Martin Ling
Encyclopedia
Martin Ling is an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...

 football manager and former player, who is currently manager
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...

 of Torquay United in League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....

. He played in over 100 Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...

 matches for Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...

, Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...

, Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...

 and Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...

, before moving into management where he led Orient for over five years from 2003 until 2009.

Playing career

Born in West Ham
West Ham
West Ham is in the London Borough of Newham in London, England. In the west it is a post-industrial neighbourhood abutting the site of the London Olympic Park and in the east it is mostly residential, consisting of Victorian terraced housing interspersed with higher density post-War social housing...

, Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...

, Ling started his career with Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...

. After a brief spell at Swindon Town
Swindon Town F.C.
Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...

 in which he made just two appearances, Ling began a five year spell with Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...

 in 1986. During this period he won promotion from the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...

 twice, in 1987 and 1990. Swindon paid £15,000 to resign Ling in March 1991 where he played 150 league games. As a left-winger, he played in the Swindon side that won promotion to the Premier League (via the Division One playoffs) in 1993.

Following his success at Swindon, Ling joined Leyton Orient who he would later go on to coach and manage. He played over 150 games for Orient before transferring to Brighton and Hove Albion in 2000 for a short period. Later in 2000, Ling rejoined Orient as a coach whilst continuing to play semi-professionally for Purfleet
Thurrock F.C.
Thurrock F.C. are an English football club based in Aveley, Thurrock, Essex. Known as Purfleet until 2003, the club are currently members of the Conference South and play at Ship Lane.-History:...

 in the Isthmian League
Isthmian League
The Isthmian League is a regional football league covering London and South East England featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. It is sponsored by Ryman, and therefore officially known as the Ryman League. It was founded in 1905 by amateur clubs in the London area...

 until hanging up his boots in September 2001.

Leyton Orient

He was appointed manager of Leyton Orient in December 2003, after a spell as caretaker manager. In the 2005–06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...

 league campaign he guided Orient to automatic promotion from League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....

 on the final day of the season, and then successfully kept the club in League One in the following season. The following season, Ling was able to bring Leyton Orient to 14th position in League One, after topping the table for three months early in the season. On 18 January 2009, with Leyton Orient in 21st place and in the relegation zone, the decision was taken for Ling and his assistant Dean Smith
Dean Smith (footballer)
Dean Smith is an English footballer turned football manager, who is now in charge of League One club Walsall....

 to leave the club by mutual consent.

After leaving Orient, Ling was hired by Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...

 to set up a network of scouts in England for the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...

 club, while also identifying players himself. In May 2009, he unsuccessfully applied for the vacant managerial position at Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...

.

Cambridge United

In July 2009, Ling was appointed the manager of Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...

 in the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...

, succeeding Gary Brabin
Gary Brabin
Gary Brabin is an English former footballer and manager, currently manager at Conference National club Luton Town.-Playing career:...

 who despite a successful first season had left the club due to differences with the club's chairman, George Rolls. However, after only eight days at Cambridge, Ling resigned on 4 August 2009 citing irreconcilable differences with Rolls. Cambridge United started the new season under the caretaker stewardship of Paul Carden
Paul Carden
Paul Andrew Carden is an English footballer who plays in midfield as a player/coach for Luton Town. While at Cambridge United, Carden was the club's assistant manager. He has previously played for Blackpool, Rochdale, Chester City, Doncaster Rovers, Peterborough United, Accrington Stanley, Burton...

, but after chairman Rolls left the club on 5 August 2009, Ling said he would be keen to return as manager. On 12 August, sixteen days after his initial appointment, Ling was reappointed as Cambridge manager with Carden as assistant. The Cambridge board praised his honesty, integrity and strength of character during the period between his resignation and reappointment.

After the dramatic off-field start to his Cambridge career, the on-field action started relatively calmly, with Ling guiding the club to 12th after three months of the season, including a 7-0 win over Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...

. However, things took a dramatic turn for the worse when the club failed to win a league game between 31 October 2009 and 6 March 2010, which left them in the relegation zone in 21st place. A good end to the season - Cambridge won 9 of the final 14 games - saw Ling guide the club out of the relegation battle to a 10th place finish.

Ling released a number of the 2009–10
Cambridge United F.C. season 2009–10
The 2009–10 season was the 98th season in the history of Cambridge United F.C., and the club's fifth consecutive season in the Conference National...

 squad at the end of that season, including established players such as Danny Potter
Danny Potter
Daniel Raymond John "Danny" Potter is an English footballer, who signed for Newport County on 29 May 2011, having been released by Torquay United.-Career:...

 and Courtney Pitt
Courtney Pitt
Courtney Leon Pitt is an English footballer who plays for AFC Telford United as a midfielder. He previously played for Portsmouth, Luton Town, Coventry City, Oxford United, Boston United, Cambridge United, York City and Weymouth....

