Mitch Hancox
{{short description|English footballer (born 1993)}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Mitch Hancox
| image = Mitch Hancox 2022-05-21 1.jpg
| caption = Hancox playing for York City in 2022
| full_name = Mitchell John Hancox
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|11|9|df=y}}{{Hugman|23318|access-date=18 November 2021}}
| birth_place = Solihull, England
| position = Left-back, central midfielder
| currentclub = Spennymoor Town
| clubnumber = 18
| youthyears1 = 2001–2011
| youthclubs1 = Birmingham City
| years1 = 2011–2016
| clubs1 = Birmingham City
| caps1 = 33
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2015–2016
| clubs2 = → Crawley Town (loan)
| caps2 = 15
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 2016–2018
| clubs3 = Macclesfield Town
| caps3 = 77
| goals3 = 13
| years4 = 2018–2019
| clubs4 = Milton Keynes Dons
| caps4 = 1
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2019–2021
| clubs5 = Solihull Moors
| caps5 = 39
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2019–2020
| clubs6 = → Harrogate Town (loan)
| caps6 = 5
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2021–2022
| clubs7 = Hereford
| caps7 = 7
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2021–2022
| clubs8 = → York City (loan)
| caps8 = 28
| goals8 = 8
| years9 = 2022–2024
| clubs9 = York City
| caps9 = 40
| goals9 = 2
| years10 = 2023–2024
| clubs10 = → Hartlepool United (loan)
| caps10 = 7
| goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2024
| clubs11 = Altrincham
| caps11 = 7
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2024–2025
| clubs12 = Chester
| caps12 = 15
| goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2025–
| clubs13 = Spennymoor Town
| caps13 = 9
| goals13 = 0
| club-update = 11:51, 16 April 2025 (UTC)
}}
Mitchell John Hancox (born 9 November 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a left-back or central midfielder for {{English football updater|SpennymT}} club Spennymoor Town. He has played in the Football League for Birmingham City, Crawley Town and Milton Keynes Dons.
Hancox began his career with hometown club Birmingham City, for whom he made his Football League debut in October 2012. In the 2015–16 season, he spent three months on loan to League Two club Crawley Town. Released by Birmingham at the end of that season, Hancox signed for National League club Macclesfield Town in August 2016. After two years, during which he helped Macclesfield win the 2017–18 National League title, he moved on to Milton Keynes Dons. Hancox joined his Solihull Moors in May 2019, spent time on loan to another National League club, Harrogate Town at the end of that year, and was released in 2021. He then signed for Hereford, and joined York City on loan later that year, helping them to promotion to the National League. York signed him permanently in June 2022, loaned him to Hartlepool United in 2023–24, and released him in March 2024. Hancox finished that season with Altrincham and spent the first half of the next with Chester.
Early life
Hancox was born in Solihull, West Midlands.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/hancox-handed-squad-number-299343.aspx |title=Hancox handed squad number |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=8 August 2012 |accessdate=6 October 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815102136/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/hancox-handed-squad-number-299343.aspx |archivedate=15 August 2012}} He has three older brothers; the eldest, Matthew, was seriously wounded in 2011 while serving in Afghanistan with the Royal Marines.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/big-interview-birmingham-city-defender-4029579 |title=The Big Interview: Mitch Hancox now living the dream after family nightmare |author=Evans, Gregg |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=30 May 2013 |accessdate=30 May 2013}} Hancox was recruited into Birmingham City's youth system at the age of eight after being noticed playing in a six-a-side competition.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-i-want-to-be-a-blues-first-teamer-189229 |title=I want to be a Blues first-teamer for a long time to come – Mitch Hancox |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=26 July 2012 |accessdate=23 November 2012}} As a youngster, he was a Birmingham City supporter, and particularly admired full-backs Jeff Kenna and Martin Grainger and wing-back Stan Lazaridis.
