Darlington joint-managers Atkinson and Gregan depart after just four days

(Picture: Darlington Football Club)
By Matt Bishop
National League North side Darlington have “regrettably” announced that joint managers Brian Atkinson and Sean Gregan have left the club, just four days after taking over.
Previous Darlo boss Martin Gray, who had been at the helm for five years, left the club to join York at the end of last week, following the Minstermen’s sacking of Gary Mills.
After Gray’s departure, the Quakers announced that Atkinson and Gregan would take charge of first-team affairs until the end of the season – but Darlo’s  search for a permanent management team will now start again.
A statement on the club’s website read: “Darlington Football Club regrettably have to announce the departures of joint managers Brian Atkinson and Sean Gregan.
“Following consultation with the National League and the boards of Darlington Football Club and Darlington FCSG, Brian has been told that he must stand down from his role at Darlington FC because of a conflict of interest with his role as a director at the Martin Gray Football Academy.
“Sean has decided to leave because he was looking for greater security than the club could offer through a contract until the end of the season.
“We would like to thank Brian and Sean, who like the club are understandably very disappointed, for their service over the last five years. Both of them have played a key role in the club’s success, and we wish them all the best for the future.
“In the interim, senior players Phil Turnbull and Gary Brown will take charge of the team whilst we search for a new manager.”