Tom Wright vacates Matlock Town chairman role with 'a heavy heart'

Outgoing chairman Tom Wright says he made the decision to depart Matlock Town with ‘a heavy heart.’
Tom Wright is pictured with Andrew Hodkin, of JP Investment Partners, after agreeing a previous shirt sponsorship deal.Tom Wright is pictured with Andrew Hodkin, of JP Investment Partners, after agreeing a previous shirt sponsorship deal.
Tom Wright is pictured with Andrew Hodkin, of JP Investment Partners, after agreeing a previous shirt sponsorship deal.

His Chairman duties were also combined with a role as the club’s Commercial Manager and his powers of persuasion must have earned the club hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years. While his decision to stand down came as a shock to colleagues associated with Matlock, the good news is that he will be staying on as the club’s s Commercial Manager.

So he will bat on as his long innings with the Gladiators will continue. His father first took him to Causeway Lane as a ten year old in 1959 and he was soon hooked as Matlock made it through to the 1st Round Proper of the FA Cup in November 1959 and won the Midland League title in 1961/62 and 1968/69.

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When the Gladiators Social Club opened in 1976, three days after the historic FA Cup 2nd Round victory at Mansfield, he chaired the Social Club committee, playing a key role in ensuring the Gladiators had some long awaited social facilities on the ground. As Chairman he was heavily involved in the planning and building of the new Twiggs Stand and Social Club, opened in 2011 which are the envy of many non league clubs. On the field Matlock won the Derbyshire Senior Cup three times during his tenure.

Standing down as Chairman proved to be an immensely tough decision for him.

“I made the decision with a heavy heart” he admitted. “But now I feel it’s time for a fresh approach, in these difficult times for us all it needs someone younger to move the club on to achieve its full potential, someone dynamic with lots of energy, enthusiasm and commitment.”

Mr Wright is understandably particularly proud of his work in the commercial department and may find it more challenging than ever now given the implications for the country and businesses after the Covid-19 outbreak.

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“ I’ve organised fifty three Sportsmans Dinners featuring some big names in football and sport and there’s more to come” he promised.

“I’m really grateful for the support we’ve had at these events and for the backing the club’s received from lots of businesses over the years and I hope that will continue.”

Despite mixed fortunes during his tenure, He looks back on his reign in charge and before with great pride.

“It’s been a great privilege, pleasure and honour to be Chairman of this great club for all these years, we’ve seen some great times and some difficult times” he reflected.

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“I have many fantastic memories, the trip to Italy for the Anglo-Italian Cup when I was the Social Club Chairman in 1979, many good cup runs with the win at Mansfield in 1976 and making it through to play Scunthorpe United in the 1st Round in 1989 and more recently the win against Mansfield Town in the FA Trophy. The worst moment on the field for me was being relegated in 1995/96 when we lost the last game of the season at Barrow.”

Mr Wright has seen managers come and go in recent years but has special mention for the first man he appointed to the managerial hot seat. Former Premiership title winner Mark Atkins came to the club in November 2008 and had just shy of six years in charge.

“It was a real pleasure working for six years with Mark who was very professional, knowledgeable and totally respected by the players. We’ve also had some excellent players and it’s been a privilege to work alongside the likes of James Lukic and Adam Yates, both great players but also totally committed and loyal to Matlock Town Football Club.”

His last managerial appointment was installing Paul Phillips to the hotseat last January after the departure of Steve Kittrick.

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Speaking on Monday night, Phillips said the news was “a total shock.”

“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 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.”

Tom 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 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.”

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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. 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.

Ian Richardson