Gladiators sign experienced striker Scott Boden

Matlock Town have filled the void left by the departure of striker Karl Demidh to Belper Town with the acquisition of experienced front man Scott Boden.

The Gladiators beat off competition from a number of clubs higher in the non-league pyramid to secure his signature.

Boden, 34, is well known in Derbyshire footballing circles, primarily for two spells with Chesterfield. Between 2008 and 2013 he made 104 Football League appearances for the Spireites, netting 15 goals, before returning in 2019 with Chesterfield in the National League to score 23 times in 58 matches.

Starting out at Sheffield United, Boden lists Macclesfield Town, FC Halifax Town, Newport County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Wrexham, Gateshead, Torquay United, Boreham Wood, Alfreton Town and York City amongst his stop-offs before joining Buxton in 2022.

While at Chesterfield he picked up a League Two champions medal in 2010/11 and a Football League Trophy winners medal in the following season.

Gladiators boss Martin Carruthers feels that Boden fits the bill perfectly for Matlock at the present time.

He said: “I’m delighted to have Scott on board, a vastly experienced player who we tried to sign earlier this season but had no joy. But circumstances change, he’s exactly what we need at this moment in time, he can score goals, link up play is good, he’s experienced and he’ll be a great foil alongside Margs (Jonathan Margetts), so we offer him a warm welcome to the club.”

Subject to approval from the NPL and FA, Boden is expected to make his Gladiators bow in tonight’s night’s home league clash with Macclesfield.