FGR part company with Mark Cooper

[Oldstripy]

Forest Green Rovers have parted company with Head Coach Mark Cooper after five years of working together, a tenure which made him one of the longest serving coaches in English football - and during which the club achieved its historic promotion to the EFL.

Chairman Dale Vince said: “This decision we’ve made today is about giving ourselves the best chance of securing promotion with six games left.

"Despite our collective efforts we’ve been unable to halt our slide in form, which has the potential to take us out of contention this season.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Mark these last five years, he’s made a big contribution to the club and will always be a friend. In football sometimes you just need to make a change - and with Mark’s contract ending next month, and us needing a change in the next six games - this feels like the right decision.”

As a result of the change, Assistant Head Coach Richard Dryden has also left the club.

Under-18s Manager Jimmy Ball will be interim Head Coach of the first-team until the end of the season. Further updates will be provided to supporters over coming days.

https://www.fgr.co.uk/news/club-statement-mark-cooper

[Oldstripy]

The 52-year-old's dismissal came after a poor run of six matches without a win and four consecutive defeats left them sixth in the table.

Cooper had led the club to promotion to the English Football League at the end of his first season with the club.

[PedroTheFisherman66]

Is Arfley a vegan..?
Maybe a job for him, !

[Glad2BeAPie]

Is Arfley a vegan..?
Maybe a job for him, !

Who??

[queenslandpie]

The assistant who they also sacked scored one my favourite Notts goals of all time. At the game that is.

[St Kitts Magpie]

The assistant who they also sacked scored one my favourite Notts goals of all time. At the game that is.

Are we talking about a certain Richard Dryden? Love that goal too!! was stood in the away end that day. Happy Days!!!

[CamPie]

Are we talking about a certain Richard Dryden? Love that goal too!! was stood in the away end that day. Happy Days!!!

I also remember witnessing a great goal from Dryden but can’t remember where (old age I guess). Please remind me for my sanity if nothing else.

[nw6pie]

I also remember witnessing a great goal from Dryden but can’t remember where (old age I guess). Please remind me for my sanity if nothing else.

Scored the equaliser at F***** with pretty much our only effort of the game in the 1-1 in 1992. I was celebrating in the home end behind the goal and, surprisingly, no one seemed to take offence. May have been a different story if I’d been in the Trend End.

[MagpieMike]

Personally I liked Cooper, he got the team motivated and playing well. I know he didn't recruit any of them, but we had been underachieving before he took over. Would have liked to see what he would have done building from the promotion winning side, but he clearly didn't get on with our owners. Like everyone, I wasn't impressed with the way he went, and also the player stealing. We've rally been on the slide since then, the current owners being the first real breath of fresh air. I'm pretty optimistic for the future now, but it is still likely to take a bit of time.

[PedroTheFisherman66]

Who??

Well spotted ...
Ardley I believe was our manager once.
Arfley is his alter ego..