Gladiators sign striker Jorome Slew

Slew is probably best known for his stunning goal in the FA Cup for Maldon & Tiptree when he ran virtually the length of the field to put his side 2-0 up at Leyton Orient in November 2019. During that season, he scored over 30 goals for the club.

The pacy striker, 24, joins the Gladiators for a second spell having been at Matlock for a brief loan period towards the end of the 2015/16 campaign from Sheffield United.

While at Bramall Lane he was also on loan at Mickleover, before being released by the club.

He subsequently joined Goole in July 2017, with spells at Chester, Maldon & Tiptree, Wealdstone and Hampton & Richmond to follow.

Towards the end of last season, he was on loan at National League North side AFC Fylde after moving back up north.

Slew's arrival will be a welcome boost for Matlock, who only managed to score five goals in their eight pre-season fixtures.

“Hopefully he’s the lad we’ve been looking for, what we’d been missing in the last three to four months of last season," Gladiators boss Paul Phillips said.

"He’s got pace, can score goals and if he or anyone else can score twenty to twenty five goals this season, we’ve got a chance!

“The problem’s been not putting the ball in the net, the chances were there. Jez (Uchegbulam) did quite well in getting behind the opposing defence but we’re hoping that Jerome can find the net on a regular basis.”

Photo credit: Matlock Town // Michael South Photography