Matlock Town strengthen with three new signings

Scarborough Athletic forward Cameron Wilson has joined the club on a permanent basis, on a deal running until the end of next season.

Meanwhile, Macclesfield midfielder Elliott Whitehouse and Buxton winger Jack Stobbs have also moved to the Proctor Cars Stadium on loan until the end of the season.

The arrival of Wilson is a significant one for the Gladiators, the talented 22-year-old having represented Scarborough and hometown club Scunthorpe United in the leagues above over recent years.

He has already featured 22 times for Scarborough in the National League North this season.

Whitehouse boasts Football League experience, having spent time with the likes of Lincoln City earlier in his career.

The 31-year-old featured for Scunthorpe,  Spennymoor Town and Chester before joining Macclesfield ahead of the current campaign.

However, he has been restricted to just six appearances for the Northern Premier League leaders, the last of which came in a 1-1 draw at home to Hyde United at the end of August.

Completing the trio of new additions is Buxton wide man Stobbs, who played in the Football League as recently as the 2021/22 season, during his time at Oldham Athletic.

Having gone on to make a loan move to Torquay United permanent in 2023, Stobbs featured 36 times for the club before being released.

The 27-year-old subsequently joined Buxton, where he has been since the start of this season.

Gladiators boss Ryan Cresswell has hinted that more signings could be imminent, adding that "funds are immediately available" for him to use, should the right player be open to joining the club.

Of the squad assembled at the start of the season, prior to Cresswell's arrival, just one of their 17 contracted players is still part of the first team squad, with the remainder moving onto new clubs.

Although former Sheffield boss Cresswell has overseen an upturn in form, the Gladiators remain just one point above the bottom four.

In their remaining 12 matches, they will also face all of the current top seven in the division, in what is arguably the toughest run-in of any of the sides fighting to avoid relegation.  

"We are looking to see what players can benefit our points tally this season and potentially any that might assist our promotion aims of next season," he said.

“Myself, the investor and the board of directors have utilised all of our contacts to ensure the club retains its NPL status, and we will continue to do so.

“This was our only goal this season. The summer will look very different, and we will look to build a very strong and settled squad capable of challenging for the title.

"This is possible due to our financial strength moving forward, investment into our facilities and a full market of players to recruit from.

“Today’s new signings, with more in the pipeline, will help us move back in the right direction quickly.”