Matlock Town boss closing in on two targets

Phillips has already stated that there won’t be the wholesale changes to his squad that were made 12 months earlier but he is already working on two signings which he says would be a coup for the Gladiators.

One is a striker and the other a midfielder but there is also a departure with striker Callum Dolan being released.

“The forward’s played at a high level and moved for a few quid the season before last,” said Phillips. “I feel we need someone in there to support Liam Hughes and Ross Hannah, we were a bit short in that department last year.

"Obviously I can’t name names at this stage but he’s played in the Conference, hopefully everything’s done and dusted and he’ll be coming to us.

"The midfielder has Football League and Conference experience and it’ll be massive if we can get the deal over the line. At present he hasn’t committed as much to us as the forward but I’m hoping it could still be a goer.”

Dolan’s departure is a reminder to potential new faces that Phillips and his management team expect hard work and total commitment if they are to figure regularly in the Gladiators line up.

Dolan was in and out of the side and only showed his true potential in flashes. He was one of Phillips’ first signings having been with Radcliffe in 2019/20 and was sent off in the 4-0 defeat at the Proctor Cars Stadium in the same campaign.

“Callum started off okay but then went off the boil. For me he wasn’t doing enough off the ball and off the pitch. As far as football ability’s concerned, the world’s his oyster, he’s a real talent but he needs to work harder. He leaves with our best wishes for the future.”