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His wiki states 5ft 8. I also thought that was wrong, unless he's got a Kevin Hill-esque jump!

Anyone who has watched lower league football over the last 10 years knows that Karl Hawley is nowhere near six foot!

He is bigger than 5ft 8 though.

brucie wrote:Hawley is 5' 8 so looking like our two main strikers will not be in the Howe mould. Hawley is a typical journeyman striker and probably about the best we could have expected.
Worryingly Callum Ball is also a part time model apparently!
Don't know anything about him - apparently Crewe tried to sign him on loan last year. Did not play too many games for Coventry.

Based on everything we know about Knill, he won't have brought Ball in on an extended (presumably either to January, or even season long) loan just for him to warm the bench. His philosophy when it comes to bringing loan players in from higher divisions are that in accordance with the parent club's wishes they are here to play and so I fully expect Ball to be seen as our main target man, but rotating with Benyon and Hawley, both of whom (although neither great in stature) can play that role too but understandably (given that Ball is 6ft 3 ins) in a different sort of way.

I'd be surprised if hawley is taller than 5'8". For comparison, jo kuffour was 5'7"; I would say Hawley being an inch taller was about right.

Still, good signing in my opinion, adding some real experience and know-how up front. Glad ball is a taller lad, as although I don't think you HAVE to play with a tall guy up front, it's undeniably a useful option to have.

Really interesting to see whether knill will throw one of these two lads straight in, or whether he thinks that might upset the apple cart? Could well still see a Benyon yeoman pairing on sat.

exiledgull wrote:There is no way Hawley is 5ft 8 watch the clip above he looks probably 6ft. He scored more tap ins and headers than anything else which is something's we need.

The Howe figure is Callum Ball who at 6ft 3 seems a bigger powerhouse than Howe.

End of the day we are torquay united and these for us are excellent signings.

Can I ask Exile if these were 2 of the 4 you talked about from the open day?

Well if he is 5ft 8 he still scored goals with headers last year. We cried out for a bit of experience and this is what we have (hopefully) got. I was sure Stockley was the other player but Callum Ball is the power house we were also in much need of so hopefully this comes off and is a season long loan. As CP says - Ball will not be coming to sit on the bench (why would Derby allow that and why would we pay him to do so) so I suspect he will play a big part if he arrives.

As to the starting pairings - it could very much be horses for courses and it is great we have these options compared to last season when every team could defensively prepare to play against us, as they knew exactly what they would being facing.

Richinns wrote: Can I ask Exile if these were 2 of the 4 you talked about from the open day?

Two different posters, Rich. This is exiled, while the number 99 shirt sponsor is exile. Just to confuse matters. :~D

CP Gull wrote: Two different posters, Rich. This is exiled, while the number 99 shirt sponsor is exile. Just to confuse matters. :~D

Haha - my bad!

My question stands for when exile enters the thread!

that'll do for me. Experienced striker who knows the leagues and you know what you'll get from him - perfect. Youngster with a bit of size and presence as a plan B also ideal. Good darts.

Richinns wrote: Haha - my bad!

My question stands for when exiled enters the thread!

.... Or even, exile!

CP Gull wrote: .... Or even, exile!

Have you been adding d's to my posts??? :Oops:

exiledgull wrote:There is no way Hawley is 5ft 8 watch the clip above he looks probably 6ft. He scored more tap ins and headers than anything else which is something's we need.

The Howe figure is Callum Ball who at 6ft 3 seems a bigger powerhouse than Howe.

End of the day we are torquay united and these for us are excellent signings.

That clip featured assists from Hawley as well as goals, the 6 footers you saw scoring were Akpo Sodje and Leon Clarke from Hawley assists.

Know nothing of Ball, but Hawley could be an inspired capture. Decent pedigree, and proven scorer in the lower leagues. As for his height, really don't think it that important. But there's no way he's 6ft.

Very happy if these two signings come off. It has been a good week for signings! Although I haven't been fully convinced by Knill, I would be delighted to won over and these signings are a positive start.