THE END OF A ROLLERCOASTER YEAR FOR TORQUAY UNITED

 When Torquay United faced Eastbourne Borough in their first competitive fixture of 2024, few could have imagined what would have followed for United in the next 12 months. 

If anyone did predict the eventual outcome for the Gulls, then Nostradamus wants his glasses back!

In the following February came the bombshell that former chairman/owner Clarke Osborne's announcement that he was intending to place the club in Administration, which resulted in United being docked ten points. Another consequence of this move was the departure of manager Gary Johnson and his assistant Aaron Downes took charge of an interim basis. 

Prior to that there had been talk of Osborne moving the club away from Plainmoor to a new ground, but that speculation ended following his announcement. The fans had also protested against Johnson in their 4-0 defeat at home to St Albans City.

On the field, the Gulls went from harbouring hopes of an outside chance of getting into the play-offs to a possible fight against relegation. Fears over a further demotion to the Southern League was eventually avoided with a 2-1 win over Taunton Town in their penultimate game of the season. 

The summer then saw the club rescued from Administration by the Bryn Consortium, who were headed by Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh. The Bryn Consortium then moved to install former Gulls caretaker manager Neil Warnock as football advisor and former Plymouth Argyle captain Paul Wotton was brought in from Truro City as the club's new manager. 

In addition, the Torquay United Supporter's Trust also launched a Community Share Issue, which raised over £250,000, which allowed the Trust to purchase a 28% stake in the club. 

Wotton then set about assembling a brand new squad with only Dean Moxey, Finley Craske, Brad Ash,  Austen Booth (prior to a ban for betting on matches) and Ollie Tomlinson retained from the previous campaign. 

A win on the opening day of the new 2024-25 season over Enfield Town was followed by three more wins in their next four league fixtures. 

Despite a disappointing exit to Bishop Cleeve in the FA Cup, United are still going strong in the FA Trophy. 

At the turn of the year, they also sit on top of the National League South, a feat that seemed a long way off last February.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VS HEMEL HEMPSTEAD TOWN

1. James Hamon's heroics. 

Goalkeeper James Hamon was twice called upon to make two important saves to keep Hemel Hempstead at bay. A minute before half time, he denied Tudors' leading scorer Ricky German who attempted a shot on the turn and then in the second half he turned a header from Hemel centre back Kyle Ajayi from a Brandon Barzey onto the bar and over. 

Hamon came away with the sponsor's man of the match prize in recognition of his efforts, which proved to be important in helping United secure the three points. 

2. Cody Cooke's ninth of the campaign. 

After missing from the spot against Weston Super Mare, Gulls' leading scorer Cody Cooke exorcised any negative he may have had about that miss as he duly converted from 12 yards after sub Matt Carson had been felled by the Tudors Brandon Barzey in the 74th minute.

It took Cooke's tally for the season to nine, which means he is almost halfway to emulating his 20-goal haul from the 2023-24 season with Bath City.

3. Matt Carson's impact off the bench. 

Northern Ireland youth international Matt Carson emerged as one of United's key performers of the early part of the season after being taken out of the firing line by manager Paul Wotton. 

However, Carson's display from the bench was remincient of his performances earlier in the campaign as he entered the fray in the 68th minute, and within 60 seconds of coming on his cross found Jordan Dyer who missed the target. Then on 73 minutes, he won the penalty which Cody Cooke converted as he drew a foul from Hemel's Brandon Barzey. 

Wotton is often keen to remind the Plainmoor faithful that it's a squad game in the modern era, so don't be surprised to see Carson continue to make an impact as the season progresses.

4. Five straight wins and ten unbeaten.

United's result against Hemel Hempstead Town extends their winning run in all competitions to five and their unbeaten sequence in all competitions to ten, which includes two FA Ttophy wins over Truro City and Horsham in addition to eight league games. 

The Gulls haven't tasted defeat since losing to Hornchurch on October 26, and their current run of eight league games without loss means they are now halfway to equalling their club record 16-match unbeaten league run, which they set during the 2018-19 season between September 2018 and January 2019.

5. Top of the table at Christmas. 

By winning against the Tudors in the final home game of 2024, Torquay United ensured that they head into the festive period as the leaders of National League South. The Gulls are currently on 43 points, two points ahead of second placed Truro City on 41 while Boreham Wood and Dorking Wanderers are a further point behind on 40 and the teams in fifth to eighth (Maidstone United, Weston Super Mare, Worthing and Eastbourne Borough) are only separated by goal difference on 39.

A TRIBUTE TO DAVE THOMAS

 When studying for my AS Level English Language coursework, one of the modules allowed a piece of original writing of my own choice. 

After having witnessed a highly dramatic Devon Derby between Torquay United and Exeter City on January 20, 2001, which was billed at the time as the 'most crucial Devon Derby' of all time - as both the Gulls and the Grecians were battling against relegation from the Football League. 

As taken as I was by the event,which saw Mark Ford spark a near-riot after scoring a penalty and Kevin Parker score a last gasp winner, I decided to write my own match report of the game and submit it as part of my coursework. 

Whether you might think that that was a good idea or not, I'll let you decide. However, when it came writing the second draft just under a month later, I asked my English teacher Mr Trott what I could do to improve it and he replied 'maybe you could write to this David Thomas who the report (I used the report in the Herald Express as the basis of it) and ask him for some advice' - or words to that effect. 

So I duly wrote to Dave Thomas and duly replied and we arranged to meet at Harmsworth House in Barton Hill Road, where the office of the Herald Express were based until 2018, on February 27, 2001 - three days before my 17th birthday I may hasten to add!

For me personally this was quite a big deal to me as I'd been reading Dave's match reports as long I had been a fan. The meeting itself proved to be an extremely positive as we went through my report and another one that I had written of a subsequent game against Rochdale, and both decided what he was suggesting would be the style I would adopt going forwards. Indeed, my report of the Torquay vs Exeter game would later form the basis of game 32 in my first book on the Gulls Torquay United: A History in 50 Matches - which Dave would later describe as 'a lovingly researched work.'

I also asked him for some more general advice about Journalism and forging a career within it. 

My path would cross with Dave's a few years later whilst on work experience with Herald Express when I was studying for my NCTJ Pre-Entry Certificate in Newspaper Journalism, and then through my involvement with Torquay United programme and the short-lived Gullsworld Magazine. 

Then in 2009, I became a regular in the Plainmoor press area working alongside Dave, firstly for the Football League Paper until 2014 and then the Non League Paper from 2015 onwards. Whilst the likes of Ross Reid, John Uzzell and Guy Henderson to name but a few have come and gone, Dave has been a constant during that time. Indeed, I was present at the unveiling of his all-time team from his 56 years of covering the Gulls' fortunes for both the Herald Express and the Torbay Weekly and reported on United's 2-0 win over Farnborough the next day. 

