Can History be made?

After the epic final day where this Matlock side under my leadership was able to pull off a miracle by winning the national league while still being semi-pro. We were able to break a record by recording our and my highest league finish with a total of 114 points. Over 46 games we won 36 drew 6 and only lost 4 with a goal difference of 81. Hats off to Southend who finished in 2nd and to South Shields who pushed us all the way.

Speaking about Southend, the final game of the season is a Wembley game against our rivals this season. But as we prepare for that game, there are a matter of some awards.

Liam Brady won the Vanarama National League Player of the Season. In 46 games he was able to score 23 goals.

After getting 17 votes from my other managers, I was able to pick up the Manager of the Year award. I join Names such as Phil Parkinson, Justin Edinburgh, and Danny Cowley. Apart from Mr Edinburgh others went on to manage in the football league with bigger clubs and become household names in the EFL.

Now the day has arrived, and the Wembley pitch looks amazing for our 1st visit here, I had to speak to the players and tell them it’s not every day you play here so remember this. 27,024 packed both ends as the ref blew to kick the game off.

The 1st 15 minutes was all Southend, pushing us back, and had a couple of chances, but on the 18th-minute mark, an inswinging corner caused problems at the back and fell to Dynel Simeu who took a shot and saw the ball in the back of the net, Southend was one nil up.

That stayed like that until halftime, when I asked the question to the team in the dressing room, “How much do you want to make history”, Everyone stood up and showed the passion I wanted from the go.

We came close a couple of times, but it wasn’t until the 84th minute that Latty-Fairweather broke down the left, crossed the ball, and found super-sub John Young to nod home a goal to bring us back in the game.

Time for a Penalty shoot-out.

WE DONE IT, DOUBLE WINNERS!!!, I can’t put into words how this feels.

Season Review

Words can’t express how good this season was but I do feel this team is a family, they are there for each other, but the big question is can they do it in the EFL next season. Turning pro and new ground on the way the future looks bright, but with that clubs will be looking at the players and myself, I have already knocked back a meeting for the Bolton job, who are an EFL league 1 side.

But it’s time for some rest and then back to pre-season work.

#GladsAllOver

Dubbed the non-league Pep

The top 2 faced off at Roots Hall, a place that has been hard to get points for any team this season, and we would suffer the same fate as many others losing 2-0. Does that mean our title dream is over, who knows, I need to pick the team up with help from my backroom staff to get back on track, and that starts with Ebbsfleet.

At home we have been unstoppable, scoring for fun, and goals from Stott and Brady sealed a 2-0 win. That sparked something in the team that no one would believe unless your name is Pep. March started with 2 away trips, both ending with the same result, a 4-2 victory vs Newport and Macclesfield. Other than the league, we were still in the FA trophy that saw a trip to Jeff Stelling’s Hartlepool, A brace from Brady, Sivi, Ngwa and Fjortoft got a 5-1 win and into the semi-finals and a home match vs Hell Bell’s Torquay. March was full of Goals, and we turned it on for the BT cameras as again we won 4-2 against Fylde. We ended the month with a 2-0 win vs Altrincham.

Helen Chamberland was at the game for her beloved Torquay, looking to get to an FA Trophy final at the expense of Matlock, but our form has been amazing, winning the last 6 games. This was no different as the Glads ran out 4-1 victors and booked a place in the final. As we got back in the dressing room, we got news on who we would be facing, none other than Southend UTD, the team we faced not long ago, and the team going for the title along with us. One team could do the non-league double.

But we can’t think of doing the double just yet as we are 6 points behind our rivals, and that came with an away trip to Telford, Fjortoft goal after half an hour sealed the win, I checked my phone only to see Southend lost.

Aldershot was next up on a Friday night when we ran out winners 5-2, but the following day I took a trip to the Southend game only to see them win. Next up was Rochdale which was our game in hand and a chance to go joint top. Both wingers Sivi and Ngwa scored the goals to get a 2-o win. Now it’s a race for the title with 3 games left. The next 2 games were against Boreham Wood and Barnet, we won both of them and Southend won theirs. Both on 111 points it comes down to the last game.

This is strange, I got an email telling me that the South Shields vs Southend game was on Saturday and the rest of the last games was on Sunday, does that favor us, all we had to do was better Southend result. We made the trip up north as we are playing Gateshead away. Me and the team watched Southend bottle it at the end losing 3-0.

The final day is here, Gateshead away, all we had to do is not lose, the team is ready, and fans singing. 1st half was hard but we were able to go in at half time 1-0 up thanks to Stott. Straight after the restart, we got a free kick 30 yards out, Stott stepped up and tried his luck, it felt like hours as we all watched from the bench to see the ball hit the back of the net, 2-0 up and a hand on the title. We held on to gain the win and then celebrations started, we are CHAMPIONS.

Celebrations can’t start fully just yet as there is a date at Wembley to come at the end of May and a chance of doing the Double.

Join me and Matlock as we embark on making history.

#GladsAllOver

Proving people wrong

After a defeat vs Fylde in October, I needed to pick the team up and get them back to winning ways, but it doesn’t help when Stockport is hunting for a new manager, and directing their eyes toward our director of football Martin Carruthers. So 1st up in November is a trip to Ebbsfleet, but the team came away with a 2-0 win.

