Former managers: Don O'Riordan

In all my time watching Torquay, I think Don O was the most hard done by of managers. He transformed the side after the shambles of the Compton year of management that had to be rescued by Neil Warnock and whilst he was robbed by Raynor’s cheating in 1994, the following season had some good moments (I certainly remember thinking how good we looked against Middlesbrough in pre-season and away at Colchester, with a twice-taken free-kick by Buckle being scored both times) but was one we’d settle for nowadays.

It was 95/96 and I’m not sure anyone could manage with the tools Don was given that year. Because he’d done so well with very limited resources in 94 and to an extent in 95, I think Mike Bateson gleefully felt they’d stumbled upon a formula whereas it was possible to do well by spending sod-all. But it was obvious from even the team photo for 95/96 that we were going to struggle. A photo with hardly any players, one of whom was the physio’s Damien Davey dressed as a player and another Gregory Goodridge who had already left. I defy anyone not to struggle with a forward line of Byng and Laight to start the season.

Relegation was seemingly inevitable and as referenced above, had O’Riordan been backed in the way Eddie May was at the start of the season, things may well have been different but the penny-wise, pound-foolish approach was a cycle Mike Bateson never seem to waiver from during his time as owner, and for that season he was as much responsible for Don getting the sack as Don himself was.

Don always seemed such a nice man and continues to demonstrate that with his frequent postings about United on Facebook.

Despite the sad end, he is one of my favourite managers during my time as a Torquay fan.