During Dave's 50 plus years in Journalism, he has witnessed plenty of change to the industry including the transition from the days of hot metal to the micro chip and the change from the Herald Express from being a daily paper to a weekly. Nevertheless, whilst he doesn't have a presence on social media, he did play a key role in the Herald Express Yellow Army Podcast until 2020, which he still appears on as an occasional guest. 

Journalists covering the club in the future will know of Dave, as it has been announced that the club' new media suite will be named in his honour. 

And finally from me Dave, if you decide to write a book on your time covering the Gulls - I'm definitely buying it!

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS FARNBOROUGH

 1. Four wins out of four. 

By beating Farnborough, Torquay United made it four wins out of four and nine games unbeaten in all competitions. The Gulls haven't tasted defeat since they went down 2-1 to Hornchurch on October 26, and if you subtract their FA Trophy fixtures against Truro City and Horsham from that sequence, they are currently seven without loss in the league, which leaves them half way to equalling the club record 16 match run they set when they last won the National League South title in 2018-19. 

2. A second successive clean sheet. 

As a former centre back himself Gulls manager Paul Wotton would no doubt have been delighted to see United keep a second successive clean sheet. To a man, the Gulls' back four of Jordan Thomas, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer and Jay Foulston were excellent to a man to keep Farnborough, who were fifth in the table at the start of play, at bay. 

Surely Wotton's message to them would be 'more of the same please lads.' 

3. Will Jenkins-Davies nets his fourth of the campaign. 

By scoring the Gulls opening goal of the afternoon, Plymouth Argyle loanee Will Jenkins-Davies took his goal tally for the season to four, which now makes him United's joint-second top scorer with Dan Hayfield. With his loan spell with United due to expire in early January, Wotton will be hoping that he can retain his services for the remainder of the campaign. 

4. A promising debut from Jack Wood. 

Attacking midfielder Jack Wood made a promising debut after replacing Omar Mussa on 61 minutes after joining from Southend United on loan. Six minutes after entering the fray he cut inside on the right, onto his left foot, before producing a shot which was deflected behind. 

Wood has joined the Gulls for an initial 28-day period, which could be extended if he continues to build on his early cameo. 

5. Top of the league. 

For the first time since May 8, when they were top of the National League, Torquay United find themselves at the summit of a league. However, manager Paul Wotton is refusing to get carried away whilst the Gulls are only one point clear of second placed Boreham Wood. 

6. Crowds remain impressive. 

United's crowd once again topped the 3,000 mark as they drew an attendance of 3,303, which included 96 Farnborough fans. With the festive season approaching, there is speculation that their New Year's Day encounter with Truro City might draw a crowd in the region of 4,500 to 5,000.

WOTTON WINS MANAGER OF THE MONTH AWARD

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton has been awarded the Vanarama National League South Manager of the Month Award for November.

After United picked up 13 points from a possible 21 over the course of the month that saw United record three wins and four draws in the league; highlights of this sequence included a 4-2 win over then-leaders Weston-super-Mare on November 26. 

In addition to this, the Gulls also progressed in the FA Trophy at the expense of Wotton's former club Truro City. 

On receiving the award, Wotton took the opportunity to pay tribute to the efforts of everyone at the club. 

He said: "It's lovely, we've had a good month, and it's just reward for everyone's hard work at the Football Club."

The National League prize was claimed by Barnet's Dean Brennan, whilst the experienced Phil Brown, now in charge of Kidderminster Harriers, won the prize in National League North. 

ARGYLE DRAFT IN PHELAN

 In the wake of the departure of assistant manager Peter Shuttleworth, Plymouth Argyle manager Wayne Rooney has reacted quickly to bring former Manchester United number two Mike Phelan as his replacement. 

Phelan previously worked with Rooney during his first spell as assistant manager at Old Trafford, between 2008 and 2013, where he served under Sir Alex Ferguson and won numerous honours, including the club's most recent Premier League title to date in the 2012-13 campaign. 

In addition to this, Phelan has also worked as assistant manager at Blackpool, Norwich City and Hull City, who he has a brief spell in charge of, before returning to Old Trafford in 2018 to assist Ole Gunnar Solksjaer. 

As a player, Phelan started his career with Burnley and later moved on to Norwich City, Manchester United (who he won the European Cup Winner's Cup with in 1991) and West Bromwich Albion.

WHERE THERE'S A WILL THERE'S A WAY

 After a Storm Darragh enforced break, Torquay United will attempt to continue their run in the FA Trophy on Tuesday night against Horsham - and one player in particular will be looking to carry where he left off from. 

In their previous two fixtures, against Weston Super Mare and Enfield Town, the Gulls found the back of the net eight times, with Plymouth Argyle loanee midfielder Will Jenkins Davies netting three of those eight goals. 

Jenkins Davies, 20, struck once against the high flying Seagulls, as United won 4-2, which he then followed up by bagging a brace away to Enfield Town in a game in which the Gulls sealed a 4-1 victory - despite conceding early on. 

It's a haul that now means that Jenkins Davies is now almost half way to emulating the eight goals in 36 appearances in all competitions which he managed during his first spell on loan at Plainmoor during the 2023-24 campaign. 

With his loan spell with the Gulls due to come to an end in early January, there is now a question mark over his immediate future. Is he likely to remain with the Gulls on loan until the end of the current campaign, or are the Pilgrims going to recall him before loaning him out to a League Two or National League club? Then there is the possibility of United attempting to sign him on a permanent basis. 

One thing is for certain is that there certainly will have been, and probably still will be, constant dialogue between Gulls manager Paul Wotton and Pilgrims' first team coach Kevin Nancekivell. The pair know each other well from working together as part of the Home Park backroom staff under Derek Adams, and both will be looking for a solution that will serve Jenkins Davies well, in addition to the needs of United and Argyle. 

Given the sterling role that the Gulls played in the development of Adam Randell in the 2020-21 season, who has since gone on to become a regular in the Pilgrims' midfield, it would not be a surprise to see Jenkins Davies remain at Plainmoor - until the end of the season at least.

PAUL WOTTON'S COMEBACK KINGS

 By beating Enfield Town 4-1 despite conceding a penalty early on, Torquay United took the number of points that they have won in the 2024-25 campaign after going behind to 17. 

We will now take a look back at the games where the Gulls have shown bouncebackability to achieve success. 

(Torquay United scorers indicated in bold)

W 2-1 Enfield Town H - Saturday 10th August, Lewis Taaffe (4), Matt Carson (15), Brad Ash (27)

W 3-2 Chesham United A - Monday 26th August Joe Grant (36, 65), Cody Cooke (45 pen), Dan Hayfield (70), Brad Ash (90 +5)

D 1-1 Eastbourne Borough A - Saturday 19th October, George Alexander (33), Finley Craske (36)

W 2-1 Worthing H - Tuesday 22nd October, Jack Spong (36), Omar Mussa (51), Jay Foulston (72)

D 1-1 Maidstone United H - Tuesday 12th November, Charlie Seaman (39(, Jay Foulston (86)

W 4-2 Weston Super Mare H - Tuesday 26th November, Luke Coulson (17) Lirak Hasani (29), Sam Avery (42), Will Jenkins Davies (34), Cody Cooke (69,78)

W 4-1 Enfield Town A - Saturday 30th November, Sam Youngs (3 pen), Jordan Thomas (30), Will Jenkins Davies (33, 80), Jordan Young (47)

 

BOUNCEBACKABILITY THE NAME OF THE GAME FOR THE GULLS UNDER WOTTON

 Not for the first time this season, bouncebackability was the name of the game for Torquay United as they came from behind to beat National League South leaders Weston Super Mare. 

