 Smith was sacked in April 1991 after Torquay's promotion push appeared to be falling apart and Impey was appointed manager, the first to be appointed by chairman Mike Bateson, guiding them to the play-offs by finishing in seventh place in the Fourth Division.They beat Burnley in the play-off semi-final and on 31 May 1991 Impey led his side out at Wembley for the final against Blackpool.The game went to a penalty shootout, which went to sudden death.