Torquay United announce two new signings as transfer embargo lifted

Having had their transfer embargo lifted by the National League at the weekend, Torquay United have announced two signings today - one a new player, and one who fans already know.

With the only player under contract for the forthcoming National League South season until today being defender Austen Booth, new manager Paul Wotton and football advisor Neil Warnock have a lot of work to do between now and the end of the season to build a squad capable of winning promotion back to the top division of non-league football.

But the first signing, announced with a quirky video of Booth kicking a ball against a Plainmoor wall and ringing his mate Jay Foulston, who is eating chips at the harbour and asking him if he would like to join him at Torquay, has certainly got the fans excited about who might follow.

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Foulston, who joined Yeovil Town last season from Taunton Town, was a part of the team that won promotion with the Glovers - and the acquisition of the full back has gone down well with supporters who know their players.

A statement on the club’s website read: “Left-footer Foulston, 23, joins Paul Wotton’s side on a two-year deal, following a highly successful loan spell at Yeovil Town, which saw the Welshman gain a National League South winner’s medal, after making the switch across Somerset from local rivals Taunton Town.

“After being capped 11 times for Wales at U19 level as a youngster with League Two side Newport County, Jay went on to represent Merthyr Town and Chippenham Town before playing a key role in Taunton’s rise up the footballing pyramid. Having been a regular for the Glovers since signing for them last term, Foulston will now be looking forward to reuniting with his fellow Taunton team-mate Austen Booth, who is already under contract at Plainmoor.”

Then, at 5pm, came another video - this one featuring a player who suffered an injury last season that might have ended his association with the club. But in his video, made at Splashdown Quaywest in Paignton, defender Finley Craske shoots down a flume and is revealed at the bottom.

These videos, made by former Torquay trainee Will Hancox, are certainly adding a classy element to the player reveals, as the club comes out of an era that often stifled creativity and lacked emotion. Following on from the video of Wotton and Warnock sitting in the rain on Princess Pier, the videos are beginning to feel almost as important as the news they herald.

The statement that followed Craske’s video said: “After signing for United following a successful spell on trial last pre-season, Craske, 21, went on to make 14 appearances for the club in 2023-24 before injury curtailed his campaign prematurely. However, after working his way back to full fitness, Finley is now eagerly looking forward to resuming his Torquay career under Gulls manager Paul Wotton, with the two having already tasted success together before.

"Having risen through the ranks at Plymouth Argyle, loan spells at Yeovil and Plymouth Parkway preceded a memorable temporary stint at Wotton’s Truro City, with Craske helping steer the White Tigers to promotion to National League South two years ago.”

Expect more videos and reveals in the coming days.