Newsham is duo's first signing

26 May 2016 By David Watters

New Matlock Town managers Glenn Kirkwood and Craig Hopkins have made striker Marc Newsham their first signing for the 2016-17 EVO-STIK Northern Premier League campaign, writes Ian Richardson.

The joint bosses, who succeeded Mark Hume at the Autoworld Arena nearly two weeks ago after leaving Mickleover Sports at the end of the season, signed the 29-year-old on Tuesday after he scored six times for Gainsborough Trinity in 26 outings last term for the National League North outfit.

The duo were delighted to sign Newsham who kicked off career at Rotherham United, netting seven times in 48 appearances before enjoying loan spells at Sheffield, Gainsborough, Ilkeston and Boston United. At the latter he enjoyed his most prolific spell, netting 110 times in 209 appearances for the Pilgrims between 2009 and 2013.

Kirkwood said: "We're delighted to have Marc with us, he's been on our radar for a long time, we've admired him for a while. He's as keen and enthusiastic as us, he has that hunger that we have and wants to do well."

The pair told the club's fans they have also been busy talking to other prospective new Gladiators and to "five or six" of the last season's squad.

"Talks with them are ongoing, we're pleased with the way things are going and everything's been positive so far," confirmed Hopkins.

Having benefitted from a successful academy side at Sports, Hopkins says the duo are also looking forward to integrating members of Matlock's NPLFA affiliated academy into their first team during next season's EVO-STIK NPL Premier Division campaign.

He added: "We'll be liaising regularly with [Academy Coach] Jamie Yates and it's our intention to have three or four who Jamie recommends training with the first team.

"It'll help them to improve and it would be nice for one or two of them at least to eventually break through to the first team. It's a massive leap for them but we have the reserves in between where they can develop the physical side to their game.

"The club's really well structured and the opportunity's always there for them if they can take it."

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