Strikers secured in Torquay United recruitment drive

The forward department at Torquay United has received a double boost with the signing of Ben Seymour and a new deal agreed with Brad Ash.

Seymour, 25, was a top performer for Hampton & Richmond in the National League South last season, scoring 15 goals in 40 appearances, and he is familiar to this part of the world.

Having come the ranks at Exeter City, Seymour gained first-team experience with loan spells at Bideford, Gloucester City, Dorchester Town, Weston-super-Mare, Yeovil Town and Bath City.

Seymour made his professional debut for Exeter in an EFL Cup defeat to Coventry in 2019 and scored his first goal against Swindon Town a year later. In total, he made 50 appearances for the Grecians before moving to Plymouth Parkway in search of regular first-team football.

After an impressive season at Bolitho Park, Seymour switched to Hampton last summer and it proved to be a stand-out campaign in his blossoming career, prompting new Torquay boss Paul Wotton to swoop for his signature.

Playing alongside Seymour in the Plainmoor vanguard will be Brad Ash after it was confirmed the leading scorer from last season has agreed a new one-year contract with the Gulls.

Ash scored 14 goals in 42 appearances in 2023/24, a decent return in a difficult campaign for United, particularly with injuries in the forward department meaning he often had to plough a lone furrow up front.

Ash is a proven goalscorer at National League South level, having previously banged in goals for the likes of Weymouth, Chippenham Town and Weston-super-Mare.

More arrivals are guaranteed in the coming weeks but with these two forwards joining youngster Jadyn Crosbie, the crucial striking department is beginning to take shape for United.

The new season starts on August 10, with fixtures released on July 10.