MIKE COOK has been named the new Gloucester City manager.

Stroud-based Cook replaces Chris Todd, who was shown the exit door by the club following a 3-1 defeat at home to Weston super-Mare on New Year’s Day – a loss that marked four months without a league win and Todd’s 11th defeat in 15 games.

Cook,50, a PFA South West Regional Coach Educator, returns to City for a second spell after playing under Brian Godfrey and then assistant manager to Chris Burns.

Cook has added former Gloucester City striker Andy Hoskins to his backroom staff,who joins as forwards coach, Karl Bayliss who will look after player recruitment with Mike Green and Tom Web becoming our defensive and midfield coaches respectively.

Cook told the City website: "I’m delighted to return to Gloucester City, I cannot wait to get started and hope to see as many supporters as possible at Evesham on Saturday.”

career starting at Cambridge United before moving to the Cheltenham Town Community Programme.

A spinal injury curtailed his promising football career at the age of 22. Cook helped Coventry City to glory in the FA Youth Cup Final in 1987. He later played for Cambridge United alongside Dion Dublin, Steve Claridge and Liam Diash. He also had a loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers, where he played under Martin O’Neill.

He went on to become assistant manager of Cambridge City and played for Histon.

On his return to Gloucestershire he played for Hellenic Premier Shortwood United.

He also coached at Witney, Cirencester Town and was assistant manager of Gloucester City and enjoyed a spell as manager of Cinderford Town.

He started his post-playing life at Cambridge United in their Community Programme scheme before returning to Gloucestershire to take up the same role at Cheltenham Town.

In 2009, Cook landed the role of PFA South West Regional Coach Educator after a decade as Cheltenham Town’s Community Programme Officer.