Lincoln fans react to Danny Cowley leaving for a tenfold salary increase

Lincoln City fans were gutted to hear on Monday that the Cowley brothers are moving to Huddersfield.

Huddersfield triggered a release clause in the contracts of the brothers enabling them to discuss and ultimately accept new positions with the Terriers.

The club have begun the process of appointing a new manager. Jamie McCombe and Andy Warrington will be taking charge of first team affairs with support from Jez George, the club’s Head of Football, until a new management team is appointed.

Lincoln City’s Chairman Clive Nates: said “Danny and Nicky leave with our best wishes and we sincerely hope they go on to have further success in their careers.

“We have achieved unprecedented success over the past three years which has allowed us to transform all aspects of the club ensuring we are in a strong position to continue that progress.”

Danny and Nicky wrote an open letter to fans about what they described as “without doubt, the hardest decision of our lives”.

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FULL COVERAGE

• It’s official: The Cowleys are leaving Lincoln. Here’s their letter to fans
• “There was obvious chemistry,” Huddersfield say about Cowley snatch
• Who will take over at Lincoln City from Danny Cowley?

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Three happy years

The Cowleys were appointed as Lincoln City’s new management team in May 2016 and since then the Imps have won two promotions and league titles and enjoyed Wembley success in the Checkatrade Trophy.

They also led Lincoln on a magic FA Cup run in their first season as they became the first non-league side in over 100 years to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

Although their last game in charge was the 3-1 defeat at Wycombe, fans will remember the pair’s time at the club fondly and with smiles on their faces.

Most still wanted to thank them for the memories they have given the club, but it did leave a sour taste for some supporters after implying in an interview last week they were not going anywhere.

Fans’ reactions

Tracey Turton said: “What the Cowley brothers achieved whilst at Lincoln City has been truly remarkable and they will be incredibly missed.

“With support from the board, they turned the club around, won some impressive silverware and have given the entire city a football team to be proud of.

“They’ve left a fantastic legacy in terms of the players, the backroom staff and training facilities; giving the club the building blocks and tools to continue to thrive in League One.

“I wish them the best of luck at Huddersfield and can’t wait to see what the next chapter will be for Lincoln City. Next up Bristol Rovers!”

Dave Semper said: “Thank you to Danny and Nicky for the amazing memories. The big stand outs for me were Burnley, Arsenal and Wembley.

“I wish them all the best, but the way they have gone about this deal has left a little sour taste.

“I’m not sure that Huddersfield is a better opportunity than other clubs that have been reportedly in for him such as Nottingham Forest, West Brom, Hull and Sheffield Wednesday.”

Rob Beezley said: “It is brilliant what they’ve done and I don’t begrudge Danny and Nicky leaving, but have a sour taste from their interview last week.

“Michael Flynn from Newport to take over for me. Best of luck at Huddersfield lads.” “Leave us some staff and players though,” he added jokingly.

Sharon Keeton said she is “gutted, but they are leaving us in good shape and we’ll be forever indebted to them. UTI”.

Dave Jubbs said: “Gutted, but wish them all the luck. Lincoln are in a better place thanks to them. Hopefully the new man will have the same work rate and desire.”

James Bending said: “No one is bigger than the club and the constant speculation cannot be good for anyone. The compensation the club will receive will help to push it on to the next stage of the journey.

“There are a lot of good managers out there who will be able to build on the great work that has been done by the Cowleys and their team behind the scenes. Lincoln City is a far more attractive proposition to higher level managers than it was when they took over.

“I personally don’t think this is the end of the journey. The Cowleys built the Lincoln Loco, someone else will be driving it forward that’s all. Thanks and good luck to them.”

Huddersfield fan and former University of Lincoln graduate David Brierley said: “This is a really exciting appointment. Cowley seems like a great man, manager and tactician who has constantly exceeded expectations. Hopefully he will be the man to stop the freefall for us!”