The 49-year-old former Sunderland, Bristol City and Notts County midfielder was appointed as Gulls boss in September 2017.

He joined after a second spell in charge of Bath City, having also previously managing Forest Green Rovers and Weston-super-Mare as well as being assistant-manager at Aldershot Town, Plymouth Argyle and Gateshead.

Chairman Clarke Osborne told https://www.torquayunited.com: “Our decision comes after some days of discussion with Gary and from my personal standpoint, I make this announcement with regret.

“Professional football is demanding on both managers and players and it is fair that our supporters expect success on the field. I am sorry that despite our strenuous efforts and providing the financial resource necessary, we have not found consistency and are now behind where we expected in our intended journey to the top of this division.

“We have discussed our status at length with Gary and examined recent performances in depth. As a result, we have together concluded that the first team need a change of manager if we are to get back on track and winning ways.

“We are very grateful to Gary for his commitment and hard work over 12 months and 47 games and I believe that he will find success in his next club. It is the nature of football management that sometimes a perfect strategy does not work, for reasons which are not clear but are a set of circumstances which together conspire to deny a team the goals that, bring the confidence, make the wins and reward supporters.

“We are working hard on securing a new manager and are confident that we will be able to make an announcement shortly.”

Owers said: “It is with huge regret that I leave Torquay United. I am sorry that we have not found the success that we planned for.

“Our lack of goals and strong performances do not reflect the quality of the team, its preparation and training. As Clarke has said, there are sometimes circumstances that drain confidence.

“I know that the team are absolutely committed to the club and desperately want to succeed and naturally I believe that with time they can find the results, restore confidence and climb towards the top of the league. But I recognise that this ambitious Club cannot wait and need to look at an alternative direction.