Rotator Placeholder Image
 
 
Matlock Town FC News

Midweek Fixtures Change For The Gladiators


Wednesday 6th July 2011
by IAN RICHARDSON

There's a change of midweek home night for Matlock Town this season as the Gladiators switch from Tuesday to Wednesday.

Explaining the move, Matlock Chairman Tom Wright said that it had been done in a bid to attract extra floating fans to matches at the Reynolds Stadium.

"We've looked at what other clubs are doing and, after a great deal of deliberation, opted for Wednesday. We appreciate Tuesday has been football night in Matlock for a lot of years but now Derby County, Chesterfield, Alfreton Town and Belper Town all play on a Tuesday night at home. It wasn't so bad a few years ago when both Derby and Chesterfield played on Wednesdays but they've decided in recent years to play on Tuesday.

"Alfreton have done very well and are now in the Blue Square Conference Premier Division. Some people alternate between Belper and Matlock. We feel we could get some extra fans through the turnstiles and extra revenue by playing on a Wednesday."

When Matlock joined the Northern Premier League, now Evo-Stik League, at the start of the 1969/70 season, home games took place on a Thursday night but soon came the switch to a Tuesday which, in the main, has been Matlock's choice, apart from the 1981/82 season when games were staged on a Monday.

Town fans can at last see their favourites in action again as their pre season programme gets under way this week with visits to two Baris Northern Counties East league clubs. First Division hosts Teversal are the opposition at Caernarvon Street on Saturday (3 pm), before on Tuesday, Matlock visit Premier Division Armthorpe Welfare.

Assistant boss Nick Buxton has been in charge of the new season's preparations so far with Gladiators chief Mark Atkins on holiday in Florida. Buxton reports that the squad have worked hard and are itching to resume playing ahead of what is likely to be a very competitive campaign.

"Training's been really good, the lads have done an awful lot of running especially in the early sessions last Thursday and on Saturday, but there's also been some ball work as well. To be fair to the lads, their fitness levels have been very good. We had 24 players there on Tuesday. Players' work commitments have meant that they haven't all made every session, but those who haven't made them all like Simon Sturdy for example, will work hard on their own and train elsewhere when they can."

A familiar face from the last two seasons has been in attendance as Ben Algar has returned early from his spell in New York and Buxton is confident that Algar will sign in addition to the other four close season captures in striker Ian Holmes, winger Chris Bettney, and defenders Michael Harcourt and Sturdy.

However on his return ahead of the Teversal trip, manager Atkins and Buxton will probably be trying to boost their strike force. Goal machine of the last three seasons Ross Hannah has moved to Bradford City while Lee Morris has turned down an offer from Matlock and has joined Belper Town instead. Incidentally the Nailers have also signed ex Matlock goalkeeper Andy Richmond this week.

"We're disappointed that Lee won't be with us after we helped him out when he was with Glasshoughton last year. But he's decided to go to Belper and it's one of those things. We wish him all the best, thank him for his efforts and move on."

The much travelled Morris scored four goals in twenty starts and six further appearances as a substitute for the Gladiators.

Personal commitments often effect team selection at this time of the year and this week is no exception with holidays ruling out Algar, James Knowles and Kris Bowler, while Adam Sollitt is unavailable just for the Teversal game.

"Everything appears to be in good order and we're looking forward to getting going as pre season can linger on" Buxton continued. "But the training's gone very well, the lads have enjoyed it at the fantastic facilities we've used in Doncaster."

Meanwhile club officials were delighted that their second Golf Day held at Matlock Golf Club on a glorious day last Friday was "An outstanding success" after £2,520 was raised for club funds.

"It was a fantastic day, the weather was kind to us and everyone enjoyed themselves" commented one of the organisers Stewart Baker. "To bring in over £2,500 was a magnificent effort. We must thank all who took part. There were over thirty teams which was a great turn out. I'd like to express our grateful thanks to Matlock Golf Club for the use of their marvellous facilities and the hole sponsors who were PG Automotives, Matlock Green Garage, WA Weston and Thomas Greatorex Funeral Directors."

Winners by just one point in a close finish on 90 points were Steve Bailey Builders with their team consisting of Steve Bailey, Andy Beers, Robert Evans and Keith Carl. Two teams finished with 89 points, Derwent Financial Services and Derbyshire Aggregates with the former sneaking second spot after Derbyshire Aggregates lost out with an inferior back nine hole score.

Jack Wood, Jamie Strutt, Richard Strutt and Rob Dence made up the runners up team while playing for the third placed team was Sam Buckley, Craig Watson, Adam Lord and Dennis Freeberne.

There were prizes for nearest the pin at both the second and eighth holes which went to Paul Edwards and Gary Barrass respectively with Matlock full back Lee Featherstone claiming the award for the longest drive at the opening hole.

