TUFC managers over the seasons

[Northumbergull]

As a tangent to the current "Credit...Martin Ling" thread, I thought I'd ask folks to pass comment on all our past managers, as far as folks can recall.

I go back as far as the latter part of the Eric Webber era though, in reality, I begin my memories with Frank O'Farrell.

Most of the men who have held office have made little impact on my memory, save for when we've been either at one of our peaks or troughs. Cyril Knowles would tie in with the former, Wes Saunders the latter. Most often, though, they've just been the guy that coached the players and picked the team which, to my mind, is exactly their role.

One thing, though, is that only a very few had the ability to motivate AND be personable. Many teams have had tyrannical managers that'd bludgeon a performance as a one off, then wonder why the players turned on them. Mind,it's the same in all walks of life.

That's why Martin Ling seems to be garnering a little affection just now, I reckon. A good half-time talk against the Pilgrims, followed by an amiable presentation to the cameras not pushing his own abilities to the fore.

Any thoughts about the others?

Cheers

Bruce

[AustrianAndyGull]

Not been a Gull too long but Leroy Rosenior was the man at the Plainmoor helm when i first starting watching the Gulls and indeed it was to be our promotion season, so i have fond memories of Leroy and although i had some cracking days under Buckle, Leroy is the most decent and honest. The rest pre-Buckle were pure comedy.

[Plymouth Gull]

Agree with that, Andy.

[ferrarilover]

LEROY'S YELLOW ARMY

That is all.

Matt.

[royalgull]

Have to say Ian Atkins did a great job in a short space of time in a seemingly perilous situation.

[Northumbergull]

Austrian Andy

Frank O'Farrell "comedy?"

Bruce

[leetufc]

For me it's got to be Leroy. Not only did he take us up, and almost kept us up, but he also did it playing great football which was joy to watch.

Buckle did a very good job with us, but he let himself down with the way he always acted and most of all with the way he left us. If most other managers had done what he did then he'd be talked about in the same way Leroy still is, but he's not, and that says what kind of man he is. Though I don't want to turn this thread into Buckle bashing.

I also agree with Royalgull, Atkins did an excellent job given the position he took us over in.

[stargull]

Atkins is a good call - surely the quintisential experience for a Torquay manager is leading a great escape. How many others remember Neil Warnock's brief cameo in 1992/93? I remember joining most of the pop side on the pitch after the last game of that season in an attempt to persuade him to stay. Now that would have been an interesting twist in our club's history...

[royalgull]

If we hadn't had the circus in charge upstairs, Atkins would have stayed and we'd comfortably have stayed up. A very good lower league manager that gets the best out of players. a quick wiki says he's coaching at Sunderland, i wouldn't have been against him getting the job in the summer in all honesty. Ling's doing fine now though

[Father Jack]

Many teams have had tyrannical managers that'd bludgeon a performance as a one off

That probably sums up Atkins managerial style quite well!!! :whip:

I quite liked Dave Smith and particularly Hodgy, as well as the legend that was Fo'F

edit: Good call Phil, I forgot Dono. Smashing bloke. Cracking manager

[A J]

My favourite manager by far has to be Leroy. A real football man who led us to automatic promotion.

I see on this thread that some credit is going to Ian Atkins, which is a fair point. But I think some credit should go to Roy McFarland. Not for the dour football he provided us with at the time and some questionable decisions, but at a time when the Club was in real 'transition' after nearly dropping into the Conference, he steadied the ship and provided us with some excellent signings that went on to form a promotion winning side: Alex Russell, Jason Fowler, Kevin Dearden, Steve Woods, Reuben Hazell, etc.

[PhilGull]

Don O'Riordan and Kevin Hodges are two that spring to mind, both having taken us to the playoffs.
I can't remember who signed all the great players, but the money we made from selling them kept us afloat for a few years after.

As I was a kid at the time it's those players that always spring to mind when thinking of my favourites: Wayne Thomas, Alex Watson, Rodney Jack, Gregory Goodridge, Charlie Oatway, Paul Buckle...

[SteveDeckchair]

Le-roy Ro-senior! Le-roy Ro-senior! Le-roy Ro-senior! Le-roy Ro-senior! ad infinitum..... [makes me smile even now, thinking of the pop side belting out his name at the end of every game]

He had it all. Charisma, a good rapport with the fans and a team that played football the right way. He nearly did the impossible and kept us up too!

There's no doubt he'll always be held in the highest regard by Torquay fans.

[Plymouth Gull]

Bleedin' Mk Dons and their 95th minute winner..

[Awayday]

I think Eddie May was the manager in charge when I first went to see Torquay with a mate, but I didn't start going on a regular basis until Kevin Hodges took over. I remember having some great away days with Wes Saunders in charge (again) and the greatest signing of Neville Southall, but I may have to agree with some of the younger fans on here and say that Leroy has to be my hero of choice.