Simon Davey named as new Darlington manager

Davey led former club Barnsley to the FA Cup semi-final in 2008

Former Barnsley boss Simon Davey has been unveiled as the new manager of League Two strugglers Darlington.

Davey becomes the club's third boss of the season following the recent departure of Steve Staunton and his predecessor Colin Todd in September.

"It's an opportunity to get the club going again and get the fans back onside," Davey told BBC Tees.

"I'm really looking forward to the task, it's a fantastic stadium and it's a pleasure to come into work everyday."

Chairman Raj Singh said of the appointment: "He's bought into what we're trying to achieve here and he's excited by the opportunity.

"Simon has had a thorough grounding and he's extremely hungry to succeed."

The Welshman inherits a Quakers side that are bottom of League Two, 16 points from safety with 10 games of the season remaining.

It's a big job, but it's a challenge, and it's a challenge which I'm up for. Every job comes with pressures

Darlington manager Simon Davey

"I worked in the Championship for three years, and it's not an ideal situation, but for me it is an opportunity to get a club with a good structure back into the league," Davey said.

"We're hoping to put some wins together and see what happens, with a minor miracle we can stay in the division.

"It's a big job, but it's a challenge, and it's a challenge which I'm up for. Every job comes with pressures."

As a player Davey played at Darlington, as well as Swansea, Carlisle and Preston, before taking on a coaching role with the youth team during his spell at Deepdale.

His work under David Moyes at Preston then prompted a move to Barnsley, and following the departure of Andy Ritchie in November 2006, Davey was appointed caretaker manager at Oakwell.

During his three-year stint at Barnsley, Davey secured Championship safety on three separate occasions for the Tykes, and took the club to a FA Cup semi-final against Cardiff at Wembley, having seen off both Liverpool and Chelsea in previous rounds.

He left the club in August 2009 by mutual consent.

Davey's first outing as Darlington boss will be at the Pirelli Stadium, against Burton Albion on Saturday.