Hoole earns the chance to carry on

Dave Hoole has been named as Matlock Town's new manager after overseeing their EVO-STIK League revival.

Interim boss Hoole was confirmed as manager on Friday with crocked top scorer Shaun Harrad unveiled as his playing number two.

Since taking charge of the Gladiators a month ago following the departure of joint bosses Glenn Kirkwood and Craig Hopkins, Hoole, with the help of Harrad and captain Adam Yates, has overseen the club's best form of the 2017-18 EVO-STIK League Premier Division campaign.

Having been third bottom when the reserve team boss stepped up, the Gladiators head to Shaw Lane on Saturday's final day in midtable after suffering a single reverse in their last eight matches against Ashton United on Tuesday night, the results including coming back from two goals down at local rivals Buxton to win 3-2.

Former Chesterfield midfielder Hoole told fans he was delighted to have earned the chance to carry on at the DCJ Group Arena on permanent basis in a statement released by the club at 9am on Friay.

Hoole said: “I’m really, really pleased with the decision, I’m looking forward to the new season already. It’s going to be a challenge but anyone who has seen us play will know that our style of football should attract quality players. We’ll all have to work really hard but we’ve got plenty of contacts in this league and the one above as well as in the Football League.

“The way the boys have turned things around in those last few games to move up the league in the way we did and what we’ve all managed to achieve in that short space of time certainly didn’t do us any harm. The way we play won’t change, it’s my own personal ethos, we’re playing the game the way I think it should be played and we’ll get the lads in we want accordingly. In our training sessions we’ll develop this and educate them into moving the ball that bit more quickly.”

Hoole also had praise for predecessors Kirkwood and Hopkins as he looked ahead to next season and was delighted with the appointment of Harrad as assistant manager.

“I owe Glenn and Craig a big thank you for they were the ones that brought me to the club in the first place. They also put my name forward as caretaker when they left so I can’t thank them enough and I wish them all the very best in their future in football. Our style of play will hopefully get bums on seats. I do have a target in the back of my mind but I’m keeping that to myself at present.

“I’m over the moon for Shaun. I’ve not had the chance to see him play but his career record speaks for itself. He’s been a superb number two and having him with me has paid dividends with his concise attention to detail. He sees a lot of things I don’t and we bounce off each other really well. We’ve had some great moments together already and I’m sure that will continue.”

Matlock Chairman Tom Wright told the club's fans: “We’re delighted that Dave and Shaun have accepted our offer to manage the team. Recent performances and results have been outstanding and I know that the supporters have liked what they’ve seen. I’d like to say thank you to everyone who applied and wish them all the best for the future. I’m sure everyone at the club and our fans will give Dave and Shaun their full support.”

Image courtesy of @Matlock_TownFC/Twitter

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | Facebook www.facebook.com/evostikleague

Where next?

Thursday's North Division action review Thursday night's results saw the final play-off situation in the EVO-STIK League North go right to Saturday's final games of the season, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.
Howarth moving on from Blues Simon Haworth is standing down as the manager of EVO-STIK League Clitheroe after the club's final outing of the season.

Match centre

Northern Premier League - Premier
Northern Premier League - East
Northern Premier League - Midlands
Northern Premier League - West

Latest photos

The Pitching In Northern Premier League newsletter

Keep up-to-date with our exclusive email newsletters.

Subscribe