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Matlock Town FC News

Gladiators Up The Strike Force


Thursday 21st June 2012
by IAN RICHARDSON
Lee Ellington pic courtesy of www.guiseleyafc.co.uk

Matlock Town announced their second summer signing on Wednesday night, and again it was a striker.

Gladiators Up The Strike ForceLee Ellington, 32,
(left) signed on the dotted line as boss Mark Atkins added to the recruitment of 19 years old Bradley Grayson from Frickley Athletic last week.

It's unsurprising that Atkins is looking to boost his goalscoring options as the goal shy Gladiators finished as the third lowest scorers in the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division. They netted just 52 times in their 42 league games last term.

Ellington began his career with Hull City where he made 24 appearances between 1996 and 2000 scoring two goals. Then he moved into the non league scene after a brief spell at Exeter City, joining Gainsborough Trinity. In his five years at the Northolme, he averaged twenty goals per season.

The goals continued to come when he moved to Stalybridge Celtic as he found the net 65 times in 148 appearances. He then had a spell at Harrogate Town and remained in Blue Square North as he spent last season at Guiseley.

Ellington, cousin of former Wigan Athletic and Derby County striker Nathan Ellington, is seen as a major signing by the Gladiators.

"I know Lee well having been with him at Stalybridge for three seasons, he's an excellent goalscorer and has done it all of his career in the league above" said Atkins who revealed that he wanted Ellington during the 2010/11 campaign.

"We wanted him to partner Ross Hannah towards the end of his time with us but he wasn't available so we couldn't do it. But we've got him now, he's a great signing for us and it's a credit to everyone involved at the club in getting him here."

Grayson, a product of the Doncaster Rovers youth academy, was on Atkins' radar last season.

"I saw him three or four times last season. He's young, hungry and quick and knows where the goal is. He impressed me. We've kept an eye on him and we would have liked to have brought him in last season but he was under contract at Frickley. I think he'll give us that pace which we lacked."

Atkins (left) has spoken to a couple of players to fill the void left by the surprise departure of midfielder Liam King but also feels that existing players could fit the bill.

"Liam going was a shock, towards the end of last season he played well with Kris Bowler. I've spoken to a couple of players but also believe that lads we have can do a good job there for us. We used Adam Yates in there a bit, he did well and we'll use the pre season to see how he fares. Adam and the other lads will have the chance to show what they can do so I'm not worried at the moment."

Matlock have been labelled as relegation candidates by a number of fans on a national non league website forum. Atkins is taking little notice of their thoughts.

"They're entitled to their opinion, we know that a lot of money has been flashing about this summer, but it's a matter of working hard and getting the right blend. If we do that, we're more than capable of taking on anyone in the division" Atkins replied.

Football Association plans to increase the top tiers of the Evo-Stik NPL, Evo-Stik Southern and Ryman leagues to 24 clubs at the start of the 2013/14 campaign means that only two clubs will be relegated from each division this season.

This news was confirmed at the Evo-Stik NPL Annual Meeting in Blackpool last weekend, when the composition of the three divisions was ratified. Both Darlington, who were placed in the Northern league, and Northwich Victoria, who were relegated to the First Division South following administrative problems, have lodged appeals.

Good news to come from the meeting and the Annual Presentation Night at the Hilton Hotel is that current league sponsors Bostik UK have committed to backing the league for three more years. The company is reported to being delighted by the work of NPL clubs' fans, players and officials in making the deal work, helping to bring tremendous commercial benefits.

Another pre season fixture has been confirmed with matlock travelling to Evo Stik NPL First Division club Ossett Albion on Friday August 3rd, kick off 7.45 pm.


 

 

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