Being the autumn, that means FA Cup time, and what a game to kick off the round proper with a game vs Sheff Wed, what a game it was 2-0 down but this Matlock side has something about them to fight and they managed to come back to equal the score until the last min where defender Paddy Watts leaped above everyone to score the winner, and set up a match vs Championship side Gillingham at the end of the month.

Back to league action, in which we went unbeaten, wins against Altrincham, Aldershot (sorry @Curty), and Barnet, plus a draw vs Telford. Again we missed out on TV time in the Cup but still were able to get a 2-1 vs Gillingham which was a 1st to a former Premier League striker, Emil Brynjar Fjortoft grabbing both goals.

Emil Brynjar Fjortoft

December started with the BT sports cameras on us for our home game vs Rochdale, which we carried on our run going by getting a one-nil win. Following that, we got wins leading up to the Christmas week vs Gateshead, Torquay, and Nantwich in the FA Trophy. Draws vs Hartlepool and South Shields either side on the big day didn’t go down well with the fans, as they were both home games. We ended 2026 with an away trip to Dorking, where we smashed them 3-1. The big news at the end of the year was the Draw for the FA Cup and OMG we only got the holder Chelsea.

To start 2027 on a downer, we sadly said goodbye to Martin Carruthers who took the post at Stockport. That left us with a spot in our backroom staff, and former Matlock player Adam Yates stepped up and became our Director of Football.

Former player now director of football Adam Yates

With 2 games before our trip to London to face Chelsea, we had games vs York and Stevenage. both games saw goals, scoring 10 and conceding 3, so form is good but it did come crashing down as we lost 2-0 to the holders of the FA Cup, We can hold our heads up high because everyone thought we was going to get a battering, but only to lose by 2 is great work.

Back to winning ways in the trophy with a win at home against Grimsby and that carried on throughout January with wins vs Eastleigh, Yeovil, and Harrogate to end the month.

Grimsby came back to Causeway Lane but suffered the same fate as their trophy game a few weeks ago by losing 2-0 in the 1st league game of February. After that, we all got on the bus and traveled to Woking, but we only came away with a 1-1 draw.

Currently, we are 3 points behind the top spot which is held by Southend with 25 wins and 6 draws after 34 games.

Our top scorer has just signed a deal with Adidas, Liam Brady with 18 goals, taking his total to 54 goals in 103 games for the Gladiators.

Brady signs with Adidas

Sammie Tuckey is the highest-rated player in the league, which included player of the month for December and is on course to become the league’s player of the season. On a personal note, I have managed to pick up back-to-back Managers of the Month awards for Dec and Jan.

Be sure to join me and this Matlock side as we push towards the end of the season.

#GladsAllOver

Odd’s on for the Drop

Now that pre-season is over, time to put the hard work in. Now myself and the board have goals to work towards the press and pundits all sat down and made Matlock favorites for the drop. Everyone felt the lack of training in a week would be our downfall, and it showed in the matches leading up to the season opener, only winning two games.

The season-opening game was an away trip to Jeff Stelling’s Hartlepool, one of the top teams in the league, bookies have made them evens to go up but to the league, it means this is going to be a good test. We shocked everyone by winning 2-0 which has put everyone on notice. In the game, Harvey Davies on his 1st start for the club only went on and saved a penalty. The next game was at home against Torquay, which the Gladiators showed their might by winning 4-0. We finished August with 2 more games, a loss vs South Shields by 2 goals to nil but back on track with a win vs Dorking.

September started off with a draw against York, but then with 3 wins on the bounce vs Stevenage, and Eastleigh, and an epic game vs Yeovil finishing 4-3. We finish the 2nd month of the league unbeaten with a draw vs Harrogate, which still doesn’t put us top of the league but close to it.

After the game, there was a meeting to announce the plans for Matlock’s new ground. Fans were able to see the image of the future of the club, but yet to be named, so if you are reading this please suggest some names for the new ground.

With everything going to plan so far, everyone is shocked at the start we have made, we wanted to carry on, and it started with a home game to Woking, which we was able to win 2-0. Then an away trip to Grimsby was next up, and oh my god, we were 2-0 down but came back to win 6-2, our front line is looking like they playing for Barca. The FA Cup draw was next up, and that brought us a home tie vs Sticker, but before that was a trip to the seaside to play Southend. The ride back up north was a hard one as we lost 3-2, but we need to focus on staying in the league and not let a defeat get to us

Time for the Cup game, and I chose to change the whole 11, resting the main players and giving some of the young players to see what they had. Against Sticker we ran out 7-1 victors and on to the next round. The draw was made and we have an away trip to Sheff Wed to look forward to.

Back to league action now, we had 2 league games at home, Newport was up, and the 1st all-rested got back to winning ways with a 3-0 win to see us go top of the league. We carried that form on against Macclesfield by winning 2-0.

It is that close at the top, one defeat can drop you down to 6th but a win can put you ahead, but sadly vs AFC Fylde, we started strong only to lose 3-2 with Fylde getting a last min winner.

