Interim duo return for Wright
Midfielder Andrew Wright has been recalled from his loan spell at Long Eaton United by interim Matlock joint bosses Adam Yates and Mark Atkins.
The paperwork to confirm Wright’s return was completed on Wednesday and now Wright will be added to the squad for Matlock’s Easter home games against Marine on Saturday and Ilkeston Town on Easter Monday (both 3pm).
Recently departed manager Martin Carruthers brought Wright to Matlock for a third time during the summer but it looked once again that his time at the Proctor Cars Stadium would be short as he was often left out of the starting line up, having to be content with a place on the substitutes bench. Wright made his desire to play football clear and he went out to the Southern League Central Premier strugglers shortly before Christmas, his loan was only extended and agreed to by Carruthers earlier this month. Long Eaton’s relegation from the Southern League Central Premier was confirmed with a 3-2 defeat at Stratford Town last weekend when Wright was on target from the penalty spot.
Wright originally came to Matlock during the 2016/17 season on loan from Lincoln City under the management of Craig Hopkins and Glenn Kirkwood but then moved on to Grantham Town where he was an integral part of the squad that lost the NPL Premier Division play off final to Ashton United in 2017/18. A spell at Coalville Town followed before Steve Kittrick signed him for Matlock at the start of the 2019/20 season. However he fell out of favour and moved to Mickleover before signing for Gainsborough Trinity where he was skipper of the Trinity side that qualified for the play-offs last term.
Yates confirmed that both he and Atkins wanted Wright to return to the fold.
“Mark and myself spoke about Wrighty as we’d heard reports that he’d been doing very well at Long Eaton. We want him back and around the squad! He’s got a big personality and has the experience and character that we need.”
The NPL transfer deadline is at 5pm tomorrow (Thursday) and Yates says there may be one more addition to the Gladiators squad.
IAN RICHARDSON