While still a 15-year-old Lyndon School student, he played for Birmingham's reserve team. He was picked out as "one of the bright spots of the evening from a home perspective" in a heavy defeat to Arsenal in the 2009–10 Premier Reserve League,{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1785175,00.html |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090905004553/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1785175,00.html |title=Westley: It was a tough night |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=1 September 2009 |archivedate=5 September 2009}} and described by then Academy manager Terry Westley as "one of the few players to come out with any credit" from a defeat to Leamington in the Birmingham Senior Cup.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1878340,00.html |title=Westley on Senior Cup exit |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=17 November 2009 |accessdate=10 May 2016 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004002756/http://www.bcfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1878340,00.html |archivedate=4 October 2015}} On leaving school, he began a two-year scholarship with Birmingham City in July 2010.{{cite web |url=http://thefa.com/TheFA/RulesandRegulations/~/media/Files/PDF/TheFA/Rules_Regs/July%202010.ashx/July%202010.pdf |format=PDF |title=List of Players Registered as Scholars in Accordance with Rule C.3 Between 01/07/2010 and 31/07/2010 |publisher=The Football Association |accessdate=23 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215024922/http://thefa.com/TheFA/RulesandRegulations/~/media/Files/PDF/TheFA/Rules_Regs/July%202010.ashx/July%202010.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2011}}
Career
=Birmingham City=
File:Mitch Hancox, preseason against Antwerp.jpg in 2012]]
His first competitive involvement with Birmingham City's first team came when he was an unused substitute for the 2011–12 Europa League play-off round second leg against Nacional.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2007263--birmingham-vs-nacional/ |title=UEFA Europa League 2012: Birmingham–Nacional |publisher=UEFA |date=7 January 2012 |access-date=2 October 2015}} Hancox signed his first professional contract, of six months, in May 2012,{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2788591,00.html |title=Mitch signs-up |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=26 May 2012 |accessdate=2 October 2015 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003232735/http://www.bcfc.com.p.preprod.performgroup.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2788591,00.html |archivedate=3 October 2015}} and was given a first-team squad number in August of that year.
Hancox made his competitive debut in the 1–0 home defeat by Huddersfield Town in the Championship on 6 October, as an 80th-minute substitute for the injured Curtis Davies.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-0-huddersfield-1-411528.aspx |title=Blues 0 Huddersfield 1 |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=6 October 2012 |accessdate=6 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131218154235/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-0-huddersfield-1-411528.aspx |archive-date=18 December 2013}} He played at left-back, allowing Paul Robinson to move to centre-back, and according to the Birmingham Mail, "can be pleased with his urgent and determined contribution in the last 10 minutes. He's only on a six-month contract but would sweat blood for his boyhood club."{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-0-huddersfield-town-218320 |title=Birmingham City 0 Huddersfield Town 1 |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=8 October 2012 |accessdate=23 November 2012}} A few days later, he was given a six-month extension to his contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com//news/article/young-pair-pen-extensions-417665.aspx |title=Young pair pen extensions |first=Andy |last=Walker |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=9 October 2012 |accessdate=9 October 2012 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114120806/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/young-pair-pen-extensions-417665.aspx |archivedate=14 November 2012}} When Robinson took over from Steven Caldwell as first-choice centre-back, Hancox was able to establish himself at left-back.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-key-blues-youngsters-3003037 |title=Blues secure future of youngsters |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=25 April 2013 |accessdate=29 April 2013}} He ended the season with 20 appearances, including 14 starts, and signed a new three-year contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mitch-signs-up-821023.aspx |title=Mitch signs up |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=14 May 2013 |accessdate=14 May 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608022500/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mitch-signs-up-821023.aspx |archivedate=8 June 2013}}
With David Murphy still recovering from injury, Hancox hoped to establish himself as first choice at left-back,{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mitch-hancox-aims-play-regularly-4686257 |title=Mitch Hancox aims to play regularly for Birmingham City |first=Gregg |last=Evans |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=20 June 2013 |accessdate=2 October 2015}} but a bruised testicle sustained in training and the loan signing of Shane Ferguson obstructed his progress.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-interview-mitchell-hancox-5730675 |title=Mitchell Hancox: 'I want to try and play 40 games in the season.' |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=15 August 2013 |accessdate=2 October 2015}} His first appearance of the season was in mid-September, as a substitute with Birmingham already 3–0 down at Burnley, followed by two League Cup ties, the second of which, at home to Stoke City, was 4–4 after extra time. Hancox volunteered to take the first penalty in the shootout, but his powerful kick struck the top of the crossbar and went over; Birmingham went on to lose the shootout.