Today's Daily Telegraph

[Charlie Farnsbarnes]

All old news but here it is for anyone interested.

[EFM The Firm, The Voice]

 

Non-League: Regrets for Cook's fate

By Simon Wigmore

(Filed: 21/10/2003)

 

 

 

Steve Cook believes St Albans may regret sacking him so rashly after the club's indifferent start to the Ryman Premier season.

 

"It was a knee-jerk reaction," he said after being told of his fate over the phone. "There were 32 games left and we were 12 points off the top, so there was still time to put things right."

 

But we were nearer the bottom and did anyone really think them 12 points could be made up

 

Cook's record had been impressive. After taking over at Clarence Park in the summer of 2001 alongside Gary Roberts, both overcame a troubled spell before chairman John Gibson arrived to provide St Albans with some financial stability.

 

Cook and Roberts record was impressive, Cooks record was awful

 

Cook took charge of team affairs last year after Roberts was surprisingly sacked following a disagreement with the chairman, and led St Albans to fourth place and the 4-1 FA Cup first-round defeat at Stockport.

 

We finished 4th, yes, but when he took over we were 2nd and a couple of points off the top, we finsihed over 30 points off the pace. Robbo was still here for the FA Cup game

 

But with gates slipping below the 400 threshold for survival expressed by Gibson when he took over, the chairman was anxious to stay in the top half of the Premier.

 

He said: "This has been a difficult decision to make as Steve was totally committed to the club.

 

"But it is absolutely vital that we finish in the top half of the league, to qualify for the new Conference league.

 

Cook, 33, was bitterly disappointed, having been without at least six key players but won five games in 14 this term. "It's too easy to sack someone when things go wrong." he said.

 

Six key players - Hmmm Campbell for a bit and Smith, maybe add Naylor to that, where are the other three (or more because it's at least six). He makes winning 5 games in 14 sound like a good thing