Winners will be presented with their prizes during the interval at the home friendly with Chesterfield on Tuesday July 19th.

Fans can now order new replica shirts which will display a new sponsor to be announced shortly. The new all blue with a touch of white design for the home strip plus the second choice kit of tangerine and black are displayed on the official club website at www.matlocktownfc.co.uk

The shirts cost £40 each but Supporters Club members will pay £38. Fans buying both the home and away shirts can get them for £76 with Supporters Club members being charged £72.

These can be ordered from the Club Shop at home games, during normal opening hours or by ringing 01629 583866.

Matlock are also looking for a volunteer to run the match day raffle in the coming season after long standing seller Susan Tomlinson decided to stand down. Anyone interested should contact any Committee member or the Club Shop.


 

 

 

 

RECENT STORIES

GLADIATORS RECHARGE THEIR BATTERIES -
A free week - just what Matlock Town wanted after a busy opening month which has seen them play almost a quarter of their league fixtures plus the FA Cup. More...

GLADIATORS BATTLE ON DESPITE INJURY -
The 2-1 win against Mickleover Sports on Monday which extended Matlock Town's unbeaten run to 5 games might come at a cost. More...

GLADIATORS BATTLE ON -
According to boss Mark Atkins, 2 wins and 2 clean sheets has done much to right the wrongs of Matlock Town's first 2 games. More...

NEW SIGNING GIVES ATKINS SELECTION HEADACHE -
Striker Tyeisse Nightingale has signed for Matlock Town and now Gladiators boss Mark Atkins feels he has competition throughout his squad. More...

MATLOCK'S HUNT FOR STRIKER GOES ON -
The Gladiators' search for another striker goes on but new recruit Lee Whittington does his chances of a starting place no harm whatsoever with 4 goals in pre season. More...

GLADIATORS DRAW IN NEW BLOOD -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins swooped quickly to replace his departing goalkeeper Adam Sollitt with Worksop Town's Jon Kennedy More...

FINDERS KEEPERS FOR GLADIATORS -
The shock departure of first choice goalkeeper Adam Sollitt means a new goalkeeper is top of Matlock Manager Atkins' shopping list More...

BATTLE LINES DRAWN. 2011-12 FIXTURES -
A visit to League Cup winners Ashton United on Saturday August 13th is Matlock Town's season opener in the 2011/2012 season after the fixture list was released this week. More...

TRIALISTS MAKE THEIR MARK FOR GLADIATORS -
A clutch of trialists will have the chance to stake their claim with Mark Atkins' Gladiators when the Blues return for pre season training More...

GLADIATOR'S SIGN EXPERIENCED DUO -
Manager Mark Atkins reckons he's found experience that was lacking after agreeing deals with Chris Bettney and Simon Sturdy. More...

TWO NEW FACES FOR GLADIATORS -
Matlock Town's first two signings of the summer are a former fan's favourite and an up and coming utility player. More...

DUE TO RETURN TO THE GLADIATORS ARENA NEXT SEASON-
2 of Matlock Town's brightest young stars have signed new 1-year contracts ahead of the new campaign. More...

GLADIATORS BOSS PRAISES BUXTON -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins this week paid tribute to his number two Nick Buxton for his contribution both on and off the field. More...

MATLOCK TOWN'S HANNAH JOINS BRADFORD CITY -
Ross Hannah finally got his wish of a career in the Football League when he joined League Two outfit Bradford City. More...

PRAISE FOR GLADIATORS' YOUNG STAR -
2011 has seen the emergence of a bright young talent at the Reynolds Stadium as 18 year old full back Ben Turner has stepped up to the plate. More...

HANNAH STRIKES GOLD -
Ross Hannah has surely hit legendary status at Matlock Town as his hat trick in Easter Monday's final league game this term saw him shatter the club record of 49 goals in a season. More...

STAY OF EXECUTION FOR THE GLADIATORS-
Boss Mark Atkins admitted it was "a huge relief" to beat Nantwich Town and end their sequence without a league win More...

NEW FACILITIES FOR GLADIATORS -
Success for Evo-Stik League Premier Division outfit Matlock Town hasn't come on the field this season, but off it. More...

IS THE GLADIATOR'S BATTLE OVER? -
Manager Mark Atkins has conceded that his side's hopes of reaching the play offs are all but over. More...

NOW OR NEVER FOR GLADIATORS -
Monday night's 1-0 Evo-Stik League Challenge Cup semi final defeat at Ashton United gives the Gladiators just the play offs to aim for. More...

FIGHT GOES ON FOR GLADIATORS -
Their play off hopes may be fading but Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins insists that the fight goes on. More...

BATTLE AHEAD FOR THE GLADIATORS -
Make no bones about it, Matlock need to beat Whitby Town in Saturday's lunchtime kick off (1pm) at the Reynolds Stadium. More...

