), Sam Sherring (AFC Bournemouth), Sinclair Armstrong and Stephen Duke-McKenna (Queens Park Rangers), Lucas Ness (Charlton Athletic), Joe Lewis (Swansea City), Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Saikou Janneh and Robbie Cundy (Bristol City) and Nico Lawrence (Southampton) all excelled for United after joining on loan, which reflects Johnson's record of developing young players from higher division clubs. And there could yet be a number of new faces who might join the aforementioned list.
IN: Kevin Dawson (Gloucester City), Jack Stobbs (Oldham Athletic), Bradley Ash (Weymouth), Lewis Collins (Newport County)
OUT: Olaf Koszela and Alex Moyse (Dorchester Town), Jack Winsor (Bideford), Lewis Brooks, Ali Omar, Ben Wyatt, Jacob Mensah
