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.