Matlock Town announce link-up with junior sides

Matlock Town boss Paul Phillips has welcomed a link-up with two other clubs.
Matlock Town have announced a link-up with Wirksworth Ivanhoe.Matlock Town have announced a link-up with Wirksworth Ivanhoe.
Matlock Town have announced a link-up with Wirksworth Ivanhoe.

Wirksworth Ivanhoe from the Central Midlands League Division One South were this week added to Manchester based Denton Town of the Hallmark Security Cheshire League.

Both sides have, like Matlock, received financial backing from Hollywood film producer Rob Molloy, who last week accepted an invitation from Matlock Town chairman Tom Wright to become a Vice President of the club.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ivanhoe are also visiting Denton in the pre season build up to contest the Rob Molloy Trophy.

Gladiators boss Paul Phillips says the arrangement is good for all parties.

“Having these links will hopefully prove to be extremely useful, not only for ourselves, but the other two clubs as well,” sa id Phillips.

“It means we can keep an eye on any emerging talent at clubs in different areas.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“With not having a reserve side and with both Nathan Whitehead and Craig King coming back after long lay-offs, we can get them on dual registration and monitor their way back.

“It should also promote our club in both communities, even though Matlock is about 40 miles away from Denton.”

Uncertainty continues to hang over when non-league teams can return to action after the Covid-19 outbreak.

“We’re pushing on with what we’re doing and we’ve got a Zoom meeting later this week with Rob (Molloy) and senior officers at the club to try and clarify our position going forward,” added Phillips.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I’ve had a lot of players on the phone to me this past week, but we need to know where we stand financially.”

Phillips and Matlock officials were overwhelmed with the reaction to the Just Giving fundraising page, which has seen a total in excess of £16,500 raised including £3500 from Rob Molloy and any offline donations.

The Gladiators boss and his management team are also doing their bit with a bike ride of the equivalent distance between John o’Groats and Lands End to raise more money, with a percentage of the funds being passed on to the NHS.”