Penney new Darlington boss

[Chewy]

Darlington have appointed former Doncaster Rovers boss Dave Penney as their new manager.

Caretaker boss Martin Gray will stay at the club as Penney's assistant.

Penney, 42, parted company with Rovers in August after four-and-a-half years in charge, during which time he guided them from the Conference to League One.

He succeeds David Hodgson, who was sacked on 4 October after the club had suspended him while they carried out an internal investigation.

Gray and fellow coach Neil Maddison had been in caretaker charge since the departure of Hodgson, who has subsequently taken legal advice.

Dave Penney is regarded as one of the most talented young managers around

Chairman George Houghton also recently announced that he was planning to appoint a director of football to work with the new manager.

"This is a major coup for Darlington Football Club," Houghton said of his new appointment.

"Dave Penney is regarded as one of the most talented young managers around. His achievements with Doncaster were exceptional and we are delighted he has chosen to come to Darlington.

"Dave's ambition matches that of this club and we will give him all the support and backing he needs to bring long-awaited success to Darlington.

"We'd like to thank Martin for his sterling work over the last couple of weeks, and we believe he and Dave will make an excellent team."

[sportbilly]

am shocked an stunned at this.......with the manager merrygoround thats is the premiership/championship, I would have bet on him having a job a bit further up the ladder.....But I also remember mclaren having hin lined up for the u21s, but its gone a bit quiet on that one