Ling Lines Up Against Familiar Face For Walsall Clash

Martin Ling will share the touchline with familiar faces tonight at the County Ground, as his Swindon side take on third placed Walsall.

Dean Smith, current first team manager of Walsall, knows Martin Ling all too well after working closely with the Swindon boss during their time at Leyton Orient, during which the pair formed a close bond.

The pair featured for the O's in both a playing capacity and later as a managerial duo, with Smith working under the tutelage of Ling.

Enjoying a period of success, the Ling - Smith duo at the helm were responsible for the resurrection of Orient, as they gained promotion from lowly League Two. 

In a reversal of roles, Ling also featured as a scout for Smith at Walsall in recent seasons, after reentering football following a battle with depression.

During that difficult time, the pair's friendship remained as close as ever, with Smith acting as a pillar of support for Ling during his illness, making trips to visit him at the Priory hospital in Roehampton.

Tonight the two come head-to-head for the first time as opposing first team managers, and Ling insists the main focus of the evening is doing everything possible to get the three points.

Speaking to local media earlier in the week, Ling said: "It will be nice to catch up with him (Smith) but the most important thing is to get the right result for Swindon Town.

"He’s my closest friend in football and we worked together for five years in a very successful management team at (Leyton) Orient.