Torquay United ‘elite environment’ as squad is coming together nicely

And with Torquay in training for more than a week now, Jimmy Ball says he likes what he is seeing – with the club backing the manager in his bid to create, what he calls, an ‘elite environment’ hidden away in the South Hams.

Every Wednesday in the Herald Express, our Torquay United correspondent Richard Hughes takes a sideways look at what’s going on in the world of the Gulls. This week he looks at how the squad is coming together ahead of the first pre-season friendly

Twenty-two players and counting – this new Torquay United squad is coming together nicely, thank you very much. Now let’s see how they do at Buckland Athletic on Saturday, when Gulls fans will get to see the new recruits for the first time in yellow and blue.

With Toby Savin and Jake Wannell joining the club in the last week and one more expected, manager Jimmy Ball may actually be able field a different team in each half at Homers Heath on Saturday, when the Gulls take on their Western League Premier Division neighbours as preparations for the forthcoming National League South season take a big step forward.

And with Torquay in training for more than a week now, Ball says he likes what he is seeing – with the club backing the manager in his bid to create, what he calls, an ‘elite environment’ hidden away in the South Hams.

Talking to me on Tuesday morning, Ball explained: “It has been outstanding. One of the things we have looked to do is get a training base that is conducive to an elite environment and the club has helped me do that, which is fantastic.

“The lads have come into this environment and responded really, really well – and we can work out here in privacy, and extremely hard. And just get on with our jobs.”

If Ball does field two teams at Buckland, it will be the first time for fans to get a look at both goalkeepers: 25-year-old Savin, and the lesser experienced but just as eager Baker. The 21-year-old has already said he wants to be the No 1 – so the signing of Savin from a League One club raises the spectre of some serious competition for the place in between the sticks.

Ball said: “Toby’s an exceptional goalkeeper. All the work we did, background and career and what he has done and how he has performed. We spoke to several managers and goalkeeper coaches and they were all extremely positive about him – as well as the stuff that me and Darren watched extensively on him.

“So we are confident that we have got ourselves a goalkeeper, not just for now but for the future if we progress as a football club through the leagues. That’s not a negative on Zak – there’s competition at our football club in every position. I believe Zak is an outstanding young goalkeeper.

“Us signing Today is to say to Zak and to Toby, right – you are going to be pushed every day by each other and the staff, and may the best man win.

And who wears the captain’s armband in pre-season will be interesting, with Matt Worthington Ball’s choice last season, but his former teammate Jake Wannell signing this week.

Wannell was the skipper at Yeovil last season and is made of the right stuff, even though he might be a little more fond of a yellow card than is good for him. The former Exeter City trainee is also another home town boy, like Matt Jay and Callum Morton.

“He’s a leader, he’s a winner, he’s a big, physical, strong and uncompromising centre half,” said Ball. “He is left-footed, which helps us with balance as we only had one left footed defender in the whole squad last season – so he gives us balance in that respect.

“It allows me to play different systems and different tactical systems at the back, with technically two left-footed centre halves along with Tyler Hill.

“He just gives us tremendous options and experience, balance and strength. So I am really pleased with that and he is another local boy. I am extremely happy to get that experience in the building.”