No-nonsense Karl Hawley can relate to Mansfield Town players

Karl Hawley in his role as Mansfield Town coach last season

First team coach Karl Hawley believes recent playing experience helps him relate to Mansfield Town's squad.

A consistent goalscoring record of one in three over 15 years also included promotions with Carlisle United and Notts County.

He has clocked up more than 300 games during that time and the 34-year-old is now hoping to pass some of that wisdom on.

Hawley was drafted in to the Stags backroom staff by manager Adam Murray towards the latter stages of last season.

His influence brought about an immediate increase in goals scored in April, including a 5-0 battering of rivals Notts at home.

Now he hopes to continue where he left off as a permanent member of Murray’s coaching staff for the 2016/17 season.

Hawley said: “I’m immensely privileged to be involved in such a great club like Mansfield Town and to be alongside Adam Murray is such a pleasure.”

Hawley boasted a goal every other game for Carlisle, who he helped achieve two promotions, before spells at Scunthorpe United, Preston North End and Notts, where he played a role as the Magpies to the League Two title in 2010.

“The gaffer’s brought me in for current experience of the game at this level, League Two, which I know a lot about,” he said.

“I’ve got promoted out of this league and not long finished playing myself. I can relate to the new age player.

“I’ll be a player’s coach. I’ll not be ‘stand-offish’ they’ll definitely be able to appraoch me and that’s the link I’ve already got with the players.

“That’s the direction I’m heading towards. There’s definitely a lot that I can bring to the coaching staff and to the players.”

And players will know where they stand with Hawley.

“I’m quite reserved at times but I’m straight to the point and if a square is a square I’ll call it a square, I won’t beat about the bush,” he said.

“I think that’s a big quality to have.”