Source: Northern_Echo
Cooper to stay with Quakers after talks
MARK Cooper will continue as Darlington manager following an amicable clear-theair meeting with chairman Raj Singh yesterday.[LNB] Cooper's position was plunged into doubt over the weekend as he refused to leave the dug out for the majority of Quakers' 1-0 home defeat to Hayes & Yeading and refused to discuss his long-term future in the wake of his side's third defeat in as many matches.[LNB] With Lincoln and York both having made unsuccessful attempts to discuss their vacant managerial positions with Cooper last week, Singh arranged a face-to-face discussion at The Northern Echo Arena yesterday.[LNB] And after both parties reaffirmed their commitment to the cause, Cooper will retain his position ahead of Saturday's game at Mansfield.[LNB] Wild rumours began circulating at half-time on Saturday that Mark had tendered his resignation, and nothing could be further from the truth, said Singh.[LNB] Mark was simply trying a new approach on Saturday.[LNB] He's as desperate as we all are for this to work and he assures me he was just trying something different.[LNB] At the end of the day it didn't work out, but we move on, and we move on together.[LNB] We've sat down today and had a good chat.[LNB] There have been approaches from other clubs and Mark is fully aware of that, but he's happy to stay with us and we 100 per cent want him here.[LNB] Cooper became Darlington's fifth permanent manager in the space of nine months when he was appointed in late June.[LNB] The former Kettering and Peterborough boss has won just four of his 15 matches at the helm, and has been unable to prevent Quakers slipping to 14th in the Blue Square Bet Premier table.[LNB] However, he had brought a much-needed sense of stability to The Northern Echo Arena prior to the weekend's shenanigans, and Singh is desperate to avoid yet another bout of upheaval.[LNB] Mark's appointment, together with Richard Dryden, has brought some stability to the club for the first time in a long time,[LNB] said the chairman.[LNB] A handful of bad results doesn't change our outlook.[LNB] I'm happy with the job Mark and Richard are doing. Up until three games ago, we were doing well and were steadily improving as a team.[LNB] The last three results haven't been good, there's no getting away from that, but it doesn't mean we change things at the drop of a hat.[LNB] This club needs stability right now, and we believe Mark Cooper and Richard Dryden are the men to take us forward.[LNB] We're fully behind them, the players are and, if anything, what happened on Saturday will hopefully make us stronger in the longrun.[LNB] Cooper is equally determined to turn things around, and is keen to draw a line under last weekend's events as he turns his attention towards Saturday's trip to Field Mill.[LNB] I've got a long-term plan for Darlington and I'm not about to throw the towel in after a couple of bad performances, he said.[LNB] Saturday wasn't acceptable, we know that and the players know it. It was another bad day at the office. But the chairman continues to be very supportive and I appreciate that.[LNB] As far as I'm concerned, we put Saturday well and truly behind us and all concentrate on turning things around, starting with Mansfield on Saturday.[LNB] Cooper was not the only member of Darlington's backroom staff coming under fire at the weekend, as his assistant, Dryden, was accused of abusing supporters who had challenged him during the game.[LNB] The Quakers number two has apologised for his actions, and insisted they merely reflected the depth of his disappointment at events on the field.[LNB] I hope the Darlington fans can understand that it was down to pure anger and frustration, said Dryden.[LNB] Our supporters are a passionate bunch and they don't hold back their opinion, but they pay their money and they're entitled to have their say.[LNB] I've reacted on Saturday and while I do regret it, I just hope they understand that I was sharing their frustrations.[LNB] Darlington face a step into the unknown after yesterday's FA Cup fourth qualifying round draw handed them an away game at either Lincoln Moorlands Railway or Mossley AFC on Saturday, October 23.[LNB] The sides drew 1-1 in the third qualifying round at Lincoln on Saturday, and will replay at Mossley tonight.[LNB] Lincoln Moorlands Railway, who were only formed in 1989, play in the Premier Division Northern Counties East, while Mossley compete in Division One North of the Evostick League[LNB]
