Two new members join Gladiators management committee

Matlock Town are delighted to welcome two new members to the management committee.

Kristen Duffy and Craig Cantrill were voted onto the committee earlier this month and attended their first meeting on Monday, both offering plenty of ideas on how to help the club move forward.

Mum-of-four Kristen (pictured) is no stranger to the Proctor Cars Stadium and football in general. Her dad, Tony Knowles, is Matlock’s vice-chairman and her husband, Mark, is our head of communications and an experienced sports journalist. As a result, she has been surrounded by non-league football one way or another all her life and has also watched her eldest son play youth football for many years.

Kristen’s background is mainly in the NHS, having been a senior midwife for many years and now working as a hospital inspector, having also worked in hospital governance and management.

She said: “My experience is in hospital/NHS management and governance which involves critically analysing how trusts and hospitals are doing and making meaningful recommendations and action plans for their improvements.

“There's no difference between that for 6000-plus patients and multi-million pound budgets and doing the same for a football club. It's all directly applicable, just in a slightly different way.

“So I’m looking forward to helping Matlock Town where I can. It’s a great, family club where my children and I have always felt very welcome, so I’m delighted to join the committee.”

Craig is another familiar face, albeit more on the terraces given he’s been a regular supporter of the Gladiators for several years.

He has been involved with Matlock Town Juniors as well as running local Saturday and Sunday sides over the years, and has been a season ticket holder for the last four campaigns.

Craig, who has a partner and two children, said: “The club has moved mountains in the last few years on and off the pitch. I want to work with the fans and the community to continue that. I was the first to go to the chairman, past or present, and have my say and each one said ‘well come on board, let’s make things happen’, so I’m finally here.

“The introduction of mascots and half-time entertainment to make the match day at Matlock better for everyone is something we hope to continue but we need everyone’s help.

“Speak up, as we want to listen. It’s your club, no one owns it and without you there is nothing. The support is fantastic and we want the whole area supporting the teams, both men and ladies.

“If anyone wants to get in touch and speak on match days then I’m always willing to listen as like you, I’m a fan and want this club to be a success.”