FORMER Gills coach Richard Hill has declared himself “ecstatic” following his appointment as assistant manager of Division 2 Northampton.

Within days of being made redundant by Gillingham, the club’s former joint first team coach was back in the game after signing a two-year contract for the Cobblers.

He was on the bench for the club’s match at Port Vale on Saturday but was unable to celebrate a win on his debut as two goals in the final minute condemned Northampton to a 3-2 defeat and probable relegation.

“To say I'm ecstatic is an understatement,” said Hill. “I was devastated when Gillingham got rid of me on Monday and I never dreamt I would get another job so quickly.

“I got a call on Wednesday night asking if I would be interested and on Thursday I had a meeting with the Northampton board of directors and manager Martin Wilkinson when everything was agreed.

“I now have the security of a two-year contract which I never had at Gillingham because I was working on a monthly agreements. And Martin Wilkinson has given me the freedom of the training ground on which to work.”