Matlock Town is pleased to announce the appointment of Lewis Duckmanton as our first-team manager and Sam Hird as our first-team assistant manager.
Lewis Duckmanton is an experienced professional football coach and practitioner, with a career spanning the National League, League Two and League One. He has worked across a number of established clubs, including Chesterfield, Barrow AFC and Bolton Wanderers.
Having held a variety of technical, analytical and coaching positions, Lewis has developed a broad understanding of football and the demands of working within high-performance environments. His experience combines tactical and technical coaching with performance analysis, opposition analysis, player development and the day-to-day demands of first-team football.
Lewis played an important role in Barrow AFC’s return to the English Football League (EFL) in June 2020, ending the club’s 48-year absence from professional football.
He was also part of the coaching team at Bolton Wanderers during a successful campaign which saw the club achieve automatic promotion from League Two, while also winning the Papa Johns Trophy at Wembley.
With involvement in more than 500 first-team matches, Lewis brings extensive experience of professional football, having worked across different levels, clubs and competitive environments.
Sam Hird joins as the club’s new first-team assistant manager.
Hird arrives at the Proctor Cars Stadium with extensive experience from both the professional game and the dugout, having enjoyed a distinguished playing career before moving into coaching.
The Doncaster-born defender began his career in the academy at Aston Villa before joining Leeds United, eventually making his senior breakthrough with Doncaster Rovers. He went on to make more than 160 appearances for Rovers and was part of the side that secured promotion to the Championship by defeating Leeds United in the 2008 League One Play-Off Final at Wembley.
In 2012, Hird joined Chesterfield, where he quickly established himself as a key figure and club captain. During a six-year spell with the Spireites, he made more than 230 appearances and helped the club win promotion to League One during the 2013/14 season.
Following spells with Alfreton Town and Barrow, Hird was part of the Barrow squad that secured promotion to the Football League in 2020, ending the club’s 48-year absence from the EFL.
After hanging up his boots, Hird moved into coaching, joining Bolton Wanderers’ first-team staff under Ian Evatt. During his time at the club, he gained valuable experience working within a professional coaching environment and was part of the Bolton side that lifted the EFL Trophy in 2023.
Now, Hird makes the move to Matlock Town, bringing with him a wealth of playing, leadership and coaching experience.
Lewis Duckmanton
First-team manager Lewis Duckmanton said:
“I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to manage this football club. I cannot stand here and promise success, because football does not work that way. What I can promise is that we will work tirelessly, every single day, to improve this team, raise standards and give us the best possible opportunity.
“I have also brought in an experienced coach, Sam Hird, who I have worked alongside at a number of clubs throughout my career. I know the qualities he will bring to the group, both on and off the pitch. Sam has enjoyed an excellent career and played an important role in the success achieved at Bolton, so I am delighted he has agreed to come and join us.
“I hope what you’ve seen from the team during the last six games is commitment, hard work and pride. I want players who are prepared to leave absolutely everything on that pitch and represent this club, this town and its supporters with the passion they deserve.
“Having worked closely with the club in a number of different capacities, I understand what makes this football club special. The supporters and volunteers are its heartbeat. You are the people who keep this club moving forward, and my responsibility is to give you a team that you can be proud of and one that you can truly get behind.
“There will undoubtedly be challenges, setbacks and difficult moments along the way. That is football. But if we can create unity, belief and a positive environment around the club, we can build the momentum and driving force that gives us the best possible chance of being successful come the end of the season.
“This is your club. Your support matters. Your belief matters.”
