Hume zooms in to become new Gladiators boss

Doncaster-based Hume had been assistant to John Deacey at Bradford Park Avenue for four-and-a-half years, the pair guiding Avenue into Conference North via the NPL play offs in 2009/10.

But Hume, who began as a professional with Doncaster Rovers, had a long and distinguished career as a no nonsense central defender and left the Horsfall Stadium expressing a desire to be a managerial number one instead of a number two.

He was part of the Eastwood Town side who reached the third round of the FA Cup in 2008/09 and won the NPL Premier Division title in the same season.

His other clubs include Alfreton Town, Barrow, Stalybridge Celtic, Buxton and Harrogate Town.

Hume hopes to confirm the rest of his managerial team before his first game in charge when Ashton United visit the Autoworld Arena on Saturday.

He watched Matlock’s surprise 3-1 Derbyshire Senior Cup victory at Conference Premier neighbours Alfreton on Tuesday, seeing both good and bad points in his new team’s display.

He said: “We played some good football on a heavy pitch but the game did indicate to me why we are where we are in the league.

“I’ve spotted a few things which I can put over to the players which we’ll be looking to put right.

“We need to be better organised - we leave the back door open and we need to think a bit more about what we’re doing.”

Hume is under no illusions about the tough task Matlock face to retain their Premier Division status, but he believes safety can be achieved.

“It’s a tough job but it can be done. We can rescue this and get the club on a more even footing.

“I’ve a couple of players in mind already to bring in. I recognise it’s been tough for the fans trying to support the team when things haven’t been going well but they’re still there.

“I want to give them a good team with good morale so they can see we’re all in this together. I want to play attractive football so people enjoy it, I want to entertain, but also we’ve got to be hard to beat, especially at home.”

Chairman Tom Wright welcomed Hume to the club and asked fans to give him their full support.

He said: “We’re delighted to bring Mark here. He’s very enthusiastic and keen to get on with the job in hand. Hopefully it’ll be a new dawn for the club.

“He has a tough job on his hands but he’ll get the committee’s full support as every manager has got, but we need everyone together pulling in the same direction. “It’d be nice to see a good crowd for the Ashton game on Saturday so we can hopefully crack on with improving our league position.”