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

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

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