Playing comes first for Torquay United’s new Head of Youth

Torquay United manager Jimmy Ball insists that Matt Jay remains a player first and the Gulls’ Head of Youth second after the attacking midfielder’s new appointment this week.

Former Exeter City and Colchester United player Jay, 30, extended his contract at Plainmoor as part of a reshuffle at the top of United’s Youth Academy.

But he’s already scored three crucial goals in the National League South this season, and neither South Devonian Jay nor Ball want that to stop.

“I certainly have no plans to give up playing any time soon – still plenty of life left here,” said Jay.

Ball stressed: “Matt Jay is a player first and foremost in my mind, and an exceptional player at that.

“Football is all about who starts a game and who finishes a game, and Matt understands that.

“He has a wonderful brain on the football pitch.”

Describing Jay as ‘the ideal candidate’ for the Youth role, Ball added: “I think he will develop into a wonderful coach and, hopefully one day, a manager.

“But his role here is to play football first and foremost.”

Since joining United in January 2025, Jay has made 71 appearances and scored 14 goals, taking his career stats to 311 senior games and 74 goals