Luke Coulson gave the Seagulls the lead in the 17th minute before United replied with a stunning 20 yard strike from Lirak Hasani, which was the former Gateshead midfielder's third of the campaign. Five minutes later, Plymouth Argyle loanee Will Jenkins-Davies capitalised on a sloppy back pass from former Pilgrims striker Reuben Reid and raced towards goal before firing into the bottom corner. 

Three minutes before the break, Sam Avery bundled home a corner from Coulson to level matters, but the Gulls were then handed the chance to restore their lead from the penalty spot after Hasani was upended in the area. United's leading scorer Cody Cooke stepped up to take it, only to be denied by a save from Weston keeper Max Harris. 

Early in the second half, the Gulls were reduced to ten men when Hasani was dismissed following a challenge on Reid. However, manager Paul Wotton shuffled his pack and introduced club captain Oscar Threlkeld from the bench in place of Omar Mussa. 

Instead of clinging onto their share of the spoils, United edged ahead in the 69th minute when Jenkins-Davies burst down the right and found Cooke who backheeled the Gulls' third of the evening.

Then on 78 minutes, Dan Hayfield intercepted the ball inside his own half and made a lung busting run before teeing up Cooke for his brace, and his eighth of the campaign. 

The result took the number of points that United have won after conceding first to 14; the Gulls have won away to Chesham United, drawn away to Eastbourne Borough and at home to Maidstone United and beaten Worthing and Saturday's opponents Enfield Town. They defeated the latter on the opening day of the 2024-25 campaign after conceding after four minutes. 

One thing is fairly certain, and that's that no one could accuse Wotton's charges of lacking resilience.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS TRURO CITY

 1. The goal that never was. 

A minute before half time, Paignton-born Connor Riley-Lowe appeared to have given Truro the lead, which, had it stood, could have changed the course of the game. However, United keeper James Hamon protested to the linesman that he had been obstructed and it was promptly disallowed. 

The circumstances were similar to the goal that Sam Dreyer scored against Chelmsford City, which he then saw chalked off following protests from a number of Chelmsford players. Nevertheless, if decisions that go against you over the course of the season even themselves out eventually, the Gulls got a slice of luck that they were possibly due.

 2. Dan Hayfield's free kick. 

In the end it was a closely fought contest decided by one piece of quality, namely Dan Hayfield's 53rd minute which was awarded after United substitute Will Jenkins Davies was upended by Will Dean.

Over the years, the Gulls have had a number of fine free-kick takers in their squad, including Brian Healy, Mick O'Brien, Alex Russell, Luke Young and Armani Little, and each of them would have been proud of Hayfield's effort. 

It was also Hayfield's third goal of the season, which makes him the Gulls' second top scorer behind Cody Cooke who currently has six.

3. Warnock in the dug out. 

As Paul Wotton was serving a touchline ban, United's football advisor Neil Warnock made a return to the dugout to assist United's number two Mike Edwards. It was 31 years since he last took his seat in the Plainmoor home dug out, on the final day of the 1992-93 season when the Gulls beat Gillingham 2-1 - a week after they had retained their Third Division status with a 1-0 away win at Carlisle United. It was the first time he has been involved in an FA Trophy tie since he was manager of Scarborough in the 1986-87 campaign. 

4. A promising debut from Jordan Thomas. 

After joining the Gulls on loan from Yeovil Town, Jordan Thomas marked his debut for United with an assured display. They were shades of former Gulls right-back Ben Wynter in his performance, as he got forward well and looked strong defensively.

5. Jordan Dyer steps up. 

With Sam Dreyer rested, Jordan Dyer switched to the centre of the back three for the Gulls with Ed Palmer coming into the side on the right hand side of defence. Dyer produced a commanding display, even when him and Palmer formed a centre back pairing, they won numerous headers and made plenty of blocks to keep the Tinners at bay.

6. The midfield. 

The Gulls' midfield also played an important in helping them to reach the next round of the FA Trophy. Skipper Oscar Threlkeld returned to the starting line-up and he led by example as he proved to be an unsung hero for the Gulls. He excelled at breaking up play and going the ugly side of his job, which can often go under the radar. 

The introduction of Will Jenkins-Davies at half-time also helped to bring more energy to the Gulls midfield, and it was the challenge on him by Truro's Will Dean that resulted in the awarding of the free-kick from which Dan Hayfield scored.

TROPHY REUNION WITH TRURO FOR WOTTON

 After hosting South West rivals Yeovil Town at the same stage of the FA Trophy last season, Torquay United will be playing host to Truro City - a tie which will have an extra edge to it, as it will also see manager Paul Wotton face his former club. 

Wotton spent five years with the Tinners between 2019 and 2024, during which time Truro had been homeless and ground-sharing with the likes of Plymouth Parkway and Gloucester City. Nevertheless, he still managed to lead them to promotion from the Southern Premier Division South play-offs in the 2022-23 campaign. 

In addition to Wotton, his assistant Mike Edwards also made the journey from the Truro Sports Hub to Plainmoor, along with goalkeeper James Hamon and centre back Ed Palmer. Another Truro old boy in the Gulls ranks is striker Cody Cooke, who spent seven years with the Tinners between 2011 and 2018 before heading north of the border to join St Mirren. Right backs Finley Craske and Finn Tonks have both at loan spells with Truro.

Likely to be lining up for the Tinners are goalkeeper Dan Lavercombe, who progressed through United's youth ranks and had two separate spells at Plainmoor between 2015 and 2016 and 2017, left back Ryan Law who had a short loan spell with the Gulls in the 2020-21 season and midfielder Billy Palfrey had a brief stint at United in the 2016-17 campaign.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS TONBRIDGE ANGELS

 1. We need to talk about the officials. 

For the second home game in succession, the quality of officiating in a Torquay United game has been a talking point. In the 89th minute, Stoke loanee Keke Jeffers, 11 minutes after coming off the bench, connected with a free-kick from Jordan Young and headed home what looked like the winning goal, but the linesman on the far side adjudged that Jeffers was offside, when it looked for all the world that he was on. It was a decision that not only cost United two points, but cost Jeffers his first career goal in what was his first game in senior men's football and Jordan Young was denied an assist. Gulls manager Paul Wotton also earned himself a yellow card for protesting against the decision. 

If bad decisions even themselves out over the course of the season, United look set to be due a huge slice of luck in the second half of the campaign.