, and began to rebuild the squad in time for the upcoming season with the signings of a number of players including former Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...

 players Danny Wright and Danny Naisbitt
Danny Naisbitt
Daniel Naisbitt is an English football goalkeeper. He currently plays for Cambridge United.-Career:Born in Bishop Auckland, Naisbitt began his career as a trainee with Walsall, turning professional in 1997, but failed to make the Walsall first team and moved to Barnet in 1999...

 in May 2010, as well as talented youngster Jai Reason. The signings of Conal Platt
Conal Platt
Conal James Platt is a professional footballer who plays for Cambridge United. He is noted as an attacking footballer and his best position is centre forward or left forward.-Career:...

, Adam Miller
Adam Miller (footballer)
Adam Edward Miller is an English footballer, of Irish descent, who plays for Cambridge United. He began his career with Ipswich Town but failed to make the first team and played for several non-league teams before joining Queens Park Rangers, where he made his Football League debut in December 2004...

 (who reportedly turned down interest from League One sides Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...

 and Bradford City to join the club), and veteran striker Daryl Clare
Daryl Clare
Daryl Adam Clare is a Jersey-born Irish former professional footballer. He played as a striker. He has previously played for Grimsby Town, Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town, Boston United, Chester City, Crawley Town, Burton Albion, Rushden & Diamonds, Mansfield Town and Gateshead. He has twice won...

, who arrived for a fee of £10,000, led Ling to claim that his squad was all-but complete.

The season started badly, however, with no win coming until the 6th game, at home to Eastbourne Borough
Eastbourne Borough F.C.
Eastbourne Borough are a semi-professional English football club, based in the town of Eastbourne, East Sussex, and are members of the Conference South. They are known as The Sports after their previous name as Langney Sports. Eastbourne Borough play their home matches at Priory Lane in Langney...

. Despite a short FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...

 run, which ended in a 2-1 First Round replay at League One Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...

, following a televised 0-0 at the Abbey
Abbey Stadium
The Abbey Stadium, known as R Costings Abbey Stadium for sponsorship reasons, is a football stadium in Cambridge, England. It has been the home ground of Cambridge United F.C. since 1932, and currently has a maximum capacity of 9,617 spectators...

, Ling's signings generally struggled on the field. After four consecutive losses, including to lowly Hayes & Yeading
Hayes & Yeading United F.C.
Hayes & Yeading United F.C. are an English football club based in Woking in Surrey. They were formed in May 2007 following a merger of Hayes and Yeading. They play at the Kingfield Stadium agreeing a groundshare with Woking-History:...

, the board were forced to issue a vote of confidence in Ling's management. Despite this, the club's poor form continued, leading to growing anger amongst the Cambridge fans at Ling's underachieving signings and tactical naivety. Following the New Year's Day
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...

 goalless draw to struggling rivals Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...

, there were audible chants of "Ling Out". However Ling refused to quit, stating "they [the fans] can moan all they like, but I’m going nowhere". On 1 February 2011 Ling was sacked by the Cambridge United board after a further run of four straight defeats, culminating in a 4-0 thrashing at the hands of Bath City.

Martin Ling applied for the Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...

 managerial vacancy a month later.

Torquay United

He was appointed Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...

 manager on 13 June 2011 after the departure of Paul Buckle
Paul Buckle
Paul John Buckle is an English professional footballer and football club manager. He is currently manager of League Two side Bristol Rovers.-Career:...

 to Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....

. With Buckle taking goalkeeper Scott Bevan
Scott Bevan
Scott Bevan is an English footballer and currently plays as a goalkeeper for League Two side Bristol Rovers.-Football career:...

 and forward Chris Zebroski
Chris Zebroski
Christopher Matthew "Chris" Zebroski is an English footballer who plays as a forward for Football League Two side Bristol Rovers.-Club career:...

 with him to Memorial Park
Memorial Park
Memorial Park may refer to:In the United States:* Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California* Memorial Park * Memorial Park, Houston, Texas* Memorial Park , Nebraska...

