Bray Wanderers part company with Mick Cooke

Bray Wanderers have confirmed that Mick Cooke has been relieved from his position as first team coach and manager following a poor start to the 2016 season.

Assistant Manager, Harry Kenny will take the reins as caretaker manager until a suitable replacement is found, and will be helped in the role role by members of the coaching staff of the club's under-19 and under-17s.

Cooke took charge at the Carlisle Grounds last July following Trevor Croly's resignation and helped Bray to avoid relegation and reach the semi-final of the FAI Cup, which they narrowly lost to Cork City.

A disappointing start to this season sees ‘The Seagulls’ rooted to the bottom of the SSE Airtricity Premier Division table, having won just one of their eight games, against fellow strugglers Sligo Rovers.

Kenny will become the sixth man to take charge of the Seagulls in just over 14 months, succeeding Alan Mathews, Maciej Tarnogrodski, David Cassidy, Croly and Cooke.

Bray chairman Denis O'Connor wrote in a statement:

“Bray Wanderers FC wish to announce that Mick Cooke is no longer manager of the first team or head coach.

Harry Kenny has agreed to take on the role immediately of caretaker manager of our first team.

“We are arranging that the services of our coaching staff at Under 19 and Under 17 level will be placed at his disposal. Their role will be to provide full support over the next few weeks.

“The board and club thank Mick Cooke for his time with the club. We acknowledge his efforts, in particular, last season.
 

“Our immediate concerns are to improve our first team position in the SSE Airtricity League where we sit last – bearing in mind the difficult matches over the next few weeks.
 

“We will also be going through the process of appointing a full time manager to take responsibility for the first team.”