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/mitch-hancox-admits-spot-kick-agony-6262420 |title=Mitch Hancox admits spot-kick agony will haunt him for some time |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=1 November 2013 |accessdate=2 October 2015}} A run of games in November was halted by a knee injury,{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-citys-mitch-hancox-scan-6383763 |title=Mitch Hancox to have scan on injured knee |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=8 December 2013 |accessdate=2 October 2015}} and ankle damage put an end to another run in the new year.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-citys-mitch-hancox-out-6780676 |title=Birmingham City's Mitch Hancox out for a minimum of six weeks |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=6 March 2014 |accessdate=2 October 2015}} He returned for the last few matches of the season, with Birmingham in danger of relegation. Needing at least a point from the final fixture, away to Bolton Wanderers and for other results to go in their favour, Hancox came on at half-time, and two minutes after Bolton took a two-goal lead, he crossed for Nikola Žigić to score with a header. Well into stoppage time, Paul Caddis scored the equaliser that kept Birmingham in the second tier.{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bolton-2-birmingham-2-match-report-paul-caddis-scores-dramatic-stoppage-time-header-to-haul-9320216.html |title=Bolton 2 Birmingham 2 match report: Paul Caddis gets Birmingham out of jail |first=Simon |last=Hart |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=3 May 2014 |accessdate=15 May 2022 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201113011701/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bolton-2-birmingham-2-match-report-paul-caddis-scores-dramatic-stoppagetime-header-to-haul-birmingham-safe-from-relegation-9320216.html |archive-date=13 November 2020}}
In the 2014 close season, Lee Clark signed left-back Jonathan Grounds, who was almost ever-present under the management both of Clark and his successor Gary Rowett.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-latest-blues-player-9278750 |title=Latest Blues player heads for the exit door |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=18 May 2015 |accessdate=2 October 2015}} Hancox played only one first-team match in 2014–15, in the FA Cup against Blyth Spartans, but he was a member of the 2015 Birmingham Senior Cup-winning team, consisting mainly of reserve-team players but also including first-teamers Matt Green and Žigić, who was making his last appearance for the club.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-win-the-senior-cup-2433455.aspx |title=Blues win the Senior Cup |first=Peter |last=Lewis |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=20 April 2015 |accessdate=2 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004193437/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-win-the-senior-cup-2433455.aspx |archive-date=4 October 2015}}
==Crawley Town (loan)==
After just one League Cup appearance in 2015–16, Hancox joined League Two club Crawley Town on a month's loan on 2 October 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/mitch-hancox-crawley-town-birmingham-city-2722835.aspx |title=Reds sign a Blue |first=Bruce |last=Talbot |publisher=Crawley Town F.C. |date=2 October 2015 |accessdate=2 October 2015 |archive-date=2 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002184023/http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/mitch-hancox-crawley-town-birmingham-city-2722835.aspx }} He went straight into the starting eleven for the next day's visit to Plymouth Argyle, which Crawley lost 2–1 to a very late goal.{{cite web |url=http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/plymouth-argyle-crawley-town-2723149.aspx |title=Report: Plymouth 2 Reds 1 |first=Bruce |last=Talbot |publisher=Crawley Town F.C. |date=3 October 2015 |accessdate=3 October 2015 |archive-date=4 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151004210008/http://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/article/plymouth-argyle-crawley-town-2723149.aspx }} In his second League Two match, at home to Leyton Orient, he scored his first senior goal. The score was 1–1 when Orient's goalkeeper Alex Cisak put the ball behind from Hancox's cross. Hancox himself took the corner, and when it was cleared he hit the loose ball past Cisak at his near post. He then made the pass that put Rhys Murphy through on goal, Murphy was fouled for a penalty that put Crawley two goals ahead, and the team held on for a 3–2 win.{{cite news |url=https://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/news/20965771.10-man-orient-wrong-end-five-goal-thriller-crawley/ |title=10-man Orient on the wrong end of a five-goal thriller at Crawley |first=George |last=Sessions |newspaper=Docklands & East London Advertiser |date=10 October 2015 |access-date=6 January 2025}} After he started all seven of Crawley's matches during his first month with the club, his loan was extended for a second month,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34702637 |title=Mitch Hancox: Crawley Town extend defender's loan |website=BBC Sport |date=2 November 2015 |accessdate=2 November 2015}} and then a third.{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mitch-hancox-birmingham-city-2827750.aspx |title=Mitch Hancox extends Crawley stay |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=30 November 2015 |accessdate=30 November 2015 |archive-date=29 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160229145253/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mitch-hancox-birmingham-city-2827750.aspx }} He finished his loan spell with two goals from sixteen appearances in all competitions.
