Four Young Gulls sign deals to join United’s Elite Under-19 squad for 2026/27
Torquay United’s player pathway from youth team football to the senior squad is now stronger than ever before, with today seeing four of the club’s most promising young players agreeing deals to become the first members of United’s new Elite Under-19 squad.
Promising stars Coby White, Fin Herbert, Jonah Shaw and Toby Hard are the first four Gulls treading a new and exciting path at Plainmoor, as the Club enhances its youth programme with a view to achieving its ultimate aim of having the best local talent plying their trade right here in the first-team at TUFC.
The introduction of the new Elite squad, in partnership with South Devon College, has been created to help bridge the sizeable gap between traditional youth team football ending at the Under-18 level and being ready for the demands of senior professional football, and create an environment which will allow the best young players to continue their development as footballers with TUFC up to Under-19 level, alongside studying at the College.
In addition to training with Jimmy Ball’s first-team squad and being registered to play for The Gulls on a non-contract basis, United’s four Elite squad members will be permitted to be dual-registered, allowing them to gain valuable senior experience with local non-League clubs at weekends.
United, in conjunction with South Devon College, will also be entering an Under-19 side into the National League Youth Alliance League, which will see Torquay competing against fellow National League sides in midweek fixtures, and this will be an added bonus for the Yellow Army, with the Club committing to hosting a minimum of six youth team fixtures at Plainmoor, all of which will be included within 2026/27 Plainmoor Pass packages.
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TUFC Head of Youth Ryan Perks is understandably delighted at the potential opportunities the new Elite Under-19 will offer;
“This is a good opportunity for these young players to be around the first-team to develop and understand the expectations of being a professional footballer, whilst gaining experience at other clubs playing a good standard of senior football.
“At the same time, they’ll be continuing their studies with South Devon College, so I think it’s exciting for all parties,”
Craig Hutcheson, Head of Football at South Devon College was equally enthusiastic about the prospects for the future.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” said Hutcheson.
“We’ve all been working very hard to create this pathway for our young players coming through the College and then being exposed to the professional environment. Whilst we’ve had the partnership over the last few years, our players have been training with the senior squad on an ad-hoc basis, but this now gives something tangible to work for, and provides a clear pathway.”
“This development solidifies and cements that opportunity for an elite group of our players to get a chance with the first-team at Torquay,” added SDC’s Head of Sport, Danny Gaze.
Alternatively, interested individuals can email South Devon College’s Head of Football, Craig Hutcheson via craighutcheson@southdevon.ac.uk
Introducing United’s Elite U19 Quartet
Coby White
Coby is a talented midfielder whose progress playing for Buckland Athletic and Newton Spurs last year was recognised by taking his place on the substitute’s bench for the first-team matches against Dagenham & Chesham last season
Fin Herbert
A forward with huge potential, Fin has already agreed a deal with Brixham AFC for next term, having made a positive impression with the Fishermen last season. In addition to a spell with Willand Rovers, Herbert also made the bench for the matches v Dagenham & Chesham.
Jonah Shaw
Gifted midfielder Jonah was another player to gain experience of Southern League football with Brixham last year, as well as playing a number of games for Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police, Like Coby and Fin, Shaw was also named amongst the substitutes against Chesham last March.
Toby Hard
Exciting forward Toby followed up his pre-season showings for United’s first-team with plenty of senior action last season, with Buckland Athletic and Newton Abbot Spurs both giving Hard the opportunity to gain valuable regular experience of men’s football.
The future is bright – the future is YELLOW!
