Harry comes home in Carruthers' second signing of the day

Matlock Town boss Martin Carruthers has confirmed his second midfield addition of the week with 23 years old Harry Wood making a return to the Proctor Cars Stadium after an absence of four and a half years.

Chesterfield based Wood was part of the successful Matlock academy side before he made his first team debut for the Gladiators towards the end of the 2018/19 campaign making a handful of appearances.

He left to go to Malta during the summer of 2019 joining Lija Athletic and then FC Mgarr United before in February 2022 he was back in England signing for Grantham Town. Wood then moved to Southern League Premier Central side Stamford in the summer.

Carruthers has been watching Wood’s progress for some time and says he will add quality in the engine room.

“Harry’s a player I’ve been keeping tabs on for some time now. He had his injury issues last year but we’re delighted we’ve now managed to secure his services thanks to the support of Stamford and Graham Drury. He’ll give us that quality in midfield that will help improve our performances and provide goalscoring opportunities for our strikers. If we can keep him fit then we’ll have a real talent on our hands. I’m really looking forward to working with him and giving us a lift at a crucial point in the season.”

Wood’s father Andy played for Matlock in the early 1990’s and subject to NPL and FA approval, Harry Wood should be added tpo Carruthers’ squad for the home league meeting with Workington tomorrow.

Ian Richardson