Hancox played no more first-team football after returning to Birmingham. His last appearance for the club was as captain of the reserve team in the 2016 Birmingham Senior Cup final defeat to National League North champions Solihull Moors.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-senior-cup-final-birmingham-11291593 |title=Birmingham Senior Cup final: Birmingham City U21s 1 Solihull Moors 2 |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=5 May 2016 |access-date=6 May 2016}} Anxious for regular football, he was released when his contract expired at the end of the season; he had been with the club for fourteen years,{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-mitch-hancox-3098686.aspx |title=Blues bid farewell to Mitch Hancox |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=10 May 2016 |access-date=10 May 2016 |archive-date=15 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815124458/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-mitch-hancox-3098686.aspx }} and made 40 first-team appearances without scoring.
=Macclesfield Town=
Hancox signed for National League club Macclesfield Town on 4 August 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/macclesfield-town-sign-defender-mitch-hancox-3225735.aspx |title=Silkmen complete deal to sign Mitch Hancox |publisher=Macclesfield Town F.C. |date=4 August 2016 |accessdate=4 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822091522/http://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/macclesfield-town-sign-defender-mitch-hancox-3225735.aspx |archive-date=22 August 2016}} He made his debut two days later in the opening match of the season, a 2–1 win against Torquay United, but in his third match, a 3–1 defeat of Braintree Town, he conceded a penalty and was sent off for two yellow cards.{{soccerbase season|67082|2016|accessdate=4 March 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/braintree-1-3-macclesfield-town-3247185.aspx |title=Braintree 1–3 Macclesfield Town |publisher=Macclesfield Town F.C. |date=14 August 2016 |accessdate=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160914225351/http://www.mtfc.co.uk/news/article/2016-17/braintree-1-3-macclesfield-town-3247185.aspx |archive-date=14 September 2016}} In December 2016, Hancox signed a new deal with Macclesfield to run until the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web |url=https://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/the-national-league/new-silkmen-deal-for-hancox-51966/ |title=New Silkmen deal for Hancox |website=Pitchero Non-League |date=22 December 2016 |access-date=2 September 2021 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20210926121602/https://nonleague.pitchero.com/news/the-national-league/new-silkmen-deal-for-hancox-51966/ |archive-date=26 September 2021}} As well as at left-back, he also featured as a holding midfielder for Macclesfield. He finished his first season with 38 National League appearances and 6 goals, which included a hat-trick against Boreham Wood in March 2017,{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39390392 |title=Boreham Wood 2–4 Macclesfield Town |website=BBC Sport |date=1 April 2017 |accessdate=19 April 2017}} and helped his team reach the 2017 FA Trophy final against York City. He was fouled for the free kick that led to Rhys Browne making the score 1–1, but Macclesfield finished on the losing side.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/15299972.york-city-lift-fa-trophy-to-win-at-wembley-for-a-fourth-time-in-their-history/ |title=York City lift FA Trophy to win at Wembley for a fourth time in their history |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=21 May 2017 |access-date=11 November 2021}}
Hancox scored his second hat-trick for Macclesfield on 1 January 2018 in a 4–1 win away to FC Halifax Town.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42475753 |title=FC Halifax Town 1–4 Macclesfield Town |website=BBC Sport |agency=Press Association |date=1 January 2018 |accessdate=4 January 2018}} He finished the 2017–18 season with 7 goals in 39 appearances as Macclesfield were promoted to League Two as National League champions.{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1570&season_id=150 |title=National League: 2017/18 |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |accessdate=29 June 2018}}
=Milton Keynes Dons=
Hancox rejected Macclesfield's offer of a new contract, and signed for newly-relegated League Two club Milton Keynes Dons on 21 June 2018 on a one-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44561858 |title=Mitch Hancox: MK Dons sign Macclesfield Town left-back on one-year deal |website=BBC Sport |date=21 June 2018 |accessdate=21 June 2018}} However, following limited first-team opportunities, Hancox was one of ten players released by the club at the end of the 2018–19 season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.mkdons.com/news/2019/may/mk-dons-retained-list/ |title=MK Dons retained list |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons F.C. |date=17 May 2019 |accessdate=17 May 2019}}
=Solihull Moors=