2. Cody Cooke was a big miss. 

The absence of Cody Cooke up front was keenly felt as United missed his physical presence and hold up play. Cooke, who was serving a one-match ban for picking up five yellow cards, is currently the Gulls' top scorer with six goals and had netted two in two prior to his ban. Thankfully he'll be available on Tuesday night against Maidstone United. 

3. Sam Dreyer becomes one of the club's youngest ever captains. 

After captaining the side away to Hornchurch earlier this season, centre back Sam Dreyer also had the honour of leading out United against Tonbridge. At the age of 20, he must surely the club's youngest ever, if not one of the youngest ever, captains. And he cerainly led by example with another assured display, as he helped the Gulls keep a second successive clean sheet.

4. It's tight at the top. 

With no team so far running away with the National League South title in a similar manner to the way Yeovil Town did last season, the gap separating the teams at the top is incredibly tight; only three points currently separate Weston Super Mare in first place with 31 and seventh placed Worthing who have 28.  

The Gulls are in sixth place and have 29 points at present; they also have a game in hand on Eastbourne Borough (3rd), Farnborough (4th) and Dorking Wanderers (5th). Eastbourne are currently two points ahead of the Gulls, while Farnborough are a point clear of them and goal difference is all that keeps them and Dorking Wanderers apart. 

A run of wins could see United pull clear of the pack which they currently find themselves a part of.

UNITED ARE PLAYING ALL THE RIGHT NOTES, BUT NOT NECESSARILY IN THE RIGHT ORDER - YET

Just like when Eric Morecambe attempted to play Grieg's Piano Concerto number one on the Morecambe and Wise show, Torquay United are playing all the right notes under Paul Wotton - but not necessarily in the right order. 

United are currently third in National League South after 15 games, roughly a third of the way through the season, after building literally a brand new squad from scratch after the Bryn Consortium brought the club out of Administration. 

In the summer, Wotton retained Dean Moxey, Finley Craske, Ollie Tomlinson and Brad Ash from the 2023-24 side, along with Austen Booth who was under contract, but has since left the club, before securing a host of new signings. He has recently added Jordan Young from Yeovil Town for an undisclosed fee, and Young duly marked his debut with a goal in the Gulls' recent 2-2 draw with Chelmsford City. 

As a player, Wotton played under the likes of Neil Warnock, Paul Sturrock and Tony Pulis amongst others; three managers for whom being fit and organised was a given. However, with the arrival of Young and the emergence of Omar Mussa as a regular starter, he has also looked to add more flair to his side.

Wotton has also spoken of how United aren't the finished article yet, and has also mentioned the need to develop partnerships and strong understandings all over the pitch. The former was something that was true of some of the Gulls' most successful teams in living memory, most notable Leroy Rosenior's automatic promotion winning side of 2003-04, Paul Buckle's 2008-09 National League Play-off winning side and not to mention Gary Johnson's National League South title winners of 2018-19. 

The latter side on that list is the one that Wotton is looking to emulate in the short to medium term, and he is edging closer towards achieving it, as the constant strive for improvement continues. It's entirely plausible that towards the end of the season, everything will fall into place for United and all the right notes will be played in their correct order to the tune that Wotton wishes them to play.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS CHELMSFORD CITY

 1. A debut to remember for Jordan Young. 

Torquay United and Paul Wotton arguably got what they paid for when bringing Jordan Young to Plainmoor from Yeovil Town, as he played a key role in United's first goal before opening his account for the club with their second of the afternoon. For the Gulls' opener, he went on a thrusting run before seeing his shot blocked, which fell invitingly to Cody Cooke who found the back of the net. For United's second, he had seen a shot from distance turned over the bar by Chelmsford keeper Woody Williamson, the resulting corner from Omar Mussa was only cleared as far as Young who struck with a low drive from 15 yards. 

Overall, Young showed more than a few glimpses of the form that he displayed for Yeovil, where he scored 16 goals in all competitions, 14 of which came in the league. If he continues with the form that he showed on his debut for the Gulls against Chelmsford. 

2. Cody Cooke's fifth of the season. 

Remarkably Cody Cooke's fifth goal of the season was the first goal that he has scored at Plainmoor since he joined the club in the summer from Bath City. Cooke is now comfortably the Gulls' leading scorer, as he currently has more than double the highest amount of United's next higest scorer(s): Brad Ash, Matt Carson, Dan Hayfield and Lirak Hasani all have two goals each. 

Unfortunately, Cooke also picked a fifth league booking of the season, which means that he will be absent for United's league meeting with Tonbridge Angels next week. 

3. Sam Dreyer denied his first goal for the club. 

On 36 minutes, Sam Dreyer appeared to have restored United's two-goal cushion after Jake Hyde had pulled a goal back for the Clarets in the 31st minute. A Matt Carson corner was knocked back into the penalty area by Dan Hayfield before Dreyer got the final touch on it and nodded the ball past Chelmsford keeper Williamson. However, the goal was disallowed by referee Stacey Pearson after consulting with linesman James Welsh, under protest from the Clarets players. Whether it was deemed offside, or there was another infringement, it wasn't completely clear, but nevertheless Dreyer, one of United's two ever presents this season, is still waiting for his maiden goal in yellow and blue.

4. Needing to tighten up at the back. 

After yesterday's showing, United have now only kept one clean sheet in their last seven National League South matches, which came in their away fixture against Hampton and Richmond Borough on October 5. Saturday's fixture against Chelmsford was also the first time that they've conceded more than once at home this season. 

It's something that Paul Wotton and his assistant Mike Edwards will need to be wary of as the season enters its midway point.

GULLS GET THEIR MAN

 Torquay United have looked to strengthen their squad with the addition of Jordan Young from Yeovil Town for an undisclosed fee.

Wiltshire-born Young, 25, who can play as a central midfielder, on the right wing, or as a second striker, was a National League South title winner with the Glovers in the 2023-24 season. He found the back of the net 16 times in 47 appearances in all competitions, which helped to earn him a place in the National League South team of the season, in addition to his league winner's medal. 

On several occasions in recent years, Young has crossed paths with United. He netted for the Glovers in both of their league encounters in 2023-24. Young was also on target for his previous club, Chippenham Town, in an FA Trophy tie at Plainmoor in 2022-23, which United won 3-2. 

He has agreed a two-and-a-half year deal with the Gulls, which runs until the summer of 2027, and he is also reunited with his former Yeovil teammate Jay Foulston, who was also part of the Glovers' National League South title winning squad. 

 

 

TUCHEL'S NUMBER TWO

 While the appointment of former Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, Paris St Germain and Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel has attracted plenty of interest, the appointment of his English assistant Anthony Barry has gone under the radar a little. 

Liverpool-born Barry, who made 64 appearances for Yeovil Town during his career which started at Everton and included spells with Accrington Stanley, Wrexham, Chester City and Fleetwood Town amongst others, has previously worked with Tuchel at Chelsea and Bayern Munich. He has also had coaching roles with the national teams of Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Portugal.

