Source: Northern_Echo
Wembley match-winner is released by Darlington
Darlington's Wembley hero Chris Senior spoke of his disappointment last night after being released by the club - just four days after scoring arguably the greatest goal in Quakers' history.[LNB] Senior's dramatic 120th minute strike in Saturday's FA Trophy win at Wembley secured the club's first piece of silverware for 20 years and has secured him a place in the Darlington's folklore.[LNB] The goal was his last touch of the game against Mansfield, but it has also proven to be his last for Darlington as manager Mark Cooper has revealed a ruthless streak by axing the 29-year-old striker.[LNB] Cooper has chosen not to offer a new deal to Senior who arrived during Simon Davey's 77-day reign as manager last year.[LNB] The manager told Senior of the decision yesterday at The Northern Echo Arena, less than hour before the squad appeared at a civic reception in front of thousands of supporters.[LNB] As he stood on stage in Darlington's market square, few of the fans, if any, knew of Cooper's decision which came on a day in which he also released wingers Chris Moore and Josh Gray.[LNB] Speaking to The Northern Echo last night, a deeply disappointed Senior said: "Up until 5.55pm today it had been the best week of my life.[LNB] "I'd come back from injury, trained for three or four days last week and was hoping to get into the squad at Wembley because the gaffer had a big decision to make regarding who was going to be on the bench. Luckily I got the nod and scored a bit of a special goal.[LNB] "Sunday, Monday and Tuesday was a bit of a comedown after what had happened on Saturday.[LNB] "Then I came back into the club today, was looking forward to tonight and then at five to six I get hit with a bombshell that I've been released from my contract for next season.[LNB] "I was hoping that the importance of the goal I scored on Saturday would go some way towards earning a new contract.[LNB] "The importance of the goal, for the club and the town, if there had been a bit of indecision from the gaffer, then it might have gone some way towards giving me an extension on my contract."[LNB] Senior played in 35 of Darlington's 56 matches, scoring seven goals, including one in the memorable win at AFC Wimbledon last October.[LNB] A knee injury sustained in training kept him sidelined throughout Janaury and February, and he said: "I had a bit of a bad season with injuries and missed a few games.[LNB] "It wasn't through lack of endeavour that I missed those games though. Obviously nobody wants to be injured or not playing."[LNB] He missed the last four league matches after sustaining a calf strain, but recovered just in time for the FA Trophy final.[LNB] He says he will look back fondly on his time with Quakers, and he added: "Obviously I'm disappointed right now, but I'll look back with fond memories and nobody can take away from the fact I was part of the team that brought the first trophy back to Darlo for 20 years.[LNB] "I was part of the team and scored the winning goal in the last minute of extra-time - no Hollywood scriptwriter could have written that.[LNB] "My last touch of the ball for Darlington was a winner at Wembley - there's not many players who have been released after scoring with their last touch.[LNB] "I'm disappointed because I think next season Darlo have got a great chance of getting promotion and I wanted to be part of it. Unfortunately I'm going to be at another club and looking out for Darlo's results."[LNB] Despite the circumstances of his leaving the Arena, Senior says he bears no resentment towards Cooper.[LNB] He said: "It's the gaffer's decision and only time will tell if he's made the right one or not.[LNB] "I'm not going to fall out with him, I get on really well with the gaffer and Richard Dryden too. He's a good guy, he was honest with me and he's got the club's interest at heart, but unfortunately he doesn't see me in his plans.[LNB] "I just thought there was more to come from me next season.[LNB] "If you'd told me immediately after Saturday's game that I would be getting released I wouldn't have cared, but things have calmed down now. Now the hard work starts for me and I've got find a new club.[LNB] "But it's not a bad time to get released after scoring the winner at Wembley - there'll have been a few managers watching so I'm on the radar."[LNB] Cooper, who says he has already spoken to potential new players, explained he made the decision before Saturday's win at Wembley, he said: "I have to do it to some players that have been with me all season and have been great to work with but it's part of the job.[LNB] "I've only got a certain amount of money to spend and I have make sure I use it in the right way.[LNB] "It's the horrible part of the job but you can't let one goal change your decision.[LNB] "I'd done it before Saturday. I have to bring in two or three strikers that I know will get us goals and get us promotion next season."[LNB] Right-back Paul Arnison is to stay at the club after being offered a new one-year deal.[LNB]
