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Experienced former EFL player leaves Sheffield FC to become new manager of Matlock

Experienced former EFL player Ryan Cresswell leaves Sheffield FC to become the new manager of Matlock Town from the tier above.

A graduate of the Sheffield United youth academy, he failed to break in the first team and subsequently was loaned out to clubs in the lower divisions of English football.

In 2008, after being released by the Blades, he signed for Bury in League Two. Playing more than 50 matches for the club, he joined Rotherham United two seasons later.

Cresswell again changed clubs in 2012, signing a contract for Southend United, where he was named in the League Two PFA Team of the Year for the 2012โ€“13 season.

The following season, he was transferred to Fleetwood, with whom he won promotion to League One, but in 2014, after failing to make much impact at the Cod Army, he again came to League Two, joining Northampton Town.

Then steadily dropped down the non league pyramid, before managing the likes of Parkgate, Sheffield and now Matlock.

The 36 year old has already managed his first game in charge of The Gladiators, who fell to a 3-2 defeat at Ashton United, but he saw lots of positives to take from his opening game, the fans were happy that they went toe-to-toe against a very good side โ€“ with Cresswell acknowledges that things need quick attention.

The result sees Matlock remain bottom (22nd) of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, with 5 points from 10 games played, 3 points from safety, while Ashton are 3rd with 20 points from 9 games.

Cresswell has replaced Nicky Law, who departed from the role as Matlock boss earlier in September.

MATLOCK STATEMENT:

Matlock Town are pleased to announce the appointment of Ryan Cresswell as the clubโ€™s first team manager.

Ryan, 36, who comes to us from Sheffield FC, had a storied playing career, featuring for teams including Bury, Rotherham United, Southend United and Northampton Town.

It was at the Cobblers that Ryan would meet and play alongside his new assistant-player manager Shaun Brisley in the heart of the defence.

Ryan made the move into non-league football following the conclusion of his full-time career, turning out for Mickleover Sports, Bradford Park Avenue and Parkgate.

At Parkgate he would get his first taste of coaching, and it wasn’t long before the world’s oldest football club, Sheffield FC, gave him the managerial reins in November 2021 where he has gone on to manage over 100 games, turning the club into a stable NPL East Divison outfit.

Ryan is known for his man management, and his embrace of a strong community spirit impressed the interview panel with his knowledge and passion to take the Gladiators forward as the club enters a new era.

Following Ryan’s appointment, he said: “Iโ€™m really excited and looking forward to the challenge.

โ€œThe job appealed to me because it offered the chance of progression on a personal level and to have a really good go at step three football, but also because the clubโ€™s ambition matched mine in terms of wanting to climb the league and push on from there.

โ€œIt was good to see the team win on Saturday because a victory helps any clubโ€™s morale, both on and off the pitch, and will help with the work to be done.โ€

On his relationship with Shaun Brisley, Ryan added: โ€œI was actually playing for Macclesfield on loan from Sheffield United on the day Bris made his professional debut and we probably played 15-20 games together.

โ€œWe then played a similar number of games together at Northampton and have stayed in touch since.

โ€œIt will be good to have someone alongside me who already knows the club and the players and Iโ€™ve been speaking with him at length about where we see this crop of players going and where we may need to strengthen.

โ€œThe club has been proactive in making changes to the squad after the difficult start, which is good to see, and Iโ€™ve been given the backing of the club to analyse the current team and make changes as I see fit, although everyone will be given the chance to show me what they can do.โ€

SHEFFIELD FC STATEMENT:

We can confirm the departure of Ryan Cresswell from his position as First Team Manager and Head of Football.

After 3 years, he leaves with the appreciation of everyone at The Worldโ€™s First Football Club, for his work in helping us to achieve stability, togetherness, and one of the best squads we have had in a long time.

Cresswellโ€™s first game was a 0-0 draw at home to Stockton Town on the 9th of November 2021.

In total he’s taken charge of 125 competitive games.

105 league games: 33 wins, 25 draws, 47 losses. From his 19 cup ties he won 11 and lost 8.

Staff members, Jamie Yates, Marc Newsham, Matt Roney, Shaun Fairfax and Lewis Yates will all be staying with The Club.

Good luck at Matlock Town, Gaffer. You are welcome at The Home of Football anytime.

Here’s how fans reacted as the experienced former EFL player leaves Sheffield FC to become the new manager of Matlock…

Christopher Wintle: As a Sheffield FC fan I think he has done a good job for us as he has had very little to work with as the board are probably the tightest in the whole of amateur football and more bothered about the history of the club than actually having anything decent to watch!! If the chairman at Matlock backs him with quality players I think he will do a great job for Matlock. I will certainly be making more than my few visits a season to Causeway Lane as there is no better place to watch football. I understand Ryan is a top bloke so I hope the fans get behind him and not just look where Sheffield are in the league. Good luck.

Will Naylor-Bridger: Anyone willing to take on a job of this magnitude has my respect. Welcome to Matlock, Ryan ๐Ÿ˜€! Remember, judge someone on how they perform in the present, not the past, and consider the hurdles they had in place previously as well… I hope this is a match made in heaven!!!

Cyril Skinner: Good luck in your new challenge Ryan. BTFC.

Dawn Wicks: Good luck Ryan Cresswell ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ‘ ๐Ÿ’™

Nita Chamberlain: All the best Ryan , good luck in your new role as Matlockโ€™s manager ๐Ÿ”ตโšช๏ธ

Sally Ann Mumby: Welcome Ryan, good to hear Shaun is staying on as assistant manager letโ€™s try and start our season properly now, building on from Saturdays win!! ๐Ÿคž๐Ÿผโšฝ๏ธ

Chris Wheeldon: Best luck let’s get back on track matlock

Gary Moody: Gd luck Ryan

Deb Williams: Good luck a tough job to take on I feel but hopefully you can get them back to winning ways and up that table!! ๐Ÿ‘

Wayne Plant: Good luck cressy

Carlos Miguel Ruisenor Gonzales: Welcome Ryan, show your talent and hopefully the season can be still saved.

Bill Rose: Best of luck Ryan. Hope you are a success. Sorry you’ve had to leave Sheffield FC. Bill and Dan Rose.

Matthew Rhodes: All the best, Ryan! โšฝ๏ธ

Andy Bucko: Took on a tough job. Good luck to him.

Jo Luke: Clean slate. Come on Ryan ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿ™ good luck ๐Ÿ™‚

Chris Wood: Good luck buddy this team will improve quickly

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