New duo bring in trusted coach Cox

Cox, pictured, has worked with the new joint-bosses at the Gladiators for the past four years as a trusted aid in the key role, first with Heanor Town and then again at Mickleover Sports. A former central defender, he had to give up the game following a knee injury after previously playing for Heanor.

Former Gladiators players Kirkwood and Hopkins, pictured, were appointed on Thursday, two days after the departure of Mark Hume from the Autoworld Arena two days earlier.

The duo got their first taste of management taking charge of Matlock's second string before briefly managing the Gladiators as caretakers ahead of the Mark Atkins era in 2009.

After a three and a half year stint guiding Heanor Town to the Northern Counties East League title, the duo took Mickleover Sports into the EVO-STIK NPL's top flight two years ago before standing down in April after preserving the club's status.

Hume left Causeway Way Lane by mutual consent following the club's 17th placed finish to the EVO-STIK NPL Premier Division season.

Appointed in January 2015 as the successor to Dave Rushbury and Martin Foster, 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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