Next generation making their mark during United’s warm-up schedule
United supporters taking in the pre-season action away from Plainmoor this summer have been given a glimpse of the future, as some of the club’s most promising youth players make the most of the chances to shine in the sun.
A trip to the VX3 Stadium – Homers Heath at the beginning of the month saw United’s practice match action get underway, as a bumper crowd of 1,275 saw United run out 6-0 winners over hosts Buckland Athletic.
Bucks’ squad included a number of familiar faces to the Yellow Army, with a whole of ex-Gulls youngsters taking their place in the home line-up alongside Coby White – a recent addition to TUFC’s new Elite Under-19 Player Pathway – and youth team goalkeeper Mack Stokes.
One of the key benefits of the new Elite Under-19 arrangement is that United’s most talented young starlets will be dual-registered, meaning they will be able to gain regular senior experience locally, whilst continuing their development at Torquay United.
White and Stokes certainly saw plenty of action in the Buckland backline as United’s new-look squad impressed in scorching hot temperatures, whilst another Elite U19 prospect, Jonah Shaw, also earned plaudits following his second-half introduction.
Two goals from Shaw not only helped increase The Gulls’ winning margin, but also delighted the Torquay fans who made the short trip to Newton Abbot.
The next three matches at Cullompton Rangers, Brixham AFC and Plymouth Parkway saw another talented Pathway prospect, Fin Herbert, get his chance.
Having already featured briefly in United’s opening friendly, boss Jimmy Ball called Fin into the action in the second period at Speeds Meadow, and Herbert responded with an energetic and lively showing in attack as United ran out 5-1 winners.
Another livewire substitute showing in the 2-0 win at Brixham reminded the hosting Fishermen fans why Fin proved so popular at Wall Park last season, whilst the presence of Shaw and the fourth member of the Elite U19s, Toby Hard, in the home matchday squad was further evidence of how this exciting new arrangement will be of benefit to all parties in the future.
With a number of the youth team’s most high-profile matches set to be staged at Plainmoor during 2026/27, it won’t be long before the Yellow Army will be able to see this exciting next generation of Gulls stars in action once again.
