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Dom Roman

@DomRoman

The last two years of pre-season signings have been a big reason for the Gulls struggles, but happily things look better in 2023! Let’s take a look at our best summer transfers over the years…

2022

The Main Man: Aaron Jarvis – Not much thinking required on this one. 2022 saw a whole raft of signings arrive at Plainmoor, and very few good ones! Aaron Jarvis was hindered by early season injury, but came in with a whole load of belief and proved his point with 18 goals and a number of proper centre forward displays that saw him run away with the POTY award. PLAYED 44 – GOALS 18

Honourable Mentions: Will Goodwin – Unlike the other dithering youngsters, on-loan Stoke striker Will Goodwin came in with confidence and a clear motivation to show what he was made of. Strong on the ball, busy and capable of a sharp finish, Will looked the part straight away and it was no surprise when he moved onto EFL Football in January. PLAYED 29 – GOALS 8

2021

The Main Man: Tom Lapslie – 2021 was mainly about Manic (Panic) Monday, with a squad hastily assembled after the loss at Ashton Gate. Tom Lapslie joined the Gulls from Colchester, and soon endeared himself to us with his constant running and work rate. Injuries have hampered his time at United, but when fit and on form the little chap can break up attacks, push United on and chip in the odd goal as well. No doubt he’ll be raring to go in 23/24. PLAYED 72 – GOALS 7

Honourable Mention: Mark Halstead – Not an easy choice as Mark Halstead’s 21/22 season was the stuff of nightmares! But he bounced back for 22/23 and showed himself to be a capable keeper, and assuming he doesn’t wobble again he’ll surely be one of the best in the NLS. PLAYED 56 – CLEAN SHEETS 8

2020

The Main Man: Connor Lemonheigh-Evans – Yes the Lemon had already played for the Gulls before, but in 2020 he signed a permanent contract and went onto have a superb season for us. Starting off with a late winner against Stockport, the Lemon showed off his all-round game, scoring and creating goals, whilst also working his socks off for United. The Lemon left in 2022, and was hugely missed last season. PLAYED 164 – GOALS 30

Honourable Mention: Adam Randell – There was a number of terrific signings that summer, but Adam Randell stands out from the crowd. The majestic midfielder had a low-key arrival, but went onto become a key cog in the midfield with a number of fantastic displays, showing intelligence and teckers throughout 2020-21. We don’t find many like him. PLAYED 50 – GOALS 3

2019

The Main Man: Armani Little – Gary Johnson brought Armani Little to the club from Woking, and initially the midfielder’s time at Plainmoor was a mixture of inconsistent performances and frustrating injuries, and with United having strength in depth Armani struggled to command a first team place. This all changed in 21-22 as Little stepped up and scored 15 NL goals, fulfilling his undoubted potential. Forest Green snapped him up in 2022. PLAYED 90 – GOALS 19

Honourable Mention: Joe Lewis – Joe Lewis first joined the Gulls on loan from Swansea in 2019 and fitted in well as a squad player that season, filling in around the defence and impressing the Yellow Army with his size, speed and strength in a season that was curtailed by COVID. PLAYED 99 – GOALS 6

2018

The Main Man: Asa Hall – Five years ago the Gulls lurched into the NLS with Gary Owers in charge, but the ex-manager did sign some good players for United and that included Asa Hall from Barrow. We’ve already reflected on Asa’s 5 years at Torquay this summer, he’s given everything for United in that time, scoring many important goals and pushing the team on to plenty of wins. The skipper will still be a key man for 23/24. PLAYED 164 – GOALS 40

Honourable Mention: Ben Wynter – Another man much-missed at Plainmoor, Wynts came to Plainmoor in 2018 and struggled for confidence in the early games. But little by little he improved, becoming Mr Consistent for United and also providing a magical moment at Woking. His game continued to develop in the NL, and it was a surprise when he left for another NL team in Barnet…but that move looks a smart one now! PLAYED 160 – GOALS 9

