REUNIONS will be multiple when the Yellows play against Torquay United on home soil this Saturday, in their final game of their pre-season.
None, though, is bigger than that of Asa Hall, with former team-mates and Gulls’ fans at the Ian Moorcroft Stadium being in the unfamiliar position of not being on the same side.
Tiverton’s summer signing won plenty of admirers and plaudits in his seven years as Torquay captain and his popularity is untold at a club of which he is clearly still fond. The classy, goalscoring midfielder definitely left his mark at Plainmoor.
He provided many memorable moments for their supporters, with inspirational performances and crucial goals, like the one in the play-off semi-final that took them to Wembley. Hall's qualities will be crucial in the dressing-room and on the field, and that experience and knowhow have been very evident in pre season.
Lining up with Asa against Torquay will be Niall Thompson, who made 28 appearances for the English Riviera side, the majority of which were in League Two. A firm favourite at Tivvy and about to start his third campaign with the Yellows, the electric-heeled Thompson was also conditioning coach at his former club until recently.
First-team coach Ben Gerring also played 36 times for our visitors, across the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons at the highest non-league level, the National League. Former United Under-18 captain Calum Thomas, who also featured for the first-team last term at Plainmoor, joined the Yellows following his close-season release, and fellow new signing Tor Swann was previously part of their Academy sides.
The gulls’ ex-Tivvy contingent includes former Exeter City Under-18 captain Jordan Dyer, who also played in the Grecians’ first team a few times. He had two extremely fruitful loan spells at Ladysmead and showed maturity beyond his years in his time with us. Making a big impression on our supporters, Dyer has signed for Torquay from Bath City, where the defender was a mainstay.
Dan Hayfield's technical ability was never in dispute whilst wearing Tiverton colours. With his passing talents and free-kick ability, he often conjured up moments of magic and it was no surprise that he moved up a level, again with Bath City where his career has flourished. Hayfield is another close-season signing for the Gulls.
Ed Palmer, the veteran centre-back played for us earlier in his football journey and the dependable player's pedigree was enough to persuade his manager at Truro last season, Paul Wotton, to make him move with him.
The versatile and talented Austen Booth spent a season with the Yellows and his athletic and strong performances, mainly as a centre-back but additionally in midfield, proved popular with the Tivvy faithful. After seasons with Plymouth Parkway and Taunton, Booth signed during the last National South campaign for his hometown club and it is at Torquay that he will play his football again this term.
All this adds a bit of spice to an already hugely competitive pre-season affair and although I am sure there will be plenty of respect for each other on both sides, this will not diminish the will to win for each player come 3pm on Saturday.
Comments