Paul Cox (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Paul Cox is an English football manager and former player, who is currently manager of Mansfield Town
. As a player, Cox was a defender
who could play as right-back or as a central defender. He began his career at his hometown club Notts County
, making his first-team debut against Manchester City
on 25 April 1992, coming on as a substitute for Kevin Bartlett. Cox spent five years at Notts County, playing just over 40 matches, and also had a short loan spell with Hull City
.
At the end of the 1994–95 season, Cox was released by Notts County, and he subsequently dropped down into non-league football, where he most notably spent five seasons with Kettering Town
, and also had spells at Halifax Town and Hucknall Town
.
In 2003, Cox began his coaching career when he became assistant manager at Eastwood Town
of the Unibond League
. In October 2006, Cox became manager of the club, and steered the club away from the Unibond Division One relegation zone in his first season. The next season, he guided the Badgers to the first of two consecutive promotions, and in 2008–09 he also guided the club to the third round proper of the FA Cup
for the first time in the club's history, where they lost to his former team Kettering.
In 2009–10, Cox led Eastwood to an 11th place finish in their debut season in the Conference North
, and in 2010–11, sparked by a 19-match unbeaten run, Eastwood finished in 4th place. However, the club was not allowed to compete in the promotion play-offs because their Coronation Park ground did not have the proper grade to be eligible for promotion to the Conference National
. On 5 May 2011, Cox resigned as manager of Eastwood Town. On 19 May 2011, Cox was officially was unveiled as the new manager of Mansfield Town
in the Blue Square Premier.
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
. As a player, Cox was a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who could play as right-back or as a central defender. He began his career at his hometown club Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
, making his first-team debut against Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
on 25 April 1992, coming on as a substitute for Kevin Bartlett. Cox spent five years at Notts County, playing just over 40 matches, and also had a short loan spell with Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
.
At the end of the 1994–95 season, Cox was released by Notts County, and he subsequently dropped down into non-league football, where he most notably spent five seasons with Kettering Town
Kettering Town F.C.
Kettering Town Football Club are a football club originating in Kettering, Northamptonshire but currently based in the nearby village of Irthlingborough. The club play in the Conference National after winning the Conference North in 2007–08...
, and also had spells at Halifax Town and Hucknall Town
Hucknall Town F.C.
Hucknall Town F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. The club are members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and play at Watnall Road.-History:...
.
In 2003, Cox began his coaching career when he became assistant manager at Eastwood Town
Eastwood Town F.C.
Eastwood Town F.C. is a football club from Eastwood, Nottinghamshire formed in 1953, currently playing in the Conference North.-History:Although there was a football club named Eastwood Town operating in the Nottinghamshire Alliance in 1921, its was only in existence for two years. It was not until...
of the Unibond League
Northern Premier League
The Northern Premier League, is one of the regional English football leagues which sits directly below the Football Conference featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs. Geographically, the league covers all of Northern England, and the northern areas of the Midlands. Originally just one...
. In October 2006, Cox became manager of the club, and steered the club away from the Unibond Division One relegation zone in his first season. The next season, he guided the Badgers to the first of two consecutive promotions, and in 2008–09 he also guided the club to the third round proper of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
for the first time in the club's history, where they lost to his former team Kettering.
In 2009–10, Cox led Eastwood to an 11th place finish in their debut season in the Conference North
Conference North
The Conference North also known as Blue Square Bet North for sponsorship reasons, is a division of the Football Conference in England, taking its place immediately below the Conference National. Along with Conference South it is at Step 2 of the National League System and the sixth overall tier of...
, and in 2010–11, sparked by a 19-match unbeaten run, Eastwood finished in 4th place. However, the club was not allowed to compete in the promotion play-offs because their Coronation Park ground did not have the proper grade to be eligible for promotion to the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
. On 5 May 2011, Cox resigned as manager of Eastwood Town. On 19 May 2011, Cox was officially was unveiled as the new manager of Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
in the Blue Square Premier.