Bernard to stand in after City exits

Former Newcastle United defender Olivier Bernard will take temporary charge of Northern League Division Two strugglers Durham City following the departure of management team Billy Harper and Stephen Durrant.

The Citizens are currently sat bottom of the Division Two table after losing eight of their opening nine games of the season.

A 4-0 home defeat against Bed ling ton Terrierson Saturday proved to be Harper and Durrant’s final game in charge of the club as they decided to bring an end to their ten-month reign.

The duo have undertaken a mass overhaul of the Citizens squad throughout their time in charge but they have been unable to produce any up turn in fortune sat the club.

City ended last season bottom of the Division Two table and were only saved from relegation into the Wearside League by the Football Association’s restructure of the non-league pyramid.

The new season has failed to produce any improvement in their fortunes and a club statement released on Twitter on Monday lunchtime confirmed that Harper and Durrant have now left the club.

It read“Durham City can confirm the departures of joint managers Billy Harperand Stephen D ur rant and thank them for their hard work and wish them all the best in the future.

“Durham will now search for a new manager and anyone interested should contact the club via email dcafc@sky.com with a CV .”

Former joint manager Durrant also took to social media to confirm that the decision to resign had been taken by Harper and himself.

He tweeted “Best of luck to Durham City and thanks to Olivier Bernard for the opportunityand to all the players for their efforts.

“Our collective resignation as a management team was our decision and will hopefully allow the club to progress with a great team in place.”

Former Magpies defender Bernard will take caretaker charge of the club for the third time - starting with tonight’s Mitre Sports Brooks Mileson League Cup game at Division Two rivals Birtley Town.