With Saturday's away game against Lincoln City likely to be John Ramshaw's last as Torquay United caretaker manager, we will now look at a number of possible permanent replacements for Paul Cox.
Whether they are part of the 129 applicants for the position remains open to conjecture.
Martin Ling -
One of the most popular and successful Gulls' managers of recent times, in his two years in charge at Plainmoor Ling led United to the Play-offs in League Two during the 2011-12 season with a fifth placed league finish, on the back of a strong defensive record that saw the Gulls keep 23 clean sheets over the course of the campaign.
He has previous experience of managing in the Conference during his time as Cambridge United and - in difficult circumstances - he led the U's to a ninth placed league position in the 2009-10 campaign; this was their highest league finish during their time in the Conference aside from their Play-off final appearances in 2008 and 2009 and the season they eventually won promotion in the 2013-14 season.
Any fears over his health, after he was diagnosed with depression after being off sick from January 2013 until the end of the 2012-13 season, should be allayed by the fact he was given a clean bill of health to return to work shortly before his dismissal. Also Neil Lennon has also managed Celtic and Bolton Wanderers successfully after being diagnosed with the same condition.
Alex Russell -
Following the departure of Chris Hargreaves during the summer, some Gulls fans may feel slightly alarmed at the idea of a first time manager taking charge. However, Russell - the midfield lynchpin of Leroy Rosenior's promotion winning side of the 2003-04 season - does possess some of the qualities required to manage in the Conference.
Since ending his playing career in 2012 with Bath City, Russell has gained further coaching experience at Bristol City in both their youth academy and as a development coach. He has also worked as assistant manager at Tranmere Rovers and Southport in the National League.
With contacts across the South West and in the North West as well, Russell has the contacts to bring the kind of players needed to improve the Gulls fortunes, but his lack of experience could well count against him.
Neil Aspin -
Shortly before Paul Cox's departure as Gulls manager, Aspin became the first manager in the Vanarama National League to leave his post when he was dismissed as FC Halifax Town boss.
After a playing career that saw him make a name for himself as a no-nonsense defender with Leeds United and Port Vale, Aspin first made his name as manager in non-league football with Harrogate Town before taking over the reformed Shaymen and he led them back into the Conference in the 2012-13 season, and then to the Conference Play-offs in the first season back in the top tier of non-league football in the subsequent campaign.
Steve Tully -
Former Gulls' player and youth coach Tully, who hails from Brixham, has built a fine reputation in South West non-league circles with Truro City. Tully led the White Tigers to promotion to the Vanarama National League South, after a Southern League play-off final victory over Chesham United last season, and they are currently holding their own following their promotion.
It is quite possible that the United job has come up too soon for Tully and it might be worth keeping an eye on his future progress at Treyew Road.
Gary Waddock -
During United's first season in the Conference in the 2007-08 campaign, they were beaten to the Conference title by an Aldershot Town side managed by Gary Waddock. Since then, former Queens Park Rangers, Millwall, Luton Town and Republic of Ireland midfielder Waddock has enjoyed success as a league manager with Wycombe Wanderers, who he led to promotion from League Two in the 2010-11 season.
He has also held coaching roles at MK Dons and Portsmouth and has also had a spell in charge of Oxford United, and any interest he might have in the Gulls' job could depend on his willingness to drop down into the Conference again.
Thursday 24 September 2015
UNITED FRONT SHOWN FOR GULLS
After their defeat at the hands of Boreham Wood, Torquay United now find themselves in the National League relegation zone for the first time this season.
Their 2-1 defeat against Boreham Wood, which was attended by fans from Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City, came just days after their 7-3 loss against Bromley - the Gulls worst defeat since their 8-1 hammering versus Scunthorpe United in October 1995 - and the departure of Director of Football Dean Edwards.
The idea of fans from United's rivals coming together to show solidarity with their off-field troubles is a spin-off of a similar concept inspired by Brighton and Hove Albion fans who turned up at Home Park to support the Pilgrims during the 2011-12 season.
Their first meeting was staged in September 2011, when Argyle faced Macclesfield Town in what was Carl Fletcher's first game in charge as caretaker manager, following the dismissal of Peter Reid.
It was a day that helped to lift the gloom at Home Park, as the Pilgrims recorded their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory.
At the time, the Pilgrims were marooned at the bottom of League Two with one point from their opening ten league games and were still in Administration. Like the Gulls' recent financial troubles, it was symptomatic of a situation that threatened the very existence of the club.
Strong parallels can also be drawn with Argyle's experiences in the 2011-12 season to the Gulls' position in the current campaign.
Both seasons were ones where several years of decline and mis-management came to a head with potentially serious consequences.
And supporters of the Gulls were amongst the many fans of other clubs who also stood shoulder to shoulder with the 'Green Army.'
