Martin Ling is an Ex-Professional Footballer with Premier League experience who holds the highest professional coaching qualification in football, the UEFA Pro Licence. Martin has been involved in football for over 30 years, both as a professional player, chief scout, coach and manager.

During his 18-year playing career, Martin made 674 appearances for 7 different clubs including Swindon Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Leyton Orient. One of the main highlights of Martin’s playing career was at Swindon Town where, under the leadership of Player-Manager Glenn Hoddle, Martin was part of the midfield in the Swindon side that won promotion to the Premier League in 1993.

Since retiring from his playing career, Martin spent 10 years in football league management. Notably taking over as manager of Leyton Orient when they were second-bottom of League Two in 2003. Martin steered Orient away from relegation and oversaw steady improvement. In 2004 Martin made the pivotal signing of center back John Mackie from Reading. Martin made Mackie captain. This combination of Ling's management and Mackie's leadership on the pitch helped Orient to their first automatic promotion in 36 years. Their promotion to League One in the 2005–06 season ended a period of eleven years in the English league's bottom division. Promotion, coupled with an excellent FA Cup run that same season, progressing to the fourth round after beating Premiership side Fulham FC, means Martin Ling and John Mackie still enjoy great affection from loyal Leyton Orient FC fans today.

in 2009 Martin was appointed by Hibernian FC to set up a scouting network in England. He then moved back into management at Conference club Cambridge United until 2011. Martin’s most recent professional management position was with Torquay United, where he brilliantly rebuilt his squad, only missing automatic promotion on the final day of the 2011-12 season and narrowly losing out to Cheltenham in the play-offs.

In August 2013 Martin joined Wormley Youth FC, one of the country’s most respected youth football clubs, as Professional Game Consultant. In this role Martin provided top class player training and valuable advice and expert guidance to coaches and the wider club. Martin’s enthusiasm and love of the game was infectious.

Martin's formula proved so successful he launched his Lings Elite Soccer School in March 2014 to extend the concept and provide young players ‘elite’ standard coaching sessions in a fun atmosphere. Through their enjoyment the players want to learn but, importantly, Martin recognises that all players are individuals and will progress and develop at different speeds. All too often potentially gifted players can become ‘pigeon holed’ at a young age, before they have a chance to shine. All Lings Elite coaching staff have academy, playing or coaching experience and follow Martin’s formula in the training sessions. The training mirrors that of 'elite' academies but crucially encourages the technical development of the individuals at their own pace.

Through Lings Elite’s continued successful partnership with Wormley Youth FC, in February 2015 Wormley Youth Chairman Dave Bell suggested the idea to Martin of launching Lings Elite FC to provide a natural continuation of this successful formula and transition players from youth to senior football.

So now the next chapter is beginning and exciting times lay ahead!