Blue Square Premier club Forest Green Rovers have signed young striker Ben Joyce on loan from Coca-Cola League Two side Torquay United.
Twenty-year-old Joyce could not believe it when he was recalled by his parent club on Wednesday from his loan spell at Blue Square South Weston-super-Mare to be informed by manager Paul Buckle that he would be going to Rovers in time to be in their squad for the league matches against Stevenage Borough, Oxford United and then Bath City in the Second Round of the FA Cup.
The Plymouth-born striker is seen by Rovers` boss David Hockaday as the ideal replacement for the departing Sean Rigg, who leaves the New Lawn after a very successful loan spell to return to Bristol Rovers.
Prior to signing at Plainmoor, Joyce had been at Swindon Town for two seasons.
He was surprised at the speed of how it all happened and was driven north to Gloucestershire by his father late on Thursday night so he was ready to train and meet his new team-mates on Friday morning.
The loan spell is calculated to end on 2nd January but the player is hopeful he can help his new club reach the Third Round of the FA Cup.
He said: "This is a great opportunity and if I can only do half as well as Sean, then who knows we might meet up again in January with both of us eager to lead the line. I am very excited at the chance being offered to me."
Rovers also announce that the registration of defender Josh Ford has been cancelled as the player expressed his desire to seek an opportunity elsehwere, and that Marcus Palmer has been allowed to sign non-contract forms for Evesham United so he can get some first match action under his belt. The club, though still retains his registration for the Blue Square Premier.