He joined the Glovers in January 2006 at a time when Steve Thompson was looking to help the Glovers maintain their newly found League One status, following the departure of Gary Johnson to Bristol City

The following summer saw Russell Slade brought in as manager from Grimsby Town and Thompson reverted to the role of assistant which he had formerly held under Johnson, and Barry continued to play a part for the Glovers. In the 2006-07 season, he netted his only goal for the club in a Johnstone's Paint Trophy tie with Shrewsbury Town and he also appeared in both League One play-off semi-finals against Nottingham Forest, which the Glovers memorably defeated Nottingham Forest 5-4 over two legs. He then featured for Yeovil in the final against Blackpool, which the Glovers lost 2-0. 

In 2008, he was released by Yeovil and returned to the North West to sign for Chester City and he spent the remainder of his career in the region, aside from two years spent at Forest Green Rovers between 2013 and 2015, as he appeared for Wrexham (twice), Fleetwood Town and he returned to Accrington Stanley initially on loan before signing permanently for Stanley in 2015. 

Regardless of whatever views anyone might have on the appointment of a German in Tuchel as England manager, the appointment of Barry as his number two represents a great opportunity for a young English coach, who has already a fine track record for someone his age.

IT'S ROONEY TIME AT HOME PARK

The concept of 'Fergie time' is alive and well and has moved to Home Park and is now operating under the guise of 'Rooney time.' 

During Sir Alex Ferguson's reign as Manchester United manager, including Wayne Rooney's playing spell at Old Trafford, the Red Devils were famed for scoring goals late on in games and Plymouth Argyle are developing a habit of last gasp strikes. 

On September 14, a goal from skipper Joe Edwards in stoppage time sealed a 3-2 win over league leaders Sunderland, which was the Pilgrims' first win of Rooney's reign. 

Then just under a fortnight later, Argyle won 3-1 against Luton Town, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, with winger Ibrahim Cissoko completing a brace in injury time in a Friday night encounter at Home Park which was televised on Sky TV.

There was no late drama when the Pilgrims defeated Blackburn Rovers 2-1 with last season's leading scorer Morgan Whittaker turned home a headed cross from central midfielder Adam Randell in the 97th minute, shortly after Rooney had been sent to the stands by referee James Linington. 

Whittaker's strike sealed a third successive home win for Argyle which moves them up to 14th in the Championship table, as the Pilgrims look to prove the pre-season doubters who tipped them for relegation wrong.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ST ALBANS CITY

1. Penalty claim. 

United had a penalty appeal late on for a challenge on Omar Mussa turned down which many in the ground thought was a stonewall penalty, including Gulls boss Paul Wotton. 

However, whilst Wotton was frustrated with the decision he admitted after the game that he didn't want to be 'that' manager who bemoans officials, but once again the question of officiating in the non-league game has reared its head again. 

One point which I personally believe to be a valid one is that the standard of player at National League level, and National Leagues North and South, is that the standard of player plying their trade at these levels is improving the standard of officiating needs to improve as well.

2. Injuries. 

Although Paul Wotton was able to welcome Jay Foulston and Dan Hayfield back into the starting line-up following their recent absence through injury, he saw both Ed Palmer and Omar Mussa suffer injuries. 

Palmer was elbowed in the face by Zane Banton, six minutes after he had equalised for St Albans, which earned him a red card and Mussa needed to be stretched off following the challenge mentioned under penalty claim.

3. The return of Will Jenkins Davies. 

During the week, Paul Wotton moved to strengthen his squad with the loan capture of Will Jenkins Davies on loan from Plymouth Argyle for what is a third seperate loan spell at Plainmoor. 

Jenkins Davies entered the field of play in place of Lirak Hasani in the 61st minute and brought a new level of energy and drive to the Gulls' midfield and even came close to scoring in the 74th minute. 

His loan spell will last at least until January 2025 and he will surely be pushing for a starting spot when United return to league action against Hampton and Richmond Borough on October 5. 

4. Sam Dreyer was imperious in defence. 

Once again Sam Dreyer was a man mountain in the centre of the Gulls defence and rightfully earned the sponsors man of the match award. In the first half, he blocked a shot from a tight angle from Zane Banton, who would open the scoring for the Saints in the second half, on the line on 37 minutes. He was also responsible for sniffing out the threat of St Albans City striker Sean Jeffers, who netted twice when the two sides met at Plainmoor last season, and he is fast establishing the reputation of being one of the best centre backs in National League South. 

5. Ben Seymour off the mark. 

After netting 16 times for Hampton and Richmond Borough in the 2023-24 season, Ben Seymour had found goals hard to come by since his summer move to Plainmoor. However, he finally got off the mark for United against St Albans in the 50th minute when he attempted to tee up strike partner Cody Cooke but his pass was cut out and fell invitingly into his path and he duly slotted home to open his account for the club. 

Hopefully it will turn out to be the first of many. 

6. Crowds holding up. 

Despite the disappointment of the Gulls' FA Cup exit to Bishops Cleeve, the Gulls maintained their record of attracting 3,000 plus crowds for all of their league games so far in the 2024-25 season. 

Their fixture with St Albans City attracted an attendance of 3,287, which included 35 St Albans City fans.

RESPONDING TO A SETBACK

 At what point does a setback become a crisis? 

While Torquay United have made a promising start to the managerial reign of Paul Wotton, which sees the Gulls occupy the play-off zone, but were dealt an unexpected blow in the FA Cup second qualifying round where they were beaten by Bishops Cleeve of Southern League Division One South. 

It was certainly a result that no United fan would have expected, in fact not even the most ardent of Bishops Cleeve fans would have thought that they would win 3-0. 

Therefore Wotton's post-match reaction was probably not surprising when he said:"It was humiliating and embarrassing. We were second best, in fact we weren't even that. There was absolutely zero credit to be had, Bishops Cleeve should have won by more."

Since the Bryn Consortium's takeover of the club in the summer, United have got so much right off the field in terms of supporter engagement, ranging from the new signing videos on social media, record season ticket sales, new home and away shirts that have sold in high volumes and a community share issue with the club's Supporter's Trust which has surpassed its fundraising target. 

So therefore a result like last Saturday is not in keeping with the renewed positivity surrounding the club.

Whilst Bishops Cleeve are lowest ranked side that the Gulls have lost to in the FA Cup in recent years, they are two divisions above the Mitres, which isn't the biggest divisional gap between United and one of their FA Cup giant killers. There was a divisional gap of three leagues existed between the Gulls and Hinckley United, who knocked United out of the cup in the 2004-05 season. At the time, the Gulls were in League One and Hinckley were in National League North. 

However, United bounced back from their premature cup exit at the hands of the Midlanders, as they went and won 2-1 at Port Vale with goals from Kevin Hill and Leon Constantine and then beat Wrexham 1-0 at Plainmoor thanks to a Tony Bedeau strike. 

