Lancing Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of Dean Cox as the new First Team Manager with immediate effect, following the recent departures of Alex Walsh, Dale Hurley and Matt Evans.

Dean will be well known to the local football community, having played for Brighton, Leyton Orient, Crawley, Eastbourne Borough and, most recently, Worthing in an attacking midfield role.

He has been a regular visitor to Culver Road since retiring from playing last year and his knowledge of the current playing squad should help him hit the ground running.

Dean has wasted no time in appointing his backroom team and is joined by Will Hendon as his assistant and coach. Also joining the coaching staff is Steven Carlberg, who is already part of the youth coaching set-up and someone who has a long-standing association with the club, and Ross Ball, who will be assisting with kit and analysis.

We are pleased that Mark Stuart and Callum Morin will also remain in their pivotal roles, forming the backroom team.

“We all share a combined enthusiasm to take our club forward.”

The club are delighted with this exciting appointment and believe Dean and his team will continue to build on the success and progress of recent years. Dean is an exciting, modern and ambitious manager with football in his blood and, importantly, a tremendous passion and enthusiasm to join us.

We are sure all Lancing supporters will give him a warm Lancers welcome on Saturday.

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.”

Dean, Will, Steve and Ross will take charge of the Lancers tomorrow as we welcome Ashford United to Culver Road (2pm kick-off).

This will be followed by a fitting Sussex Senior Cup tie whereby Lancing host Worthing on a Tuesday evening in early January 7.30pm kick-off under the lights, TBA.