Austen Booth signs for Torquay United

Ahead of the big game against St Albans at Plainmoor, Torquay United have announced the signing of defender Austen Booth in a permanent deal.

Booth was part of the Gulls’ youth system before it was closed in 2017. He moved on to Truro City and had spells with Barnstaple Town, Buckland Athletic, Tiverton Town and Plymouth Parkway.

He spent the first six months of this season at Taunton Town before leaving the Peacocks earlier this week.

He’s born and bred in Torquay,” said United manager Gary Johnson when talking to the club website.

“It’ll be nice to hear the song ‘He’s one of our own’, that’s always good. He’s got an affinity for the Club, when he’s not playing for his other clubs, he tends to come here to watch the games. We know him very well of course, with the South Devon College link. When me and Downesy first came, he was a young lad that trained with us every now and again, but he’s gained that experience now.

“He’s 25, he’s had a very, very good season. He’s played in every Taunton game right from when they were going well at the start of the season, and we think he’s ready now. We looked at a lot of centre-halves, and at 25, we wanted somebody that had a bit of experience of this league, he knows how we play because he’s watched it, so we’re very happy to bring somebody in that’s a quick transition. He understands what we’ll do, what our personalities are, etc, etc, and he’s a good player.

“There was a lot of interest in him, so we had to act, because we think he’s a good player and will be an asset to the Club.”