Dynamic duo return as managers

The duo - both former Gladiators players who got their first taste of management taking charge of Matlock's second string - were named on Thursday as the successors to Mark Hume following his departure from the Autoworld Arena earlier this week.

The Chesterfield-based duo, pictured, need no introduction to Matlock fans after entertaining them on the pitch a decade ago.

After their spell in charge of the reserves and then briefly managing the Gladiators as caretakers before the start of the Mark Atkins era in 2009, "Kirky and Hoppo" enjoyed a three and a half year stint at Heanor Town, guiding them to promotion to the Northern Counties East League's top flight as champions.

Three and a half more years at Mickleover Sports followed with the pair taking the club up as EVO-STIK NPL First Division South champions in 2014 before standing down in April after successfully battling against relegation to preserve the club's hard won top flight status.

In a club statement confirming their appointment, Kirkwood said: "It is the perfect job, impossible to turn down. We want to give the people of Matlock a club they can be proud of."

Matlock chairman Tom Wright, who met up with the pair this week after Hume's exit to seal their return, said: "Glenn and Craig were great players for us and very popular figures at the club. They have done very well in their previous jobs and we hope they can have similar success here at Matlock."

He added: "I'd like to offer them a warm welcome to our club and I look forward to our supporters and everyone involved with the club giving them their wholehearted support."

Hume left Causeway Way Lane by mutual consent on Tuesday following the club's 17th placed finish to the season. Appointed in January 2015 as the successor to Dave Rushbury and Martin Foster at the Autoworld Arena, the 37-year-old won the Derbyshire Senior Cup last term after arriving from Bradford Park Avenue where he'd been John Deacey's number two for four and a half years.

Image courtesy of Mickleover Sports

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