BREAKING: Matlock Town appoint Kirkwood and Hopkins as joint managers

Kirkwood and Hopkins need no introduction to Matlock followers, having both being crowd favourites playing in successful and entertaining Matlock teams of a decade ago.

The Chesterfield based duo had their first taste of management by taking charge of Matlock Town’s reserve side and then had a short spell as joint caretaker managers of the first team before Mark Atkins was appointed to succeed Phil Brown and Gareth Williams in the 2008/09 season.

“Kirky and Hoppo” then had a three and a half years stint at Heanor Town guiding them to promotion to the Northern Counties East League as title winners.

Mickleover Sports was their next port of call for another three and a half years. After narrowly avoiding relegation from the Evostik NPL First Division South in 2012/13, Mickleover lost in the play off final at Belper Town in the following season before Mickleover raced to the title twelve months later to earn promotion to the Premier Division.

They resigned shortly after Sports’ successfully battled against relegation, so Matlock and Mickleover will again face each other next term.

Hopkins said: “It was the job we always wanted.”

Kirkwood added: “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 met them to seal the deal and 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.

“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.”