Ward brothers unveil Cox as head coach

Former Burnley, Gillingham and Crystal Palace defender Ian Cox has joined the management team of joint managers Jim and Danny Ward at Ramsgate as head coach for the upcoming Ryman South season.

The 44-year-old won sixteen caps for Trinidad & Tobago and was part of their 2006 World Cup squad after kicking off his career at Carshalton Athletic before earning a £40,000 move to Crystal Palace in 1994.

Cox, who linked up with the brothers at the weekend for the start of pre-season training, went on to make 173 appearances for AFC Bournemouth and 115 for Burnley before joining Gillingham in 2003 and adding 153 more games to his Football League tally.

Since leaving the professional game, Cox has played for Maidstone United and in 2013 came out of retirement to join Whitstable Town and play for former teammate and manager Nicky Southall.

After bringing Cox to the Southwood Stadium Jim Ward told www.thanetgazette.co.uk: "He's working down this way, I know him and he's pleased to be on board. He brings a lot to the party, he's played for Palace, Gillingham, he played in the World Cup, didn't he? He's got experience, he's a good lad to have around the place, another good signing."

The Rams confirmed two more summer signings on Saturday, midfielder Peter Smith from Sittingbourne and former Maidstone United and Met Police centre-back Nick Humphrey.

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