Byrne pens Matlock extension

Byrne, 28, is Matlock’s leading goalscorer this season with 10, and also has 24 assists.

He tweeted: “Buzzing to have signed for another two years, amazing club going in the right direction. What a start to the new year.”

Formerly with Shaw Lane, Gainsborough Trinity, Warrington Town and Buxton, he joined Matlock in March 2020.

Manager Paul Phillips said: “It’s a massive coup for the club, Al’s a player who does his talking on the pitch. He scores goals, he makes goals and he’s the catalyst in a lot of what we do.

“When a player’s performing as well as Al is doing and his club’s doing well, you get a lot of clubs sniffing around so this deal shows the positive intent from the football club in securing the services of a very intelligent player who’s very capable of playing well in this league and the league above It also shows that off the field, the club must be doing the right things.”

Matlock had a free New Years Day with their fixture at Gainsborough Trinity called off due to Covid issues in the Trinity camp. But the Gladiators stay top after second placed Buxton were beaten 3-2 at home by Stafford Rangers.