Basford re-appoint experienced former Premier League and EFL footballer

Basford United confirm the decision to re-appoint the appointment of the experienced former Premier League and EFL footballer that is Martin Carruthers.

The 51-year-old has recently resigned from his position as Matlock Town’s manager, and quickly returns to coaching by reuniting with his former team Basford.

He is now leading the Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit having held extensive talks.

In his previous stint with Basford from 2013 to 2019, he successfully guided the team to two promotions.

He returns to Basford who currently sit 18th with 27 points from 34 games played, and two points above the drop zone.

𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐍 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐒! 💛

👔 We are delighted to announce Martin Carruthers as first team manager!

Danny Holmes and Andrew Danylyszyn will return to their roles as Assistant Manager and Head Coach.

Click below to read more!

— Basford United FC (@Basfordutdfc) March 28, 2024

Following days of intense discussions, we are delighted to announce the return of Martin Carruthers as our first team manager. Without doubt Basford’s most successful manager of the last decade (Gandiman) will return to Greenwich Avenue on a deal that will run until May 2025.

Carruthers will work with the existing management team of Danny Holmes and Andrew Danylyszyn, who will revert to previous roles of Assistant Manager and Head Coach. Andrew also remains Head of Football Educational Academy for Basford United FC.

Martin Carruthers left Basford United in March 2019 off the back of 5 promotions in 7 glorious years for the club, securing Step 3 football for United in April in 2018 off the back of a 100 point and 100 goal campaign in 2017-18, along with adding the Notts senior Cup trophy to Greenwich Avenue not once but twice in this period was something not achieved by any Basford United manager before!

Commenting Basford Owner Chris Munroe:

“I am delighted that a detailed agreement has been reach between Martin, Chair & Vice Chair Stan and Milo to return, and its straight down to work for all with Martin meeting all management and players this evening.”

“The decision to bringing Martin back is irrespective of the outcome of the 23/24 season, where we hope to retain our Step 3 status & regain the Notts Senior Cup trophy facing Forest U23s in the final during May. However, we now have a clear structure for 24/25 & can now start planning with regard to every eventuality.”

“Martins track record since 2019 has been impressive heading up two very good teams in Ilkeston securing for them Promotion back to Step 3 and for the last two season at Matlock, taking the Gladiators to the NPL Step 3 playoffs in 2022/23 season.”

Basford United Chairman Stan Mitchell added the following:

“Getting Martin on board wasn’t on the table a few days ago but when he became available, we knew he would be the perfect fit to work alongside Andy and Danny, Martin was always a fans favourite, and he feels he’s unfinished business at Basford. I worked alongside Martin, Chris and Milo in a very successful period for the club and look forward to renewing that close relationship going forward. The majority of the current players know Martin’s ethos and I have no doubt will buy into the upcoming plans from the newly formed management team and the drive to maintain our standing in Step 3!”

Manager Martin Carruthers penned the following:

“I am absolutely delighted to be re-joining Basford. I did not expect to be returning to football so quickly, but this was an opportunity that I could not turn down. Basford has always been in my heart and after all the past successes I feel I have unfinished business here.”

“Having met Chris, Stan and Milo it was clear that they wanted me back at the club and that we can put a plan and structure in place that will create a great community environment and bring positive vibes back to the club.”

“I know most of the players well and it’s clear we have real quality within the squad and need a big push in the last 6 games to help us retain our step 3 status. It won’t be easy, but with hard work, everyone pulling together, lots of positivity and energy I don’t see any reason why we can’t achieve this together.”

“I’m excited and looking forward to meeting the players tonight!”

Welcome back Gandiman!

Martin Carruthers spoke of thise disappointment of underachieving which led to his decision to leave Matlock.

He informed chairman Jay Beaumont of his decision to resign after a 5-1 home defeat to Whitby Town and gained only three league victories in 2024, sitting near the relegation zone.

Last season, Matlock reached the play-offs for the second season running and in Carruthers’ first season in charge, having been appointed in the previous December.

He said: “The way the season’s panned out is certainly not the way we envisaged it at the start of the season. After the great success of last season – who can forget the memorable day at Marine on the last day of the season when we managed to get into the play-offs – it’ll be a memory that will remain with me forever.

“Unfortunately this season’s not lived up to our expectations and for whatever reason we’ve performed well below the standards expected. Sometimes you need to change, I only want what’s best for this football club, a fantastic football club with fantastic supporters and I leave with fond memories.”

Carruthers says he has met some brilliant people at the club and he will miss the friends he has made at Matlock.

He said: “I’ve always had a great relationship with Jay and the people at the club who made us feel so welcome all of the time. I wanted to do so well for everyone at the club and unfortunately it just didn’t work out, I have deep regrets that we didn’t perform as well as we should have done and get the best out of the players we had available.

“I met some fantastic people , I’ll always go back and share a drink or two with some good people who I’ve met and return to Matlock if not to watch a game but managing against them in a game.

“A huge thank you to everyone at Matlock Town, I’m really sorry for a disappointing season, it’s not for the want of trying. I hope Matlock get the success they deserve next season and eventually get into National League North.”

HIS CAREER:

Senior
1990–1993 – Aston Villa – 6 games (0 goals)
1992 → Hull City (loan) – 16 games (6 goals)
1993–1996 – Stoke City – 119 games (20 goals)
1996–1999 – Peterborough United – 85 games (27 goals)
1999 → York City (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
1999 – Darlington – 19 games (2 goals)
1999–2001 – Southend United – 73 games (29 goals)
2001–2003 – Scunthorpe United – 100 games (46 goals)
2003–2004 – Macclesfield Town – 45 games (10 goals)
2004 – Boston United – 7 games (0 goals)
2004–2005 – Lincoln City – 12 games (0 goals)
2005 → Cambridge United (loan) – 5 games (0 goals)
2005–2006 – Grantham Town
2006 → Ilkeston Town (loan)
2006–2008 – Ilkeston Town
2008–2012 – Arnold Town
2012–2019 – Basford United

Managerial career
2009–2012 – Arnold Town
2013–2019 – Basford United
2019 – Quorn
2019–2022 – Ilkeston Town
2022–2024 – Matlock Town

Only true football fans will remember this baller.🙌 pic.twitter.com/1TNBBR9koP

— The Extreme Football Enthusiast (@ExtremeFootbal4) February 2, 2024

This is how fans reacted as Basford re-appoint the experienced former Premier League and EFL footballer…

@Nomad9Non: I thought Holmes and Andy were doing okay but not going to lie, it’s great to have Martin back.

@huckle_craig40: Good Luck @Gandiman9

@Trokey_: All the best @Gandiman9 💪

@Lancsiron: Knew wouldn’t take @Gandiman9 long to get back in the game… But that was quick… Good luck.

@FcIlkeston_New: Great move, all the best @Gandiman9

Craig Hopkins: Good luck Ghandi 😀🙌 you don’t mess about pal 👌

Kuki Morley: Good luck Ghandi, it’s great to see you back there mate 👍💯

Tim Paddy Peck: Great News. Normal service will be resumed. 👍

Paul Westbury: Let’s hope he does better than he did at Matlock

Craig Bryan: Hopefully he does as shit as he did at Matlock and takes u down Wayno was great hope he does well but Martin did a rubbish job and didn’t care at all

Kevin Culverwell: Awesome! Enjoy being back Martin Carruthers 👍 you will smash it!