More plans for the new ground have come out, this time it’s the home dressing room, which I had input with, wanted to make the players feel like they are pros.

With All that said, the 1st 3 months of the season have gone to plan. 16 games played, 11 wins 2 draws, and 3 defeats, and a GD of 21 is not bad at all. Sammie Tuckey and Liam Brady are both averaging 7.4 this season and ranking in the top 3 players so far. Brady has gone from strength to strength by being the league’s top scorer with 11 goals, Tuckey getting 7 assists as well. Goalkeeper Harvey Davies is joint top keeping 7 clean sheets.

Thanks for joining me through the 1st part of the season, the big question is when will this fairytale end.

#GladsAllOver

New season starts here

After an amazing season last season, the hard work started again in a league myself and the team haven’t been in before. National League just one step from League Two is a challenge in itself, the task for us is to hold our own against former league teams, the media has predicted the Gladiators to finish 24th, basically bottom, so we have a job on our hands to change that prediction.

7 players have left the club on free transfers because they didn’t want to sign a deal, defenders Williams and Barrett, key midfielder Joe Ackroyd, and forwards Hewlett and Duhameau. I would like to thank them for all they have done to get the club where we are.

Transfers in have been key because we had to find the right players to fit in the team. 1st up was a goalkeeper, Harvey Davies arrived from Macclesfield. 3 free transfers came in as well, striker John Young, Martin Rehak, and defender Paddy Watts. Milovanovic arrived back at the club but failed to settle and moved on very quickly. To complete the transfers Durell Manhertz came in to provide cover at left back from Newportco.

The board announced that the standing area will increase to allow a further 600 supporters in. This work will cost around £60k and take about 3 months to complete.

The Chairman must have been in a good mood because he also broke the news of a training ground upgrade starting in October and completing in February at a cost of £160,000.

To Finish his media day with me, he has plans to turn the club professional in 2027. He thinks as the team is rising up the league the town needs to change its status to attract players and sponsors to the club.

This is going to be a hard season ahead so please join me to see where Matlock will end up.

#GladsAllOver

Season review 25/26

What a Season it has been. With the media predicting my Matlock side would finish midtable, we certainly rewrote the books on that as we became CHAMPIONS of the National League North.

As you can see the board wanted a top-half finish, well you can tick that off my list as we ended up 1st after 46 games, winning 33 drawing 5, and ended up with 8 losses. 104 points and a goal difference of 55. We only got top stop with 3 games to go as we took it from South Shields.

The average home attendance was 1288 all saw Liam Brady score 26 goals and be shortlisted for player of the season.

What a FA Cup run we had, started slow with a draw with the Met Police, but got past them in the end with a replay. After beating Workington, we made it to the 1st round where Woking was waiting. Then an away trip to Mansfield town saw the Glads took them apart 5-1 to set up a match against Colchester Utd, even tho we were underdogs, we managed to get a 3-1 victory. After that we can hold our heads high as we lost to Championship side Bristol City.

Chelsea was the Winner of the FA Cup, and my side was able to be the overachievers this year getting to the 3rd round, but this season’s top scorer went to Matlock Town Tyreace Palmer netting 7 times.

The biggest win this season was the replay in the FA Cup vs the Met Police 7-3. The match that showed our grit to win the league was against Chester, after taking an early lead, we were pegged back only to score 3 mins after 90 was up.

The goal of the season goes to Tuckey, it was the second goal vs Hereford by catching everyone off guard with a low drive from 25 yards.

I know people want me to talk about individuals, but I can’t single just one player out. The team as a whole stuck to their guns and came together when we lost and grew as a team.

The above picture shows our best 11, 4-2-3-1. As you can see our forward line all average above a 7 which shows how good this team is going forward.

Over the season, it’s pretty hard to get awards, but I was able to pick up Manager of the Month 3 times, November, February and April, and also made the shortlist for Manager of the Season.

Fan’s players of the Season went to Liam Brady, the 25-year-old attacker was key to the glory of the season. Sammie Tuckey won Young Player of the Season for his in the middle of the park.

Jeremy Sivi, a free transfer from Boro, got Signing of the Season, the winger was important down the right side starting attack’s.

We also set a record high for Matlock finish 1st in the league, something the club hasn’t down before. With that record now set, anything going forward is going to break what we have achieved this season.

On a personal note, i was able to capture the Manager of the Season award with a win ratio of 71%. I can take credit for picking the team, we only train twice a week as we are not professional yet but I am hoping we can change that in the future. The team should share this award with me.

DOF Martin Carruthers has spoken out on the club website praising my work.

We enjoyed an open top bus ride through Matlock, visiting the community and school with the league title. Then the chairman put on a party for all the staff and players plus their family.

On the subject of the player, there are a few deals we had to sort out and I want to keep the spine of the team in place, and I am pleased to announce that Liam Brady has signed for another 2 years. The former Blyth and Dial Square player, who arrived with me when I took this job has been key.

My record of winning a trophy every season is still intact, 2 with Dial Square and now 2 with Matlock Town FC.

The players are now on a break, which gives me time to work on next season. It’s going to be hard but we are up for the challenge ahead.

#GladsAllOver.

