Torquay boss questions transfer target's desire

Paul Wotton made more than 400 appearances for Plymouth Argyle as a player

Torquay United manager Paul Wotton has questioned the desire of a former transfer target who has since joined another club.

Wotton is "actively looking" for reinforcements to his squad and revealed the club had been turned down by a player who, he said, has joined a fellow club in the National League South instead.

"A little bit, but then that makes me question the player's desire," the former Plymouth defender told BBC Radio Devon when asked whether location played a part in the player's decision.

"If a player doesn't want to come and is not 100% committed to us then I won't be going down that route signing that player.

"Stars align, right player at the right time. You just keep looking and they'll become available, but I definitely won't be signing any player for the sake of signing a player.

"If you're a player and you're only going to play for teams in certain postcodes then you're not going to have a very long career."

Torquay visit Chelmsford on Saturday and are involved in a tight chase for promotion to the National League, with nine points between eighth-placed Weston-super-Mare and league leaders Dorking Wanderers.

Chelmsford are currently 14 points behind the third-placed Devon club in the National League South standings, having played a game more, but Wotton said games at track field stadiums like the Melbourne Stadium are often unique.

He explained: "It's a difficult place to go. It's always a strange atmosphere I feel when you play football with a running track around it, the same as Hornchurch and Enfield.

"It brings its own challenges but obviously it's a very long trip but one we're ready for and looking forward to."