Getting to know Paul Wotton, Torquay United’s new leader

Torquay United have placed their faith in a man with legendary status at Plymouth Argyle and, if his playing attributes are transferred to the sidelines, Plainmoor is going to enjoy a lively season ahead.

Born in 1977, Wottsy is a son of Plymouth, emerging through the Argyle youth system to make his debut in 1994 under the guidance of Steve McCall, one of the most talented midfielders ever to represent Torquay.

Wotton was all heart on the pitch, and his ability to play in the centre of midfield or as a centre-back quickly made him a valuable asset. When Argyle suffered relegation at the end of the 1997-98, his obvious emotion on the pitch was the beginning of his journey to legendary status.

He famously pledged to ensure Argyle would win back their third tier status and the Green Army had a new hero.

The arrival of Paul Sturrock as Argyle manager changed the whole direction of the club and Wotton’s formidable defensive partnership with Graham Coughlan was the platform for one of the great eras in Plymouth history.

Wotton captained the Pilgrims to the Third Division title in 2002 and he was named in the divisional Team of the Year. He was twice voted Argyle Player of the Season, in 2002-03 and 2005-05, when he was also the leading scorer.

As well as being fearless in the tackle and inspirational as a leader on the pitch, Wottsy was famous for unbelievable ball-striking. When Wottsy struck a free-kick or penalty, it stayed struck.

The Division Two title came next for Argyle and Wotton neatly adjusted to the challenge of Championship football. He remained a key figure in the new side being built by Ian Holloway but found his journey cruelly interrupted by a serious knee injury.

He returned to a side that had changed and Wotton found opportunities limited, prompting a move to Southampton in 2008, helping the Saints win the Football League Trophy. After loan spells with Oxford and Yeovil, Wotton joined the Glovers on a permanent basis in 2011.

A year later, he returned to Argyle and was a virtual ever-present in the 2011-12 campaign. It was a time of crisis at Home Park, with the club struggling with the constraints of administration. The return of a club legend was massive for morale, on and off the pitch.

Wotton was hugely influential in helping Argyle steer clear of relegation out of the Football League, it was a fitting final contribution on the pitch for a player who made his last Pilgrim appearance 19 years after his first.

He ended his Argyle career with an incredible 491 appearances, making him joint second in the all-time Plymouth list alongside Sammy Black, only surpassed by former Torquay boss Kevin Hodges, who racked up 620 appearances.

Wotton moved into coaching under the stewardship of Derek Adams at Home Park and remained a key figure as the Pilgrims returned to the third tier. Sadly, his Argyle journey came to an end when the Greens were relegated in May 2018.

A year later, he became manager of Truro City and over the past five years he has done a superb job for the White Tigers, despite their nomadic existence while waiting for a permanent stadium to be established.

He guided Truro to promotion from the Southern League in 2022-23 and performed a minor miracle to keep the club in the National League South last season, prompting the new regime at Torquay United to swoop for his signature.

I first met Wottsy when working as a trainee media officer at Home Park in 2005. As he readily admits, Paul is a different animal on a match-day, full of intensity, passion and desire. Winning football matches has been his life since childhood and he will give everything for Torquay United, that is guaranteed.

Away from the seriousness of a match-day, Wottsy was always immensely kind and patient with me, even when stumbling over interviews or, on one occasion, forgetting to turn the camera on!

Torquay United have a top bloke at the helm, a football man to his core, and whatever the result on a match-day, the Yellow Army can rest assured their new manager will leave no stone unturned in his mission to restore the Plainmoor glory days.