Wotton works wonders in building a new squad

In just ten weeks as Torquay United manager, Paul Wotton has built an impressive squad of 22 players ready to embark on a National League South campaign with the ultimate aim of winning promotion.

In the goalkeeping department, Wotton recruited James Hamon from his former club, Truro City, and added extra competition in the past week with the return of former Plainmoor youngster Matt Wonnacott after a two-year stint with Wigan Athletic.

Defence is the one area that contains some familiar faces from recent seasons, most notably in the form of experiences campaigner Dean Moxey, who, at the age of 38, is about to embark on his fifth year with the Gulls.

Ollie Tomlinson is at the other end of the experience scale but the former Plymouth Argyle youngster showed real steps in his development last season, and he is joined in the rearguard by powerhouse Austen Booth, who signed for his boyhood club from Taunton in the closing months of the previous campaign.

Finley Craske, a defender blighted by injury last term, is another retained player, but from there, Wotton has been working his magic in the market.

Jay Foulston was signed from Taunton after impressing on loan at Yeovil in 2023/24, Jordan Dyer has made the switch from Bath City and former Peterborough defender Sam Dreyer has followed in the footsteps of his father John, who spent time on loan at Plainmoor in 1985.

Back to the theme of returning favourites, and Ed Palmer has waited 13 years to once again demonstrate his talents in front of the Yellow Army. The former Academy star at Plainmoor is another to have worked with Wotton at Truro.

The defensive unit is completed by loan signing from Bournemouth, Finn Tonks, and Northern Ireland youth international Matt Carson, who learned his trade with Southampton.

In the midfield engine room, Wotton recruited Omar Mussa on the eve of the weekend friendly with Plymouth Argyle, and Mussa summed up the sense of excitement at Plainmoor. He said: “I’m very excited by how the club wants to change stuff, on and off the pitch. A lot of things have already changed and it is there for the fans to see.

“The move came about in the summer and I say this humbly, I had a lot of offers, but I came here for a visit and I loved the people I’m going to work for, I love the stadium and the fans. Torquay doesn’t deserve to be in this league and I hope to help this season.

“Brad Ash is a good friend of mine and I’ve given him a lot of assists to score goals. I know his runs, where he likes the ball and I’m happy to work with him again. I now just want to get to know the fans and for them to know me.”

Youngster Jacob Wellington has been training with the first-team this summer and he will be learning from the likes of former Doncaster and Gateshead midfielder Lirak Hasani, as well as the vast experience of Oscar Threlkeld, who worked with Wotton at Plymouth.

Roddy Collins has moved to Torquay after shining for many years in the Irish league and Dan Hayfield joined defender Dyer in making the switch from Bath.

The forward department is headed by Brad Ash, who was one of the shining lights in a tough campaign for the Gulls last season. He is joined by exciting youngster Jadyn Crosbie, a powerful striker who has been banging in the goals for Mangotsfield United.

Former Exeter City youngster Ben Seymour is another who has grown his game in the non-league ranks and was a top performer for Hampton & Richmond last season. The final piece in the United jigsaw is Cody Cooke, who has also made the move from Bath.

Best of all, Wotton and his football advisor Neil Warnock have plenty of room to manoeuvre in the loan market.

TUFC Squad for 2024/25

Goalkeepers: James Hamon, Matt Wonnacott.

Defenders: Finley Craske, Jay Foulston, Jordan Dyer, Sam Dreyer, Austen Booth, Finn Tonks, Matt Carson, Ed Palmer, Dean Moxey, Ollie Tomlinson.

Midfielders: Lirak Hasani, Roddy Collins, Omar Mussa, Oscar Threlkeld, Dan Hayfield, Jacob Wellington.

Strikers: Brad Ash, Ben Seymour, Cody Cooke, Jadyn Crosbie.