A second 'Fans Reunited' day was also staged at the Pilgrims' next home game against Accrington Stanley, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Fortunately, they were able to pull through - following James Brent's takeover - and are now aiming to move back up through the leagues under the guidance of new manager Derek Adams.
Hopefully, given time, the Gulls will recover in a similar manner.
Their 2-1 defeat against Boreham Wood, which was attended by fans from Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City, came just days after their 7-3 loss against Bromley - the Gulls worst defeat since their 8-1 hammering versus Scunthorpe United in October 1995 - and the departure of Director of Football Dean Edwards.
The idea of fans from United's rivals coming together to show solidarity with their off-field troubles is a spin-off of a similar concept inspired by Brighton and Hove Albion fans who turned up at Home Park to support the Pilgrims during the 2011-12 season.
Their first meeting was staged in September 2011, when Argyle faced Macclesfield Town in what was Carl Fletcher's first game in charge as caretaker manager, following the dismissal of Peter Reid.
It was a day that helped to lift the gloom at Home Park, as the Pilgrims recorded their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory.
At the time, the Pilgrims were marooned at the bottom of League Two with one point from their opening ten league games and were still in Administration. Like the Gulls' recent financial troubles, it was symptomatic of a situation that threatened the very existence of the club.
Strong parallels can also be drawn with Argyle's experiences in the 2011-12 season to the Gulls' position in the current campaign.
Both seasons were ones where several years of decline and mis-management came to a head with potentially serious consequences.
And supporters of the Gulls were amongst the many fans of other clubs who also stood shoulder to shoulder with the 'Green Army.'
A second 'Fans Reunited' day was also staged at the Pilgrims' next home game against Accrington Stanley, which ended in a 2-2 draw.
Fortunately, they were able to pull through - following James Brent's takeover - and are now aiming to move back up through the leagues under the guidance of new manager Derek Adams.
Hopefully, given time, the Gulls will recover in a similar manner.
Sunday 20 September 2015
GULLS SOAP OPERA TAKES ANOTHER TWIST
Football is often likened to a soap opera in some quarters, but many Torquay United fans will be hoping Martin Ling will emerge from a shower ala Bobby Ewing in Dallas, and the last few seasons will seem like a very bad dream.
The last few days has seen the Gulls plumb new depths, following the departure of manager Paul Cox they were comprehensively beaten 7-3 by Bromley. This is a reverse of the winning margin when the two sides met earlier this year in the FA Trophy, when United defeated the Ravens - who were then heading for promotion from Conference South.
Cox's arrival brought new hope to the Gulls, his predecessor Chris Hargreaves was placed on gardening leave - he had previously won promotion from the Conference with Mansfield Town and signed a number of players that had previously played under him at Field Mill.
However, he was working with a minimal budget and was also working on a expenses only basis himself without a contract, with a young family also based in the East Midlands. He was also on gardening leave from Mansfield Town, having left the Stags in November 2014.
On his departure, for which he cited personal reasons, the Gulls were, and still are, three points above the National League relegation zone. Also, at this time, off-the-field revelations such as former employees looking to sue the club for unfair dismissal and gates dropping below the 1,800 break even figure, were starting to emerge.
If Martin Ling was to make a return to the Launa Windows Stadium as manager, it wouldn't mark the end of a dream as it will be Torquay United in 2015, rather than Torquay United in 2013, that he would be returning to.
The last few days has seen the Gulls plumb new depths, following the departure of manager Paul Cox they were comprehensively beaten 7-3 by Bromley. This is a reverse of the winning margin when the two sides met earlier this year in the FA Trophy, when United defeated the Ravens - who were then heading for promotion from Conference South.
Cox's arrival brought new hope to the Gulls, his predecessor Chris Hargreaves was placed on gardening leave - he had previously won promotion from the Conference with Mansfield Town and signed a number of players that had previously played under him at Field Mill.
However, he was working with a minimal budget and was also working on a expenses only basis himself without a contract, with a young family also based in the East Midlands. He was also on gardening leave from Mansfield Town, having left the Stags in November 2014.
On his departure, for which he cited personal reasons, the Gulls were, and still are, three points above the National League relegation zone. Also, at this time, off-the-field revelations such as former employees looking to sue the club for unfair dismissal and gates dropping below the 1,800 break even figure, were starting to emerge.
If Martin Ling was to make a return to the Launa Windows Stadium as manager, it wouldn't mark the end of a dream as it will be Torquay United in 2015, rather than Torquay United in 2013, that he would be returning to.
Wednesday 16 September 2015
GULLS SECURE POINT WITH TEN MEN FOR A SECOND TIME
For the second Vanarama National League match in a row, Torquay United secured a point despite being reduced to ten men against Kidderminster Harriers.
