Gladiators make a swap deal with Colne FC

Photo credit: Bradford City AFC

The 23-year-old forward began his career at Bradford City’s academy before making his professional debut for the Bantams at just 16 years and 200 days old - making him one of the youngest ever players to make his senior debut for Bradford.

Webb-Foster was subsequently loaned out to several clubs including Bradford (Park Avenue), Guiseley and Harrogate Town.

After being released by Bradford City in 2018, he signed for Colne FC making an instant impact, scoring five goals in six games, before a brief spell at Lancaster in October 2018, returning to the Reds in March 2019.

The forward then moved to Ossett United, Droylsden and Buxton, but returned to Colne in the summer of 2020.

Speaking on Matlock’s official website, Paul Phillips, Matlock’s manager, believes that Webb-Foster can fix their goal scoring problems: “ Last season he scored 16 goals in 32 games and he has 15 in twenty odd this year.

“I’ve said before I’m not prepared to sit still. I’ve got trust in the lads we have but I don’t feel we’re scoring enough.

“Reece has goals in him, he’s a box to box player, he wanted to come here, he fits into our wage structure so for me, getting him in was a no- brainer.”

Meanwhile, winger Jesurun Uchegbulum makes a move in the opposite direction to Colne FC on a month-long loan.

Phillips says that the move should allow Uchegbulum to focus on the attributes that football requires: “Jez is going out on loan, he’s done okay, in fact he’s got all the skill in the world but at times he’s been unprofessional and inconsistent.

“He needs to realise that you can’t just turn up on a Saturday and play, it’s the bigger picture relating to his conduct off the pitch and in training.

“He will hopefully learn from his mistakes and when the month’s up we’ll take a look and see where we are.”

Matlock Town host Grantham on Tuesday night and hope that Webb-Foster can partake in the fixture.