NEW BLOOD FOR THE GLADIATORS -
Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins has fulfilled his promise to strengthen his Gladiators squad More...

GLADIATORS BATTLE TO HANG ON TO HANNAH -
Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins says that claims from Torquay that the Gulls had signed Gladiators star striker are "premature to say the very least." More...

AND THE WINNER IS... -
A brace of awards have come Matlock Town's way for boss Mark Atkins and the Gladiators new stand being acclaimed as the best new stand of 2011... More...

GLADIATORS FIGHT TO THE FINISH -
A perfect February has given Matlock Town an excellent chance of making the end of season play offs but boss Mark Atkins is taking nothing for granted. More...

ATKINS PLEASED AFTER WEEKEND WIN -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins reckons the 4-0 win at Retford United was a massive result for his side in more ways than one. More...

ATKINS SEEKS NEW BLOOD -
A busy Mark Atkins is trying to strengthen Matlock's squad ahead of a run of 18 league games and at least one, hopefully more, League Cup tie to play before the season's end. More...

MATLOCK TOWN SEEKS INVESTORS -
"A few thousand pounds could make a real difference to the club". That's the message from Matlock Town Football Club. More...

ALL CHANGE FOR THE GLADIATORS -
Fans shouldn't be surprised to see a couple of changes to the Matlock Town team that takes on Marine at the Reynolds Stadium on Saturday More...

KEEP IT UP -
Having won four out of their last five league matches, Mark Atkins' Matlock Town now find themselves up in third spot, More...

FLU HITS MATLOCK CAMP -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins rose from his sick bed on Monday to orchestrate a vital home win against Burscough, and then was back in it straight after the match. More...

ATKINS, "2010 HAS BEEN A GOOD YEAR" -
...but the Gladiators' fate in 2011 could be decided on how they cope with fixture congestion in what is expected to be a crowded end to the campaign. More...

PROVERBIAL 'SIX POINTER' -
Matlock Town v Buxton on Christmas Monday at the Reynolds Stadium looks to be the proverbial six pointer as the local rivals seek a play off spot More...

GLADIATORS BATTLE ARCTIC CONDITIONS -
Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins fears that his side could face a big fixture backlog as the arctic conditions bit into the Evo-Stik League fixture programme this week. More...

BACK TO WINNING WAYS -
Manager Mark Atkins was pleased and relieved that defensive errors failed to rear up again as Matlock recorded two 3-0 home wins inside a week More...

GLADIATORS
FIGHT ON -

Without a win in five games, Matlock Town will be desperate to grab maximum points against second placed Colwyn Bay on Saturday. More...

ATKINS: GIVING CHEAP GOALS AWAY MUST STOP -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins says his side must stop giving cheap goals away after their second 2-1 home defeat in four days. More...

MILESTONE APPEARANCE FOR GLADIATORS PLAYER -
There's two very good reasons why Matlock Town will want Saturday's visitors Hucknall Town to feel the backlash More...

GLADIATORS FIGHT BACK AFTER 1st AWAY DEFEAT OF THE SEASON -
Mark Atkins will be looking for his Matlock side to bounce back quickly and positively from their first away defeat of the season against Worksop More...

YOU CAN'T KEEP A GOOD MAN DOWN -
They say you can't keep a good man down... Matlock striker Ross Hannah has certainly proved the point this last week. More...

NEW STAND IN ACTION AT MATLOCK -
It's taken 10 years and a mammoth fundraising effort - but Matlock Town Football Club's new 300-seater stand is now providing a welcome home for supporters. More...

MATLOCK GAFFER BLASTS REFEREE -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins laid the blame for his side's second defeat of the season firmly at the door of Mansfield referee Mark Jones. More...

WILL HISTORY REPEAT ITSELF? -
Matlock will travel to the Bill Stokeld Stadium hoping history repeats itself this weekend as they take on Evo Stik League first Divison South Carlton Town in the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. More...

TOP OF THE LEAGUE - Two wins in forty-eight hours placed Matlock Town on top of the league as they embark on their latest FA Cup adventure on Saturday at home to fellow Evo-Stik Premiership side Worksop Town. More...

NO EXCUSES -
Matlock boss Mark Atkins offered no excuses after a disappointing Bank Holiday return of just one point out of six. More...

MORE TO COME -
"I feel there's more to come from us." declared Matlock boss Mark Atkins after his side strengthened their Evo Stik League Premier Division campaign with a 3-0 win against Burcough. More...

RARING TO GO -
"The lads are raring to go" was the message from Matlock Town boss Mark Atkins after a long pre season programme of seven weeks and nine matches. More...

Related Links

Matlock Town Website


News   Community   Sport   Offers & Events   Leisure / Reviews   Public Services
Chesterfield Cranes