Matlock Town News Update

A tasty local home derby could be on Matlock Town's menu in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round, provided that Belper Town overcome either neighbours Holbrook Sports or Lincolnshire based Deeping Rangers at the previous stage.

The Nailers, fancied by many to be firm promotion candidates in Evo-Stik NPL First Division South this term, will no doubt be keen to put their wits against their Premier Division rivals, but they will take nothing for granted. After all, Holbrook dumped them out of the competition in both 2009/2010 and 2010./2011 while United Counties League Deeping shocked them in the Preliminary Round last term by a 2-1 margin.

But under manager Peter Duffield, Belper are a much more sturdy outfit and it would be a huge surprise if they did not make the relatively short trip up the A6 on Saturday September 8.

Steve Warne will probably be relishing the chance to take on his former team mates more than anyone, having left the Reynolds Stadium after three spells with the Gladiators covering eight seasons last winter. And Belper signed two more former Matlock players this week in winger Ryan Mallon from Frickley Athletic and midfielder Simon Harrison from Goole.

Former Nailers Micky Harcourt and Adam Yates should start for Matlock in what should be a closely contested tie, should Belper do what is expected of them against Deeping or Holbrook.

Matlock also have a derby in the FA Trophy visiting fellow Premier Division outfit Eastwood Town on Saturday September 29. The Badgers, relegated from Blue Square Conference North last Spring, are in turmoil off the field at present but their manager John Ramshaw appears to be putting these problems to one side with a host of signings, including former Gladiators Paul Riley and T J Nightingale.

Town's pre season programme gets under way on Tuesday night with a trip to Baris NCEL First Division Teversal. Their players have been training three times a week since they returned after their summer break and assistant boss Nick Buxton, looking after team affairs while manager Mark Atkins is on holiday, is pleased with their fitness levels.

The new season's league fixtures will now be announced at 9 am on Wednesday 18 July, and not on Friday 13 July after an unavoidable delay following unforseen circumstances at the fixture compilers ATOS.

Meanwhile off the park, Chairman and Commercial Manager Tom Wright has been busy in securing a new shirt sponsorship deal, plus valuable income from what at present is another fairly unique sponsorship scheme.

East Midlands based JP Investment Partners will be the shirt sponsor for the coming campaign. The company's Managing Director Mike Wright is the nephew of once former Matlock record goalscorer Gordon Duggins and Wright was keen to support one of his uncle's former clubs.

The Gladiators could be starting a trend with Macclesfield based Spheres and Plastics Limited installing anti slip surfaces on the steps of their Twigg Stand. And clubs further up the pyramid, including Football League and Premiership sides could now follow suit.

Phil Longhorn from Spheres and Plastics says Matlock have made a good move.

"By installing our anti slip surfaces in their stadium Matlock Town have realised the opportunity to generate income from previously cost incurring space. Thanks to the foresight and positive commercial approach of Chairman Tom Wright who has championed the concept, our product has attracted the attention of many other clubs. We have had enquiries from a number of clubs including a couple from the Premiership and we'll be installing at a prominent Championship stadium very soon."

Chairman Wright is delighted with the work adding "I think the branded steps look great in the Twigg Stand, we've had many repeat orders and I only wish we could offer more steps for we;ve very nearly sold out of them."

Ian Richardson.