Up until now the idea of a crisis at Plainmoor has been on par with what the Cobbolds of Ipswich Town would have regarded as one - namely the boardroom running out of wine. 

A response akin to the Gulls' class of 2004-05 would go a long way to maintaining that status.

BRINGING THE CROWDS BACK TO PLAINMOOR

 As well as their improved showings on the pitch, one of the hallmarks of Torquay United's 2024-25 campaign has been the crowds that have poured into Plainmoor to witness the Gulls in action. 

For the first time since the 2004-05 season, when United plied their trade in League One under Leroy Rosenior, Torquay United have attracted attendance above 3,000 for their opening four home games of the campaign. 

After attracting a crowd of 3,827 on the opening day of the season against Enfield Town, United followed this up with attendances of 3,566 against Dorking Wanderers, 3,263 against Aveley and then 3,087 against Chippenham Town.

In 2004-05, United drew a crowd of 3,973 for their first home game against Hull City, which was followed by 5,005 against Sheffield Wednesday in their second home fixture and 3,791 saw them face Walsall and 3,456 witnessed them draw 2-2 with Brentford. The season would ultimately end in relegation for the Gulls following their 2-1 defeat to Colchester United at Layer Road on the final day of the campaign, but their average attendance of 3,511 - this remains their highest seasonal average since United were relegated from the 'old' Third Division in the 1971-72 season under Jack Edwards. 

Since then the Gulls have only recorded seasonal average attendances above 3,000 on nine occasions, with the most recent being in the 2007-08 season, which stood at 3,125. A parrallel with that season can be found with the present day, as the Alex Rowe-led local consortium took over the club in the summer of 2007, just as the Bryn Consortium completed their takeover of the club in the close season.

Like in 2007-08, the Bryn Consortium, headed by co-chairman Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, have shown what can be achieved if you can create an enthusiasm amongst the United faithful for the club and make people want to come to Plainmoor. And if they can better the figure of 3,125, then it will be another tick on the list of things that they have got right since taking charge.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS AVELEY

 1. Matt Carson makes his mark. 

Fresh from signing a one-year extension to his existing contract at Plainmoor, left wing-back Matt Carson scored his second goal as he attempted a cross, but instead it flew past Aveley goalkeeper Carey Bloedorn and into the far corner. Throughout the game, Carson was one of the Gulls' best attacking threats and he was one of United's stand-out performers. 

2. More goals required. 

When former United manager Dave Smith was asked what was needed to win promotion, he replied 'score goals, lots of them'. It is probably no surprise then that current United boss Paul Wotton expressed his disappointment that his side didn't work the Aveley keeper enough throughout the course of 90 minutes, and said he considered the result as two points. 

A feature of the Gulls' last four promotion winning sides has been a strike partnership who have scored 30 or more goals over the course of the campaigns in question; Dean Edwards (19) and Tommy Tynan (19) in 1990-91, David Graham (23) and Jo Kuffour (11) in 2003-04, Tim Sills (20) and Elliot Benyon (11) in 2008-09 and Jamie Reid (32) and Saikou Janneh (19) in 2018-19. 

Messrs Ash, Cooke, Seymour and Crosbie over to you. 

3. Sam Dreyer was imperious in defence. 

Centre back Sam Dreyer has been one of the Gulls most consistent performers so far this season and he was amongst United's star performers again against Aveley. 

Not only was Dreyer a commanding aerial presence, he also looked comfortably on the ball, and even could have won the Gulls a penalty as he had his shirt tugged in the box. 

At age of 20, his performance belied his relatively tender years.

4. A third crowd above 3,000.

For the third successive game, United had an attendance of over 3,000, and it is the first time in recent memory that the Gulls had achieved this feat. 3,263 witnessed United's 1-1 draw with Aveley, following on from the 3,837, who witnessed their opening day win over Enfield Town and 3,566 saw them follow up that result with a 1-0 victory over Dorking Wanderers. 

United attracted 3,000 plus crowds in two of their opening three fixtures in the 2007-08 and 2009-10 campaigns. However, this is the first time that they have managed it in all three of their opening home fixtures since the 2004-05 season under Leroy Rosenior. In 2004-05, they drew 3,973 for their first home game against Hull City, 5,005 against Sheffield Wednesday and 3,791 against Walsall.

5. A contrast from United's last meeting with Aveley. 

Despite the disappointment of not winning the game, there is no question that the mood around Plainmoor is better than it was when the Gulls last faced Aveley in February 2024, shortly after Clarke Osborne announced his intention to put United in Administration. Under the ownership of the Bryn Consortium, the only way is up for the Gulls and they have the perfect opportunity to make amends on Tuesday night against Chippenham Town.

TORQUAY FACE AVELEY WITH NEW OPTIMISM

 As Torquay United prepare for the visit of Aveley to Plainmoor this Saturday, the between difference the siuation they found themselves their last meeting with the Millers in last February and the present couldn't be more stark.

On that occasion, the then Gulls owner Clarke Osborne had just served his notice to place the club in Administration, which would later result in the club received a ten-point penalty, Gary Johnson had resigned as manager and his assistant Aaron Downes had taken charge on an interim basis. 

In the end, United earned a creditable 2-2 draw with the Millers in front of an improved crowd of 3,642, an attendance that compares favourably to the 3,842 which they attracted for their opening game of the season against Enfield Town and the 3,566 who witnessed their last home game with Dorking Wanderers.

However, comparing what United were like then to the situation that they currently find themselves in is almost like comparing night to day. The club's present owners, the Bryn Consortium, brought the club out of Administration; they have since appointed Paul Wotton as manager with Neil Warnock as football advisor and a Community Share Issue which was launched recently by the club's Supporter's Trust (TUST) has more than reached its target of raising £100,000 to be invested in the club and secure a second Supporter's seat on the United board, joining TUST chair Nick Broderick. 

Add to the Gulls' fortunes on the pitch have improved, having won four of their opening five matches of the 2024-25 campaign. 

However, none of this would have been possible had it not been for the positivity created by the Bryn Consortium, headed by co-Chairman Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh. 

Since they took over, they have created an enthusiasm amongst the fanbase, which has seen United sell a record 1,500 season tickets and launched a new replica shirt, with a similar yellow and blue hooped design to the one they wore between 1993 and 1995, which has sold out in the club shop. 

The contrast to their approach to engaging with the fanbase couldn't be more different to the one adopted by Osborne and his former Chief Executive George Edwards. 

Other than his appearance at Ashton Gate in the 2021 National League Play-off final, the last time Osborne was seen at an event connected to Torquay United in South Devon was during the Presentation Evening held at the English Riviera Centre following United's National League South title triumph in 2018-19. On that occasion, Osborne's profile was so low that it left you wondering if there was any point in him actually being there at all. 

