New Posh boss an example for Yates

Cooper become the second manager in successive seasons to make the three-league jump from the Blue Square Premier to the Championship, after Nigel Clough switched from Burton to Derby last term.

Had Posh not took the plunge, the son of former England full-back Terry would have been welcoming Harriers to his old club Kettering on Saturday.

His appointment took many by surprise including some at Aggborough, who saw their chief lead the club to two places higher than the Poppies last season - on a significantly reduced budget than that on offer at Rockingham Road.

It was even Cooper who stopped last season ending with a play-off spot, after his team netted a 90th minute winner to consign Yates' side to defeat in the final game of the season.

But the two managers remain friends to this day, and the Harriers boss believes his old mate has got his just desserts.

He said: "Fair play to him, it's a great chance for 'Coops,' so good to luck to him and he deserves it. He has done a great job at Kettering, we know that, and I suppose it has got to be encouraging for managers at this level to know we will be considered when these big jobs come up."

Kettering sprang another surprise over the weekend by appointing goalkeeper Lee Harper as player/manager, who will take charge of his first game with the visit of Harriers.

Yates believes the task would have difficult anyway it panned out.

He said: "I don't know the new Kettering boss, I have played against him a couple of times when he has been in goal but that is about it. But I am sure not a lot will change there before Saturday, as he was there beforehand, so it won't make our task any easier. They are still a big, strong team and it's going to be a tough game.

"It doesn't matter who is in charge, and whether he is on the pitch or not, we have to be up for it."