New Year, New Manager! 

Full statement on Martin Ling from Lee Power

 

Martin rang me yesterday morning to let me know that he was resigning as manager. I was both shocked and extremely saddened but fully respected his decision.

In a very short period of time, Martin has done an excellent job by winning five of his eight league games in charge and moving us out of and away from the League 1 relegation zone. Martin has proved that he is still a very good football manager but sometimes in life, things are far more important than football and Martin felt that the stresses of the job were not good for his health going forward.

 

Lee Power & Martin Ling calyx

With his previous health issues, he felt that staying in the job was a risk he could not take for the sake of his family. Everyone at Swindon Town fully respects his decision and he will always be welcome back at the County Ground.

I have not spent as much time with Martin as I would have liked during his time in charge nor have I had the opportunity to nurture and develop a working relationship with him as I have been out of the country for most of his tenure. However, I would like to place on record my personal thanks to Martin. He is a football man through and through and is a very honest, hard-working man who loves Swindon Town Football Club. I saw Martin this morning and he asked me to thank his staff, the players and the supporters for their backing during his time at the club.

In the short term, Luke Williams will be in charge of the first team starting with Saturday’s game at Port Vale. The search for a new permanent manager has already begun and I hope to have the new man in place as soon as possible.

 

Ling calls it a day as Town boss after just 56 days in charge

3.05pm 29 December 2015

 

It's never dull being a Town fan.

 

After taking charge for only nine games, new manager Martin Ling has dropped a bombshell and quit the County Ground today on health grounds.

 

Shock exit: Martin Ling, here pictured on Boxing Day during Swindon's home clash against Gillingham pics by calyx

 

The surprise news came via the official Swindon Town website this afternoon, with a full statement promised - but still forthcoming.

 

'Swindon Town have today been informed that Martin Ling has resigned from his position as First Team Manager due to health reasons'

Ling was appointed on 03 November to take over from Mark Cooper, who was sacked in mid-October with Town struggling at the wrong end of League One after a play-off final place at Wembley as recently as May.

 

But a good run of four consecutive wins - despite two losses over Christmas - meant talk was of stabilisation rather than relegation, with Ling himself sounding positive just the day before he offered his resignation.

 

"I see Swindon Town as better than where we are in the league but not quite ready to be up there with the top boys," he said after watching Swindon lose to Burton Albion on 28 December.

 

"We’re competitive now. Against Gillingham and today we were more than capable. We know where we are – we’ve steadied the ship but we need to kick on again."

 

 

First spell only 94 days

 

Martin Ling was originally signed by Lou Macari as a player in 1986 but left the club unexpectedly after only 94 days after a clash with the manager, allegedly over the strict drinking policy at the club.

 

Ling then re-signed under Ossie Ardiles in 1991 and later played 168 games, scoring twice, as Swindon enjoyed a golden period under Glenn Hoddle which included promotion to the Premier League.

 

Ling's record as manager: P9 W5 L4