Compare this to the presence of the Bryn Consortium at Neil Warnock's 'Are you with me?' show at the Princess Theatre, they all turned up en masse and all looked as though they genuinely wanted to be there. And they will - to a man - undoubtably be looking forward to enjoying further success in partnership with Wotton and Warnock. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS DORKING WANDERERS

 1. Lirak Hasani opens his account for the Gulls. 

United midfielder Lirak Hasani opened his account for the Gulls in arguably the best way possible way when he struck from 20 yards in the 55th minute after being teed up by Dan Hayfield. 

Hopefully, it will be the first of many for the club. 

Hasani, who joined the club in the summer from Gateshead, was also responsible for taking United's set pieces, and he delivered a number of  corners, which asked plenty of questions from the Dorking defence.

Having made his initial appearances for United as a substitute, Hasani has begun to play his way into the side, and he will be looking to maintain his place in the starting line-up.

2. A hard fought win for the Gulls. 

For the first 15 minutes, Dorking looked the stronger side and enjoyed the majority of the possession. However, the Gulls had a late flurry of chances towards the end of the first half. 

However, the Gulls started the second half on the front foot and were finally rewarded for their efforts when Hasani found the back of the net on 55 minutes. 

Nevertheless, Dorking still had chances late on as skipper Charlie Carter, sub Matt Briggs and Barry Fuller all went close in the final ten minutes, but United hung on to win. 

It was also the Gulls first win over Dorking in three attempts. 

3. Ed Palmer stands out at the back. 

A few eyebrows were raised amongst the Yellow Army when Ed Palmer, a former United youth product who had a brief professional career with the club before going on to play for the likes of Truro City, Taunton Town and Weymouth re-signed for the Gulls in the summer. However, Palmer, who combines playing for United with running a Barber's Shop in Totnes, followed up scoring on his full debut for the club away to Bath City with a display that earned himself the sponsor's man of the match award. 

He also went close to scoring his second goal in as many games as he had a header blocked on the line by Dorking's Luke Moore in the 42nd minute. Moments later he attempted a long rang effort from 30 yards, which narrowly dipped over. In the second half, he also had a hand in United's goal as his pass found Dan Hayfield, who teed up Hasani for his goal. 

The centre back positions have been arguably the most heavily contested spots in the United side so far this season, and Palmer has certainly staked his claim with Jordan Dyer currently being out injured. 

4. Finley Craske produced a fine display at right wing-back. 

After he missed much of the 2023-24 campaign through injury, Torquay United fans are now starting to see the best of Finley Craske. 

Against Dorking he completed his first 90 minutes and he showed incredible athleticism as he made several marauding runs down the right hand side. 

His opposite number on the left hand side has produced a number of fine displays so far this season, so if Craske continues in this vein, they could be talked about in the same breath as Jim McNichol and Tom Kelly (1987-88) and Andy Gurney and Paul Gibbs (1997-98). 

5. United now up to third. 

We might be only four games into the new season and the new look United remained a work in progress under Paul Wotton, but Saturday's win over Dorking Wanderers lifts the Gulls up to third in the table. 

United currently trail leaders Boreham Wood by one point and are level on nine points with Slough Town and Farnborough, with only goal difference separating them. 

6. Crowd watch. 

Yesterday's attendance of 3,566 was comfortably the biggest crowd for a game in the sixth-tier, with only the 1,508 that saw Truro City defeat Enfield Town 3-1 coming close. In the National League, it was only bettered by the 3,614 which saw Hartlepool draw 1-1 with Wealdstone. It was also bigger than the 3,481 who saw Barrow defeat Port Vale in League Two. 

A special mention should also go out to the Torquay United Supporter's Trust Community Share Issue, which, at the time of writing, has raised in the region of £73,000 within days of being launched.

TALKING POINTS FROM TORQUAY UNITED VERSUS ENFIELD TOWN

1.  13 is unlucky for some - but not the Gulls. 

United's clash with Enfield saw 13 players make their debuts for the club, nine from the start and four more from the bench. The only players to have featured previously for the Gulls were James Hamon, during a loan spell in 2020-21 and last season's leading scorer Brad Ash.

It was the most number of debutants that United have fielded on an opening day since Paul Cox selected nine in his first starting line-up against Macclesfield Town in the 2015-16 campaign.

2. Ash off the mark. 

After finishing last season as the Gulls leading scorer with 14 goals, it was interested to see how Brad Ash fared in the 2024-25 campaign, especially with the increased competition from the signings of Ben Seymour, Cody Cooke and Jaydn Crosbie. However, Ash made a flying start to the new campaign when he headed home a cross from the left from Matt Carson and had chances to further add to his tally, and based on this showing he could hit double figures again.

3. Carson shows his class.

In recent years, Torquay United have been blessed with a number of fine left-backs, from Tom Kelly (1986-1989 & 1993-1996) to John Uzzell (1989-1991) to Paul Gibbs (1997-1998) to Robbie Herrera (1998-2001) to Brian McGlinchey (2003-2006) to Kevin Nicholson (2007 -2014, 2015-2017) to Liam Davis (2017-2021), and Matt Carson could join that list.

Carson, who joined from Southampton in the summer, played a key role in United’s opener as his shot from the edge of the penalty area on 15 minutes ricocheted off Enfield defender Scott Thomas before finding the back of the net to cancel out Lewis Taaffe’s opener for the visitors. He also played a key role in the Gulls’ second, and ultimately decisive, goal as it was his cross which Brad Ash connected with to head home.

What made his performance seem even more remarkable is that the Northern Ireland youth international’s only previous experience of senior competitive football was a loan spell with Braintree Town last season.

4. First opening day win since 2020-21. 

Torquay United's win over Enfield Town was the Gulls' first opening day win since the 2020-21 campaign when a late strike from Connor Lemonheigh-Evans sealed a 1-0 win over Stockport County. 

5. Parallels with Leroy Rosenior’s first game in charge.

While a lot of similarities were drawn between Paul Buckle’s first campaign in charge in 2007-08 and the beginning of Paul Wotton’s reign in 2024-25, there is one very big parallel between Leroy Rosenior’s first game in charge and Wotton’s. United marked the beginning of Rosenior’s reign with a 2-1 win over Bristol Rovers after coming from behind as an equaliser from Martin Gritton and a penalty from Alex Russell cancelled out Guiliano Grazioli’s opener for the Pirates.

6. Crowd watch. 

The crowd of 3,837 who poured into Plainmoor to witness the Gulls' opening day clash with Enfield Town was only beaten by the attendances of Southend United versus York City (7,962) and Oldham Athletic versus Braintree Town (5,552). If United can build on their display against Enfield, then they will surely continue to pack in the crowds for the duration of the campaign.

 

 

SEASON PREVIEW 2024-25: EXETER CITY

 For a club whose highest ever league finish is eighth in League Two, finishing 14th and 13th in successive seasons in the same division for Exeter City represents a reasonable achievement for the club. 

When you also take into account that the Grecians have lost Archie Collins, Josh Key, Jack Sparkes, Sam Nombe, Kevin MacDonald, Jake Caprice and Jevani Brown since the summer of 2023, then last season's 13th place finish in their second season under Gary Caldwell has possibly gone under the radar. 

