NEW GULL PROFILE

Sam Jones – @samuellejones

Sam talks about the latest Gulls signing

As the poet DJ Khaled famously once said “Another One!”, which is a quote that really summarises today’s events. That’s right, United have made another signing with versatile midfielder/defender Oscar Threlkeld joining the club. Now that he’s finished gardening at Oldway Mansion of course. This feels like a marquee signing, but who exactly is he?

CAREER SUMMARY

Oscar Threkeld was born in Radcliffe, Greater Manchester, before joining the Bolton Wanderers academy. He made his debut for the Trotters in 2014 but couldn’t really break into the first team, so was sent out on loan to Plymouth for the 2015-2016 season. He was released from Bolton in the summer of 2016, and joined Argyle on a permanent deal. He spent two seasons at Home Park where he became a fan favourite and even worked with current Gulls boss Paul Wotton. He rejected a new deal at the Theatre of Greens and decided to cross the channel to join Belgian outfit Waasland-Beveren (now known as S.K. Beveren) on a free transfer. He struggled to make an impact at the Freethiel Stadion, and was loaned back to Argyle for the remainder of the 2018-2019 season.

After coming back to Blighty, he had spells at Salford, Bradford and Oldham before a nasty injury cut his time at Valley Parade short. While at Salford he won the EFL Trophy in 2020, playing all 120 minutes in a Penalty Shootout Victory over League One side Portsmouth. He then joined Morecambe in November 2023 after a successful trial period on the road to recovery. He would only make two appearances for the Shrimpers before being released this summer, where he went on to sign for the Gulls.

HIGHLIGHTS

He’s not a man who scores many goals. Here is him bobbling one in for Oldham against Yeovil:

And here he is bobbling one in against Exeter for his first Senior goal:

TALKING ABOUT THRELKELD

Oscar Threlkeld at Torquay – what a signing that is. Big statement of intent from The Gulls! https://t.co/3rrtfQXzza
— Tom Harris (@TomHarris_PLYM) June 4, 2024

Oscar Threlkeld signing for Torquay is actually a brilliant signing for them.
— The Lower League Look (@LowerLeagueLook) June 4, 2024

THRELKELD STATS

DATE OF BIRTH: 15TH FEBRUARY 1994 – 30 YEARS-OLD

PLACE OF BIRTH: RADCLIFFE

HEIGHT: 1.84M

POSITION: DEFENDER/MIDFIELDER

L2 23-24 STATS: APPEARANCES 2, GOALS 0, YELLOW/RED CARDS 0/0

MOST LIKELY/LEAST LIKELY

Most Likely To

Play multiple positions. His versatility is mentioned in every press release/article I have read about him it, so it goes without saying that we should expect to see him all over the pitch. Expect to see him in midfield, at right back and maybe even at centre back
Talk about mental health. Oscar has talked open and honestly about his mental health in the past and even became Bradford City’s Mental Health Ambassador at his time there. This kind of stuff is great to see, and I hope he keeps speaking about it.

There's never been a more important time to #HaveYourMatesBack.

Back in October, we caught up with @SalfordCityFC's @Oscar_Threlkeld about his mental health experiences and the importance of talking to others.#EFL | @MindCharity pic.twitter.com/7U2SnqGwRd
— EFL (@EFL) April 15, 2020

Least Likely To

Score a goal or provide an assist. He has made over 220 Senior appearances across his career, but has only scored 7 goals and provide 7 assists. We still may want to sign a striker or two…
Play every single game. Despite having experience at much higher levels, he is someone who has struggled with injuries through his career. On paper he may be an invaluable asset but it looks like his gametime/fitness will need to be managed.

CONCLUSION

Another day, another great announcement video. The club is getting good at this, which is refreshing to see. This also feels like a really good signing, and one that could not just bring quality on the pitch but leadership too (of which we have been sorely lacking). There are questions over his fitness and durability, but by giving him a one year deal we have reduced any risk. We obviously need a lot more players but the recruitment strategy from Wotton and Co is clear. They want players they know and trust, who have genuine experience and success playing in the NLS or higher. Compared to some of the dross that Gary brought it, and the poor youngsters that we’re dragged in on loan, this feels like a template that could work. Fingers crossed it translates onto the pitch.