Goodbye Tiger Tom, you will be remembered fondly by the fans

ONE look at new chief executive officer Mark Thomas’ CV and you can see why he has been employed to take hold of the business side of Torquay United - but he's no Tom Lapslie!

- Richard Hughes

While the appointment of Thomas and the recent signings of experienced players Manunhe Sundire and Louis Dennis are massive positives, I can’t help feeling a bit annoyed that we haven't pushed the boat out to re-sign the legend that is Mr Lapslie, Tiger Tom, the skipper of the tucked-in shirt brigade, Mr 100%, Torquay Till I Die.

OK. So I may be going a bit over the top here. But seeing Tom (right) in the squad next year was something many were hoping was going to be a thing - and now he’s gone and signed for Chelmsford City, who Torquay will take on again in the National League South next season.

We were so hopeful. And when Tom stayed in the bay after picking up an injury that kept him out for a year, he started training with the team towards the end of the season.

Surely, surely, surely he would be a good option for Paul Wotton. Surely... And then that post on X from Chelmsford, announcing their new signing. I almost had a little cry.