Stags join Rams, Owls and Foxes at Autoworld

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Matlock Town have added Mansfield Town to their impressive pre-season campaign with Derby County, Chesterfield, Sheffield Wednesday and Championship winners Leicester City already booked to visit the Autoworld Arena.

The Gladiators added the Stags to their schedule as the warm-up programme of manager Mark Atkins took shape last week.

The latest prestige home friendly was announced after Derby County agreed to visit the Autoworld Arena on Thursday 3 July as their first opponents. The delighted Premier Division club say the Rams agreed to the fixture only a few days after the club’s heart-breaking Championship play-off final defeat by Queens Park Rangers at Wembley.

Matlock Chief Executive Keith Brown said: "We're delighted with the news. We'd like to thank Sam Rush and Steve McLaren for making these arrangements and we hope that locals will turn out in force for what without doubt will be a very attractive fixture."

The Derby game is followed by Chesterfield's Autoworld Trophy visit six days later on Wednesday 9 July, Sheffield Wednesday on Wednesday 16 July and Championship winners Leicester City, pictured, on Tuesday 29 July.

Atkins has also arranged trips for the Gladiators to NCEL Premier Division Retford United on Saturday 19 July, Handsworth Parramore on Saturday 26 July and Evo-Stik NPL First Division South Sheffield FC on Saturday 9 August.

Officials have also confirmed that their Staveley fixture, originally arranged for August 2, has been brought forward to Friday August 1.

Image courtesy of www.leicestermercury.co.uk