Former Torquay United chairman the late Tony Boyce famously said that every Torquay United manager needs three qualities above all else: contacts, contacts and contacts.
That's not to discount other attributes that ensure that any prospective candidate should have, but owing to the club's geographical position it is sometimes a lot harder to recruit players for the Gulls.
We will now look at some possible candidates to succeed Kevin Nicholson at what is a pivotal time in the club's history.
Mark Yates:
Former Kidderminster and Cheltenham manager Mark Yates has crossed paths with the Gulls before in his managerial career as he guided the Robins to victory over United in their League Two Play-off semi-final encounter in the 2011-12 season. His level of experience and knowledge of the National League and lower league football in general could be just what the club need at present.
Steve Tully:
Former Gulls' right-back Tully is no stranger to the club having come through United's youth set-up in the late 1990s. Having done his coaching apprenticeship in the Gulls former youth academy and through managing Exeter City Ladies and Truro City, who he led to the National League South Play-offs in the 2014-15 campaign. However, his lack of experience at National League level could count against him.
Chris Todd:
A former teammate of Nicholson's in the Gulls' Blue Square Premier Play-off winning side in 2009, Todd would certainly be a popular appointment amongst the Plainmoor faithful. He also had previous managerial experience in the National League with Eastleigh and still lives locally in Cullompton. In his first season in charge of the Spitfires in the 2015-16 campaign, he led them seventh place in the National League and they also reached the third round of the FA Cup where they were beaten by Bolton Wanderers before being dismissed . Todd is currently working as player-assistant manager under Lee Hodges at Truro City, which he combines with teaching at South Devon College, and has declared a genuine interest in the job at Plainmoor.
Marcus Bignot:
After leading Solihull Moors to the National League in 2016, Marcus Bignot was appointed as Grimsby Town manager in November after Paul Hurst left the Mariners to take charge of Shrewsbury Town. Bignot's stay at Blundell Park lasted only five months after tried to force through too many changes too quickly. Nevertheless the Gulls' job could provide him with an opportunity to rebuild what was a promising career that had built up with the Moors after starting out coaching Birmingham City Ladies.
Warren Feeney:
Former Northern Ireland international Warren Feeney is a familiar figure in South West football after having served as a player with AFC Bournemouth and Plymouth Argyle and he also had a spell as assistant manager at Salisbury City. Since retiring from playing, he has managed Linfield in the Irish League and also had a brief spell in charge of Newport County and is currently working as Harry Kewell's assistant at Crawley Town. His connections with Bournemouth manager and former Cherries' teammate Eddie Howe could prove useful in continuing a good relationship with the Cherries regarding the signing of loan players such as Jordan Lee.
Luke Garrard:
On the opening day of the 2009-10 season, Norwich City were beaten 7-1 by Colchester United - a result that proved to be curtains for then Canaries manager Bryan Gunn, who was also revered as a club legend. The result proved to be the perfect calling card for the U's manager Paul Lambert who was appointed as Gunn's successor and then went on to lead the Canaries to back to back League One and Championship titles. A similar parallel could be found if Garrard, whose Boreham Wood condemned the Gulls to defeat in what proved to be Nicholson's final match in charge. Garrard has previously cited Lincoln City manager Danny Cowley as an inspiration for what he achieved with Braintree and last season with the Imps and the current vacancy could provide him with the platform to emulate Cowley.
