 Local hotel owner Keith Richardson took over as chairman, but on 7 March 2007 it was announced that Bateson had returned as chairman.He immediately restored his wife Sue to a Director's post, promoted his daughter Debbie, wife of former Torquay player, groundsman and coach Richard Hancox, to managing director and reappointed three locally based directors who had resigned as a protest over Roberts' handling of the club.In May 2007, after Torquay's relegation to the Conference National, Bateson stood down as chairman of Torquay United, with Mervyn Benney taking over.