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18 Facts About Martin Ling

1.

Martin Ling was born on 15 July 1966 and is an English football manager and former player currently director of football for Leyton Orient.

2.

Martin Ling played in over 100 Football League matches for each of Exeter City, Southend United, Swindon Town and Leyton Orient, before moving into management.

3.

Martin Ling led Orient for more than five years from 2003 until 2009, and went on to manage Cambridge United, Torquay United and Swindon Town.

4.

Martin Ling played over 150 games for Orient before transferring to Brighton and Hove Albion in 2000 for a short period.

5.

Later in 2000, Martin Ling rejoined Orient as a coach whilst continuing to play semi-professionally for Purfleet in the Isthmian League until hanging up his boots in September 2001.

6.

Martin Ling was appointed manager of Leyton Orient in December 2003, after a spell as caretaker manager.

7.

In July 2009, Martin Ling was appointed the manager of Cambridge United in the Conference National, succeeding Gary Brabin who despite a successful first season had left the club due to differences with the club's chairman, George Rolls.

8.

However, after only eight days at Cambridge, Martin Ling resigned on 4 August 2009 citing irreconcilable differences with Rolls.

9.

Cambridge United started the new season under the caretaker stewardship of Paul Carden, but after chairman Rolls left the club on 5 August 2009, Martin Ling said he would be keen to return as manager.

10.

However Martin Ling refused to quit, stating "they [the fans] can moan all they like, but I'm going nowhere".

11.

Martin Ling was sacked by the Cambridge United board after a further run of four straight defeats.

12.

Martin Ling unsuccessfully applied for the Grimsby Town managerial vacancy a month later.

13.

Martin Ling was appointed Torquay United manager on 13 June 2011 after the departure of Paul Buckle to Bristol Rovers.

14.

Martin Ling had a good start in League Two, drawing against Burton Albion on the opening day of the season before recording away wins at Bristol Rovers and Aldershot Town, leaving Torquay fourth in the table after three league games.

15.

On 28 January 2013 Assistant Shaun Taylor led Torquay to victory away at Exeter City, with Martin Ling away suffering from an illness.

16.

On 3 November 2015, Martin Ling was named as manager of League One side Swindon Town, a club he had two spells with as a player.

17.

However, Martin Ling resigned on 29 December 2015 for health reasons.

18.

On 23 June 2017 Martin Ling was named as director of football of Conference side Leyton Orient.