McFarland leaves Torquay

McFarland said he had a difficult job at Torquay

Roy McFarland has resigned as manager of Third Division Torquay.

The former Derby boss made the decision after being told he would have to take a pay cut next season and that his assistant, David Preece, would have to leave the club.

Chairman Mike Bateson said he had been forced into making the decision by the collapse of ITV Digital.

I have no problem at all with Roy and David - my beef is with ITV Digital

Mike Bateson

He told BBC Sport Online: "I went to Roy a few weeks ago and told him we had to make £6,000 a week of cuts because of the situation with ITV Digital.

"He's on a fair salary and I told him he would have to take a cut.

"I also told him that there was no way we could afford to keep David Preece on the staff.

"But I would like to emphasise that I have no problem at all with Roy and David.

"They have been very professional and done a very good job here. My beef is with ITV Digital."

McFarland said: "This was the hardest job I've had in football.

"I believe we have left the club with a good squad but we won't be here to see our work bear fruit now."

McFarland and Preece had also worked together at Derby and Cambridge.