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Sam Turner – @sam_turner97
Sam discusses new boys Ness & Thompson
The two other new additions that Gary Johnson made to his side in the run up to the Notts County match were centre-back Lucas Ness (on loan from Charlton Athletic) and striker/winger Cameron Thompson (non-contract terms). Both young players, they will hopefully provide some much needed depth whilst our injured and suspended players look to return to action. Let’s take a closer look at both of their short careers so far…
CAREER SUMMARY
LUCAS NESS
After coming through the youth ranks at Metropolitan Police FC (though not enrolled as a copper) Ness made 7 senior appearances for the senior side in the 19/20 season. Following this he made a big move up to Charlton Athletic in League One (with the club having recently been relegated from the Championship). Since then he’s made multiple appearances in both the Carabao Cup and Papa John’s Trophy. He’s had some experience in the National League South where he spent the second half of last season on loan with Hampton and Richmond Borough FC (a team Torquay have FA Cup experience of this season), playing 13 games for the London-based club, impressing supporters with assured performances. He joins on a month long loan, similar to Mark Ellis.
CAMERON THOMPSON
Born in Lambeth, London, Cameron had a good start to life as a footballer as he joined Fulham FC’s academy at the age of 11. He helped the Cottagers’ u14 and u15 sides to English Schools FA Cup success before taking on a two-year scholarship with them in 2017. He made his first appearance for the u21s in a 3-2 EFL Trophy loss against Charlton Athletic, though he did score a goal to put his side 2-1 up. After signing his first professional contract with Fulham in 2018 he went on to score freely for the u18s, moving up to the u23s full time and making a further 3 EFL Trophy appearances. However, his time at Fulham was cut short by a hamstring injury and he was released at the end of his 2 year contract. After a trial he signed with league one side Barnsley and made his debut as a substitute in an EFL Cup penalty shoot-out loss to Bolton Wanderers, followed by his league debut as a very late substitute in a 2-1 loss to Birmingham City in January 2022. In March of the same year he joined National League South club Darlington on loan until the end of the season where he played 10 matches, scoring 1 goal. He comes to Torquay on a non-contract after being released at the end of his Barnsley contract.
STATS
LUCAS NESS
Position: Centre Back
Date of Birth: 17/02/2002
Height: 1.80m
Previous clubs: Metropolitan Police, Charlton Athletic, Hampton & Richmond Borough
CAMERON THOMPSON
Position: Striker/Winger
DOB: 21/02/2000
Height: 1.78m
Previous Clubs: Fulham (youth), Barnsley, Darlington
MOST LIKELY/LEAST LIKELY TO
LUCAS NESS
MOST LIKELY TO:
– Be shunted into Loch Ness Monster puns.
– Be compared with Sam Sherring.
LEAST LIKELY TO:
– Ask for Ellis and Moxey to be replaced by Marshall and Omar.
CAMERON THOMPSON
MOST LIKELY TO:
– Be abbreviated to Cam or Thommo.
– Beat Aaron Jarvis in the ‘lovely beard’ striker stakes.
CONCLUSION
Two fairly unknown quantities from Gary this time but hopefully they can both play their part and, in Thompson’s case especially, earn a place in the squad going into a big couple of months where most of the world’s attention will be on Qatar. Ness has already impressed as a partner to Mark Ellis at the back and looked a calm presence in the drubbing of Aldershot, Thompson has much to prove, but at least adds to our attacking options and will be desperate to impress Gary Johnson. Let’s hope it’s a big month ahead for both them and the team.
COYY – SAM
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