Dean Smith thrilled pal Martin Ling 'is free of dark clouds'

Ling, who made Smith his assistant while he was in charge of Leyton Orient, was appointed manager of League One rivals Swindon last week.

Prior to that, the former midfielder spent two-and-a-half years out of the game after suffering a nervous breakdown while in charge of Torquay United and subsequently being admitted to The Priory with depression.

Despite making a full recovery, Ling found it difficult to get back into the game saying he felt the stigma if having a mental illness was a 'coffee stain' on his CV that prevented clubs appointing him.

Now the 49-year-old is back in the dugout after being handed the reigns at the Country Ground where he was also a successful player.

And Smith is delighted to see him return, even though his pal had been working as a scout for him.

"I spoke to him before he accepted the job and I spoke to him after and I'm delighted for him," Smith said.

"We have lost a scout but I don't mind, I'm just happy for him.

"Martin has been through a really tough time.

"But he deserves the opportunity because he is a good manager and he will prove that.

"He is one of the my best friends in the game and we talked about the pros and cons of the job.

"He believes he can do the job and my advice was go and do it.

"Like Martin says, there are people in all walks of life who have an illness but overcome it and work in high rank jobs.

"He suffered with depression but he has come through it."

Ling will come face to face with Smith when his Swindon side host the Saddlers on November 24.

And the Walsall supremo believes Ling's appointment could prove a turning point for the way the footballing community views those who have suffered with a mental illness.

"Let's hope it is a turning point because there are plenty of people out there who have had depression," Smith added.

"I'm just pleased Martin has come out of it.

"I have only been a small help – he has got a really good family behind him and some close friends who have helped him through it all.

"It was tough. I remember going to visit him when he first got admitted to The Priory and it wasn't the friend I knew – he looked like an old man.

"To see him so positive now is so pleasing for me. It gives everyone a big boost.

"It just shows what can be overcome.

"He has been working for the Tottenham Foundation, he has been working for BBC Radio London, he has been scouting for us.

"He has been working for 18 months to get free of the dark clouds that once engulfed him."

• To find out more about the symptoms and treatment for depression click here