At the weekend, the Gulls had been reduced to ten men, following the dismissal of goalkeeper Fabien Spiess, against Welling United - and they also trailed to an early goal.
However, United dug in and an equaliser from left-back Dan Butler proved to be enough to secure what had at one stage seemed like an unlikely point.
A special mention must also go to rookie goalkeeper Daniel Lavercombe, who had a number of important saves after coming on as a substitute following Spiess's dismissal.
Nevertheless, Spiess's red card was later overturned and he was selected against Kidderminster at Aggborough on Tuesday night.
Two James Hurst strikes either side of Harriers' equaliser from Aman Verna - as well as Simon Heslop's second half dismissal - put the Gulls 2-1 up, which - in turn - makes Hurst United's top scorer for the season so far with four goals.
Unfortunately, his efforts were undone late on when he conceded a penalty that was duly converted by Kidderminster's Reece Styche to secure them a share of the spoils.
It was a game that Torquay could not afford to lose given theirs and Kidderminster's respective league positions - the Gulls are 18th, Harriers are 24th. Positive results in their next two fixtures, which are at home to Bromley and Boreham Wood respectively, would provide United with a huge shot in the arm in a period that has seen two directors - including Vice Chairman Ron Peterson - resign and the club face claims of unfair dismissal from former employees, several of which have so far been resolved, others remain ongoing.
At the weekend, the Gulls had been reduced to ten men, following the dismissal of goalkeeper Fabien Spiess, against Welling United - and they also trailed to an early goal.
However, United dug in and an equaliser from left-back Dan Butler proved to be enough to secure what had at one stage seemed like an unlikely point.
A special mention must also go to rookie goalkeeper Daniel Lavercombe, who had a number of important saves after coming on as a substitute following Spiess's dismissal.
Nevertheless, Spiess's red card was later overturned and he was selected against Kidderminster at Aggborough on Tuesday night.
Two James Hurst strikes either side of Harriers' equaliser from Aman Verna - as well as Simon Heslop's second half dismissal - put the Gulls 2-1 up, which - in turn - makes Hurst United's top scorer for the season so far with four goals.
Unfortunately, his efforts were undone late on when he conceded a penalty that was duly converted by Kidderminster's Reece Styche to secure them a share of the spoils.
It was a game that Torquay could not afford to lose given theirs and Kidderminster's respective league positions - the Gulls are 18th, Harriers are 24th. Positive results in their next two fixtures, which are at home to Bromley and Boreham Wood respectively, would provide United with a huge shot in the arm in a period that has seen two directors - including Vice Chairman Ron Peterson - resign and the club face claims of unfair dismissal from former employees, several of which have so far been resolved, others remain ongoing.
Thursday 3 September 2015
ARGYLE SHOW BOUNCEBACKABILITY TO DEFEAT DONS
It has been a long time coming, but Plymouth Argyle finally came from behind to win for the first time in two-and-a-half years.
After trailing AFC Wimbledon 2-0 in the opening 25 minutes of their Johnstone Paint's Trophy tie, the Pilgrims rallied as Jake Jervis pulled one back in the 38th minute.
In the second half, Ryan Brunt equalised on 54 minutes before Carl McHugh scored what proved to be Argyle's third and decisive goal three minutes later.
The win secured the Pilgrims' passage to the next round and ensured that they finally won after conceding first for the first time since March 2nd 2013.
On that occasion, Argyle defeated Barnet 2-1 - as Jake Hyde gave the Bees the lead before Conor Hourihane and on-loan striker Ronan Murray struck for the Pilgrims to clinch a win that proved to be crucial in helping Argyle avoid relegation to the Conference.
There were early signs in pre-season that manager Derek Adams would finally banish this statistic when they beat Forest Green Rovers 5-3 after trailing 3-0 at the New Lawn.
After trailing AFC Wimbledon 2-0 in the opening 25 minutes of their Johnstone Paint's Trophy tie, the Pilgrims rallied as Jake Jervis pulled one back in the 38th minute.
In the second half, Ryan Brunt equalised on 54 minutes before Carl McHugh scored what proved to be Argyle's third and decisive goal three minutes later.
The win secured the Pilgrims' passage to the next round and ensured that they finally won after conceding first for the first time since March 2nd 2013.
On that occasion, Argyle defeated Barnet 2-1 - as Jake Hyde gave the Bees the lead before Conor Hourihane and on-loan striker Ronan Murray struck for the Pilgrims to clinch a win that proved to be crucial in helping Argyle avoid relegation to the Conference.
There were early signs in pre-season that manager Derek Adams would finally banish this statistic when they beat Forest Green Rovers 5-3 after trailing 3-0 at the New Lawn.
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