(Photo by Edmund Boyden)
By Matt Badcock
ANGUS MacDonald says he didn’t expect to leave Torquay United before the new season but he couldn’t turn down Barnsley – in a deal that sees the Gulls net a vital £100k after a potential takeover collapsed.
Championship side Barnsley have been focusing their recruitment drive on Non-League over the last two years and made the England C defender their latest arrival.
Already this summer they’ve signed Dover Athletic striker Stefan Payne and Kayden Jackson from Wrexham.
It follows from last year’s success story Marc Roberts, who they snapped up from FC Halifax and went on to play a big role in their successful League One promotion campaign.
Former Reading youth captain MacDonald had agreed to stay with Kevin Nicholson‘s Torquay, but felt he had to take the chance when the Tykes came calling last weekend.
“There was interest in the summer from other Non-League teams and some in the League,” said MacDonald, who was admired by Tranmere Rovers, Rochdale and Port Vale.
“It came to a point where in my own head I said, “You know what, I feel like I need another six months at Torquay. I can’t be dealing with this question of where am I going to sign or what’s happening’.
“So I sat down with the manager and said I want to get sorted and sign. I went and got fit in the summer but then this came out of the blue. It’s a young bunch of lads and what they’re doing at the club could be a great step for me.
“Torquay has been a great stepping stone for me, but I want to progress my career. You’ve got to take these opportunities.
“The manager is gutted to lose me. When a few clubs wanted me in the summer he said they weren’t the right move, that I shouldn’t go, and I believed him. He was right and this shows it. I’m very grateful.”
MacDonald has signed a two-year deal for his new club, who opened the new Championship season away at Ipswich Town yesterday, and Torquay also have a 15 per cent sell-on fee.
It comes at a vital time for the National League outfit. Chairman David Phillips announced at the beginning of last week the drawn out takeover by development and stadium management company Gaming International is off.
Phillips said: “We encountered a major stumbling block over GI’s insistence on the purchase of the freehold of Plainmoor, which was not part of the Memorandum of Understanding we had with them.
“As a consequence we are actively talking to an inviting interest in TUFC from parties who share our vision and passion for this great club.”
Meanwhile, Nicholson has missed out on former Paraguay international Ronald Huth, who has turned down a contract offer.
