Hawkins vows to kick start revival

Eastwood Town have recruited former Nottingham Forest star Nick Hawkins to help them win promotion back to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's top flight next season.

The relegated Badgers announced on Monday that the South Normanton Athletic manager, pictured, has agreed to leave his post there at the end of the campaign and team up with Eastwood manager Chris Shaw as joint managers.

Hawkins, who joined the Central Midlands Football League outfit last October as player manager, has played at every level of Non-League football and was a key player during Chasetown's FA Cup run to the Third Round and eventual 3-1 defeat to Cardiff City.

Hawkins, pictured, whose previous club also include Barnet, Hucknall, Hednesford and Dunkirk, said: "I am excited to be working alongside Chris and listening to the plans and the dedication of the personnel and their passion for the club is something I want to be a part of.

"I want to be part of the team that make Eastwood Town a force to be recognised again and back to where it deserves to be. It's a great honour to manage such a huge Non-League football club. Being a Nottingham lad, it will be great to help build a relationship between ourselves and the local community and bring it together with football."