, Ling made moves for strikers Rene Howe
Rene Howe
Jermaine Renee Howe, commonly known as "Rene Howe" is an English footballer who plays as a striker for Torquay United. Howe was on the reality television programme 'Dating in the Dark' on LivingTV on 31 August 2010.-Career:...

 and Taiwo Atieno
Taiwo Atieno
Taiwo Leo Awuonda Atieno is an English-born Kenya international footballer, who currently plays for League Two side Torquay United. He previously played in the Football League for Walsall, Rochdale, Chester City and Darlington, and in the USL First Division for the Puerto Rico Islanders and...

, midfielders Chris McPhee and Ian Morris
Ian Morris (footballer)
Ian Morris is an Irish football midfielder who plays for Torquay United after being released from Scunthorpe United at the end of the 2010/11 season.-Career:Dublin-born Morris came through the youth ranks at Leeds United...

, defenders Brian Saah
Brian Saah
Brian Ebo Saah is an English footballer who plays for Torquay United.-Club career:Despite starting as a central midfielder, Saah was converted to a central defender and won praise for his displays deputising for first team regulars John Mackie and Gabriel Zakuani during the 2005–06...

, Daniel Leadbitter and Joe Oastler
Joe Oastler
Joseph James "Joe" Oastler is an English footballer who currently plays for Torquay United of Football League Two.-Playing career:...

, and goalkeepers Robert Olejnik
Robert Olejnik
Robert"Bobby" Olejnik is an Austrian professional footballer who plays for League Two side Torquay United.- Career :...

 and Martin Rice
Martin Rice
Martin John Rice is an association footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Football League Two club Torquay United. He spent most of his early professional career at Exeter City and has since played for rivals Torquay United and non-League side Truro City.-Exeter City:Rice came through the youth...

.

Ling's first game in charge of United was the 2–1 friendly win over Tiverton Town
Tiverton Town F.C.
Tiverton Town Football Club are an English football club based in Tiverton. The club are currently members of the Southern Football League South & West Division and play at Ladysmead.-History:...

. His new-look Torquay side had a good pre-season, winning against Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...

, Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...

, Truro City
Truro City F.C.
Truro City F.C. are an English professional football club based in Truro, Cornwall. They currently play in the Conference South following five promotions in six seasons. They were founding members of the South Western League in 1951 and won the title five times in their history...

 and Weston-super-Mare as well as Tiverton, and losing just once, to Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...

. Ling also had a good start in League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....

, drawing against Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...

 on the opening day of the season before recording away wins at Bristol Rovers and Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...

, leaving Torquay fourth in the table after three league games.

As a player

  • 1986–87
    1986-87 in English football
    The 1986–87 season was the 107th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The First Division championship went to Everton in their final season under the management of Howard Kendall before his departure to Athletic Bilbao. His side overcame a spate of injuries to fight off...

    : Division Four 3rd (promotion to Division Three) - Southend United
    Southend United F.C.
    Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...

  • 1989–90
    1989-90 in English football
    -European competitions:English clubs were still banned from competing in European competitions following the Heysel Stadium disaster.- First Division :...

    : Division Four 3rd (promotion to Division Three) - Southend United
    Southend United F.C.
    Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...

  • 1992–93
    1992-93 in English football
    The 1992–1993 season was the 113th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:This season saw the birth of the FA Premier League. This meant a break-up of the 104-year-old Football League that had operated until then with four divisions....

    : Division One Playoff Winner (promotion to Premiership) - Swindon Town
    Swindon Town F.C.
    Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...

  • 1995–96
    1995-96 in English football
    - Premiership :Newcastle United were 12 points clear at the top of Manchester United, but Alex Ferguson's relatively young and inexperienced side overhauled them during the second half of the season to win the title....

    : Division Two Champion (promotion to Division One) - Swindon Town
    Swindon Town F.C.
    Swindon Town Football Club are a team based in Swindon, Wiltshire. Currently in League Two, Swindon have been managed by Paolo Di Canio since 23 May 2011...


As a manager

  • 2005–06
    2005-06 in English football
    The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...

    : League Two
    Football League Two
    Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....

    , Third, (promotion to League One
    Football League One
    Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....

    ) - Leyton Orient
    Leyton Orient F.C.
    Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...


Managerial stats

Team Nat From To Record
GWDLWin %
Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...

  27 September 2003 18 January 2009 218 82 62 74 37.61
Cambridge United
Cambridge United F.C.
Cambridge United Football Club is a professional football club from Cambridge, England. They are currently playing the 2011-2012 season in the Conference National, the fifth tier of the English league system, where they have competed since 2005 following their relegation from the Football League...

  12 August 2009 1 February 2011 75 26 25 24 33.67

External links

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