2017

The Main Man: Liam Davis – Liam Davis was signed by Kevin Nicholson in 2017 and spent his early United days on the side-lines with injuries. But once the elegant left back arrived on the scene his quality was there for all to see and he went onto become a key man at United over the following couple of years, either at left back or wing back. Unfortunately an injury at Maidstone in late 2019 meant Davis had played his last game for the Gulls. PLAYED 100 – GOALS 3

Honourable Mention: Michee Efete – It’s slim pickings for 2017 (Pittman, Higgins, Clarke, Klukowski, Gosling etc), but on-loan Norwich defender Michee Efete had a reasonable season for the struggling Gulls in 17-18, and now plays in the EFL with Grimsby. PLAYED 27 – GOALS 0

2016

The Main Man: Dan Sparkes – Winger Dan Sparkes joined the Gulls from Braintree in 2016 and soon made a big impression with keen running and energetic displays. Despite being a bit prone to injury he helped the Gulls accomplish a Great Escape and won the supporters Player of the Year award for 2016-17. It was therefore a blow when Sparksey left for Daggers in 2017, and he now plays for Maidenhead. PLAYED 37 – GOALS 6

Honourable Mention: Brendan Moore – American Goalkeeper Brendan Moore impressed on loan in the spring of 2016, and then gladly agreed to join the Gulls that summer on a permanent deal. Moore was a consistent performer that season, commanding on crosses and integral to United staying up. He headed back to the EFL with Rochdale in 2017. PLAYED 61 – CLEAN SHEETS 18

2015

The Main Man: Nathan Smith – The 2015-16 season was a turbulent one at Plainmoor, Paul Cox was appointed in the summer and then left to be replaced by Kevin Nicholson. And of course for the most part United looked nailed on for relegation. One plus point throughout was the performances of young Port Vale loanee Nathan Smith. A lad with a super attitude, Nathan eventually forged a prosperous CB partnership with Angus MacDonald and won the POTY for his troubles. PLAYED 44 – GOALS 3

Honourable Mention: Dan Butler – Butler was brought to United by Paul Cox in 2015 and looked well suited to the left wing back role. He ended up as a left back and staying at Kevin Nicholson’s house that season, but that didn’t deter him from playing every game and showing a level of consistency that earned him a moved to Newport County in 2016. PLAYED 52 – GOALS 3

2014

The Main Man: Luke Young – Luke Young started his United career with an explosion of fantastic games and goals in 2014, and Plymouth’s loss was our gain. In the following four years Young would continue to do what he could at United, but injuries disrupted his seasons and the team were relegated in 2018. Luke would often be given the MOTM on bad days for the Gulls, as his efforts were there for all to see, so it’s nice to see the midfielder doing well at Wrexham. PLAYED 142 – GOALS 18

Honourable Mention: Angus MacDonald – Angus Mac had already spent two loan spells with United around 2012, so it was no surprise when Chris Hargreaves signed him to a permanent deal in 2014. The centre back started erratically at Plainmoor and struggled to find a place in the line-up, but then blossomed under Nico in 2015-16 and became a swashbuckling hero to the Yellow Army. He left for Barnsley in August 2016 and now plays for Aberdeen. PLAYED 98 – GOALS 3

2013

The Main Man: Krystian Pearce – Dear me this was a horrific summer for United! Centre Back Pearce was a decent player though, guilty of the odd lapse but strong and imposing alongside Aaron Downes. With United often losing 0-1 that season, it was the other end that killed United as much as anything. Indeed Pearce was joint 2nd top scorer in the league with Downes…on 4 goals! He stayed for a season in the Conference before joining Mansfield in 2015. PLAYED 74 – GOALS 5

Honourable Mention: Jordan Chappell. Let’s finish with a bang shall we!! Chappell joined permanently that summer after a loan spell in 2012-13. The ex-Sheffield United winger looked a decent player on his day, scoring 5 goals to top the Gulls goal-scoring charts…what a season. PLAYED 74 – GOALS 7