Midfielder Gabby Rogers has become the latest addition to Gary Johnson’s exciting new-look Torquay United squad.
It has been a whirlwind week for the former Yeovil Town man, who scored a superb effort against Torquay for Tiverton Town last Tuesday, before registering an even more impressive effort in the colours of United in their 3-0 win over Chippenham Town on Saturday.
After seeing his talent in close quarters both for and against his side, the Gaffer was understandably delighted to get a deal for Rogers in place prior to The Gulls’ final pre-season run-out against Bournemouth U23s.
“He came to our notice through a mutual friend,” said Johnson.
“We were aware of him at Yeovil, and we were aware of him going to Tiverton to keep fit and get a couple of games, so we decided to watch him, but we had already arranged then that he would come in training after the Tiverton game. He didn’t have to impress, but he did.
“He came into training and impressed everybody. He looked the part, of course we played him in the game, and he showed in the game what he could do in training. We looked back at some of his stuff, and we thought that he was something different, something that we could use and nuture, and bring out his potential. If you can do that, you’ve got a player.
“He also comes from good stock. He was born in Torquay and was at Torquay as a young lad, and his dad played for Plymouth. He’s ready now – he’s gone beyond being a youngster, he’s 20 and needs regular games at a good level.”
Having been at Plainmoor as a youngster, Gabby is now looking to follow in his father Andy’s footsteps, with Rogers Sr making over 280 league appearances for the likes of Peterborough, Southampton, Plymouth Argyle, Reading and Southend.
“It’s wonderful, it’s great to be back,” said United’s newest addition.
“Obviously I started out here when I was eleven, and was here four or five years until they had to shut the academy down, so it’s great to be back and I just want to get as many games in as possible, and see what happens from there.”