Cooper counters Ascot manager’s ‘untrue’ claims
Windsor boss responds to Tompkins’ statement
Windsor’s Mark Cooper has hit back at claims made last week by Ascot manager Jamie Tompkins that James Harper left Windsor for the Yellamen because he ‘didn’t like it there and didn’t like the set up’.
The former Reading midfielder initially joined the Royalists earlier this season and played for them in their Berks & Bucks Senior Cup defeat to Ascot, before opting for a move to the Racecourse Ground instead.
In an interview with the Advertiser last week, Tompkins suggested that Harper didn’t enjoy his time at Stag Meadow and was critical of the set up there, however, Harper insists he never said such a thing and challenged Tompkins on the matter at training on Thursday evening.
Cooper is also furious about the misinformation which he said is categorically untrue.
He went on to say he believes the comment was made to belittle Windsor’s facilities and imply the Royalists are not a well-run club.
Tompkins was also able to smooth the situation over with Harper sufficiently for the player to take part in Saturday’s FA Vase defeat on penalties to Wallingford Town. The Yellamen blew a two-goal lead in the first half to draw the game 2-2 and then went out of the competition after losing 6-5 on spot-kicks.
Back in the Combined Counties Premier Division North, it looked like it wouldn’t be Windsor’s day either until they snatched a last-gasp equaliser to draw 2-2 with bottom-of-the-table Holyport.
As yet there has been no communication between the two managers on the matter.
Tompkins had not responded to a request for further comment from the Advertiser at the time of going to press.