Club statement

[Scott Brehaut]

CLUB STATEMENT

TORQUAY United manager Martin Ling is currently being treated for a debilitating illness.

He is receiving specialist care and, while we are able to report that he is making some progress, it is anticipated that Martin will be away from work for several weeks.
Any further statement will only be issued when it is appropriate to do so and, until then, the Club would ask that the privacy of Martin’s family be respected.

The Club and the League Managers Association are both fully supportive and are looking forward to his return.

In the meantime, United officials have held discussions with assistant manager Shaun Taylor and we have agreed to actively seek an experienced coach to help Shaun with the running of the team. This process has already begun in earnest.

[bengull]

First of all, get well soon Martin Ling, all the very best and hope to see you in charge of us in league two next season.

Second, well done to the club, a statement is all that the supporters wanted and needed, and a realisation from the board that we are in an alarming state of decline and that they are prepared to take measures to ensure the season can and will be turned round.

Positive progress. Keeping the faith.

[Richinns]

First off - my thoughts and best wishes are with Martin and his family and I really hope it is not a serious illness and one he can make a speedy recovery from.

As for the experienced coach bit - I am glad the club realise the need to address the circumstances in the short term and hope they can find a suitable person to steady the ship. I see Graham Westley is (as of today) without a club and I wonder if we could persuade him to do a job for us in the short term. This is probably above our pay scheme so suspect this is just wishful thinking.

My father thinks Bodin senior might be an option and suspect we might approach him. I would also guess he would do this and is a family friend to Martin so might not be a bad option.

[Dave]

echo those sentiments Ben, think we can all come together an offer our support and best wishes to Martin and his family and give them the privacy they need.

I suspected at the weekend there was more to this than met the eye, and now thank the club, supporters needed some clarity on this, also think bringing someone to help steer the club while Martin is away is the correct course of action, we just could not do nothing, and thank the club and Shaun Taylor for making that decision.

[PhilGull]

First of all that is sad news, I hope you get well soon Martin.

Now, who is available?
Nigel Adkins
Graham Barrow (Wigan Coach)
Phil Brown
Terry Brown
Steve Coppell
Steve Cotterill (QPR Coach)
Gary Megson
Paul Jewell
Keith Curle(!)
Colin Lee(!!!!!!!)

Maybe Terry Brown for a bit of crazy gang spirit?

[PhilGull]

Paul Bodin is a good shout but having turned down the opportunity to by Ling's assistant will he want to step in to the breach and be his cover?

[Richinns]

First of all that is sad news, I hope you get well soon Martin.

Now, who is available?
Nigel Adkins
Graham Barrow (Wigan Coach)
Phil Brown
Terry Brown
Steve Coppell
Steve Cotterill (QPR Coach)
Gary Megson
Paul Jewell
Keith Curle(!)
Colin Lee(!!!!!!!)

Maybe Terry Brown for a bit of crazy gang spirit?

I would add Graham Westley and Paul Bodin to this

[Dave]

Personaly I do not think there would be much to gain from bringing in another coach, we already have one, what the situation needs is a manager someone who has experience of dealing with the situation we are in.

[taxilady]

well said bengull. We've all seen worse & we'd love to see better, so it's reassuring that steps are now being taken in the right direction. Can't get to the away matches, but hoping to see a good game against Port Vale.

[SteveDeckchair]

Great news. Pleasing to hear some action on this and hopefully we can have someone in place very soon.

Graham Westley would be a good shout for me and I don't see any problem with trying for a higher level manager such as Nigel Adkins or Steve Coppell. The Neil Warnock appointment certainly seemed to work out last time and I am sure most of those managers won't exactly be despserate for big money.

Slightly concerned at the mention of an experienced coach though. Could just be words, but it's an experienced manager we need in my mind.

[PhilGull]

Was Westley sacked by Preston? The problem with these sackings is they always seem to take an age to agree compensation, during which time they are unable to take new jobs.

[Gullscorer]

Presumably there will be additional expenses for bringing in a temporary coach/manager, at a time when the club's finances are already tightly stretched. Does the club have insurance cover for this kind of situation?

[Dave]

Agree with Steve.D, not doubting someone like Paul Bodin is a very good and capable coach, however if you bring in someone like him, what changes, nothing. What I personaly think, it needs someone who can come in look through the dvd's of some recent matchs matchs, and offer a new idea, fresh approach, and not someone who will just agree with the way things are being done at present.

Gullscorer, there will indeed be additional expenses, but the way to look at is, what is the cost of bringing in a coach/manager for 3 months, weighed up against the cost of relegation to the conference, it is totaly naive to suggest that we are safe, just in a bad run, and oh things have been worse in the past, only need 12 points, we will get them no trouble, untill we have atleast 50pts nothing is gaurenteed.

[Richinns]

If we have not got enough money for another loan (confirmed by Taylor this morning!) then what chances have we got of being able to afford an experienced manager? We would have to pay a considerable amount to attract somebody - after all it is only a short term role currently.

An ideal world says experienced manager but unfortunately our current reality indicates an experienced coach at best.

[royalgull]

is Bruce Rioch still local? he'd do for me.

old school mate of mine Jack King is an attacking midfielder for PNE who can't get a look in, would do a good job for us.