Chris Hargreaves appointed manager of Torquay United

Torquay United have moved quickly and appointed former player Chris Hargreaves as manager of the Gulls following the sacking of Alan Knill.

Chris Hargreaves made more than 100 appearances for the Gulls. When the Gulls won the 2008/09 Conference Play-off Final at Wembley (against Cambridge United) that saw the Gulls return to the Football League after a two year absence, Chris Hargreaves was not scored the opening goal in the 2-0 victory but was also the club captain.

This is his first appointment as a manager but he has been the first team coach at Bournemouth. Chris Hargreaves has appointed former team-mate Lee Hodges as his assistant manager. Lee Hodges has previously been manager of non-league Truro Town.

Chris Hargreaves has taken charge of Torquay United when they occupy one of the relegation places in League Two, having only won 5 league games. The Gulls have 21 games left in which to confirm their league status for another season.

Gulls sack manager Alan Knill

Torquay United have sacked manager Alan Knill following a 2-0 defeat away at Plymouth Argyle.
The club released the following statement :

It is with great regret that Torquay United can announce we have terminated the contract of manager Alan Knill. The first half of this season has not gone as we all hoped and the board at Plainmoor believe now is the right time for a change. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Alan for all his hard work at our club and especially his success in helping us stay in League Two at the end of last season. We all wish him the very best in his future career.

Alan Knill joins the Gulls as an interim manager in February 2013; and was appointed manager in May 2013 having secured the Gulls league status for another season. He was in charge for 41 games in all competitions in total, with a record of nine wins, 12 draws and 20 defeats.

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.