Seale the Deal

Argyle’'s Carlsberg South West Peninsula Football League and Under-18 sides will play their fixtures at the former Seale-Hayne College, which the Gulls have used as their training base since 2010.

Under the terms of the two-year agreement, the Argyle Under-18s will also use the ex-agricultural college for their daily training. 

Argyle chief executive Martyn Starnes said: "“We are delighted to have finalised matters with Torquay United and both parties very much look forward to our joint-venture.

“"Seale-Hayne is a fine facility in which Torquay have made significant investment since they moved their training operation there from the racecourse."”

The deal solves two problems in one move for Argyle, providing a permanent residence for their youngsters to train and play, and a home venue for their Peninsula League side, after failing to find appropriate amenities nearer to Plymouth.

It also provides National League side United with a much-needed financial boost at a time when they have cut their Academy programme.

Seale-Hayne comprises three pitches, as well as dressing-rooms with showers, offices, a medical facility and a small gym, which the Argyle youngsters will share with United’s first team.

Martyn said: “"In an ideal world, all our teams would train and play in and around Plymouth, the city they represent. That is our long-term ambition, of course.

"“Frustratingly, at the moment, this is not feasible; there is a dearth of facilities in and around Plymouth and we have experienced real problems trying to find training pitches to the standard our Academy needs to help them develop our young players.

“"This agreement with our friends and neighbours at Torquay United is an ideal solution for us. It also works for them – it is a win-win arrangement.”"