A touch of Class

Form is key in this league, with the most amount of games to play than the other 5 leagues above the National League North, we had to step up our game up in the 2nd half of the season.

As I look back at my career, this is the toughest yet, you think I have been top of the 2 seasons with Dial Square FC, but then with Matlock Town FC, we were mid-table and worked up last season to win it all.

The turn of the year started at home with Kings Lynn, but it was a loss to start the year. January is very busy with another 6 games to be played and Chorley was next up before the biggest game of the season vs Bristol City in the FA Cup. The team ran out winners, scoring 3 goals to Chorley 1. But in the cup, we came crashing down to earth with a 1-3 defeat to the Championship side, and out of the cup.

Southend knocked us out of the trophy in the next game on pens, which leaves us the league to fight for. In league action with wins against Mickleover, Scarborough and Hereford, scoring 9 and conceding 2.

 

The question is can we keep pace with the top team in the league, we are currently 2nd and need a good February, and that’s what we got. 4 wins in 5 games, victories against Chester, Boston, Braintree, and Marine plus a draw with Spennymoor closed the game at the top but pull away from the chasing pack. We were able to bring in a new defender, Mohammed Diaby arrived on a free Transfer.

Can we carry on in March, it started poorly, with a draw vs Kidderminster and a loss to Banbury. but wins against Oxford City and Darlington kept the pressure on South Shields. But crashing back down to earth with a defeat to Alvechurch ending the month.

Need a big April, as the run-in is heating up, players are all backing me to bring the fans glory at the end. 3 games stand between a top-two clash, and we started March like we are on a mission. Win Agiast Alfreton, Gloucester and Nuneaton put us a point behind South Shields. With them next up we needed a win, and we battered them coming out 3-1 winners which means we took the top spot. We increased the lead with a 2-1 win vs Southport with 2 games to go. With those 2 goal’s we gained a league record scoring 109.

Now down to the final 2 games of the season, one win brings the title to Matlock, and we have Basford Utd in our way, it’s a shame this match wasn’t at home but for the fans that traveled it will be a moment to remember.

after 20 minutes, it was route one football to get the game going, long ball from the keeper down the right side to Sivi, who managed to turn the left back, running to the bar line to put in a low cross for Palmer to nip in at the front post, and with a touch take it beyond the keeper to put us one nil up.

Brady hit the post early in the 2nd half from a well-worked corner but no one can pick up the rebound. 65 mins and Basford had a free kick on the edge of the area, they stepped up, curled around the wall, back off the bar, taking the keeper out only to see the rebound in the back of the net, 1-1 with 35 mins to play. But straight from kickoff, a break down the left with Ngwa, put a ball on a plate for Maguire to strike it clean with his right foot to the bottom left corner, the title party is still on. With a minute to go, the home side put a ball in from the left, and with 3 players unmarked it was a chance to pull level, but the 3 players in question all saw their names in lights but fumbled their lines and the keeper was able to save.

With that being said the Ref blew for full time, Matlock has done it, Champions again with a game to go.

With that being said, it has been a long hard season and to get the title with a game to go is amazing. I told the players in the dressing room afterwards to enjoy the moment and they all have the last game off. Speaking about the last game of the season, it was a much changed side which included 2 young promising stars aged 16, to give a taste of what will come for them. We finished losing the game 4-2. The game was a chance for the fringe players to show me what they have but more importantly to give them a moment.

On a personal note, I have kept up my run of winning a trophy every season and have a chance to get the manager of the season. I am very proud of this team, they showed grit to pull out results, passion because they put their faith in them, a togetherness to fight for each other. We will now sit down and make a plan for next season. Time to enjoy the open top bus ride.

I would like to say to everyone, thank you for the support in 2023, and have a happy new year.

#GladsAllOver

Gladiators charge!

Sitting 2nd in the league and with one hell of a cup tie upcoming, my Matlock side is meeting my expectations this season. With my work and Ian Selley’s training, the team is gelling very well, and form is one of the best in the league. We started the month of November with the FA Cup 1st round draw, the whole team was in the clubhouse watching BBC seeing 2 former names of the comp, Dean Windass and Lee Hendrie pulling names out.

All of a sudden, the volume went up and everyone leaned forward as Windass pulled out Matlock’s number, an away tie was on the cards, and then everyone cheered Hendrie pulled out League 2 Mansfield Town, Now we have our work cut out for us.

Before we take on Mansfield we have a small matter of Banbury utd away. 68 of our own fans made the trip to see goals from Ngwa x2, Brady from the spot and Tuckey earn a 4-1 away win.

Now the biggest game of the season so far, in front of the BBC cameras, the One Call Stadium is a lovely ground that some of these players could only dream of playing in, and what a start, Mansfield was shocked as Tyreace Palmer scored a 16 min hattrick. 0-3 at the 30-minute mark soon became 4 as Sammie Tuckey tucked home a low shot. Half time 4-0 up I couldn’t ask for anything more from the player, and even tho Hogan pulled one back, the icing on the cake was Latty-Fairweather made it 1-5 to the Glads and a great journey on the bus home.

I called the lads and staff in on the Sunday to watch the draw for the 2nd round, as we watched Matlock Ball come out, it was a home match, then every head turned and all eyes were on me because we drew my hometown of Colchester Utd.

