Coppin joins Matlock as player/coach

Coppin, 31, is reunited with Gladiators boss Paul Phillips, who he has worked with at Ashton United and Buxton.

Phillips said: “He sets the standard on the pitch, in the dressing room beforehand and at training nights, he can play in a variety of positions which is useful, he knows what I expect.

“Really I can’t speak highly enough of him and we’ve always done well when he’s been with me before, especially at Ashton when we made it to the play-offs against teams spending a lot more money than we did.”

A former Bolton Wanderers junior, Coppin has also played for Flixton, Trafford, Northwich Victoria, Rossendale United, Atherton LR, Bacup Borough and Glossop North End.