SWINDON Town have announced former Chippenham Town and Gloucester City men’s manager Mike Cook as Swindon Town Women’s new head coach.

Cook has agreed a two-year contract with Swindon and takes over from James Lally – who was sacked along with assistant Keehlan Panayiotou earlier this week.

The Stroud-born coach was a former player with the likes of Coventry City and Cambridge United and has since turned his hand to coaching.

As well as leading struggling Gloucester and Chippenham away from relegation danger during respective stints in the south west, Cook has worked for the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) as a coach educator for the past 13 years, delivering courses to both current and ex-professional male and female players.

Cook has been heavily involved with the female academy setup at Swindon Town, working with the club’s U12 to U16 age groups for the past five years.

Speaking to Town’s media team, Cook said: “I’m really pleased to be here and taking over a really talented group of girls.

“I’m incredibly excited about this role and how far this team can go. I’ve been made to feel really welcome in a very short space of time since coming in and I can’t wait to get stuck in.

“I share the clubs ambitions of promotion and guiding this team up through the divisions.

James Lally takes parting shot at Swindon Town after exit as Women's boss.

“I’m also really keen to adopt an attacking style of play and mentality that is not only entertaining to watch and fans can be proud of, but most importantly, gets us results.”

Cook – who holds UEFA Pro, A, B and C licenses – will embark on his first spell in senior women’s football management and is set to take charge of his first game on Sunday when Swindon host league leaders, Exeter City.

Town’s CEO, Rob Angus, said: “We’re delighted to announce Mike as our new Women’s first-team head coach.

“He has really strong coaching pedigree having recently coached at National League level, along with his various UEFA pro licenses.

“I believe this appointment illustrates our aspirations in our quest to take our Women’s team up through the leagues, with promotion very much at the forefront of what we are trying to achieve.”