The new season arrives for Torquay United

Competitive football has finally returned to Plainmoor and the era of Paul Wotton, Neil Warnock and the Bryn Consortium will begin with a visit from Enfield Town in the National League South.

From the depths of potential financial oblivion, the Bryn Consortium arrived in the spring to breathe new life into Torquay United.

Wotton made the move from Truro City to become manager, the vast experience of Neil Warnock came on board as football advisor and the long process of building a new squad was underway.

Wotton, Warnock and co. have added youth, experience, NLS knowledge and potential. Of course, the proof will be in a results-shaped pudding, but if positivity and enthusiasm are an early barometer, United could well be on the start of an amazing journey.

The Yellow Army is 100% engaged and invested in their club again, and pre-season has been a platform of stability and growth for the club.

“We worked out the games we wanted to below and the gaps in between the games for heavy training,” said Wotton. “The boys are in a good place, they’ve had good minutes in the legs and now we can’t wait for the first game of the season.

“Pre-season games are always a struggle, whether you’re playing top-class opposition or teams that are lower than you. They are really hard games to get out the way want to play but, overall, fitness is good and boys look strong. They are an honest bunch and they work very hard.

“Hopefully, we get a really good crowd [against Enfield] and to start at home is always good. We’ll train through the week, taper it down and then I’ve got the tough choice of selecting the starting 11.”

The first match of the summer was a 0-0 draw at Buckland Athletic, where the rain poured but both clubs gave a fine account of themselves.

A trip to Tavistock yielded the first goals of the Wotton reign, Brad Ash slamming an opening goal into the roof of the net on six minutes, swiftly followed by Matt Carson converting from close range. A Ben Seymour double completed the 4-0 victory.

The challenge ramped up several notches for the visit of Plymouth Argyle on a steamy night at Plainmoor. After a weird first half that saw the game interrupted by medical incidents in the crowd, thankfully not serious, Wayne Rooney’s Championship Pilgrims scored twice early in the second period for a 2-0 win.

Exeter City rolled into town and also raced into a 2-0 lead but United responded, Jordan Dyer pulling one back with eight minutes remaining and a late own goal secured a credible draw.

The final pre-season outing was a 3-0 victory at Tiverton last weekend, with goals from Ash, Dan Hayfield and exciting youngster Jadyn Crosbie.

“We showed a great attitude, great work ethic and the boys applied themselves very well,” said Wotton. “It was a red hot day and a tough pitch, but the attitude was very good.

“We love him [Crosbie] and he’s adjusting to full-time training. He rolled his ankle very early in pre-season and missed a couple of weeks, which wasn’t ideal for him to settle in with the boys, but he’s trained really well over the last ten days.

“He’s a goalscorer, he works really hard, he’s willing to learn and very coachable, so I’m pleased for him.”

The hard work for Wotton, Crosbie, Warnock et al begins on Saturday.

Inside your next Torbay Weekly will be a superb 16-page Torquay United supplement, including the full team photo, exclusive interviews and insight as the Gulls embark on a new season.