The joys of this league are playing on Tuesday and Saturday, and it was back to action vs Darlington, Alvechurch, and Oxford City. All 3 games, saw goals and victories to keep a hold on 2nd place. Then a break from league action saw an FA trophy game against Scarborough next, but after a 0-0 draw it was straight to a pen-shootout, which went down to sudden death which Barrett spot kick was the winning kick.

After a win against Alfreton, Colchester Utd made the trip up north. The League One side is the bookies’ favorites but fell behind after 3 minutes when Palmer showed his class scoring 2 in the 1st half. Ngwa added a 3rd in the 2nd half and the cheers at the final whistle were loud because we won the match 3-1 and into the 3rd round where the big clubs join’s in. Afterward, we again watched the draw, hoping for a big name , and on the 10th of January 2026, we have a game at home vs Bristol City.

December is a busy time and started with a win at home vs Gloucester but then crashed to a defeat against Nuneaton Boro. After that, we had to get back to winning ways and the game next up was the unbeaten South Shields. Once again we proved how good we are by beating them 1-0 to close the gap at the top of the league.

Back down to earth once again in a thriller at Southport losing 4-3 before 4 games in 9 days, we had to put the work in if we were going to challenge for the top spot. Another win the trophy put us in good spirits for the next 3 league games, against Warrington, Basford Utd, and Brackley, 2 away games and a home game on boxing day. Warrington away win, a narrow 3-2, was a nice early Christmas gift, then at home vs Basford saw a 3-0 win which sent the home fans happy. to finish the year 2025 was an away fixture with Brackley, this match ended in a score draw.

2025 has been a great year for Matlock, with a league title in May and proving all the pundits wrong by sitting 2nd in the league, the fans and the board are happy where the club is going.

IRL chat

I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to read my blog and supported me throughout the year. I would like to wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

#GladsAllOver

new league, new season

Not much off time for me and my team with a journey into the unknown upon us, national league north is the league my Matlock team will have to tackle if we are going to progress toward league football.

But during preseason there were a few issues to sort out, one being replacing players who have left the club.

6 players have left on loan, The biggest name is Tom Hewlett who joined Farnborough for a loan fee of £2k, he found himself down the pecking order, and needed to find game time to prove his worth.

9 more players left the club, not renewing contracts, 2 players were instrumental in the promotion push last season, Isaac Rice and John Johnston. Rice was only on a short-term deal but wanted to play higher than National League North, where Johnston, a long servant to Matlock didn’t want to be a bit part player at 33 years old, I didn’t feel he had the legs to get up and down the wing.

With that being said, myself and Martin had to boost our squad to ready for the new season, Duhameau made the move to Matlock after his loan spell, he is young and has a lot to learn. Christian Oxlade- Chamberlain, brother to Alex has arrived to provide comer at right back. Edwards and Williams both arrived after impressing at the English trial day. Carvalho made the move up north to get his career back on track as a backup to Brady. Where Chukwuemeka and Sivi came in to help the lack of wingers at the club.

With the new season about to start, I sat down with the board to discuss a new look for the team. After a meeting with Reebok, they came up with these kits for the new season.

Home

Away

Even with a new look on the pitch, there is some other big news to the ground, the board has announced that Causeway lane is to increase the standing area to hold a further 600 supporter’s. This is to fall in-line with league requirements and can take 3 months to finish. The cost of this work is around £60K, split down the middle with a £30k grant to help funding this project.

Now with all the preparation done, it’s straight down to work, The team has trained well and it’s going to be a hard season. Even tho we haven’t turned pro, the media down the season preview and had my Matlock team an outsider at 50-1 predicting the team will finish 19th out of 24. I would be happy with that, making us stable in the league and building for next season.

August started a day before my birthday and got off on the wrong foot with a loss away to King’s Lynn. while the work has been going on at home, it was strange to have 3 away games to start, and in the 2nd game vs Mickleover, it was entertaining to grab a 3-3 draw. 3 days later Matlock turned up at Chorley and got the 1st win of the season with a score of 2-1. we finished the month with a 3-1 win at a finish ground against Warrington.

Things got better in September when we went unbeaten in the league, starting with a bore draw vs Scarborough Athletic, but wins against Hereford, Chester, Bosten utd, and Spennymoor. In the middle of the month, we ventured into the FA Cup and a game against the Met Police. The draw put us away and we was lucky to come away with a 4-4 draw, but I had to make whole sale changes and bring in the big guns in the replay, which we won 7-3, onwards in the cup.

The FA Cup carried on in October with a 4-1 victory against Workington and a game 2 weeks later vs Woking. Sandwiched between the cup was a home game with Braintree Town, I know a southeast team in the north side of the league, but that didn’t matter because we put 4 past them. We Carried on the scoring run in the cup again, on the day we had our biggest crowd, putting 5 pass woking, then found out we have an away game vs Mansfield to look forward to. Then a little blip in the road when we went down 1-2 at home to Kidderminster, then ending the month with an away win against Marine, scoring 4 once again.

