Jimmy Ball says 'difficult' change is needed at Torquay United

Torquay United manager Jimmy Ball says "difficult" change is needed at the club if it is to end its 12-year wait to return to the English Football League.

The Gulls sit 19th in National League South, having won just one of their opening six games, after a disappointing 2-0 defeat against Farnham Town on Bank Holiday Monday.

Ball said the Devon side had faced "a lot of disruption" during the summer transfer window which he blamed on "players having their heads turned" by the prospects of signing elsewhere.

He told BBC Radio Devon he wanted all of his players to be "100% committed" to the club and be willing to "sacrifice and give everything".

Torquay lost 3-2 to Hornchurch in last season's play-off final after finishing third in the table - and fell at the semi-final stage the year before having finished second.

"The truth is it has been a long time since Torquay have played league football, and yes, the last two seasons have been close, but it's ultimately failed," said Ball, who succeeded Paul Wotton as boss in March.

"That's not to blame anyone, but I was brought in to change that and sometimes change is difficult and slower than we would like - but it is absolutely necessary."

When asked if fans were right to be concerned by the slower than expected start, Ball said: "I don't know of any scenario when panicking is beneficial.

"I'm not playing down the start, because it is not acceptable, but I believe there has been a lot of disruption.

"I can't tell you what's going on behind the scenes, which has been caused through players having their heads turned since day one of pre-season and players not quite being at it.

Ball added he "would love to tell the fans everything but you simply can't".

"You have to deal with it the best you can and hope the men you're putting out on to the pitch are 100% committed to Torquay United Football Club," he said.

The Gulls welcome third-placed Folkestone Invicta, who are unbeaten in their opening five matches, to Plainmoor on Saturday.

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