Alan Knill appointed manager of Torquay United

Having been brought in as an interim manager and successfully retaining the Gulls status in the Football League, Alan Knill has been appointed as the new manager of Torquay United.

Alan Knill is a former player with Southampton, Halifax Town, Swansea City, Bury, Cardiff City (loan), Scunthorpe United and Rotherham United. He also made one appearance for Wales.

Knill has previously managed at Rotherham United, Bury and Scunthorpe United.

It's never dull being a Gull

Today (27 April 2013) Torquay United once again confirmed their status as a Football League club on the last day of the season.

It would appear that Torquay United do not do mediocrity, and like to ensure a thrilling end to each season by either challenging for promotion or fighting relegation.

The league history for the Gulls is available here, but this is the record for the last ten seasons:

Season	League	Position	Comment
2003 / 04	D3	3 / 24	Automatic promotion
2004 / 05	L1	21 / 24	Relegated
2005 / 06	L2	20 / 24	Almost relegated
2006 / 07	L2	24 / 24	Relegated
2007 / 08	BSPL	3 / 24	Play-off semi-final
2008 / 09	BSPL	4 / 24	Promoted (via Play-offs)
2009 / 10	L2	17 / 24	Almost relegated
2010 / 11	L2	7 / 24	Play-off final
2011 / 12	L2	5 / 24	Play-off semi-final
2012 / 13	L2	19 / 24	Almost relegated

It is no wonder Torquay United are referred to as "football's most frustratingly entertaining team."

Torquay United playing squad 2012/13

courtesy of Torbay News Agency

Back (left to right): Kirtys McKenzie, Rene Howe, Michael Poke, Brian Saah, Martin Rice, Daniel Leadbitter, Ian Morris

Middle: Kenny Veysey (goalkeeping coach), Joe Oastler, Ryan Jarvis, Damon Lathrope, Billy Bodin, Saul Halpin, Craig Easton, Nathan Craig, Tom Cruise, Damian Davey (physio)

Front: Danny Stevens, Niall Thompson, Kevin Nicholson, Martin Ling (manager), Lee Mansell (captain), Shaun Taylor (assistant coach), Eunan O’Kane, Lloyd Macklin, Ashley Yeoman

It has been another busy summer at Plainmoor as Bobby Olejnik, Mark Ellis and Eunan O'Kane have all left. Also leaving have been Lathaniel Rowe-Turner, Ed Palmer, Taiwo Atieno and Chris McPhee.
They have been replaced by Ryan Jarvis, Nathan Craig, Craig Easton, Thomas Cruise, Michael Poke, Billy Bodin and Aaron Downes


The first team squad for the 2012/13 season is as follows:
1. Michael Poke 2. Joe Oastler 3. Kevin Nicholson 4. Aaron Downes 5. Brian Saah 6. Damon Lathrope 7. Lee Mansell 8. Ryan Jarvis 9. Rene Howe 10. 11. Ian Morris 12. Daniel Leadbitter 13. Martin Rice 14. Lloyd Macklin 15. Billy Bodin 17. Saul Halpin 18. Craig Easton 19. Danny Stevens 20. Nathan Craig 21. Thomas Cruise 23. Ashley Yeoman 29. Niall Thompson 30. Kyrtis MacKenzie

Four Torquay United players in the PFA's League 2 Team of the Year

Congratulations to Bobby Olejnik, Kevin Nicholson, Eunan O'Kane and Lee Mansell who were all picked in the League Two Team of the Year by the Professional Footballers' Assocation (PFA).

Bobby Olejnik; Kevin Nicholson; Eunan O'Kane; Lee Mansell

The recognition of these four players is richly deserved but also reflects on the successful season of the whole Torquay United playing squad and management team. Torquay United had more representatives of the League 2 Team of the Year than any other club.

2011 / 2012 PFA League Two team:

• Bobby Olejnik (Torquay United)
• Paul Caddis (Swindon Town)
• Kyle McFadzean (Crawley Town)
• Ian Sharps (Shrewsbury Town)
• Kevin Nicholson (Torquay United)
• Matt Ritchie (Swindon Town)
• Marlon Pack (Cheltenham Town)
• Eunan O'Kane (Torquay United)
• Lee Mansell (Torquay United)
• Izale McLeod (Barnet)
• Tyrone Barnett (Crawley Town)

 

Torquay United - 2011/12

It has been a busy close season at Plainmoor. Martin Ling has taken over as manager of the Gulls.

A former player at Swindon, Southend, Mansfield Town, Orient and Brighton, Martin Ling has been manager at both Orient and Cambridge United. He has brought Shaun Taylor to be his No. 2 and together they have assembled a full squad for the start of the 2011/12 season.

1 Bobby Olejnik
2 Lathaniel Rowe-Turner
3 Kevin Nicholson
4 Mark Ellis
5 Chris Robertson
6 Brian Saah
7 Lee Mansell
8 Billy Kee
9 Rene Howe
10 Eunan O'Kane
11 Ian Morris
13 Martin Rice
14 Lloyd Macklin
16 Chris McPhee
17 Saul Halpin
18 Joe Oastler
19 Danny Stevens
22 Damon Lathrope
23 Taiwo Atieno
24 Ashley Yeoman
25 Ed Palmer
27 Ray Spear

Good luck to Martin Ling, the management, directors and players of Torquay United for the new season.

Thank you Paul Buckle

Two days after leading his team out in the League 2 Play-off Final at Old Trafford, Manchester, Paul Buckle has left Torquay United to manage another League 2 side - Bristol Rovers.

During his fours years in charge at Plainmoor, Paul Buckle became one of the most successful managers of Torquay United of all time.

Paul Buckle, a former player with Torquay United, was appointed manager in the summer of 2007 when the club was in turmoil. They had just been relegated from the Football League after a disasterous season and a new consortium of local businessmen had just taken control of the club. At the time Buckle took over as manager there were just four players signed to the club - Lee Mansell, Kevin Hill, Steve Woods and Matt Hockley.

Paul Buckle had no previous managerial experience (he had been a coach at Exeter City), but at the end of his first season in charge he had guided the Gulls into the promotion play-off places, and a Wembley appearance in the final of the FA Trophy. In his second seasonm he successful lead the Gulls back into the Football League via the play-offs and a 2-0 victory over Cambridge United at Wembley.

Despite being one of the most successful managers at Plainmoor, Paul Buckle was a bit like Marmite and Gulls fans either loved him or hated him. He was not afraid to make difficult decisions and was prepared to release fan-favourite players - releasing the spine of the Conference winning team (Chris Todd, Chris Hargreaves and Tim Sills) during the first season back in League 2.

There were however many memorable moments during his time in charge - 2 Wembley appearances; 1 appearance at Old Trafford; fantastic cup runs (including victories over Yeovil Town and Blackpool) and of course successfully leading the Gulls back into the Football League.

It is for this achievement, if nothing else, that we say "Thank you Paul Buckle".

Torquay United in Promotion Play-off Final

In only their second season back in the Football League, Torquay United have made it through to the Play-off Final - against Stevenage on Saturday 28 May 2011 at Old Trafford, Manchester.

Finishing seventh at the end of the regular league season, Torquay United faced a two-legged semi-final against Shrewsbury Town - the team that had finished fourth in the league, 11 points ahead of the Gulls.

In the home leg, Torquay United dominated the match, with goals from Chris Zebroski and Eunan O'Kane giving them a 2-0 lead. In the away leg, the Gulls were held to a goalless draw which meant they won 2-0 on aggregate.


Congratulations to Paul Buckle, the players and staff at Plainmoor on this excellent achievement.