Manager merry-go-round.

[ATFC-1887]

Delighted with that. As for the lad saying he fears for us in the long term.... Everyone said that when we appointed Roddy. We didnt give in to hisd demands. I wouldnt worry too much. Heard a few names Cooke wants to bring with him. Hopefully some signed soon enough.

[DUFC4life]

Best of luck to Athlone. In the short term Mick will do a job. I fear for you in the long term though.

It really is getting tedious.
Look closer to home if you want to worry about the long term future of clubs!!

[ATFC-1887]

We're football fans, wait until the first Drogheda/Athlone game, it'll all come flooding back

Its gonna happen....Drogheda vs Athlone first game of the season..

[galwayhoop]

Great appointment Athlone. Expect to see Slingerman (sp?), Fabio and a Brennan or two in blue and black next season.

Of the two clubs I'd definitely fear for Drogs more than Athlone.

As for Athlone being too far away to attract players?? Do they not train in Dublin? They used to before and could well do so again if required. Even if they don't it's less than an hour from Dublin. Drogheda isn't that much closer.

[lollymcd]

Best of luck to Mick Cooke and Athlone. I wont say I'm happy about it but time to move on!

Drogheda have never trained in Dublin to the best of my knowledge. Their main training ground has always been Mosney. I think distance will be an issue for one or two, I'd say better wages would lure them though, is that on the cards? I doubt anyone at Drogheda was earning more than €200.... (that's just a wild guess btw!)

[Acer]

Great appointment Athlone. Expect to see Slingerman (sp?), Fabio and a Brennan or two in blue and black next season.

I'd be surprised if any of those went to Athlone. I think Schlingerman and Alan Byrne are certs to follow though.

[MiniMourinho]

Id say Slingermann will go purely because its much closer to home. Really doubt a Brennan will go to athlone unless athlone are offering crazy money. Rumours that clubs like dundalk have been offering €600+ per week to them. If athlone are offering that kind of money in their first season up id be worried. Fabio is on the record as saying he wants to finish his career at Drogheda. But im sure if money talked that could be changed!

[ATFC-1887]

Heard Schlingerman and Alan Byrne are set to sign with us. Cooke wants the Brennans to come with him. But as you said i dunno if we can afford them. Fabios name was mentioned too.

[MiniMourinho]

Cant see a Brennan moving to Athlone, so Athlone would be needing to offer them serious money to travel.

[White Horse]

Cant see a Brennan moving to Athlone, so Athlone would be needing to offer them serious money to travel.

I can't see them going to Athlone. They'll want to be somewhere commutable from Drogheda. Pats, Dundalk, and Bohs are talking to them.

It wouldn't suprise me if they stayed with Drogheda though.

[optimus]

can owen heary even do he pro course... one of the requirements is that you've had your a licence for a year ..unless the fai fudge it.

[oriel]

I would have thought Cooke would have been chased by the big clubs (no offense Athlone but you know what I mean ).

He appears to be repeating the same tasks/challenges when he started with Drogheda. I would have thought he would like to go up a level - it looks like a move sideways rather than up.

As for Drogheda players going with him - I'm not so sure - travel distance being a key factor IMO.

I think that is a bit unkind to Athlone. He has joined a club who are 'on the up' even had a quick look at this seasons averages, Drogs 817 v Athlone 754, not much in it, especially as Athlone wouldnt have enjoyed large away supports. Travel wont be a problem for players, having a manager they respect will, and some of the Drogs boys might well end up following him.

Good appointment Athlone, this was their best option for having a chance of staying in the PD next season.

[SeanDrog]

Good appointment Athlone, this was their best option for having a chance of staying in the PD next season.

You are actually supporting the point that I am clumsily trying to make .

I just expected Cooke to be chased by a club ready to go for the league - that's all.

[Dodge]

I just expected Cooke to be chased by a club ready to go for the league - that's all.

On what basis?

Even Rovers with their Croly issue would still be looking for more than Mick Cooke I'd imagine. Who else is a contendor? Pats, Sligo, Dundalk all happy with their man.

[White Horse]

I just expected Cooke to be chased by a club ready to go for the league - that's all.

That is a fair point. I thought he would end up at an established premier club too. Perhaps, the circumstances of his departure cast a question mark over him?

[galwayhoop]

I assume you were saying that it's a surprise clubs like Cork or Derry were not after him. They are more established premier division sides (notwithstanding their recent stints at first div level) who conceivably could challenge for honours.

[SeanDrog]

Yep ....

[Dodge]

I assume you were saying that it's a surprise clubs like Cork or Derry were not after him. They are more established premier division sides (notwithstanding their recent stints at first div level) who conceivably could challenge for honours.

Sure they might think they can, but I'm not sure why they'd think Mick Cooke is the man to help them.

He's managed 3 season in the premier division.; 9th, 2nd, 8th.

I'm not saying he isn't a good manager, but he's done nothing to suggest he should be managing a team looking to win the league.

[gufc2000]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24992299

Roddy and Peter Hutton among the leading candidates. It mentions Martin Russell and Gus McPherson too

[Aaron]

Mick Cooke was due up here yesterday for an interview but never bothered his hole turning up or even notifying our board that he wouldnt be showing. our board were at the City Hotel waiting for him yesterday