Ex-Chelmsford City duo Mark Hawkes and Steve Smith take over at Bishop’s Stortford

Pic: Matt Bradshaw

BISHOP’S STORTFORD have secured their first choice targets after announcing Mark Hawkes and Steve Smith as their new joint-managers.

The pair, who have been out of football since leaving Chelmsford City in January, replace Gordon Boateng, who departed after last Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Whitehawk.

That loss, their seventh in a row at home, left the Blues third bottom of the National League South with just two wins to their name all season.

Boateng’s replacements Hawkes, pictured, and Smith were reportedly at the Whitehawk game and have officially been confirmed as the new management team ahead of Saturday’s difficult trip to leaders Maidenhead United.

The duo enjoyed a successful spell in charge of Heybridge Swifts, lifting them to second in the Ryman North before Chelmsford came calling in November 2013.

They guided the Clarets to safety in 2013-14 before a comfortable tenth-place finish the season after. The bosses quit in January, however, after a run of eight games without a win left them 15th.

They take over a Bishop’s Stortford side that have lost five of their last seven games, drawing the other two, with Step 2 safety the ultimate goal.

“We’re delighted to have appointed Mark and Steve as our new management team” said Stortford chairman Ian Kettridge.

“They were our first choice to take over what will be a tough job, and we’re confident they will be successful.”

The new managerial duo have wasted no time in strengthening the Blues’ squad, bringing in two players ahead of their first game in charge.

Experienced striker Jamie Slabber, 31, joins on loan from league rivals Welling United while 20-year-old defender or midfielder Harry Hickford has also signed up following a brief spell at Forest Green Rovers.