Hancox signed for National League club Solihull Moors on 24 May 2019 on a two-year contract.{{cite web |url=http://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/news/hancox-becomes-first-summer-signing-2429125.html |title=Hancox becomes first summer signing |first=Luke |last=Turner |publisher=Solihull Moors F.C. |date=24 May 2019 |accessdate=10 June 2019 |archive-date=10 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610133050/http://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/news/hancox-becomes-first-summer-signing-2429125.html}} He made nine league appearances in the first few weeks of the season, but only two were starts. After two months during which his only appearance was in the Scottish Challenge Cup{{snd}}Solihull Moors were one of eight non-Scottish participants{{cite web |url=https://spfl.co.uk/league/challenge-cup/format |title=Tunnock's Caramel Wafer Cup 2019/20 |publisher=Scottish Professional Football League |date=2019 |accessdate=22 November 2019}}{{snd}}he joined another National League team, Harrogate Town on loan until 5 January 2020; striker Sam Jones made a similar move in the opposite direction.{{cite news |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/harrogate-town-add-ex-birmingham-city-man-their-ranks-1320326 |title=Harrogate Town add ex-Birmingham City man to their ranks |first=Rhys |last=Howell |newspaper=Harrogate Advertiser |date=22 November 2019 |accessdate=22 November 2019}} He made five National League appearances for Harrogate and a further ten for Solihull Moors before the season was curtailed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020–21 he was a regular in the matchday squad, and made 20 league appearances of which nine were as a starter, before being released when his contract expired at the end of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/news/posts/moors-announce-retained-and-released-lists/ |title=Moors announce retained and released lists |publisher=Solihull Moors F.C. |date=1 June 2021 |access-date=2 July 2021}}
=Hereford and York City=
File:Mitch Hancox 2022-05-21 2.jpg in 2022]]
Hancox signed for National League North club Hereford on 18 June 2021.{{cite news |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/sport/19384018.hereford-fc-make-first-summer-signing/ |title=Hereford FC make first summer signing |first=Ben |last=Goddard |newspaper=Hereford Times |date=18 June 2021 |accessdate=2 July 2021}} Having begun the season as a regular in the side, his appearances became intermittent, and in late October Hancox went on a month's loan at another National North club, York City, managed by Steve Watson, with whom he had worked at Birmingham and Macclesfield.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/19683176.york-city-loan-left-back-mitch-hancox-hereford/ |title=York City loan in left-back Mitch Hancox from Hereford |first=Jacob |last=Kilbride |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=29 October 2021 |accessdate=11 November 2021}} His loan was extended initially until January 2022{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/19745329.john-askey-looking-improve-york-citys-play-intensity/ |title=John Askey looking to improve York City's play through intensity |first=Joe |last=Richardson |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=26 November 2021 |access-date=16 January 2022}} and then for the rest of the season. Hereford manager Josh Gowling said his club had intended to bring Hancox back into the squad in January 2022 but could not do so for financial reasons.{{cite web |url=https://www.herefordfc.co.uk/news-mitch-hancox-to-stay-on-loan-at-york-city/ |title=News: Mitch Hancox to stay on loan at York City |publisher=Hereford F.C. |date=5 January 2022 |accessdate=16 January 2022}} He was part of the York team that earned promotion to the National League, playing in their 2–0 win over Boston United on 21 May in the National League North play-off final.{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/20156597.york-city-secure-promotion-2-0-play-off-final-win/ |title=York City secure promotion with 2–0 play-off final win |first=Jacob |last=Kilbride |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=21 May 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022}} Hancox was released by Hereford at the end of the season before signing for York permanently on 23 June on a one-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://www.herefordtimes.com/news/20127994.goalkeeper-hall-amongst-hereford-fc-players-released/| title=Hereford FC release senior players and offer six new deals |first=Ben |last=Goddard |newspaper=Hereford Times |date=10 May 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022}}{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/20232025.mitch-hancox-signs-one-year-contract-york-city/ |title=Mitch Hancox signs one-year contract with York City |first=James |last=O'Reilly |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=23 June 2022 |access-date=24 June 2022}} He was a regular in the side during the 2022–23 season, and his contract was extended for two years in January 2023,{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/24187245.mitch-hancox-makes-york-city-exit-mutual-consent/ |title=Mitch Hancox makes York City exit by mutual consent |first=Gabriel |last=Ramsey |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=15 March 2023 |access-date=15 March 2024}}{{cite news |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23257922.mitch-hancox-extends-york-city-stay-new-two-year-deal/ |title=Mitch Hancox extends York City stay with new two-year deal |first=Emma |last=Kennedy |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=17 January 2023 |access-date=15 March 2024}} but he fell out of favour in 2023–24.
