Experienced hands take temporary charge

Former Chesterfield and Alfreton Town manager Dave Rushbury and first team coach Martin Foster have been handed temporary control of EVO-STIK League Matlock Town.

The Gladiators confirmed on Monday that the duo have been asked to hold the fort at the Autoworld Arena in the wake of manager Mark Atkins' departure on Saturday after nearly six years at the helm.

Rusbury arrived at the Premier Division club in the summer to replace former long-serving physio Mick Cunningham while Foster joined the Gladiators two years ago after a long and distinguished playing career that included spells at Oxford United, Forest Green Rovers and Halifax.

Foster is also registered to play for the Derbyshire club but unfortunately sustained a broken leg in a pre-season game at Handsworth Parramore.

With the Gladiators second from bottom in the EVO-STIK's top flight and only above Belper Town on goal difference, the pair have been asked to stop the rot after three successive defeats for two key away trips, Grantham Town on Tuesday night and then Witton Albion on Saturday.

Matlock Town's chief executive Keith Brown is now inviting applications for the hot-seat at Causeway Lane. Candidates should contact him via email with a covering note and full CV at: keith61brown@yahoo.co.uk.

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