Source: Northern_Echo
Quakers could turn to Davey
FORMER Barnsley boss Simon Davey last night pressed his claims to become Darlington's next manager, revealing he sought the advice of former Quakers chief David Hodgson before applying for the vacancy.[LNB] Davey has already had an interview with chairman Raj Singh, and attended Tuesday's defeat to Aldershot Town.[LNB] He maintained a low profile at The Northern Echo Arena, taking an opportunity to see Quakers in action before speaking to Singh the following day.[LNB] As a player he enjoyed lengthy spells as a midfielder with Carlisle and Preston - and a brief one with Quakers.[LNB] Since becoming a manager his most notable achievement has been taking Barnsley to an FA Cup semi-final, causing upsets along the way against Liverpool and Chelsea.[LNB] But he has been out of the game since leaving Oakwell by mutual consent in August.[LNB] Davey said: I've not applied for many jobs, I've left some alone and I've been offered one which I didn't take.[LNB] But I spoke to David Hodgson about Darlington and he said it's a fantastic little club that just needs to get going again.[LNB] I played there on loan, albeit only for 11 games, but it was a spell that I enjoyed and I just looked at the situation and thought it's the club for me.[LNB] We all know it is going into the Conference, but it's a club that wants to bounce straight back, would have a competitive budget and it would be an opportunity to get a club back into the Football League.[LNB] Off the field it's a fantastic club with a great stadium.[LNB] The infrastructure is good but on the field it's not what it should be.[LNB] There was a clause in my contract at Barnsley which meant I couldn't take another job for six months, that time is up now and Darlington will be something of a giant in the league they are going into.'' And, with relatives in the area, Davey added: I was at the game the other night. I had a bobble hat on and I was with my cousin, who's from Hurworth, sitting in the stand among the fans.[LNB] We paid to get in and sat to the right of the directors' box close to where the fans were making all the noise! I just tried to keep a low profile and watch the game.[LNB] I had an interview on Wednesday but everybody keeps their cards close to their chest in these situations.[LNB] I never listen to speculation, I only know that it is a job that I would love.[LNB] Ex-Peterborough boss Mark Cooper also met Singh on Wednesday, while former Bristol City boss Gary Johnson remains in the running to replace Steve Staunton, who was sacked last weekend.[LNB] Hodgson signed Davey on loan from Preston in 1997 and the pair remain in contact.[LNB] I still speak to David now and again, said Davey.[LNB] David did a bit of work for Barnsley as an agent with our foreign players. I spoke to him about the background of the club, he gave me a great insight and he has nothing but good things to say about Darlington.[LNB] I asked him about the potential because obviously the crowds are down, but they just need a bit of belief in the squad and in the town.[LNB] I played 11 games when David was manager at the old stadium and I really enjoyed it. David had the team playing a good style of football, which is what I enjoy.[LNB] At Barnsley my belief was to get the ball down and play attractive football and I believe I can bring that to Darlington.[LNB] I don't buy into the idea that you can't pass your way out of a division. As a player at Preston we passed our way out of League Two, as it is known now, and I've taken that into all of my coaching.[LNB] My philosophy has always been to play football that is effective and attack-minded.[LNB] That was something I took into my role at Barnsley.[LNB] We ended up getting to an FA Cup semi-final and stayed in the division for three consecutive seasons when we had the lowest budget in the division.[LNB]
