Rams boss Paul Jewell has agreed to send a strong side to face the Gladiators in a pre-season friendly on Wednesday July 30.

Just seven days prior to the Derby game, Barclays Premiership Blackburn Rovers will visit the Geoquip Stadium for Gladiators skipper James Lukic's testimonial game on Wednesday July 23.

Lukic's testimonial year got off to the best possible start as he was named as the Gladiators' fans player of the year for the fourth time.

Lukic beat off a stiff challenge from former Notts County winger Paul Riley, who also had enjoyed an outstanding campaign, to collect the award from Matlock Mercury Sports Editor Rob James at the club's
Presentation Night held at the New Bath Hotel last Friday.

A stunned Lukic said: "I'd like to thank all the fans who again have been right behind us despite us not having the best of seasons.

"This is unexpected and I'd obviously like to thank the fans who voted for me, but there have been lots of other good individual performances.

"Hopefully we'll do better again next year."

Joint boss Phil Brown, not for the first time, heaped praise on his skipper and also paid tribute to runner up Riley and the players player-of-the-season,defender Ryan Laight.

"Lukey has again been outstanding and hasn't put a foot wrong.

"It's probably unfair to say this, but you get to take it as read and you expect that high level of performance from him.

"Riles has been in outstanding form all season as well and has often turned in great performances while carrying an injury. He's been consistent for us as has Ryan Laight who has been a good addition.

"He's still a young lad but he's been fantastic for us both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

"He's fitted in very well."

Laight finished the season with the remarkable record of featuring in every single minute of Matlock's 48 league and cup matches.

Formerly with Barnsley, he joined Town last summer, having previously had loan spells from the Tykes with both Alfreton Town and Tamworth in the Conference North.

Meanwhile Brown and joint boss Gareth Williams' efforts to strengthen the Gladiators squad are continuing.

"We've spoken to a lot of players and have been watching a lot of games.

"We'll be working hard to get a squad together for what we believe will be a highly competitive division next season," said Brown.

Gateshead joined champions Fleetwood Town in the Blue Square North after winning the UniBond Premier Division play off final against Buxton by a 2-0 margin at the International Stadium last Saturday.

To make the division up to 22 clubs again for the 2008/09 term, it is expected that all three relegated clubs from Blue Square North, Leigh RMI, Vauxhall Motors and Hucknall Town will join the UniBond with Hednesford Town as the most southerly club transferring back to the British Gas Southern League.

However a possible spanner in the works, although an unconfirmed report, could see Halifax Town demoted by two divisions from the Blue Square Premier, to face the Gladiators next season with the Shaymen facing a winding up order yesterday (Wednesday).

Replacing the relegated Leek Town, Stamford and Lincoln United are UniBond First Division champions Bradford Park Avenue and play off final winners FC United of Manchester, while moving up from the First Division South are Cammell Laird and Nantwich Town.

Matlock are also hoping to face at least two more Football League sides this summer, including the annual Banner Jones Trophy meeting with neighbours Chesterfield, while away friendlies see them visit UniBond First Division South opposition.

They will travel to Carlton Town, whom they knocked out of the FA Cup last season, on Saturday July 26, while rivalries could be renewed with Belper Town as both clubs have pencilled in Saturday August 9 for the Christ Church Meadow fixture..