Gladiators confirm trip to face Vics in PSF

Matlock Town will face an old name from the past when they travel to play Northwich Victoria in a pre-season friendly.

The match against the Vics will take place on Saturday 9 July at Witton Albion’s U Lock It Stadium with a 3 pm kick off.

The Vics and the Gladiators were big NPL rivals back in the 1970’s and in 1976/77 they both had their best ever runs in the FA Cup, Matlock losing at Carlisle in the 3rd Round after beating Telford, Wigan Athletic and Mansfield Town along the way. Northwich made it to Round Four losing to Oldham Athletic at Maine Road, Manchester. In 1976/77 both clubs were involved in a three way battle for the NPL title with Boston United, the Lincolnshire club eventually coming out on top.

They were founder members of the Alliance Premier League in 1978 and enjoyed many years in the top tier of non league football before being hit by financial difficulties at the turn of the century.

Northwich now play in the North West Counties League Premier Division and last season finished in fifth spot.

Ian Richardson