Hancox joined York City's divisional rivals, Hartlepool United on 7 November on loan until January 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2023/november/mitch-hancox-joins-hartlepool-united/ |title=Mitch Hancox joins Hartlepool United |publisher=Hartlepool United F.C. |date=7 November 2023 |access-date=7 November 2023 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20231108035332/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2023/november/mitch-hancox-joins-hartlepool-united/ |archive-date=8 November 2023}}{{cite news |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/hartlepool-united-agree-short-term-deal-with-york-city-for-versatile-ex-birmingham-city-and-mk-dons-man-4401247 |title=Hartlepool United agree short-term deal with York City for versatile ex-Birmingham City and MK Dons man |first=Joe |last=Ramage |newspaper=Hartlepool Mail |date=7 November 2023 |access-date=7 November 2023}} He made seven National League appearances, scoring once, before returning to York City, who cancelled his contract by mutual consent on 15 March 2024.
=Later career=
Later that day, Hancox joined another National League club, Altrincham.{{cite web |url=https://altrinchamfc.com/blogs/news/mitch-signs |title=Mitch the man for Alty as midfielder signs in to bolster Robins' options |first=John |last=Edwards |publisher=Altrincham F.C. |date=15 March 2024 |access-date=15 March 2024}}
In June 2024, Hancox signed a one-year deal with National League North club Chester.{{cite web |url=https://chesterfc.com/welcome-to-chester-fc-mitch-hancox/ |title=Welcome to Chester, Mitch Hancox |publisher=Chester F.C. |date=22 June 2024 |access-date=27 June 2024}} He made 17 appearances in all competitions in the first half of the season, but the travelling time from his home in the north-east of England had become a problem, so he left Chester in January 2025 to join divisional rivals Spennymoor Town.{{cite web |url=https://chesterfc.com/mitch-hancox-departs-chester-fc/ |title=Mitch Hancox departs Chester FC |publisher=Chester F.C. |date=10 January 2025 |access-date=10 January 2025}}{{cite web |url=https://spennymoortownfc.co.uk/2025/01/10/mitch-hancox-signs-for-spennymoor/ |title=Mitch Hancox signs for Spennymoor |publisher=Spennymoor Town F.C. |date=10 January 2025 |access-date=10 January 2025}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 12 April 2025}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
Macclesfield Town
- National League: 2017–18{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Football Yearbook 2018–2019 |year=2018 |publisher=Headline |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-6106-9 |pages=642–643}}
- FA Trophy runner-up: 2016–17{{cite news |url=https://www.thefa.com/news/2017/may/21/macclesfield-v-york-report-210517 |title=Minstermen strike late to win thrilling Buildbase FA Trophy Final |first=Dan |last=Barnes |publisher=The Football Association |date=21 May 2017 |accessdate=6 January 2025 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20170606190525/https://www.thefa.com/news/2017/may/21/macclesfield-v-york-report-210517 |archive-date=6 June 2017 |url-status=live}}
York City
- National League North play-offs: 2022
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.yorkcityfootballclub.co.uk/team/player-profiles/mitch-hancox Profile] at the York City F.C. website
- {{UEFA player}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hancox, Mitch}}
Category:Footballers from Solihull
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:Crawley Town F.C. players
Category:Macclesfield Town F.C. players
Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players
Category:Solihull Moors F.C. players
Category:Harrogate Town A.F.C. players
Category:Hereford F.C. players
Category:York City F.C. players
Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players
Category:Altrincham F.C. players
Category:Spennymoor Town F.C. players
Category:English Football League players