Source: Northern_Echo
Cooper offers a chance to all
THE Darlington squad returns for pre-season training next week and everyone has an equal chance of impressing Mark Cooper. He was appointed on Tuesday and has been quick to point out that every player will be handed an opportunity. Before heading to Hereford Simon Davey, who was in charge before Ryan Kidd's 12- day spell, had been well on the way to building a squad at The Northern Echo Arena and had released many of last season's players. Chris Lumsdon, injured for much of the campaign, was not in Davey's plans, however, Cooper's arrival means the former Carlisle midfielder may be handed a reprieve. They've all got one-year deals so they will all get a chance, said Cooper. I'm not one of them that comes in and says I don't want you, go and train with the kids'. They'll all get a chance, I'll be really fair. As a player that's how you want to be treated, you want to be treated fairly and professionally. If the players show the effort that I'm looking for then they will play. The players are probably thinking what's going on here' and wondering if they're going to get a phone call from Hereford. But I'm very fair, if they're right with me I'll be right with them. Everybody will get a chance to impress. Cooper wants three or four more players, and added: The squad needs some experienced players to help the young ones that are already here. There's 17 players signed but there's about five or six young ones among there. I'm all for working with a small tight-knit squad. I'm not one for massive squads. When I went to Peterborough I had 50 players and I still don't know half of their names! Cooper faces a quick return to former club Kettering Town as the Blue Square Bet Premier fixtures have handed Darlington a trip to Rockingham Road on the second weekend of the season. Cooper was Kettering boss for two-and-a-half years until heading to Peterborough midway through last season. On the first day of the season Quakers are home to Newport County who were promoted from the Conference South last season. Gateshead are at the Arena on Saturday, August 28 and Quakers make the return trip on Tuesday, December 28.