Rice ready for second chance

Goalkeeper Martin Rice is determined to grasp his second chance at Torquay after re-signing for the club.

The 25-year-old returned to Plainmoor on Friday as back-up to fellow summer signing Bobby Olejnik, two years after leaving the Gulls to play regular football with part-time non-league outfit Truro. But despite appreciating his time with the Blue Square Bet South club, Rice is hungry to succeed back among the professional ranks. "I know Truro is a lower league but it was still highly competitive first-team football and we played against some big lads," he told the club's official website. "You learn from the mistakes you make and hopefully second time around will be better. I want to work with Bobby and help him along as well. If the opportunity does arise for me to play, I have to take it. I'm here to train hard and be the best I can." He added: "Sometimes you can take it for granted that you're a professional footballer. I came through the ranks at Exeter, moved to Torquay and then suddenly went part-time. I had a good season last year but I found it tough. I was working on a building site from 7.30am until 5pm and then travelled down to Truro to train in the evening."