After 15 games and a big Christmas period upcoming, I am happy to say we sit in 2nd place, 13 points behind South Shields, I can’t sign the praise of the players so far, only drawing 2 and losing 2.

Join me next week to see how the Christmas period will be full of joy or heartache.

#GladsAllOver

Season review 24/25

Now the moment you all been waiting for, how did my 1st season at Matlock Town FC go. Well remember I have been successful before, in my 2 seasons before with Dial Square FC, 2 league titles so I had to keep up the trend.

Transfer of the season had to be the free transfer from Jeff Stelling’s Hartlepool, Lamar Reynolds. Ok his wages were on the high side, but in 17 games, scoring 17 goals and 11 assists, he was key to the team.

Now for the season, and what a nail biter it was , going down to the last day of the season. As you can see the board wanted a top half finish, but with 85 points I was able to steer the team to the top of the tree. There was a nice unbeaten run around the Christmas period which helped us on our way.

In the FA CUP, it wasn’t brilliant going out in a reply on penalties.

A little better in the FA TROPHY, beating higher opposition before narrowly losing to Aldershot.

We did finish runners up in the league cup, having a fantastic run up to the final, only to be pegged back and losing on penalties again.

The biggest win was an away trip to Harborough which saw the Glads score, Goals were flying in all over the place. A 4-1 victory vs Gainsborough in the FA trophy was the match to remember. The Goal vs Whitby from Miguel Ngwa from 40 yards won gola of the season.

We saw an increase in money into the club with fans buying Palmer’s shirt being the top seller.

Core fans went down which is a shame because we we need core support to get behind the team, but with the football, we are playing the fair-weather fans grew.

Liam Brady won the Fan’s Player of the Season and Young Player of the Season, playing 33 games and scoring 10 goals. Lamar Reynolds got the signing of the season and the most POTM with 7. Aswell as Goal of the Season, Miguel Ngwa was the top scorer with 24 goals.

Over a great season, I am very proud of the team, but it’s going to be harder when we venture to the Vanarama National League North next season. Over the summer we will lose some players but with the board’s help, myself and Martin will work on bringing in some new players to finish as high as we can.

#GladsAllOver

Could the fans be right?

After that semi-final victory, my team is in a good place. Bonding well, partnerships growing, and with the Final against Bury 4 games away, we have a small matter of the league to deal with. With Matlock only a point behind Cruzon Ashton and a playoff place booked, there is a small matter of who will be champions.

Whitby was 1st up, and we carried on where we left off, goals from Palmer, Dimaio, and a brace including a 40-yard lob from Miguel Ngwa secured a 4-0 win.

Then we got on the road to Stafford, and things were going great being 3-1 after 55 mins thanks to 2x Brady and Reynolds, only to be pegged back to a 3-3 draw.

The final home game of the season saw Pontefract come to town. In this game, I gave a debut to a young former Aston Villa player Sammie Tuckey who arrived after his contract ended, and he started scoring already with the opener. Goals from Brady, Latty-Fairweather, Griffiths, and Reynolds gave the Glads a 5-1 victory.

The last game of the season is upon us, and both 1st and 2nd placed teams are away from home, anything can happen, this is football at the end of the day. Things looked to be going our way, fans were passing my staff notes of Curzon game, and after 45 minutes they were sitting 2-2 where Matlock was at 1-1 vs Marske Utd, still a point behind with a half left to play. After 51 mins Bamber Bridge took the lead against Curzon which means we had to set up our game. Then it turned into the Liam Reynolds show, Scoring twice to give Matlock a 2-3 win when the final whistle blew. News then filtered through that Curzon couldn’t find a goal and they lost which means that the Glads have done it. MATLOCK ARE CHAMPIONS!!!!

Now with the season over, the players are having a couple of weeks rest because there is one important game left, the final Vs Bury. The board has called me in to let me know that any plans for next season will be sorted after the final, but the chairman and Martin Carruthers have been working in deals for current players, which is important that we keep the core of the team.

Stats have come to my attention about our season, and we excelled in every area, finishing 1st in all departments apart from 2.

Now we make history as we embark on our 1st Integro League Cup final ever vs Bury at Stainton Park. We had a memorable victory against Guiseley back in September. It’s also an important day for Bury, it’s their 1st final in the club’s 6-year history.

3580 turnout for this game and with Bury gone very strong at the back, but after 16 minutes Reynolds broke down the right and drove a low shot across the goal to put us one up. 25 mins in Bury found their 1st shot on goal by Williams finding the back of the net.

just before half-time, Dimaio, who is controlling the midfield, slipped a ball between the center back and left back to Reynolds and in a copy of his goal, drilled a low ball into the far corner to go ahead at the break.

76 minutes on the clock, Matlock fans shouted in anger when a poor ball into the box found it to Williams again, who put in pass the keeper who was routed to his spot, 2-2 with 1/4 left to play.

90 mins up and with the score at 2-2, it means one thing. for the 1st time ever it’s down to penalties.

Sadly it wasn’t our day, to be pegged back with 15 to go, and the fate of the final will be decided from 12 yards. the 1st 5 spot kicks it was all square at 4-4 with both teams missing one, but it was down to Barrett to keep us in the game, but it was saved, and we lost.

