Matlock Town boss shocked by departure of chairman Tom Wright

Paul Phillips says the news of Tom Wright's departure from the Matlock Town chairman role came as a shock.

Wright stepped down from the role on Monday, but will continue his duties as commercial manager.

“I didn’t see it coming, in the short while I’ve been at the club he’s been great to me, so it’s a total shock," he said.

“He appointed me to the job here at Matlock and for that I’ll always be grateful.

“Time moves on and perhaps he hasn’t quite got the same energy as he had say ten years ago, but he’s told me that he’ll always be on the end of the phone if I need anything.

“I think he feels it’s the right time and someone else will have the chance to step up and push the club on.”

And Wright himself says he has high hopes that Phillips will do well at Matlock.

“He’s got loads of drive and commitment, a true football man,” he said.

“He has wide experience at this level, the job he did at Ashton was phenomenal and I have every confidence he can be successful here at Matlock.

“We need some stability now and it’s up to everyone, players, officials and fans to give him their full support.”

He will spend more time now at his property in Spain but his unstinting commitment to Matlock Town will ensure that the commercial side of the club will remain in capable hands.

“I’ll be fully committed in the commercial manager role and it’ll be a pleasure to carry on working with the great team of people that all contribute to running this club so effectively,” he added.

“We also have a great bunch of fans and I’d like to thank each and every one of them for their personal support to me and the club over the years.

“I’m sure everyone will give my successor their full support in the years to come.”

Matlock hope to be able to provide an update on the vacant Chairman’s position within the next week.

Elsewhere, Matlock Town’s tradition of being a family club has been rubberstamped with two new appointments this week.

Graeme Corker has been installed as the Gladiators’ School Liaison Officer while Bryan Owen takes on the role of Community Support Officer.

As part of the role, Corker will be busy visiting 38 local schools in the Matlock, Bakewell and Wirksworth areas inviting Year 6 pupils to attend a game.