Kayde Coppin new Matlock Town player-assistant as Brian Wilson set to leave Gladiators

Coppin will double up as an assistant coach for the Gladiators.

Assistant manager Brian Wilson is expected to receive his first managerial appointment in the next few days, so Gladiators boss Paul Phillips is covering all bases in bringing in Coppin.

Coppin, 31, is a quick and tricky right-sided attacker, well known to Phillips as he has been with him in spells at Ashton United and Buxton.

He began his career as a junior at Bolton Wanderers and has also played at Flixton, Trafford, Northwich Victoria, Rossendale United, Atherton LR, Bacup Borough and Glossop North End.

Wilson has decided to give up playing after collecting an ankle injury in the Derbyshire Senior Cup semi-final defeat against South Normanton Athletic in March.

He had indicated to Phillips before making this decision of his desire to land a managerial role.

Phillips is delighted to have Coppin with him again, the move being subject to approval by the Northern Premier League and FA.

“He sets the standard on the pitch, in the dressing room beforehand and at training nights," Phillips explained.

"He can play in a variety of positions which is useful, he knows what I expect.

“Really I can’t speak highly enough of him and we’ve always done well when he’s been with me before, especially at Ashton when we made it to the play-offs against teams spending a lot more money than we did.”

Wilson, with more than 400 Football League games under his belt, will leave with Phillips’ best wishes.

“I wish him all the best, he’s the most professional person I’ve ever come across in football. I’m sure at some point we might work again together, I’ve told him I’ll be there to help him and it’s the same for him with me,” he added.

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