Matlock Town have chosen to appoint ex-Hull, Stoke, Peterborough, Southend, Scunthorpe, Macclesfield player Martin Carruthers as manager.
Their search for a third manager of the season is over, after Craig Elliott left for National League North side Buxton, which came following Paul Phillips’ departure in September.
The news emerged on Sunday and it dealt a huge blow for the Gladiators after Elliott had been gradually ‘remoulding’ the side.
Buxton chairman Dave Hopkins put in a request to Matlock’s chairman Jay Beaumont for permission to speak to Elliott last Friday and by last Sunday, former Boston United boss Elliott confirmed to Beaumont that he would be accepting Buxton’s offer.
Carruthers (@Gandiman9) will be assisted by Wayne Hallcro (@WHallcro) who has extensive managerial experience both as a number one and an assistant at various East Midlands clubs including Belper Town, Ilkeston Town, Grantham Town and Stamford. pic.twitter.com/l81LEz8Pdf
— 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗙𝗖 | Est 1878 (@Matlock_TownFC) December 15, 2022
CLUB STATEMENT:
Matlock Town have appointed former Basford United and Ilkeston Town boss Martin Carruthers as their new manager.
The 50 year old is the third occupant of the Gladiators hot seat this campaign after Paul Phillips left by mutual consent in September and then last week his replacement, former Boston United boss Craig Elliott moved to Matlock’s National League North neighbours Buxton.
He will be assisted by Wayne Hallcro who has extensive managerial experience both as a number one and an assistant at various East Midlands clubs including Belper Town, Ilkeston Town, Grantham Town and Stamford.
Born in Nottingham, Carruthers was a striker who began his playing career in the top flight with Aston Villa, making six first team appearances between 1990 and 1993. After a loan spell at Hull City where he netted six goals in sixteen appearances, he joined Stoke City playing 119 first team games and scoring twenty goals between 1993 and 1997.
The rest of his career was spent in Leagues One and Two at Peterborough United, York City, Darlington, Southend United, Scunthorpe United, Macclesfield Town, Boston United, Lincoln City and Cambridge United. In all he made 503 appearances netting 133 goals.
His non league career began at Grantham Town and then Ilkeston Town where he was named as player/assistant manager in 2006.He was joint manager at Arnold Town with former Middlesbrough striker Chris Freestone before signing for Basford United as a player in 2012 and becoming player manager in 2013 .
After six years at Greenwich Avenue when Basford rose from the East Midlands Football League to the NPL Premier Division, he went to Quorn as manager but after six months he returned to Ilkeston as head coach, leading the Robins to the Northern Premier Midlands Division title last season.
Carruthers left the New Manor Ground by mutual consent in September 2022, ironically his final game in charge of Ilkeston was their 2-0 FA Cup win at the Proctor Cars Stadium.
Matlock Chairman Jay Beaumont is excited at the prospect of having Carruthers at the helm.
“I’m delighted that Martin has accepted our offer to become manager of our great club. From the very first telephone conversation we had it was evident that he was excited by our club and the opportunity to lead it for us. When we told him he had got the job his reaction was once again one of excitement”.
Mr Beaumont feels that Carruthers’ appetite for the job and his all round character will stand him in good stead.
I’m sure Martin’s infectious enthusiasm will prove to be a hit with our players and our supporters alike. I’m really looking forward to working with Martin to achieve all that we can.”
Carruthers’ first game in charge is likely to be the Boxing Day home derby with Belper Town. The Gladiators are due at Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday but the continuing freezing conditions suggest that the fixture is in grave doubt of being on. If Matlock do play on Saturday, goalkeeper coach Steve Shuttleworth and skipper Ryan Qualter will take charge of team affairs with Carruthers watching from the stand.
There had been a good number of applicants for the post.
“I’d like to thank the many applicants who took the time to apply for our manager’s position, plus everyone around me who have put in many hours offering their support and help during the past few days, including Steve Shuttleworth and Ryan Qualter who have stepped in to arrange training, generally being there for the squad and preparing us for this weekend’s game should it be played.”
Ian Richardson
Martin Carruthers gave his reaction to being named as the new Matlock Town manager on Thursday.
He said to the club website: “I’m absolutely buzzing and can’t wait to get started, Matlock is a fantastic and well respected club both on and off the field and I’m delighted to be given this opportunity of being their manager.
“There’s been some very good manager here, Craig (Elliott) was building a very good side, there’s a good group of players and I’m really looking forward to working alongside them to try and achieve promotion.
“In any walk of life you sometimes have to bring in fresh faces. I saw that Matlock have a good side with lots of quality when I was here with Ilkeston in the FA Cup earlier in the season. Everyone will be given their chance to impress, I’ll be assessing and observing over the coming weeks. Above all I want to see the lads playing with smiles on their faces.
“I like to play attacking football to get the fans excited, but the most important thing is to win games of football so game management comes into play,” he added. “The style of play will depend on what’s happening in the game, sometimes you may have to go more direct.
“I’m affirm believer that the best form of defence is attack, that will also mean defending from the front. There’s a great fan base here at Matlock and I want them to go home entertained after seeing us play some exciting football.”
CARRUTHERS’ PLAYING CAREER:
Senior
1990–1993 – Aston Villa – 4 games (0 goals)
1992 → Hull City (loan) – 13 games (6 goals)
1993–1996 – Stoke City – 91 games (13 goals)
1996–1999 – Peterborough United – 67 games (21 goals)
1999 → York City (loan) – 6 games (0 goals)
1999 – Darlington – 17 games (2 goals)
1999 → Southend United (loan) – 5 games (3 goals)
1999–2001 – Southend United – 65 games (23 goals)
2001–2003 – Scunthorpe United – 86 games (34 goals)
2003–2004 – Macclesfield Town – 39 games (8 goals)
2004 – Boston United – 6 games (0 goals)
2004–2005 – Lincoln City – 11 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
Management career
2009–2012 – Arnold Town
2013–2019 – Basford United
2019 – Quorn
2019–2022 – Ilkeston Town
📺🕰 ON THIS DAY: Martin Carruthers (2), Steve Torpey (2), Peter Beagrie, Gareth Sheldon and Richard Kell scored as we defeated Darlington 7-1 at home in 2001. #UTI #IRON pic.twitter.com/j0Z9f0F9uw
— Scunthorpe United Former Players’ Association (@SUFCFPA) November 24, 2019
This is what fans said as Matlock appoint the ex-Hull, Stoke, Peterborough, Southend, Scunthorpe, Macclesfield player as manager…
@Toothy1575: Great appointment congratulations @Gandiman9 👍🏻⚽️💙
@Metemporary: Now I have another non-league team to follow 😅 Good luck, gaffer!
@neilvparkinson: Fabulous appointment. Good luck Martin.
@chet_45: Congrats mate
@D203T: Good appointment 🤝 good luck Gandi and Wayne!
@PaulSkillington: Over the moon for @Gandiman9. A great appointment for him and Matlock. Just a lovely, lovely bloke who deserves success. I wish you and @WHallcro all the very best Gandhi.👍😊
@AdamBird90: Go smash it gandi 👀👍 uti
@DannyDraper15: Love it @Gandiman9 🙌🏼 All the best 👊🏼
@LancsIron: Good luck to @Gandiman9 as he takes over the reins at @Matlock_TownFC not the first ex @SUFCOfficial player to take the hit seat there as @superatko22 also had a lengthy spell in the role
@R_jones220188: Here he goes again! Good luck matey, go smash it 👊
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