Torquay United part company with manager Paul Wotton after almost two years

Torquay United have sacked manager Paul Wotton in the wake of the club’s 0-5 home defeat by Chelmsford City on Saturday.

The Gulls’ owners, the Bryn Consortium, are believed to have held a board meeting on Sunday morning and took the decision to dismiss Wotton, 48.

A club statement read: “Torquay United Football Club can confirm that it has today parted company with First-Team Manager Paul Wotton.

“We are very grateful to Paul for his hard work, professionalism, and commitment during his time at the club. We thank Paul for his contribution, both on and off the pitch.

“Torquay United wish Paul every success in his future endeavours. Neil Warnock will take the team for Tuesday night’s fixture with Farnborough and an update on interim arrangements will be communicated in due course.”

Wotton had been named National League South Manager Of The Month for January, after leading United to the top of the table, but they have since taken only one point from five matches.

Saturday’s defeat, with an injury-hit side, was their heaviest at home since Stockport County won here 5-1 on November 30, 2019.

Opinion among Gulls fans – Saturday’s gate was 3,224 – was divided about Wotton’s position.

There were calls for him to go, as there had been after some disappointing performances earlier in the season, but many supporters also felt that the club should stick with him.

So this is a big decision by any standards.

It’s also a reflection of the equally high expectations that any team boss has to handle at Plainmoor in the NLS.

Wotton was appointed in May 2024, as the Bryn Consortium rescued United from administration. He inherited one player.

His hastily assembled first squad finished second with 89 points, beaten for the title by Truro City on goal-difference, before losing in the Play-Off Semi-Final to Boreham Wood (0-1), who went on to win promotion.

Wotton was given a bigger budget last summer, and he strengthened his squad, especially in midfield, and changed the style of the team.

Louis Dennis, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, Matt Worthington, Callum Dolan and Munashe Sundire were among his key senior signings.

Wotton’s No.2 Edwards also moved from part to full-time.

Less than a month ago, on the back of a seven-game unbeaten run, the Gulls moved to the top of the table.

Little has gone right since then.

Against strugglers Chippenham Town and Eastbourne Borough, Maidenhead United, Worthing and then Chelmsford, the Gulls have taken only one point, conceding 14 goals in the process.

But, not for the first time this season, injuries have increasingly hampered Wotton’s selection options.

He was without Dolan and centre-back duo Jordan Dyer and Sam Dreyer for the Chelmsford match, before Worthington also dropped out with illness on the morning of the game.

Centre-forward Cody Cooke, last season’s leading scorer, then dislocated a shoulder and had to be withdrawn at half-time.

Ahead of another home match against lowly Farnborough on Tuesday, United had slipped to fourth place – ten points adrift of leaders Dorking Wanderers, but still only two behind second-placed Hornchurch.

Wotton’s record read: NLS - P80 W42 D20 L18; FA Cup/Trophy - W2 L5.

United have placed former boss Neil Warnock, their ‘football adviser’, in charge for the Farnborough match.

But, with 13 games to go, the search for Wotton’s permanent successor needs to be a pretty short one if United are at least to secure a place in the Play-Offs.