Mark Cooper was today appointed Darlington manager after signing a one-year contract at The Northern Echo Arena.

He has replaced Ryan Kidd who resigned on Monday - 12 days into a two-year contract.

Cooper has put pen to paper on a one-year deal and his assistant will be Richard Dryden.

The pair worked together at Tamworth which is where Cooper's managerial career began before moving on to Kettering and then Peterborough for a brief spell last season.

He was in line for the Darlington job as a replacement for Steve Staunton in March but turned it down with Simon Davey eventually being appointed.

Cooper said today: "I spoke to Darlington a few months ago but for one reason or another it never materialised but I'm pleased to be here now and looking forward to getting started.

"Myself and Richard have signed one-year contracts. That's what we spoke about with the chairman and hopefully were going to win some games of football and if the option is there to extend it then why not."

Before quitting to join Hereford United a fortnight ago, Davey had begun building a squad which currently numbers 17.

Cooper must now add to the squad that Davey abandoned, and he said: "The squad needs two, three or four more players, it needs some experienced players to help those that are already here.

"I'm not going to rush into anything because there's a lot of available players out there and we'll take our time.

"I'm going to have a good look at the boys that are here and see where we need to add."

During his playing days Cooper, 41, was a midfielder who spent much of his career in the lower leagues and spent a season with Hartlepool United.

Dryden was a defender with various clubs including Exeter City, Bristol City and Southampton where he played alongside Darlington-born Neil Maddison who now works in Quakers' youth section.

*Read more about Cooper and Dryden's appointment in Wednesday's The Northern Echo.