Elliott makes Tuton his first Gladiators signing

Striker Shaun Tuton is back with Matlock Town for a third spell after signing for the Gladiators on Friday night. He is new Matlock manage Craig Elliott's first signing.

The 30 year old was at Matlock under Mark Atkins tenure, the last time in 2013/14 having joined them from A6 neighbours Belper Town. He first impressed Atkins a couple of years earlier after starting his football journey at Teversal.

An aggressive number nine, he moved to Buxton before joining FC Halifax Town in August 2015 where he netted ten gpals in 28 appearances.

At the age of 24, he got his chance in the Football League at Barnsley making seven first team appearances in the latter half of the 2015/16 campaign but he could not find a regular slot in the first team after Barnsley earned promotion to the Championship.

He joined Grimsby Town on loan and then a loan move to Barrow followed but his time at Holker Street ended prematurely through an ankle injury.

After a trial at Motherwell, Tuton joined his old Halifax manager Neil Aspin at Port Vale before rejoining the Shaymen on loan. Moves to Chester and Spennymoor Town, Chorley and Boston United, under Craig Elliott, followed before Billy Heath stepped in to sign him up for Alfreton Town.

Last season he moved to Guiseley but suffered a broken leg which kept him out for five months. He recovered sufficiently to play a key role in Guiseley’s ultimately unsuccessful bid to avoid relegation from National League North.

Tuton is expected to be included in the Gladiators squad for tomorrow (Saturday’s) visit from Warrington Rylands.

Ian Richardson