TT BLOG

Rachel Malloch – @Rachelvillavox

Rachel discusses Hammy

One ‘hake’ Hamon, a nod, more pun on his ‘one take’ catch acting appearance for his introduction to the Torquay United supporters, filmed catching a fish at Brixham seafood market via one of the high quality player signing videos that were brought to us through the lens of local filmmaker Will Hancox, giving us the first sight of our goalkeeper, actually not strictly true, as Hammy had signed on loan back in 2021 for a short spell although we didn’t get to see a great deal of him at that time.

James Hamon is a Guernsey born lad, the closer of the 4 channel islands next to Jersey, and worked his way through the FA youth ranks before grabbing the attention of both Southampton and Exeter City, and following a successful trial at ‘them there up the road, he signed for the Grecians at aged 18 where he remained for 6 seasons, with impressive league appearances to his bow.

However, a certain Bobby Olejnik arrived, limiting his appearances further, a loan with Hayes and Yeading United that got extended to season long, following this 3 months at Gloucester City, then following his release at the end of the 2018/19 season he joined Truro and therein his acquaintance working with Paul Wotton began. Interestingly, for those with an appetite for little known statistics, James Hamon is currently the only player in the current Torquay United squad to have played for the club in the National League, courtesy of the 2020/21 season loan.

‘Hammy’ played every game, both league and cup games for Torquay United in his first season 2024/25 totalling 51 games and that includes an impressive 17 clean sheets. A goalkeeper who grew more confident and whose performances improved as the season progressed, a player who manager Paul Wotton both admires and trusts, and with the nucleus of last season’s defence all signed up for the new season, many would agree that sealing the signature of James Hamon for a further season is a good thing, for the continuity in a defensive unit that consistently displayed solidity and resistance in the rigours of the National League South campaign that fell agonisingly short of promotion.

Goalkeeping can very often be a thankless task, every rick, momentary lapse, a wayward kick and it’s under the floodlit microscope they go for supporters to berate and debate, yet the safe handling, the triple shot blocking in a game on the 87^th minute of a must win, the claiming of every corner or set piece, the constant organisation of the players ahead of you, it takes a special strength of character to fill that role. Paul Wotton sees all of this in James Hamon and he, along with myself, are delighted he’s put pen to paper for this massive season ahead of us.

A popular presence at Plainmoor, a big favourite evidenced particularly with the younger fans, and Hamon repays this as so often he is the first to greet them at the full time whistle and the last to head back to the changing room, this is a huge season for the club and no-one will know this more than our custodian in green (or whatever shirt release VX3 have in store for us) a player who lived, breathed and played every single moment of the last one!