Fleetwood Town confirm Clint Hill and Steve Eyre will follow Barton to Highbury

Fleetwood Town have confirmed that Clint Hill and Steve Eyre will be new boss Joey Barton's first recruits.

Hill, 39, has just left League Two side Carlisle and will join ex-Rochdale manager Steve Eyre as part of Barton's backroom staff.

The duo will only officially join Fleetwood when Barton arrives at Poolfoot Farm on June 2, when his ban for breaching FA betting rules expires.

The confirmation is no surprise as the two were expected to team up with Barton.

Hill watched some Fleetwood games with Barton this season and Eyre had worked with the new Town boss during his time as a youth coach at Barton's first club Manchester City.

It is Barton's first managerial role and he will bring the duo in to help, though club sources have confirmed that the existing backroom staff of Barry Nicholson, Paul Murray, David Lucas and Youl Mawene will remain. Official job titles will not be revealed until Barton takes charge.

Unlike Barton, who is yet to confirm whether hewill hang up his boots, Hill confirmed his playing days will come to an end when he takes up his role at the League One club.

The centre-back made his senior debut for Tranmere in 1997 and had spells at Oldham, Stoke, Crystal Palace, QPR, Nottingham Forest and Rangers.

Hill was a team-mate of Barton at QPR and scored 42 goals in 670 appearances in all competitions.

And Hill confirmed recently that his playing days re over but an exciting new chapter is ahead. He tweeted: "A very difficult decision but after 670 games and 20-plus years playing this game that I love, it is time to finally say goodbye and hang the playing boots up.

"Every single club that I have been lucky enough to play for, I thank you for the support you have given me. I really do appreciate it and I wish you every success for the future.

"It is time to start a new chapter in my life and I'm looking forward to the new challenges that lie ahead.

"A special thank you to my family and especially my wife for putting up with me. I love you all.

"Thank you once again. It has been a pleasure and one hell of a ride."