Paul Buckle

Buckle: It hasn't sunk in yet

Torquay United boss Paul Buckle has expressed his delight at leading the Gulls back to the Football League after two years in the Blue Square Premier.

The Broadhall Way side were relegated from League Two in 2007 and after a difficult start to this season the Gulls will wave goodbye to non-league football after securing a 2-0 play-off final victory over Cambridge United.

Buckle told Setanta: "It's not sunk in yet.I'm just delighted for the players with the effort they've put in this season.

"The club was on its knees, but we're now back in the Football League.We deserved to be promoted.

"If you've watched us over the last two seasons, no one could argue that we deserve to be back in the Football League.

"I can't tell you how proud I am."

The triumph was of special significance to Torquay defender Chris Todd, who was diagnosed with chronic myelogenous leukemia in November last year.

The former Swansea City player spent three months on the sidelines and he could not hide his emotions after helping his side clinch promotion at Wembley.

He said: "I basically fought it as fast as I can to get back playing, really. It's incredible.

"It's the best moment of my career, that's how I sum it up.

"It's for all the heartache I put my family through.

"It's deserved because we were hurting from last year. There's not a day that's gone by that I've not thought about that.

"This is for every fan that was hurt after that Exeter game. That's for them."

Buckle admitted that he was surprised at how quickly the 27-year-old had recovered and felt that he deserved the victory more than anyone.

"Words can't explain that one.

"What Chris has been through and his family... the club's supported him, the players supported him and to see his face then was absolutely out of this world."