Jimmy Ball: “When we win a game, it’s all about the players”

Torquay United manager Jimmy Ball insists that he will only be tempted into a ‘fist-pump’ celebration in front of Plainmoor’s Popular Side if the Gulls win promotion.

Ball will again encourage his players to do the post-match celebrating with fans if they beat Hemel Hempstead Town in this Saturday’s last home game of the National League South season.

But he will take a proverbial back seat until the club has something ‘great’ to enjoy.

“After a game, I walk down the touchline and shake the other manager’s hand, but I have switched completely from euphoria after about 30 seconds to business, because you’re only as good as your next game,” said Ball.

“I love the fans singing player’s names – there’s no better feeling when you’re a player.

“When we win, it’s all about the players, and all credit to them.

“When we lose, it’s on me, it’s my fault and I accept that – that’s my role.

“I won’t change. I won’t disappear down the tunnel if we get beat.

“Every side of the ground will get applauded, because I appreciate the fans being there and their support.

“They might get a fist-pump off me if we achieve something great.

“But when we win a game, it’s about the players and it’s nothing to do with me.”

After an injury-hit defeat at Dagenham & Redbridge (0-1) in Ball’s first match, United have taken 13 points out of 15, scoring 16 goals and conceding four as United’s squad has been boosted by players returning to fitness and some key loan signings.

A fourth successive victory, 5-1 at Slough Town last Saturday, came via goals from Dylan Morgan (12th of the season), Luke Young (16th), Deon Moore’s first two for the club and Reading loanee striker Reece Evans.

United, cheered on by more than 600 travelling fans, were 4-0 up in 24 minutes at Arbour Park.

There were two important matches last night (Tues) – Hornchurch (4th) v Chelmsford (11th) and Weston-super-Mare (9th) v mid-table Horsham – which could impact United’s promotion hopes.

Behind leaders Worthing, who have two potentially tricky final games at Maidstone and home to

Ebbsfleet, the Play-Off race is so tight that everyone down to Chelmsford still has everything to play for.

Torquay’s hope is to beat Hemel and then Tonbridge away (Apr 25) and hope that it might be enough either to snatch the title or clinch a high PO place.

This Saturday’s penultimate league fixtures include: Maidstone v Worthing, Dorking v Bath, Torquay v Hemel Hempstead, Ebbsfleet v Hampton & Richmond, Maidenhead v Dover, Chesham v Chelmsford and Dagenham v Weston-super-Mare.

For fans already thinking about possible Play-Off permutations, the schedule is as follows: Quarter-Finals: Apr 28 - (A) 5th v 6th, Apr 29 - (B) 4th v 7th; Semi-Finals: May 2 - 2nd v Winner of (A) and 3rd v Winner of (B); May 9 – Final.

Ties will be played on the home ground of the team finishing higher in the table, with kick-off times to be confirmed.