29th August 2019

Having trained with the first team all summer, Louie rose to prominence with a number of commanding displays during the pre-season campaign and has now signed a professional contract to play for Torquay United Football club at the age of 18.

Manager Gary Johnson spoke of his pleasure in welcoming Louie into the professional ranks.

“We’re very pleased to sign Louie, soon after his 18th birthday. He’s shown great progress whilst training with us full-time since pre-season and he’s impressed us all. He’s not only a good footballer, but he’s got a very good persona for a footballer.

“It’s credit to a lot of people. First credit to his parents, who obviously took him around everywhere when he was younger, like us parents do. The next group of people to give credit to are the staff at South Devon College, where Daniel Gaze, Chris Todd and Craig Hutcheson have spent a lot of time working with him.

“It does show you with the South Devon College programme that there is a route through if you’re good enough.”

Louie is excited to be fulfilling his ambition of becoming a professional footballer and expressed sincere appreciation for those that helped him reach this point.

“I’m just grateful for what South Devon College have done, if it wasn’t for them then I don’t know what I’d be doing now. I am also grateful to the manager, Gary Johnson, for giving me the opportunity. My Granddad is also very proud.”

Louie will be following in the footsteps of his Grandfather, Alan, who enjoyed a fine league career representing the likes of Luton, Fulham and Peterborough, before joining Torquay as coach with Bruce Rioch in the early 1980s.

 

If you’re interested in what sporting qualifications South Devon College have to offer, then come along to the Open Event on Saturday 12th October 2019 from 10am-1pm. For more information, contact 08000 380 123 or email [email protected].