TORPOINT Athletic have pulled off a major coup by signing prolific striker Ryan Richards from Southern League side Plymouth Parkway, writes Nigel Walrond.

Richards announced he was leaving Parkway after one season and speculation immediately mounted that he would be rejoining his old club Saltash United in the Western League.

But he turned down an offer from Saltash manager Dane Bunney to sign for South West Peninsula League East division side Torpoint, whom he joined as cover last season and made one substitute appearance.

Torpoint assistant manager Gary Williams told the Cornish Times: “We are delighted to have his signature.

“We had him signed last year as cover, with Parkway being in a higher league, but we are obviously really happy at getting him on a permanent basis.

“He is somebody we have wanted for a long time to be honest.

“His finishing ability is second to none and the numbers he has returned over the last few years have been brilliant.

“He took the opportunity to challenge himself at Western League level with Parkway and proved he could do it at that level as well. He scored 19 goals, and it probably would have been more if the season hadn’t been curtailed.

“A player like that was always going to be in demand and a lot of the top clubs were after him, so naturally we are delighted to have managed to persuade him to come to The Mill.”

Point still have Curtis Damerell and Lewis Young in a potent strikeforce, but Adam Carter has left the club to join Western League Premier Division side Bitton.

“Adam came and helped us out a bit last year, when Bideford’s season was over, but he has now gone to play for Bitton in the Western League.

“But we have still got Curtis and Lewis, and we have got some good options there, and with the addition of Ryan as well it is really exciting.”

Richards netted 45 goals in all competitions in his last season in the SWPL with Saltash in 2019-20.