FORMER Brighton & Hove Albion and Leyton Orient winger Dean Cox has got his first shot in management at Step 4 Lancing.
Cox, 35, played more than 300 times in the Football League for the Seagulls and O's as well a spell at Crawley Town.
Non-League isn't unfamiliar to him either, having spent time on loan at Burgess Hill Town before permanent stints at Eastbourne Borough and Worthing, where was part of last season's Isthmian Premier title-winning squad.
He replaces Alex Walsh, who joined their Isthmian Division One South East rivals Haywards Heath with jointboss Dale Hurley and first-team coach Matt Evans.
Cox has appointed Will Hendon as his assistant, while Steven Carlberg steps up from the youth set-up to a coach.
Chairman Steve Taylor said: “It has been a whirlwind 48 hours since the departure of Alex, Dale and Matt, but I am now very excited to announce and welcome Dean to Lancing alongside his management team. We all share a combined enthusiasm to take our club forward. If Coxy can transfer his playing success to managerial success then we will be extremely happy.”
Walsh, a former assistant manager at Heath, completed his return to the Isthmian South East side as co-boss alongside Hurley, replacing the departed Martin Dynan.
“We were successful and when I moved on the club was in the playoff positions,” Walsh reflected. “The club has huge potential and I have seen the improvements from my time here to now.
“The fanbase and infrastructure have all improved. There are also some very good players here which some I've met before and I'm looking forward to working with them as I can see the quality.”
