Plainmoor becomes Painmoor as Torquay slip out

Final Position: 24

Managers: Ian Atkins, Lubok Kubik, Keith Curle (present)

Mansell... Never gave up

Top Goalscorer: Jamie Ward (11)

Player of the Season: Extremely difficult to choose after a season of underachievement. Ward would walk it considering he is viewed as a talented lad, but his move to Chesterfield means he cannot be considered. NCM vote for Lee Mansell who has showed promise while appearing over forty times for the Seagulls. Neat and tidy, Mansell has created the most entertaining Torquay moments, including four goals.

Against Notts: As with several clubs, Notts managed to take six points off relegated United. At Plainmoor at the end of September, Lawrie Dudfield came off the bench to net the games only goal - a 94^th minute winner. At Meadow Lane in the middle of January, Notts notched a 5-2 success. Junior Mendes had Notts ahead before goals from Stephen Cooke and Ryan Dickson gave the visitors a shock advantage. Jay Smith levelled before substitute Andy Parkinson had Notts leading a thriller at half-time. Two late Jason Lee goals helped settle the tie.

Defining moment: A 93^rd minute Danny Swailes leveller for Macclesfield Town in Torquay's' 3-3 draw with their eventual relegation rivals at Moss Rose on September 23. This proved to be the start of a run that saw the Seagulls fail to win a league game in nineteen attempts.

Highlight: Opening the season with back to back wins had fans dreaming of a possible promotion push. It was good while it lasted.

Lowlight: Couldn't be more obvious - relegation to the Conference.

The Mad Verdict: A season of chaos for Torquay saw them deservedly lose their football league status. You finish where you finish for a reason, and Torquay's off-field problems are probably the chief reason for the eventual relegation.

Kubik...Can he really be blamed?

Appointing Lubos Kubik - an unknown Croatian whose only venture onto English soil before was to participate in Euro 96 for runners-up Czech Republic - was always going to be a disaster. Kubik, devoid of experience and with no finances to work with, cannot be blamed for his failure to turn around a campaign that was already heading for relegation.

Many fans blame the takeover by supposed fan Chris Roberts. He bought the club from Mike Bateson who had to buy it back before the season ran out with Roberts' dreadful mismanagement threatening the existence of the club.

That existence is still threatened by the relegation. With attendances averaging around the 2,000 mark, Torquay aren't expected to make a quick return.

The Seagulls' inevitable relegation was confirmed on April 14 after a 1-1 draw with Peterborough, but with only three wins since August 8, it was only mathematics keeping them up.

What's next? The Conference beckons and fans will be preying for an immediate return. To do that they must turn out in numbers and hope that Bateson sells the club to a new investor who will take the club forward. Bateson wants out and there is no doubt that more finances are needed. It could be a long way back for them with their few good players set to move on.