Scopes: 'Cowley's determination is why he has made it to the Football League'

The two presided over the Beach Boys’ most successful period ever up to 2012, before Scopes stepped down and Cowley went on to continue his rise to prominence.

Having first worked wonders at Braintree Town in the National League, he and brother Nicky have guided Lincoln City into League Two.

And, having worked with Cowley for five years and seen him begin his coaching journey in 2007, Scopes says he was not shocked to see him make the step up from the National League South to the National League in 2015.

“I spoke to Dan a lot about the Braintree move as he has a lot of personal relationships at Concord,” said Scopes, who is still involved with the club.

“He felt Braintree was a step up although there were similarities between the clubs. There are in a higher league but also have a part-time structure.

“It was part of his football education. He saw a bit of the underdog spirit in them and that appealed.

“It was an educated and good decision. He got them going and it unfolded very well.”

Cowley guided Braintree to the play-off semi-finals in his only season at Cressing Road, before Lincoln came calling.

The Cowley brothers were in high demand last summer, but Lincoln was the desired destination as the pair quit their teaching jobs at the FitzWimarc School and turned to full-time football management.

And Scopes said the pair knew what they were signing up for.

“Danny had a few offers but this was the one he felt he could make something happen,” he said.

“I remember driving back from a match at Romford which we had lost and it was making it hard for us to win the Essex Senior League.

“We felt down and said we wouldn’t do it if we couldn’t be competitive.

“He has always taken that into account when he looks at new challenges. He said to me ‘I feel I can get 5,000 or 6,000 people through the gates at Lincoln’.

“He wanted to wake them up and he has done that.

“To move from Braintree and to get them firing so quickly is some achievement. Dan and Nick were almost working full-time as a part-time managers, while running a very successful school and PE department.”

Lincoln started the season playing in front of 3,622 fans. Their final match against Macclesfield Town was played in front of more than 10,000 supporters as the city celebrated promotion back to the Football League.

And that is a long way from playing in front of 52 people at Sawbridgeworth Town 10 years ago.

SCOPES WOULD LOVE COWLEY REUNION

Onwards and upwards - Danny Cowley

DANNY Scopes admits he would love to work alongside his old co-manager Danny Cowley again in the future.

The two began Concord Rangers’ ascent in non-league football, as the two won two promotions in five years together before Scopes stepped down.

And while he laughs at the notion that his career could have taken a similar path had he remained in charge at the Beach Boys, he says it was a decision he had to take at the time.

“It was right for the club,” he said.

“Dan tried to talk me around but Nicky was looking to do more coaching and it felt like the right time so it made sense.

“I felt the club needed someone else behind them. I knew it was going to be harder to commit and it proved to be the right decision for everyone.

“We were all in it together at Concord. It clicked so well for us.

“Danny and I are different as people but it worked as a management team.

“People have said would I get back involved but I don’t think ‘the Cowley brothers and Scopes’ has the same ring to it!”

Scopes added he had to step away from Concord when he did, with two young sons to care for although he does wonder from time-to-time what might have been.

And he said a return to management is something he is considering more as the months go on.

“You have regrets and maybe I would have liked to carry on,” he said.

“But I had to make that decision as I had two young boys and they needed that attention.

“I would love to be involved in Danny’s career at some point in the future.

“I went up to watch Lincoln a few times and I talk to them and support as much as possible. I want to get back into it.

“I help out Leigh Ramblers in the Olympian Premier Division – at the moment my son Riley plays for Southend United’s academy and my other son Vinnie plays for Leighwood United Under-14 Yellows.

“They are both still learning and that is great to watch.

“But I am learning as well so who knows what the future holds.”

COWLEY PLOTTING WAY UP LEAGUES

DANNY Cowley will already be plotting his way up the League Two standings, according to Danny Scopes.

Danny and brother Nicky inspired Lincoln City to the National League championship last month, with the brothers now gearing up for their first ever season in the Football League.

Instead of trips to Maidenhead United and AFC Fylde, the Imps will be visiting the likes of Colchester United, Coventry City and Swindon Town.

And Scopes says Cowley will be more than aware of what he needs to do to succeed in the fourth tier.

“Teams that come up over the years have done well on the whole,” he said.

“The momentum of having a successful season means Danny should be able to keep the core of that side.

“He has some experienced players who have played in the Football League and he has youngsters.

“I am sure he is already planning how to be successful. He will know how many points he wants from certain games.

“When we worked together at Concord Rangers he always used to get the fixtures and pick out certain matches and analyse how many points were available.

“When we stepped up to the Ryman Premier League I remember him saying how scary it was looking at the fixtures.

“Now he is preparing to face the likes of Coventry City and Colchester United.

“But I wouldn’t put anything past him. Their crowds will be one of the highest in the league on average, home and away, and that may count for a lot.”

“He has an unbelievable desire to make things happen. He loves winning games.

“It is not money orientated and I knew he would do well at Braintree and Lincoln.

“And he will continue to do well.”