Walker plays down Cox quit claims

MAIDSTONE UNITED joint-manager Alan Walker has explained why central defender Ian Cox has missed their last two games.

Fans had feared that the 37-year-old defender had left the Ryman Premier League club due to recent cut backs, having missed the derby games against Ramsgate and Dover Athletic.

But Walker explained that the former Carshalton Athletic, Crystal Palace, AFC Bournemouth and Gillingham star has found himself a job - believed to be a probation officer - and had to work over the festive period.

“We had a central defensive pairing of James Peacock and Ben Lewis against Dover because Ian Cox has just started a new job and because he is the new lad and it was Christmas he could not get people to swap shifts with him,” Walker told www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

“I think that is the last that we will see of that situation and Ian is devastated that he has missed the last couple of games because he loves it at Maidstone.”

Quotes courtesy of www.maidstoneunited.co.uk