Ok, there wasn’t a double to celebrate we can still say it’s been a great season, and we still have a trophy to show for it.

Be sure to join me in the season review.

#GladsAllOver

New year, same Matlock.

As 2025 kicked off, my Matlock side carried on where 2024 ended. With the two new players bedding in well, it was the deals for the current members of the side that needed work on.

With that in mind, the board likes what they are seeing on and off the pitch. The nonleague newspaper conducted an interview with a board member speaking about how I have improved the team and put a new deal on the table.

Paper

January started off brightly with wins home and away to Worksop and Bury to keep Matlock top of the league before the top 2 faced off, a home match vs Curzon Ashton. The game was fast but after going 1 nil down, the pressure paid off with minutes remaining Tom Hewlett scored to keep an unbeaten start to the year. We finished the month off with a 2-0 win vs Sheffield as we stay top by a point.

After that, I was able to get a place to call home, a nice one-bedroom place that looks over the ground. Just got to remember to shut the bay windows on match day.

Now back to the job at hand, a game vs FC United brought the team back down to earth as we lost 3-5 at home. So it was back to basic to find our foam again but added another striker to the ranks on a short-term deal, welcoming Reo Griffiths, the former Lyon and Spurs forward who was left without a club for months now and needed game time, and hopefully can find his form again.

We then had an away trip to Morpeth to bounce back, saw an early goal to go 1 up, but ended the game 3-3. We carried on our round trips with a cup game vs Consett, which we got back to winning ways to make it to the semi-finals, and a match against FC United. Basford Utd was next to fall with a 3-1 win, then 2nd vs 3rd to end February, Hyde came to Matlock and in front of 1095 fans, the Glads ran out 3-1 victors.

March started the same way February finished, a win vs Shildon by a narrow margin away from home. But bottom side Bradford Park came to Causeway Lane in a game that could put us a point behind the league leaders, 873 fans turned out to see a 4-0 win. With that being said the next game was important as the leaders lost, we knew a win would take us top, but we bottled it big style losing to Gainsbrough 5-2. Knowing the big semi-final of the integro league cup is 2 weeks away, places for that are up for grabs, and vs Farsley Celtic at home, we put in a performance to gain the win, but against Guiseley, we ended March with a 1-0 lost.

April Fool’s Day wasn’t a day for joking around, it was the match players and staff members wanted, payback against FC United. It wasn’t a sell-out for a Tuesday night but fans will remember this one. Within half an hour, this Matlock side was 4-0 up, and total football was being played. Even tho a small fightback started, we were able to finish the game 5-2 victors, which means in my 1st season, I had reached my 1st cup final.

So the question is, I have a side 2nd in the league and in a cup final, and my record speaks for itself were I have won a trophy every season I have managed, can I do it again?

Some fans are talking around the town and the pubs, could I lead this Matlock side to a double? I have got them to their 1st final and are doing well in the league.

Fans are dreaming.

Find out next week

#GladsAllOver

Matlock’s Winning Streak Illuminates the Festive Season

After a great start to life here at Matlock, I am settling in nicely, the team is in good form, myself, and Ian and Martin have been putting in the work off-field to bring in talent to improve the team, and dining on homemade Yorkshire puddings.

November started with a doubleheader against Harborough, one in the FA Trophy, which saw a 7-0 drumming, goals coming from Johnston, Latty-fairweather, Duhameau, Cook, a double from Ngwa, and Greg Cundle. The league cup game was a different story where goals from Dimaio and youngster Bowen edging a 1-2 victory.

League action was full of goals, scoring 10 and conceding 6 to keep the unbeaten run going since i took over, rising the club to the top of the league. Having over 600 fans at the home games has been important for this run with John Johnston being impressive. In this run of November games came a cup game vs Havant Waterlooville, a team in the league above, managed by Ian Selly’s former team mate, Henri Lansbury. We was able to come out on top with a 2-5 win.

December, the season of good will, saw Matlock run come to an end after 14 games with a 0-1 defeat by Guiseley. the lost was hard to take but it was my job to pick the heads up and go again, and vs Warrington, things looked good after taking the lead, but it went to pot losing 3-6.

Now losing 2 on the spin, and looking at a empty ale glass, i asked myself, “how do we turn this round”. And the answer was at a local school, it was a team day out to give xmas gifts out to kids which the team and children all enjoyed, i stood up on the coach and told the players, “they are the fans who come each week, they look up to you, so don’t let them down”.

Leek then arrived, and OMG did we grind out a result winning 4-3. Our league form got back on track winning games vs Radcliffe, Loughborough and Bamber bridge leading up to the new year. Sandwitched in those 4 games was a FA trophy game vs Aldershot, and even tho we lost 1-0, the team did me and the 714 fans proud, wasnt expecting to win that one, but we showed we can complete against them.

2 early christmas presants arrived at Matlock, in my last blog i said how Martin, Ian and I put a list together on players we wanted at the club.

Lamar Reynolds came in on a free transfer, a player who has played in the national league the last few years found himself without a club, to a punt and join the team. Coming in aswell is Tyreace Palmer from Basford Utd, the 22 yearold has scored 12 goals in 23 games seems a perfect fit for Matlock to aim for pomotion.

