Yates is next to commit future to Matlock Town

Fans favourite Adam Yates has signed a new deal with Matlock Town for the 2015/16 season.
Adam YatesAdam Yates
Adam Yates

Defender Yates has followed midfielder Ted Cribley in signing a contract and with Niall McManus also agreeing an extension to his existing deal, boss Mark Hume belives the Gladiators have a good base from which to formulate their squad.

Yates, signed from Shirebrook Town by former manager Mark Atkins in March 2009, has been a consistent and popular performer for Matlock and was named as the fans player of the season in 2013/14.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hume said: “I think we have a very good base. Getting Ted and Niall initially was crucial and Yatesy ‘s a no brainer.

“He was terribly unlucky last season with the hamstring injury when I took over, coupled with the outstanding form of Muhammed Sabo and Julian Banton.

“Then he got a finger injury in an accident but when he eventually came in he showed just what a top player he is at this level.

“I’ve known all about him for years and when he was out I kept on talking to him, I couldn’t really leave Muhammed or Julian out when they were doing so well, that’s the way I operate.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“But Adam was always going to be a key member of our squad, he was fantastic for us in the last few games of last season.”

Yates is likely to be the last player put on contract by Matlock for 2015/2016.

“We had too many last season, it doesn’t leave a lot of room for manoeuvre especially if injuries crop up,” added Hume, who will utilise early training sessions and the pre-season programme to assess potential new signings

“It’s still massively early and a lot of players will become available. There’s no point in signing on players for the sake of it, we need to see if they fit in with the way we work and equally we suit what they’re looking for so we make the best use of the budget we have available.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Last season Hume used the loan market to great effect, bringing in Cribley from Barrow and the Sheffield United trio of Julain Banton, Otis Khan and Jamie McDonagh.

That policy is expected to continue and Hume says he does not expect the recent managerial change at Sheffield United to adversely affect future loan deals between the Blades and the Gladiators.

Nigel Clough has been replaced in the United hot seat by Nigel Adkins.`

Hume said: “Scott Maxfield and myself both know Nigel from his time at Scunthorpe and I understand Chris Morgan is still at the club.

“I’ve known Chris for a long time and hopefully we’ll enjoy the same fruitful relationship in terms of loans as we did last season.”

Related topics: