Matlock Town's reformed New Stand Committee have set themselves an initial target of raising £73,000 within the next two years.

In an open forum held in the Gladiators Social Club last Thursday night, it was revealed that the previous Committee, many of whom pledged to work on the reformed body, had raised £37,000 through various fundraising events, of which £10,000 had been absorbed in planning and other costs.

So with £27,000 currently in the bank, the Gladiators will be looking to have reached the £100,000 mark by late 2009, at which point they would be able to apply for Football Foundation assistance. Committee member Jason Beaumont who instigated last week's meeting via the forum on the club's official website, www.matlocktownfc.co.uk reckons that supporters batteries have been recharged and there is a real will to resurrect the appeal.

"It was a very positive forum. There was a lot of new ideas and much renewed enthusiasm to make the project a success.A new committee was formed but we would emphasise that there is still opportunity for additional people to get involved whether as a member of the committee or by adding their name to a strong list of people willing to help out with any future fundraising events."

The planned new structure will have 500 seats with facilities for changing rooms, a new Social Club and office accommodation all included.

The newly formed committee meets for the first time at 8 pm on Wednesday October 31 at the Geoquip Stadium. Further information can be obtained from Jason on 07817 712063, Commercial Manager and Club Vice Chairman Tom Wright on 01629 584617 or 07850 065968.

 Meanwhile talented midfielder Steve Warne quit the Gladiators to join another former Matlock midfielder Kris Bowler at Blue Square North neighbours Alfreton Town. Warne signed in time to make his Reds debut in the 2-0 home win over Workington last weekend and he becomes the sixth of Town's 2006/07 squad to leave, with Ian Holmes and Tom Cahill going to Football League clubs Mansfield Town and Rotherham United respectively, Wayne Diuk moving south to join Corby Town and Liam Howley returning home to the Luton area.

Warne was a non contract player, hence the Gladiators did not receive a transfer fee from Alfreton. Explaining the circumstances behind the transfer, Tom Wright said

"We wanted Steve to sign a contract with us as had other players such as Ian Holmes and Kris Bowler. In fact I've never known us have so many of our players on contract, but we couldn't get Steve to sign one. Then Alfreton put in seven days notice of approach and we did our utmost to try and keep him, offering him considerably improved terms, but unfortunately it couldn't match what Alfreton were offering him. We're sorry to lose him and we thank him for his great service to us. We wish him the best of luck in the future."

Warne scored 24 goals in 153 Matlock appearances and had been in outstanding form this season, having netted five times.

Joint bosses Phil Brown and Gareth Williams say that it is now a matter of moving on.

 "People come and people go, that's all part and parcel of football" said Williams."It does mean that we must be doing something right if clubs higher up the scale keep on wanting our players".

"He's done well for us over the last two to thre years" Brown added "But he's decided to make the move and we've got to get on with it. We tried our level best to keep him but he wanted to play in the Blue Square North and we wish him well."

Matlock moved instantly to bring in former Kidderminster Harries youngster Curtis Shaw from Hucknall Town, who scored a debut goal with Matlock's second in the 2-2 FA Trophy draw at Stamford last weekend. Sheffield University student and defender James Kilsner came on for the last five minutes .

 "Curtis has come in, but he's not fully fit yet. He scored a great goal and had a decent first half in the replay before tiring in the second half. And we hope James will turn out to be like Holmesy, Tom Cahill and Liam Howley who came from the same source, then we'll have a good player on our hands" said Brown.

Matlock won the replay 1-0 after extra time on Tuesday night thanks to a superb strike from Simon Barraclough in the 103rd minute, his eighth goal of the season. They will now welcome Gateshead to the Geoquip Stadium on Saturday week.

But they made hard work of the win with Stamford having been reduced to ten men in the 37th minute with central defender Adam Jones committing bookable fouls on Barraclough in quick succession.

"A draw was a fair result down there" Brown reckoned. "Both sides had chances to win, Stamford were the better team at the start but we then got on top with two goals and it might have even been 3-0 at the break had Simon (Barraclough) scored. But they came on strong again in the second half to draw level. With our patched up squad, we'd have taken a draw on the way down there. Then in the replay we lost Matty Caudwell through domestic reasons just before the game so with who we'd got available, we had to try three at the back. We were intent on keeping a clean sheet and when we got the opportunity it was a class finish from Simon. We'd taken a while to get into it due to the personnel available, but at the end of the day we kept a clean sheet, earned the club some prize money and can look forward to a good tie with Gateshead in the next round. It was a matter of keeping our discipline. At 0-0 you had the feeling that they (Stamford) might break, but Andy Richmond made a great save for us having not had a lot to do."

Its back to league action for Matlock on Saturday as seventh placed Ossett Town, one place and one point behind them but having played two games more, visit the Geoquip Stadium.

Definitely out is Dene Cropper who starts his three match ban following his sending off in the FA Cup defeat at Harrogate Railway. Fellow striker Steve Taylor is unlikely to be fit enough for a return after his back injury. On the plus side, Caudwell will rfeturn as will Steve Circuit who missed both Stamford ties through work commitments.

 Meanwhile another midfielder, Neil Ashley, signed a contract with the Gladiators after the match at Stamford. Formerly with Belper Town, Glapwell and Frickley Athletic, Ashley joined Matlock from Grantham Town in March and has this season become a first choice in midfield with some impressive performances.

 "Its a good move for both Neil and Matlock. He has played consistently well for us this season and has showed what a good player he is" said Brown.

 Tuesday night's replay meant that both skipper James Lukic and Barraclough had to miss out on FA Representative honours in the Celebration game to mark Sheffield FC's 150 years at the Coach and Horses Ground in Dronfield on the same night.

 But Barraclough put his disappointment behind him with the all important winner against Stamford.