ON THIS DAY

2011 – Martin Ling is appointed as the new Torquay United manager

Martin Ling was an established Football League midfielder during the 1980s and 90s, and then managed both Leyton Orient and Cambridge United, before being sacked by the U’s after a poor run of form in the 2010-11 season.

Torquay meanwhile had enjoyed a number of successful seasons under Paul Buckle, but with Bristol Rovers swooping in for Bucks in the summer of 2011 they needed a new man to take charge and steady the ship for another year in League 2. That man ended up being Ling.

Lingy soon faced the challenge of replacing a number of players who were leaving, including Guy Branston, Chris Zebroski and Scott Bevan, established first teamers who had pushed United close to promotion. In came the likes of Bobby Olejnik, Brian Saah, Ian Morris and Rene Howe, and with the old Grandstand demolished, the season started with apprehension on how life after Paul Buckle would play out.

In the early months the results were mixed (with an away win over Bristol Rovers being a highlight!), but as time went on the side started to click, with Lee Mansell enjoying a new role in midfield and Rene Howe becoming a fans favourite with his strength and finishing upfront. Also finding his form was Eunan O’Kane, who scored two crackers in a memorable home victory over Plymouth Argyle, a win that increased confidence that the Gulls could mount another promotion challenge.

A fine run of form followed, with Ling’s tactical knowledge making United tough to beat, and a strong defence strangling opposition attackers, with Olejnik keeping a record number of clean sheets. In the end with United perched in a promotion spot, a late equaliser from Crewe in the penultimate league game of the season broke hearts and a tired Torquay squad never recovered, losing the final game at Hereford, and then in the play-off semi final to Cheltenham. All in all a season where United battled hard to upset the odds and almost made it to League 1.