Neil Warnock: Ex-Torquay United boss impressed by club's potential bidders

Neil Warnock was in charge of Huddersfield when they visited Torquay's neighbours Plymouth on the opening day of the season

Neil Warnock says a group of potential bidders for Torquay United that he has met seem "very level-headed".

The experienced former manager, who as Torquay United boss in 1993 led the club to safety from relegation to the Conference, has had dialogue with one group hoping to buy the club.

Last month owner Clarke Osborne said he was planning to appoint administrators as he could no longer fund the side.

Torquay were docked 10 points last week and are 18th in National League South.

"They seem very level-headed and know what's at stake," Warnock told BBC Sport of the prospective new owners.

"It's difficult when you take over a club that looks like it's going to go into administration.

"But there again, you wipe the slate clean and you have to move on.

"I've seen a few clubs go bust over the years, Hereford went really down the leagues and came back up and are on the way back - there's been a few teams like that.

"I just hope it can be sorted quickly and give the new people who do come in - whoever they are - the opportunity to make sure they stay in the league first of all, and then move on," added Warnock, who says he has no intention of taking on any sort of coaching role at the club.

Torquay said in a statement on Thursday that there were in talks with a number of prospective new owners.

"Preliminary discussions have commenced with interested parties concerning the structure and timing of arrangements which would bring about a change of ownership and stewardship of the club," the statement read.

"By their nature, these conversations remain confidential. More details can be shared once a clear front-runner has emerged and matters are concluded."

Neil Warnock's last managerial role was a short eight-game spell at Aberdeen - his first time managing outside of the English leagues

Warnock will attend Saturday's game at home to Hampton and Richmond Borough in a fixture that is being called 'Devon Day'.

Supporters from Plymouth Argyle and Exeter City are being encouraged to come to Plainmoor to support Torquay as their sides do not have games because of the international break.

Warnock moved to Torquay in February 1993 with the club flirting with relegation from what was the old Division Three.

He managed to turn results around and they stayed up with a 1-0 win at Carlisle United on the penultimate day of the season, taking 10 points from their final five matches, before he left that summer for his first spell at Huddersfield Town.

Warnock has managed 12 more clubs in his career, the latest a short spell at Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen which ended earlier this month.

He led the likes of Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield United and Cardiff City to promotion to the Premier League while he has also saved Rotherham United and Huddersfield Town from relegation to League One in recent years.

"We just enjoyed the whole club," Warnock said of his short spell at Plainmoor.

"They were a good group of lads, they gave me everything and I still get goosepimples when I think about the game at Carlisle where we were safe in the penultimate game.

"I have happy memories really and so to be able to help out in any way, I will do."