Gladiators management sign new deals ahead of 21/22 season

Matlock Town is delighted to announce that Manager Paul Phillips and Assistant Manager Dave Wild have agreed to extend their current deals at the helm of the Gladiators.

Paul was appointed in January 2020 having previously managed Ashton United, Stalybridge Celtic , Glossop North End and Buxton. As a player he began at Manchester United before being a goalkeeper playing for Ashton United, Droylsden, Marine and Buxton. While manager at both Ashton and Buxton, he led both clubs to the NPL Premier Division play-offs.

Dave followed Paul to Matlock in January 2020 having been manager at Mossley. Previously Dave had spells as assistant manager at both Maine Road and Northwich Victoria before being appointed manager at Stockport Town in the North West Counties League. Two years later at the age of 30, Mossley offered him the chance to manage in the NPL and he led them to the Manchester Premier Cup Final and a final positions of eighth, before last season they were in seventh spot before the Covid-19 outbreak.

Chairman Bryn Apperley was ecstatic the duo put pen to paper saying the following "This is fantastic news and we are delighted that Paul and Dave have committed their long-term futures to the Club, ensuring great stability going forward. We are all hungry for success at The Proctor Cars Stadium as a club and community and we believe that Paul, Dave and their team are the right men to lead the club forward in to a new era."