It Seems Our Neighbours Are Having A Spot Of Bother....

[GarySTFC]

Taken from NLOTN:<p>Shock news has emerged from York Road this week that influential and popular Maidenhead United captain Tim Cook has left the club after reputedly being sacked. <p>After being left out of the starting line-up for the club's recent games (Cook appeared as a second-half substitute in last Saturday's recent defeat against Aldershot), the commanding centre-half has apparently had a significant and irreconcilable fall-out with Magpies' manager Alan Devonshire.

Rumours are rife that Devonshire is in line to replace George Borg as the next Shots boss although caretaker Stuart Cash and Mark Ward, the former Manchester City and Everton midfielder and ex-Altrincham manager, remain very strong possibilities. Articles in both the Daily Telegraph and Daily Mail this week have quoted Shots chairman Karl Prentice refusing to rule Devonshire out of contention. <p>This uncertainty is characteristic of the confusion and unrest at York Road at the current time, with Cook reported as saying he will only return to the club as manager. The player joined the Magpies from Burnham in 1994 and a rather disappointing first spell ensued before he was lured to Thame United. He was soon back at York Road, however, and his strong physical presence, bravery, determination, consistency, and not least his long throws saw him etch his name into Magpies legend. Clocking up 368 appearances, he led the club to promotion from Division One and after spurning advances from Plymouth Argyle and Millwall to turn professional and initial problems adjusting to life in the Premier (he was almost set to quit the club last year), the much-loved Cook remains one of the most respected central defenders in the Ryman League. <p>It is clear Devonshire is not a man to be messed with. Strikers Joe Nartey, Steve Arkins, and most notably Chuk Agudosi have left the club in recent seasons following disagreements with the ex-England international while current United stars Barry Rake and Chris Ferdinand haven't featured in recent weeks amid talks they are also set to depart. Devonshire could conceivably head through the exit door before them on his way to Aldershot, while Cook, replaced by Steve Croxford as club captain, will sign for Berks & Bucks Cup rivals Chesham United.