With pre-season preparations now underway, a number of new faces will be spending the next few weeks getting to know their new teammates ahead of the 2020/21 National League campaign.
United’s newest addition, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans needs little introduction to Gulls fans of course, having become a real fans favourite following three successful loan spells during the past two and a half years.
Having followed up temporary spells at Bath City by making his senior bow for Bristol City in the FA Cup against Premier League Watford in January 2018, Connor’s name has become a regular amongst the leading names in the goals and assists charts since his arrival at Plainmoor. After joining the club on a permanent basis, the former Wales Under-21 international is looking forward to playing a leading role in Gary Johnson’s side once again in the season ahead.
Another familiar face to Torquay fans is centre-back Gary Warren, who produced a number of impressive displays on loan from near neighbours Exeter City earlier this year. It was at Southern League side Mangotsfield United that Warren first made his name, amassing over 150 appearances for the club, before clocking up another century in the colours of University-affiliated side Team Bath.
Following Bath’s dissolution in 2009, Gary made the move to Welsh side Newport County, where his committed displays immediately endeared him to The Exiles’ faithful, as the club stormed to the National League South in his first season. His selection as County skipper was no surprise to anybody that had seen his performances in an Amber shirt, and nor was the clamour for his services following the expiry of his contract following three years at the club.
Eventually it was Scottish Premier side Inverness Caledonian Thistle that won the race for his signature, with Warren amply repaying them during the course of the next six years. Thistle continually defied the odds north of the border, with success in the 2014/15 Scottish Cup paving the way for European football the following season. After helping to steer the side to the Scottish Challenge Cup during his final year in the Highlands, Gary returned to his Westcountry roots to sign for Yeovil Town in the pre-season of 2018. Despite a difficult season for The Glovers, his leadership skills caught the attentions of fellow League Two side Exeter, who were quick to swoop for the experienced centre-back the following summer.
Although Danny Wright has never played in a United shirt before, Plainmoor regulars will have long-admired the Norwich-born centre forward’s performances for a number of opposition sides over the past decade, beginning with his starring role in village side Histon’s remarkable rise up through the footballing ranks between 2007-2010.
2008/09 was a notable highpoint for both the team and Danny himself, with his winner in the 1-0 FA Cup win over League One Swindon Town setting up an even more memorable triumph over the mighty Leeds United in the following round. Although it would be Torquay themselves that would ultimately scupper Histon’s Football League dreams in the play-offs, Wright was now a man in demand, with a succession of National League clubs benefiting from his goalscoring exploits during the next five years, prior to his first link-up with current United boss Johnson in July 2015.
Stints at the top tier of non-league football with Cambridge, Wrexham, Forest Green, Gateshead and Kidderminster had seen Danny earn himself a reputation as one of the most feared strikers at that level, however the Football League remained uncharted waters, until his move to Johnson’s Cheltenham Town saw the Gloucestershire outfit reclaim their League Two status at the first time of asking. Aided by the likes of future United colleagues Asa Hall and Aaron Downes, Wright’s 22 goals in 44 games played a large part in seeing The Robins secure the title by twelve points, with the target man proving equally effective in the EFL, as he notched 11 goals during in first season amongst the sacred 92.
A move back into the National League with an ambitious Solihull Moors side in 2018 would once again see the best brought out in player and team, with another double-figure tally seeing Tim Flowers’ men go within touching distance of securing promotion. Danny jumped at the chance of renewing his successful partnership his former Cheltenham boss – with a Football League return very much on the agenda for all concerned.
Towering centre-back Fraser Kerr, like fellow defender Warren, made his name in the higher reaches of the Scottish game prior to establishing himself in England. Having seen his route into Birmingham City’s first-team by a number of established stars despite Scotland Under-21 recognition, a successful six-month loan spell with SPL side Motherwell was to prove to be the catalyst for Fraser’s career, with a permanent move subsequently taking place in July 2013.
A regular in The Well side during his time at Fir Park, Kerr took part in all three of the club’s brief Europa League campaigns, figuring in the ties against Levante (Spain), FC Kuban Krasnodar (Russia) and Stjarnan (Iceland). Spells at League One sides Cowdenbeath and Stenhousemuir would herald more regular first-team action, before National League side Gateshead saw him take up the opportunity to return South ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
Over the next eighteen months, Fraser established himself at the heart of The Heed backline, before financial difficulties saw the club sell one of its most prized assets to divisional rivals Hartlepool in February 2019. Last season saw Kerr make 28 appearances for Pools, before Johnson moved to add the experienced centre-back to his defensive roster for 2020/21.
United’s fifth new arrival also enhanced his reputation in Scotland, however Andrew Nelson had already been earmarked as a striker with huge potential during his time at North East giants Sunderland. Never far from first-team consideration, Andrew made three appearances for The Black Cats’ EFL Trophy sides in 2016/17 and 2017/18, with additional game time gained during temporary spells at Hartlepool (League Two), Harrogate (National league North) and Falkirk (Scottish Championship).
An unfortunate injury curtailed Nelson’s hopes on involvement in Sunderland’s League One challenge, however six goals in just five games for National League North side Darlington alerted SPL side Dundee, who promptly secured his passage to Dens Park for an undisclosed fee during the January transfer window.
His impact in Scotland was immediate, as he notched the winner on his debut in a 2-1 at Hearts, before following it up with a double in a 2-2 draw at home to Kilmarnock and another in a 2-1 win at Livingston. It would be largely a season of struggle for The Dee though, with relegation confirmed with two games remaining.
Another lightning-quick start to 2019/20 saw Andrew further strengthen his place in the hearts of Dundee supporters, with an opening day brace sealing League Cup success at Raith, before claiming the only goal in the 1-0 win at Ayr and a consolation in the derby defeat at rivals Dundee United before August was out. The club’s failure to secure an immediate return to the top-flight signalled a number of cost-cutting exercises, with Torquay acting quickest to reap the rewards by tempting the 22-year old forward to swap the Scottish Lowlands for the English Riviera.
We’ll be bringing you more from all five players over the course of the next few weeks, as we continue to build up to the start of the 2020/21 National League season.