Torquay United hope Martin Ling will return by May
Torquay United have revealed that absent manager Martin Ling has been suffering from a stress-related condition.
It is the first time that any details about the cause of Ling's illness have been released, since he was forced to pull out the day before the win at Exeter City on January 28.
-
Martin Ling. Picture by Pinnacle
At first, it was thought that Ling might be suffering from a virus, but as it became clear that he would not be able to return quickly – and United slid down the table on a run of defeats – the Plainmoor board acted and installed current manager Alan Knill on February 21.
Speaking at yesterday's annual shareholders' meeting, United chairman Simon Baker released a statement, approved by Ling and the League Managers' Association.
Join us for a FREE Jazz night from 7.30pm. Usual food service
6-9pm
Contact: 01803 221102
Valid until: Tuesday, June 11 2013
Baker said: "Martin has been receiving specialist treatment for a stress-related illness. He would like to express his thanks to Torquay United, the LMA and the football community for their support and understanding over recent weeks."
Father-of-two Ling, 46, is now believed to be recovering at home in Hertfordshire while Knill, with help from Ling's assistant Shaun Taylor and his former Bury and Scunthorpe No.2 Chris Brass, tackles the task of trying to keep Torquay in the Football League.
Under questioning from shareholders, Baker confirmed that Knill will stay to the end of the campaign and would almost certainly have a role to play in drawing up United's retained list. But he said: "We are hoping that Martin will be back to plan the future of the club in May.
"Alan has been absolutely brilliant, very generous with his time and very undemanding in terms of his charges."
Of Ling, who has a one-year rolling contract, Baker added: "Martin has an absolute right to come back. He has managed us extremely well, and we continue to pay his wages."
It had already been reported that United lost £111,589 over the year to June 30, 2012, after making a near-£100,000 profit on the 2010-2011 season, and the 2011-2012 accounts were unanimously approved at the AGM.
United are up to 19th in League Two, after ending an 11-match winless run with Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Chesterfield, and they are now preparing for tomorrow's key home game against one-from-bottom York City.
The Gulls have also announced an extension to their 2-4-1 ticket deal, in conjunction with the local Herald Express newspaper.
The voucher offer applies to the York and Barnet game at Plainmoor on Saturday, April 13. The voucher applies only to tickets for the Family Stand and must be exchanged at the ticket office in advance or on match day.
4 Comments
by Appyjack
Saturday, March 23 2013, 2:01PM
“Stress related condition?? Good grief, I wonder what brought that on!
Certainly he must have had it before he signed on the dotted line at Plainmoor, as the football knowledgeable Directors on the board would never allow anyone to stress out ... oh, hang on - what football knowledgeable Directors would that be?
Forget that bit!”
by dis1954
Friday, March 22 2013, 7:40PM
“I agree best wishes for his physical recovery but come on the torquay board you cannot be serious about letting him anywhere near the team ever again. His style of football went out 20 years ago, it was in all honesty rubbish, if he was still here he wouldnt have thought for a second of bringing in the additions we have got, all of whom seem to have flair and a good amount of class, he lacks tactical ability and the players obviously, had had enough of him. the way we have played in the last few weeks is the way we should have been playing all season, its enjoyable to watch and will put bums on seats.”
by YorkGull
Friday, March 22 2013, 4:24PM
“All the best to Martin Ling but I hope he does not return as manager. His football was nothing short of dreadful to watch, boring, negative and all we do under him is counter attack. We were found out big time this season. I do believe he wouldnt have brought in the kind of players Alan Knill has done to help our battle to stay in League Two.
I would like to see Alan Knill and Chris Brass take over next season.
I wish Mr Ling all the best health wise and I hope he makes a full recovery but for me if he does come back, I wont be traveling far to watch the kind of football we play under that management team.”
by Corsham999
Friday, March 22 2013, 3:14PM
“Get well soon Martin, best wish's from The Yellow Army and The Torquay Rocking Crew.”