Former Hartelpool boss Neal Cooper has been hired as Gillingham's new boss. Neal Cooper who was axed by Hartlepool just before the end of the regular seaason has replaced manager Stan Ternant who resiegned after the Gills got relegated.

Ternent's assistant Ronnie Jepson, who had also been in the frame for the job, will continue as number two to Cooper. Cooper admitted it "came as a bit of a surprise" to be contacted by Gillingham chairman Paul Scally following his departure from Victoria Park. It's been a hard couple of weeks since leaving Hartlepool,"


"I was on my way back to Scotland and I was delighted to receive a phone call from the chairman. I was surprised, but he wondered if I'd be interested in coming in for an interview. I was in a convoy back to Scotland at that moment, so as soon as I got back to Scotland, I returned the next day and had a meeting with the chairman.

Former Aberdeen, Aston Villa and Rangers midfielder Cooper had been linked with a move back to Scotland with either Dunfermline or Dundee United.