One in and one out for the Gladiators as familair face returns

It’s one in and one out at Matlock Town as Gladiators boss Martin Carruthers continues to reshape his squad.

The incoming player is like recent acquisitions Adam Yates and Nathan Whitehead in being no stranger to the Proctor Cars Stadium faithful with box to box midfielder Michael Williams returning to the fold.
Williams, now 30, joined the Gladiators from Ilkeston FC in August 2016 playing a leading role under Craig Hopkins’ and Glenn Kirkwood’s stewardship when Town made it through to the last sixteen of the FA Trophy before losing at National League Barrow.

He left the club to join Sheffield at the start of the 2019/20 season, reportedly not being in new manager Steve Kittrick’s plans. He has also had a short spell at Frickley but in recent seasons has concentrated on family life and playing locally before linking up with Clay Cross Town in the Northern Counties East League First Division.

But it appears as if the Welsh born Williams has got the bug again for Step 3 football and after seeing him in training, Carruthers decided to add him to the Gladiators ranks, the signing being on a dual registration basis with Clay Cross.

“I’m delighted to bring Willo, another experienced ex-midfield player, a former Matlock player who was also a fans favourite. We’ve seen what the addition of experience can do to the team in the last five or so games, he’s been playing locally and it’s a great opportunity to bolster the squad. We’re going to get injuries, we‘re going to get suspensions, young Fin’s (Finlay Armond) facing one shortly. He’ll add steel to the midfield and we’ll continue to bolster the squad where we feel we need it from now on.”

Leaving Matlock is young winger Ewan Catt who featured in the Ashton United squad defeated at Lancaster City on Tuesday evening. Catt joined up from North West Counties League Litherland Remyca during the summer but has found his chances of a regular start limited and has lately slipped down the pecking order with the Gladiators.

Carruthers says that Ashton had put seven days notice in for him previously.
“Ewan’s at university in Liverpool so Ashton’s a bit closer for him and I think there’s lads he can travel over with to games. We thank him for his time with us and wish him all the best for the future”.

IAN RICHARDSON