Torquay appoint Martin Ling as new manager

Martin Ling has been appointed as the new manager of npower League Two club Torquay.

The 44-year-old takes the reins at Plainmoor after Paul Buckle parted ways exactly two weeks ago to take up the managerial vacancy at Bristol Rovers.

Buckle's departure came just two days after the Gulls lost 1-0 to Stevenage in the League Two play-off final at Old Trafford, and Ling is now charged with the task of taking the Devon club one step further next season.

Gulls chairman Simon Baker said: "As a board, we are delighted to appoint a manager of Martin's experience and background.

"We were pleased by the calibre of applicants for the role and Martin was the number one choice from this impressive collection of candidates."

Ling was sacked as boss of Blue Square Bet Premier side Cambridge at the start of February following 18 months in charge, with the club languishing 16th in the table.

He was initially appointed in the summer of 2009 but quit less than 10 days later after a fall-out with the club's chairman at the time George Rolls, before he was swiftly reinstated after the latter's resignation.