Now 2024 is over, the question is can Matlock keep the run going and push for a playoff place.

#GladsAllOver

Matlock Town FC Kicks Off a Season of Success: A Positive Beginning

Now after a few weeks in charge, Matlock Town FC is starting to see the benefits on and off the pitch.

Off-pitch there has been added to the training schedule to local schools and hospitals to drum up support, and many more with the lead up to Xmas.

On the pitch, the way the defense has been solid, and the forward line scoring for fun.

The team

As you can see from the above picture, the squad is not the biggest but it is settled, bringing wholesale changes will unbalance the chemistry. I haven’t yet picked my captain as I am giving opportunities to the leaders of the team. But looking at that view, it shows the lack of depth we have in key areas.

I am hoping to bring in a younger spine to integrate with the spine of the team I have already.

3 weeks later!!!

Now with 5 games under my belt here in Matlock, it’s been a great start, being unbeaten.  Winning 4 and drawing 1, which means my form hasn’t changed and we are flirting in and around the playoff area.

In the meantime, I was able to dip into the transfer market and offer short-term deals. We were able to bring in a new goalkeeper, also after he canceled his contract because he wanted to work longer with me and Ian Selley, Liam Brady has made the trip north.

Liam Brady

Big news from the backroom staff area, I have asked former Matlock manager Martin Carruthers back as director of football, in my short time here, I needed someone who knows the club and he is a brilliant judge of character.

With Martin on board and a few beers at the pub, we have a list of new players to bring into the club. A big area the 3 of us agreed on was the keeper, who needed someone who was going to be commanding but be with the club for years to come, we brought in on a free Alex Kovacevic, a former Arsenal youngster.

Following Alex was another Alex, from a phone call from Martin, Alex Wiles arrived from Scarborough Athletic to boost the midfield. Two more players came in from the door, Greg Cundle, a forward who hopefully adds some more goals, and Mason Barrett, a center-back who has league experience.

These player’s arrival, they are in the stands for away game vs Cruzon Ashton. They were impressed with John Johnston who got a brace in a 3-3 draw.

After a cup victory, we played Gainsbrough in the league, 2 games in 3 days against the same team, saw Matlock take control. new players bedding in, getting a 4-1 win in the cup and a 6-0 victory in the league. Then a game with Farsley Celtic saw the #Glads get a 2-0 win. So 6 games in to my term here at Matlock, i have 5 wins and 1 draw.

A shining light of the season so far is a young Englishman from east Anglia, Miguel Ngwa,

the former Cobbler who had spells at Corby, and Billericay has been key this season getting 8 goals in my 1st 6 games. As long he stays fit i can see goals coming, he plays an inside forward, a bit like Henry cutting in and placing it in the oppsite post.

So now with 6 games under my belt, players brought in, the 1st part of my plan is coming together, the next thing is get to Xmas in an position where we can push on to the end of the season, currently we are 3rd in the league, but with a busy period upon us its going to have ups and downs, so join me on this journey with this Matlock side.

#GladsAllOver

A Transformation from Dial to Gladiator: GrassWroots to Glory

End of September 2024, due to creative differences I have resign from Dial Square. I leave the team with a record 2nd to non, 2 titles which include promotions, played 35 , won 31 drawn 2 lost 2, and unbeaten last season, a win percentage of 88% scoring 141 and conceding 39.

Time to move on, and a great opportunity has been presented, a trip up the M1, north of Derby to a local team called MATLOCK TOWN FC.

Matlock have one of the most picturesque grounds in the country, the club finds them self in the EVO STIK northern premier league, where they currently lie 10th after 9 games. out of the FA Cup already but cup matches in the Isuzu FA trophy and the Integro league cup to come.

At the present time, it’s a short-term contract that i have signed, which expires on 30/6/25, with a wage of £325 per week. This means living arrangements will be a small flat, a bit like Ted Lasso, to get me started.

My 1st day was full of positivity, the staff was welcoming and full of passion for the club. my assistant, Ian Selly joined me up north, and we set up in the manager’s office. After a cup of Yorkshire tea, it was time to meet the players.
I want to make this semi-pro team feel like a full-time professional, and the team was fully on board. Now the team meeting is over, it was time to get on the training pitch. after running a few drills and a new formation, me and Selly now have an idea of what areas we need to improve on.

Goalkeepers – The 2 keepers on the books are good, Pollard and Conway have played games this season but not commanding the area like I need, so Ian and I have targeted this an area we need to be solid at.

Defenders – where I want to play 4 at the back, I need a solid back 4, and with 4 center backs we lack in both full-back positions so any injuries or bans could cause issues.

Midfield – again another area that we lack in, but we will look at this area after a few games, need a feel if there is a ball-winning midfielder and a creative source.

Attack – With only 2 strikers in the team, both are buying for the 1 spot, and both will get the chance to prove themself by wearing the coveted number 9.

As i and Ian Selly enjoy a drink and a meal in the local pub, we are compiling a list of players that could improve Matlock.

Now with the 1st game just around the corner, join me on this journey as the Gladiators set themself up to fight for every point they can.

#GladsAllOver