FORMER Newcastle United defender Steve Watson and ex-Sunderland assistant Robbie Stockdale are among more than 30 candidates to have expressed an interest in the vacant managerial position at Darlington.
The application process to succeed Alun Armstrong at Blackwell Meadows closes this evening, with the Quakers board set to speak to shortlisted candidates later this week.
However, an appointment is not anticipated before the weekend, meaning senior players Will Hatfield, Jake Lawlor and Tom Platt will remain in temporary charge for Friday evening’s FA Cup home game against Workington Town.
Watson, who was a full-back at Newcastle in the 1990s, boasts extensive experience of National League North, having managed both York City and Chester City in the division as well as leading Gateshead in the Conference.
Stockdale, who played with Middlesbrough and has been both an assistant and caretaker manager at Sunderland, left his most recent position as number two at MK Dons in January and was at Blackwell Meadows for the goalless draw with Boston that proved to be Armstrong’s final game in charge.
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Gateshead assistant boss Ian Watson is understood to have expressed an interest in taking over at Darlington, along with ex-Hartlepool United boss Graeme Lee, who is currently in charge at Northern Premier League side Marske United, and Whitby Town manager Nathan Haslam.
Darlington officials have been pleased with the level of interest in their managerial role despite last weekend’s defeat at Bishop’s Stortford having left the club rooted to the foot of the National League North table.
A Quakers statement said: “We have received around 30 genuine applications for the role, and we have been very encouraged by the quality of the applicants, who have a wide range of experience in the game. The deadline for applications is 5pm Monday night.
“We are now at the point of starting interviews of our shortlist. In the meantime, the caretaker trio of Will Hatfield, Jake Lawlor and Tom Platt will remain in charge of team affairs, particularly with a home FA Cup tie against Workington on Friday evening.
“We are sure that all Darlington fans will give the trio every support, and will remain patient while we continue the appointment process.”
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