Wotton working the troops ahead of fixture day

Pre-season preparations are well underway at Torquay United and manager Paul Wotton, like all football coaches, is focussing on fitness and hard work throughout his new squad.

While the former Truro boss is still looking to add a few more new faces, he also has one eye trained on fixture release day and how the opening weeks will pan out for the Gulls.

“Pre-season has gone well so far and great to get out of the office and on the training ground,” said Wotton. “The lads are working really hard, as all players are at this stage of the season.

“We’re still a couple of players short but, overall, I’m really pleased with where we are. The fixtures come out on Wednesday morning and that makes everything very real.

“We will be looking at the first few games of the season, then Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. You always look forward to the opening games and the traditional Christmas fixtures.

“From a personal perspective, I will obviously look out for the games with Truro because I’ve got lots of good friends at the club and it will be nice to see them.”

Next on the menu for United is the pre-season trip to Buckland Athletic on Friday night and a first opportunity for the Yellow Army to assess the new team being built by Wotton.

Buckland enjoyed a strong season in the Western League last year and manager Dan Hart is developing an exciting young squad at Homers Heath. From a United point of view, Wotton will use the game as an opportunity to give everyone time on the pitch.

After Buckland, United travel to Tavistock on July 17, Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth Argyle visit Plainmoor on July 27, followed by Exeter City on July 30 and a final pre-season game at Tiverton on August 3.

“The Buckland game will be an opportunity to get minutes in the legs, getting a feel of the ball and having a run about,” he said. “Once those pre-season games start, August 10 will come around very quickly.”

The Head of Women’s Football at Torquay United, Steve Elswood, is also looking ahead to a new era for his team.

“We are absolutely delighted to be part of this exciting new journey for the football club, alongside the Bryn Consortium,” said Elswood.

“For us to now work hand-in-hand with the club is very special as it’s been an aim of mine to develop the women’s team to this point for the last three seasons.

“It’s a reward for the hard work and success the women have put in over that time – and achieved in silverware – and for us to now feel fully included alongside the men’s team is a proud moment.”

The Plainmoor backroom team is being assembled by new CEO Joe Lovell and the Gulls have announced a vacancy for the new Head of Operations to manage the football club on a day-to-day basis.

The role will include overseeing facilities management at Plainmoor, including the stadium, pitch and groundskeeping, as well as working with external partners to ensure the club delivers a safe and enjoyable match-day experience for supporters. Full details on www.torquayunited.com

Supporters are advised to book their Buckland tickets early to avoid disappointment on a guaranteed busy night at Homers Heath.