Last season was a season of great contrast for the Grecians as they went 100 days without a win between September and November 2023, but rallied to obtain 21 points from the last 30 available in the campaign to finish strongly. 

Caldwell has once again found himself dealing with departures after Will Aimson has returned north to sign for Wigan Athletic, former youth products Harry Kite and Alex Hartridge decided their futures lay elsewhere. However, Caldwell has used his contacts north of the border to sign Jack McMillan and Jay Bird and the signing of Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis could prove to be a particularly shrewd acquisition if he can better last season's top scorer Reece Cole's tally of seven. 

Teenage starlet Jack Richards, currently only 16 at the time of writing, is the club's latest youth starlet that the club are hoping will follow in the footsteps of the likes of Matt Grimes and Ollie Watkins. 

In: Ryan Woods (Hull City), Jack McMillan (Partick Thistle), Jay Bird (Arbroath), Josh Magennis (Wigan Athletic), Ed Francis (Gateshead), Joe Whitworth (Crystal Palace, loan), Tristan Crama (Brentford B, loan), Johnly Yfeko (Rangers B, loan)

Out: Alex Hartridge (Wycombe Wanderers), Zak Jules (Rotherham United), Gary Woods (Greenock Morton), Tom Carroll (MK Dons), James Scott (St Mirren), Harry Kite, 

Player to watch: Josh Magennis

Northern Ireland international Josh Magennis who appeared for the province in Euro 2016 is the Grecians highest profile signing of the summer

SEASON PREVIEW 2024-25: YEOVIL TOWN

 After winning promotion as National League South champions at the first attempt, Yeovil Town are now in much healthier when they were relegated at the end of the 2022-23 season. 

Now the Glovers are back in the National League and, after four relegations in a decade, things are looking up and the stability is the key at Huish Park - after manager Mark Cooper recently agreed a new three-year deal. 

Over the summer, Cooper has moved to refresh his attacking options after the departures of Alex Fisher, Jake Hyde and Rhys Murphy with the signings of Harvey Greenslade and Aaron Jarvis. The signing of Jarvis will see him reunited with his former Torquay United strike partner Frank Nouble. Also arriving from Plainmoor is midfielder Brett McGavin, who will give Cooper a different option in the centre of the park. 

A season of consolidation appears on the cards for the Glovers, but Cooper knows the league well from his spells with Darlington and Forest Green Rovers - so they cause a few surprises along the way.

Player to watch: Aaron Jarvis

In his last season in the National League with Torquay United, Aaron Jarvis netted 18 goals in all competitions and Mark Cooper will be hoping he can be amongst the goals again in 2024-25. Jarvis is also reunited with his one-time Plainmoor strike partner Frank Nouble, and they enjoyed a purple patch towards the end of the 2022-23 season, as the Gulls almost avoided relegation from the National League.

In: Aaron Jarvis & Brett McGavin (Torquay United), Harvey Greenslade (Bristol Rovers), Matt Gould (Altrincham), Jordan Thomas (Hampton & Richmond), Finn Cousins-Dawson (Bradford City), Raphael Araoye (Bristol City), Oliver Wright (Southampton)

Out: Alex Fisher (Bath City), Rhys Murphy (Dorking Wanderers), Jake Hyde (Chelmsford City), Malachi Linton (Weymouth), Lewis Williams (Street FC), Josh Owers (AFC Totton)

SEASON PREVIEW 2024-25: TORQUAY UNITED

 The names might have changed, but the outlook is the same for Torquay United as they head into the 2024-25 National League South campaign. 

As in 2007, the Gulls found themselves under the ownership of a fan-led consortium of local businessmen who appointed an up-and-coming manager who knew the league which they found themselves in, with an experienced football person in the background to offer a guiding hand. 

Therefore, for Alex Rowe, read Michael Westcott and Mark Bowes-Cavanagh, for Paul Buckle, read Paul Wotton and for Colin Lee, read Neil Warnock. 

Another parralel between the challenge facing Buckle in 2007 and Wotton in 2024 is that they virtually had a blank canvas from which to start from. Buckle only had four players under contract when he was appointed in 2007 (Steve Woods, Lee Mansell, Kevin Hill and Lee Thorpe, who later departed the club) and Wotton inherited Austen Booth as his sole contracted player on arrival. 

Like Buckle, Wotton has looked to recruit players who have proven themselves at their current level.  Jordan Dyer, Dan Hayfield and Cody Cooke have all joined from Bath City, while James Hamon and Ed Palmer both followed Wotton to Plainmoor from his previous club Truro City. Former Exeter City striker Ben Seymour, who was Hampton and Richmond's top scorer last season with 16 goals, has returned to Devon to sign for the Gulls. Also returning to the county is Oscar Threlkeld, who played under Wotton during his coaching spell with Plymouth Argyle, who has donned the captain's armband in pre-season.

From slightly further afield, midfielders Lirak Hasani and Omar Mussa have signed from Gateshead and Dagenham & Redbridge and Roddy Collins junior, the son of the former Carlisle United boss Roddy senior, will be looking to adding some grit to the middle of the park. 

There are two factors which could ultimately determine how Torquay United perform in the 2024-25 season are how quickly the team gel - only Booth, Dean Moxey, Finley Craske, Ollie Tomlinson and Brad Ash remain from last season. The second is whether Wotton can unearth a 30 plus goal-a- season partnership from the striking roster, which includes Cooke, Ash and Seymour, who were all top scorers at their respective clubs last season, and Jadyn Crosbie, who netted 37 goals in 48 appearances for Mangotsfield Town in the Hellenic Premier League. 

Player to watch: Sam Dreyer

The son of former Oxford United and Luton Town central defender John Dreyer, who himself enjoyed a loan spell at Plainmoor during the 1985-86 season, Sam Dreyer will be looking to use his time with the Gulls to re-ignite his career following his release by Peterborough United. He caught Paul Wotton's eye during a loan spell with Hampton and Richmond Borough last season and he has emerged as a stand-out performer in pre-season.

In: Jay Foulston (Taunton Town), James Hamon and Ed Palmer (Truro City), Oscar Threlkeld (Morecambe), Jadyn Crosbie (Mangotsfield Town), Sam Dreyer (Peterborough United), Roddy Collins (Chesham), Lirak Hasani (Gateshead), Matt Carson (Southampton), Jordan Dyer, Dan Hayfield and Cody Cooke (Bath City), Omar Mussa (Dagenham & Redbridge), Matt Wonnacott (Wigan Athletic)

Out: Aaron Jarvis & Brett McGavin (Yeovil Town), Ethon Archer (Cheltenham Town), Jack Stobbs (Buxton), Asa Hall and Callum Thomas (Tiverton Town), Mark Halstead (Widnes Town), Lewis Collins, Ross Marshall (Dulwich Hamlet), Dan Martin & Rhys Lovett (Welling United)