ON THIS DAY

United go incomings crazy in 2021!

With the season ending late in 2021 and some of United’s most valuable assets leaving for pastures new, United needed to act fast to reinforce the squad for the 2021-22 season. And on 19th July they went all in, and unveiled 7 (SEVEN) new signings in one hectic afternoon.

Here’s the list:

12.35 – Marcin Brzozowski. Big goalie Marcin impressed in a brief loan spell in 2020-21, but couldn’t dislodge Mark Halstead and then Shaun MacDonald in the United goal during 21/22. Leaving in 2022, the keeper has played for a number of non league clubs since then and is currently at Ashford Town.

12.50 – Mark Halstead. Halstead arrived with a solid reputation, but had a nightmare start and was at fault for a number of goals in the early stages of 21-22. Shaun MacDonald was brought back in and Mark had to take a seat on the bench. To his credit he bounced back with better performances in 22-23, and stayed until 2024 in what was two grim seasons for the Gulls. He moved to Widnes last summer, but with the club no longer in business, moved onto Radcliffe earlier this month.

13.05 – Ali Omar. Big CB Ali joined United after a spell in Barnsley’s U23 team, and whilst his displays were full of energy, his abilities as a defender were somewhat limited! Omar spent two years at Plainmoor, and then joined Larne FC, getting a taste of European action, and also had a loan spell at Bangor. Currently noted as ‘without a club’.

13.20 – Dan Martin. Martin joined the club from Cardiff City and had also played on loan at Weston SM. The left back started to make an impact in the middle of 2021-22 with some swashbuckling displays, but then suffered injuries and COVID illness. Unfortunately his United career would never recover. Dan left last summer for Welling, and has recently returned to Weston SM on a permanent deal.

13.35 – Tom Lapslie. Lapslie joined from Colchester as the most well known player of the ‘Manic Monday’ bunch, and soon made an impression with his terrier like displays, darting around the pitch trying to make something happen. Unfortunately the small midfielder struggled with injuries as well during the next 3 years, and officially left the club in the summer of 2024. He remained in touch with United as he recovered from injury, but then signed for Chelmsford this summer, and will no doubt be a lively presence when the two teams meet in the NLS!

13.55 – Keelan O’Connell. Ex-Bournemouth youth player O’Connell had a tough time at Torquay, struggling for confidence and form in 2021-22. Gary Johnson had seen enough after one season and let the winger leave for Weymouth in 2022. He has recently joined Poole Town.

14.10 – Klaidi Lolos. Lolos was released by Plymouth Argyle and was snapped up by Gary Johnson to bring something different to the United attack. There were glimpses of Klaidi’s ability, but he never settled at United, and with GJ preferring direct tactics the striker found himself out of favour. He moved down a division to play for Oxford City in 2022 and banged in goals for fun, earning a move to EFL team Crawley. He then moved onto Bolton for 200k last summer. A case of what might of been for a player who had the ability but was caught in the wrong situation.

All in all a mixed bag of players, Dan Martin looked for a little while like he could be patrolling United’s left hand side for years to come, whilst Tom Lapslie was understandably popular for his big heart and energy, and Klaidi Lolos really could have prospered if Gary Johnson had shown more willing to exploit his potential rather than stick with Danny Wright. Otherwise Omar, Halstead and O’Connell just weren’t suitable replacements during an uneasy time at Plainmoor.

Ah well, all done now, four years on and Torquay United are a completely different club off and on the pitch. Here’s to the 2025 crop doing the business!