FORMER Darlington manager Dave Penney has been charged with assaulting a police officer.

Now assistant manager at Southend United, the alleged incident occurred during a night of celebrations after his team won at Wembley in the League Two play-off final on Saturday.

Penney, 50, who has been manager Phil Brown’s number two since 2013, was charged following the alleged incident outside Rendezvous casino in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Penney, who is from West Yorkshire, will appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on June 8.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: “A man has been charged with two counts of assault and one count of criminal damage following an incident shortly before 3am on Sunday, May 24.

“David Penney, aged 50, of Lower Oxford Street, Castleford, West Yorkshire, was charged with assault, assaulting a police officer and criminal damage.

“He is due to appear at Southend Magistrates’ Court on June 8.

“A 24-year-old woman from Yorkshire was cautioned for assault.”

Just hours after being arrested, Penney appeared alongside Southend players and officials from the club on board an open-top bus as part of a victory parade, which saw thousands of fans line the streets.

Penney began his managerial career as boss of Doncaster Rovers, taking them out of non-league football and up through League Two, before taking charge at Quakers in October 2006.

He guided the club to the League Two play-offs at the end of the 2007-08 season, where Darlington lost in the semi-finals to Rochdale.