Martin Carruthers steps down as Matlock Town manager

This comes in the wake of their 5-1 home defeat against Whitby Town on Saturday, a loss that left Matlock with just one win in their last eight league games.

He departs with the club in 17th, two places above the relegation zone.

Carruthers was appointed by the Gladiators in December 2022, and led the club to the playoffs in the Premier Division last season after winning five of their last six matches.

Matlock chairman Jay Beaumont expressed his gratitude towards the former manager, stating: “I want to place on record my thanks and those of everyone involved with the club for his hard work during his tenure.”

“Everyone’s very sorry things haven’t worked out this season and they (Carruthers and his assistant Wayne Hallcro) will be welcome at our club anytime.”

Matlock has moved quickly to appoint replacements, with long-serving Adam Yates and former Gladiators boss Mark Atkins as interim joint bosses for the remainder of the season.

Yates, 34, has been at Matlock since 2009 and has made over 500 appearances for the Gladiators.

On the new appointments, Beaumont said: “Adam Yates is a club legend who’s popular with absolutely everyone in the club but he needs someone with experience alongside him.”

“With us being just about safe in the table, it’s the perfect opportunity to see if management suits Adam and whether Adam can take to management. Everyone will get behind him.”

Despite Matlock’s low standing in the Premier Division, they only require five points from their remaining eight league games to confirm safety.

His first game will be at home, as Matlock Town welcomes third-placed Marine to The Proctor Cars Stadium on Saturday.