Familiar face returns to Matlock Town

The incoming player is like recent acquisitions Adam Yates and Nathan Whitehead, in being no stranger to the Proctor Cars Stadium faithful.

Box-to-box midfielder Michael Williams, 30, has returned to the club - over seven years on from first signing.

He arrived at the Gladiators in August 2016 and played a leading role under the management of Craig Hopkins and Glenn Kirkwood. During that time, the club made it through to the last 16 of the FA Trophy before losing to Barrow - now of the Football League.

He left to join Sheffield at the start of the 2019/20 season and has also had a short spell at Frickley.

In recent seasons, he has concentrated on family life and playing locally before linking up with Clay Cross Town in the Northern Counties East League First Division.

Welsh-born Williams has recently been training with Matlock and has now joined on dual-registration from Clay Cross after rediscovering his appetite for Step 3 football.

“I’m delighted to bring in Willo - another experienced ex-midfield player, a former Matlock player who was also a fans favourite," Carruthers said.

"We’ve seen what the addition of experience can do to the team in the last five or so games. He’s been playing locally and it’s a great opportunity to bolster the squad.

"We’re going to get injuries, we‘re going to get suspensions, young Fin’s [Finlay Armond] facing one shortly. He’ll add steel to the midfield and we’ll continue to bolster the squad where we feel we need it from now on.”

Williams' arrival has coincided with the departure of young winger Ewan Catt, who has joined fellow Northern Premier League side Ashton United following a seven-day notice of approach.

He featured in the Robins' matchday squad for the first time on Tuesday night as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Lancaster City.

“Ewan’s at university in Liverpool so Ashton’s a bit closer for him, and I think there’s lads he can travel over with to games," the Matlock boss admitted.

"We thank him for his time with us and wish him all the best for the future."