Danny Cowley v Mark Cooper
This one could run and run – I could probably write a whole article on it. Born out of our battle for promotion in 2016/17, Cooper and Cowley genuinely seemed to dislike each other.
It started in the National League, but began to come to a head in the 2017/18 season. Following promotion, Forest Green’s chairman had a few words to say about our style, and ahead of our first clash as two league sides, Danny addressed that.
“Because of the recent pathways of the two clubs, there’s been some rivalry,” said Cowley. “Both of us fought very hard for the National League title. When you have that sort of competition, a rivalry naturally evolves from it.
“We respect Forest Green, probably more than they respect us, but hey-ho. We respect what they’ve done. They’ve done well, firstly by getting into League Two.”
When asked why he felt they didn’t respect City, he was clear; “They said some things in the press when we got promoted which we thought were disrespectful. We were disappointed with that, but these things happen.
A spitting incident between keeper Bradley Collins and Sean Raggett in the game led to a word of words. Collins was cleared, but it lit the firework for a proper battle. “Their goalkeeper spat at Sean Raggett and we are categorical on that,” Cowley told BBC Radio Lincolnshire at the time.
Cooper responded to the allegations, saying: “I think it’s out of order in using a young lad to hang him out to dry for the sake of a little bit of attention for yourself or your staff, so a little bit disappointed. Lincoln players are very good at what they do and deserve the credit and attention, not the manager and his brother.”
Danny also commented on the money used to assemble the FGR side, and that got Cooper was well. “I saw a comment from their manager that we have been amazingly financially backed, so that must be the ten grand we spent in the summer for Liam Shephard. If you go to Morrisons and I‘ve got £10 and you’ve got £50, who is going to get the best steak, but fair play to Lincoln, they’re good at what they do.”
The following season, as City were climbing to third in League Two with a 3-0 win over Stevenage, Forest Green saw their Boxing Day clash at Exeter City postponed at half-time. Danny believed this gave them an advantage, saying: “Forest Green’s game was abandoned, so they only played for 45 minutes. When you’re in a run of four games in nine days, I think that gives them an advantage going into Saturday’s match.”
Cooper was not impressed “A sports scientist now, is he?” said the belligerent manager. “We played 45 minutes on a really heavy pitch, and we haven’t been able to train because of the weather down here, so let’s see what happens tomorrow.”
“We try and conduct ourselves in the right manner, in every circumstance,” added Cooper. “They do what they do, a good football club, with good players and good fans.”
No mention of the manager.