Cogdon as he Quakers manager hails ‘unbelievable support’
DARLINGTON manager Alun Armstrong hailed the Quakers supporters after penning a new threeyear contract extension at the National League North club.
The former Ipswich Town and Middlesbrough striker agreed to a third stint with Darlington last summer after spending two separate spells with the club during his playing career.
After achieving success in his first managerial role with Blyth Spartans, Armstrong experienced a solid first season in charge of the Quakers.
After overseeing a major overhaul of his playing staff, Armstrong led Darlington to the First Round of the FA Cup and saw his side flirt with the National League North play-off places.
Planning for next season is already under way and the club’s supporters have helped give their manager a welcome financial boost by raising over £90,000 towards his playing budget.
Armstrong explained that their efforts have left him “proud, grateful and honoured” to be Darlington manager as he looked forward to building on his first season in charge.
He told the club website: “I’m delighted to extend my deal with Darlington for another three years.
“The deal gives me the stability and the opportunity to plan properly as a group to try and get this club back where it belongs in the Football League.
“Thanks must go to David Johnston, John Vickerman and the board who have been fantastic since I arrived at the club along with Chris Stockdale and the DFCSG who have fully supported me over this last year.
“Most of all though I want to thank you the fans for your unbelievable support, not just during the season
NORTH East non-league legend Gavin Cogdon has admitted he is “like a caged animal” as he prepares to take the next step in his career.
The Spennymoor Town striker brought down the curtain on his time as a player this week when he announced his retirement.
The two-time FA Vase winner experienced Wembley glory during a trophyladen first stint with the Moors as he grabbed the first goal in their 2-1 win over Tunbridge Wells.
Cogdon departed from Brewery Field in the summer of 2016 and he went on to become a key figure in the Mariners’ historic quadruple-winning season.
That culminating in another victory at the home of football as Graham Fenton and Lee Picton’s side secured the Vase with a 4-0 win against Cleethorpes Town.
After helping the Mariners Park club establish themselves in the Northern Premier League, Cogdon returned to Spennymoor last summer.
His final season and his career were brought to a premature end by the coronavirus epidemic – but Cogdon will remain with the Moors in a new role working with a number of teams within the club.
That role won’t officially start until the government relax the lockdown regulations – and that has been a but also during this whole pandemic.
“What you lot are doing with Boost The Budget at this unbelievably difficult time makes me feel so proud, grateful and honoured to be the manager of your football club and I will do my utmost to make it not only successful but also enjoyable!”
Armstrong was not the only key figure to commit to staying with the Quakers this week.
Bermudan international forward Justin Donowa, influential midfielder Will Hatfield and former Blyth Spartans duo Jarrett Rivers and Jamie Holmes have all agreed new deals with the club.