Matlock Town

Matlock Town FC is a non-league football club based in the former spa town of the same name in Derbyshire. The club were formed in 1878, originally as Matlock FC, joining the Midland Alliance in 1892.

The league disbanded just one year later so Matlock joined the Midland League. Following World War Two the club added ‘Town’ to their title. As a Midland Counties League club, Matlock reached the FA Cup first round for the first time in 1960-61, going out to Crook Town.

‘The Gladiators’ joined the Midland League once again in 1961, as the move paid dividends as Town were crowned as league champions in 1961-62. They repeated the feat in 1968-69 before becoming members of the Northern Premier League. 

The 1974-75 season saw Matlock go on a tremendous FA Trophy run, defeating the likes of Kings Lynn, Tamworth, Ilford, Goole Town and Burton Albion on the way to Wembley. Town beat favourites Scarborough 4-0 in an incredible final.

The side was led by former Sheffield Wednesday and England defender Peter Swan, who had previously been banned from the game for his part in match fixing in the early 70’s. The team contained three brothers; Tom, Mick and Nick Fenoughty.

The same season had seen Blackburn Rovers leave Causeway Lane in the first round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 victory. In 1976-77 under the management of Tom Fenoughty, Town reached the third round of the FA Cup after seeing off Telford United and Wigan Athletic, before hammering Mansfield Town 5-2 at Field Mill.

The run ended in a 5-1 defeat away to Carlisle United. Swan returned for a second spell in charge in 1980-81 before Matlock were runners up in the Northern Premier League in 1984-85 around the time that Mick Wadsworth started out his managerial career.

Another FA Cup round one appearance came in 1989-90, with Matlock going down 4-1 away to Scunthorpe United. The team remained in the top division of their league competition before being relegated in 1995-96.

Imre Varadi took charge of the team for the following couple of years. In 2003-04 The Gladiators ended in second place in the league under manager Ernie Moss to return to the Premier Division.

The pairing of Phil Brown and player Gareth Williams took over the role, remaining in charge until 2008 when replaced by former Premier League winner Mark Atkins as several mid-table finishes ensued. Further joint-managers Martin Foster and Dave Rushbury took charge for the start of the 2014-15 season.

Mark Hume replaced the duo in January 2015, remaining in charge until May 2016 when he was replaced by further joint-managers, Glenn Kirkwood and Craig Hopkins who remained at the helm until April 2018 when Dave Hoole was put in charge of the team.

Causeway Lane took on sponsors names Geoquip Stadium and then Reynolds Stadium to raise finances. Dave Frecklington became the new Matlock manager in September 2018 at the newly titled Autoworld Arena. Steve Kittrick was the next man in the manager’s chair, arriving at the DCJ Group Insurance Arena in May 2019.

2020 saw another change of ground sponsorship, with the Proctor Cars Stadium welcoming new manager Paul Phillips in the January of that year. It was a tragic month for the club as midfielder Jordan Sinnott was attacked and died of head injuries on a night out.

Matlock sat in twentieth position when the 2019-20 season ended early owing to the outbreak of Coronavirus.

Matlock Town FC will play in the Northern Premier League Premier Division in the 2020-21 season.

My visit

Matlock Town 6 Scarborough 0 (Monday 7th May 1979) Northern Premier League (att:602)

Scarborough’s spell as a Northern Premier League club was coming to an end, and this penultimate game was played on a Bank Holiday Monday. I had travelled with my Dad and brothers Paul and Nick on the Supporters Club coach.

It was pouring down with rain when we arrived at Causeway Lane, so we didn’t get the benefits of seeing its aesthetic qualities. We got there not long before kick off and scurried straight round to the Main Stand.

This stand stood on the half way line and was seated. There was open terracing at either side. Behind the left hand goal was open flat hard standing, with the cricket ground behind the other end. On the far Causeway Lane Side was a long low cover with a few seats at one end with the rest for standing spectators.

No programmes were available, but a friendly local dug out some back issues for me. I recall being impressed as there was a snack bar at the back of our stand as well as one at the other side.

Boro were absolutely blown away. A young Steve Gosling in goal was no match for the big bustling forwards he headed home. The score was either four or five at the interval.

It was certainly an eye opener as we looked forward to our first season in the Alliance Premier League; now the Football Conference.

Since my Visit

A roof and terrace was erected behind the goal in the 1980's. A new Main Stand replaced the old wooden structure in the 2000's.

The photos on this page have been scanned from a book and via Google Maps, as I didn't take a camera on my visit.