Neil Warnock happy to play his part in a Torquay United promotion

Thirty three years after he first walked into Plainmoor to save Torquay United from relegation, Neil Warnock says he now wants to help the Gulls to finish the job that his protege Paul Wotton started.

Warnock, 77, who took Wotton’s promotion chasing side for last night’s home game against Farnborough, revealed that he played no part in the surprise sacking of Wotton and his assistant Mike Edwards.

And United’s ‘football adviser’ insists that he did not agree with the decision taken by owners the Bryn Consortium after a five-game losing run and Saturday’s 5-0 home defeat by Chelmsford City.

But Warnock, who fell in love with Torquay when he pulled off one of the club’s Great Escapes in 1993, says he wants do right by Wotton.

“I helped to bring Paul to the club, and I think he’s done a fantastic job over the last two years,” he said.

“As long as the fans realise what he’s done. He’s got to hold his head up high.

“I feel some of the players have let Paul down in some respects.

“Injuries have been a factor, but I absolutely don’t see any reason why we can’t still go for the title.

“There’s quite a few games (11) to go, and (leaders) Dorking still have to come here.

“And I’d love to play a part, however long that might be, in winning promotion, because Paul deserves that on his record.”

Warnock, who has won more promotions (8) than any other manager in English football, is not being paid for his latest stint as United’s ‘caretaker’ boss.

He will step aside as soon as the board identify Wotton’s permanent replacement, but he explained: “I’ve agreed to help so they don’t have to rush into an appointment and then regret it.”

Co-chairman Michael Westcott admitted that United’s ambition and the pressure to win promotion after last season’s near-miss had played their part in the decision to sack Wotton less than three weeks after he was named the NL South’s January Manager Of The Month with United top of the table.

He spoke of the board’s need to be ‘decisive’.

Within 24 hours of the news being released, the Gulls had received nearly 30 applications or inquiries from potential candidates to succeed Wotton.

But having Warnock around eases some of the pressure ahead of Saturday’s trip to Ebbsfleet United and then two home games next week against Salisbury and Chesham United.