Weekly News - 31.5.23

Work on and off the pitch continues to be done aplenty at Matlock Town.

Manager Martin Carruthers has been beavering away with five new Gladiators while in the background vital maintenance work at the Proctor Cars Stadium is ongoing and there will also be a new catering facility in place on the Causeway Lane side of the ground in time for the new season.

Carruthers likes to get his business done early. Four new additions were announced just under a fortnight ago with midfielders Andrew Wright and Ollie Clark arriving from Gainsborough Trinity and Basford United respectively and left back Joe West, also from Gainsborough and Guiseley winger Nathaniel Crofts completing the quartet.

But then on Tuesday came the news that all Matlock Town fans wanted to hear, the signing of a prolific scorer in 29 years old Jonathan Margetts who scored 36 times for Stamford in winning an NPL Midlands Division title medal last season. Margetts has been at Matlock before, on loan during 2019 scoring four times in five appearances and Matlock fans will also be aware of his scoring exploits against them. He netted the first for Gainsborough in a 2-0 win at Matlock on New Years Day 2019 before grabbing a hat-trick as Belper Town humbled Matlock 3-0 in an FA Cup tie in September 2021.

Weekly working parties are being held every Tuesday night at the Proctor Cars Stadium with fans doing their bit to spruce up the ground ahead of the new campaign. A new main entrance gate has been installed along with netting being erected to prevent wayward shots hitting the newly erected flats behind the Town End goal. The roadway around the ground has received some tlc and new lighting fitted but the main development has been the arrival of the new bar building at the cricket ground end of the Causeway Lane terraced stand.

Gladiators Chairman Jay Beaumont welcomed the ground improvements and the signings made by Carruthers.

“The refreshment facility was something that was brought up at the fans forum in January and with our crowds on the up it was something we definitely needed to provide. The fans are our lifeblood and we’ve listened and come up with the goods. We’re aware other issues which need attention namely the toilets at the Town End and this is high on the list of our priorities. On playing matters, Martin’s been working really hard to bring the players he wants to the football club and we’re really pleased with the progress that’s been made, topped off by Jon Margetts joining us this week. I’d like to welcome all of our new players to the club and wish them every success. Last but not least, a big thanks to all those who’ve helped carry out work on the ground, your hard work is greatly appreciated by us all.”

Carruthers is issuing all of his squad with an off season training programme to ensure that when they return for pre season training, they will be fit and raring to go. Physio Andy Henson has already been been working with Robbie McNicholas and other players have the chance to engage in these sessions.

“Andy’s working really hard and with players like Robbie prepared to work with Andy it shows the commitment there is and that everyone’s pulling in the same direction” added Carruthers.

Ian Richardson