Matlock appoint experienced former Premier League and EFL player as interim head coach

Matlock appoint experienced former Premier League and EFL player Adam Clayton as interim head coach for the rest of the season.

The Northern Premier League Premier Division outfit put Clayton, 36, in charge of hoping to keep them in the 7th tier, sitting 19th with 36 points from 35 games and 4 points from safety.

He joined Matlock earlier this season as a player-coach and has now stepped up to the interim managerial role following the departure of previous manager Ryan Cresswell on the 16th of March.

Alongside Clayton, experienced coach Steve Eyre has joined the coaching staff to assist him, with the first match in charge on Non League Day at home against already relegated Blyth Spartans.

Best of luck @Clayts15!

— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) March 19, 2025

Come get behind the boys in the first game of the Clayton/Eyre era. 💪🏻

🆚️ Blyth Spartans
📅 Saturday 22nd March
🏆 Pitching In NPL
⌚ 3 pm kick off
🏟️ Proctor Cars Stadium | DE4 3AR
🎟 £12/£8/£4https://t.co/1BpbYbL0w3 pic.twitter.com/UE9dtfbhpA

— 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗙𝗖 | Est 1878 (@Matlock_TownFC) March 19, 2025

CLUB STATEMENT:

Matlock Town can confirm the appointment of Adam Clayton as interim first team manager until the end of the season.

Clayton, 36, has been a key part of the Gladiators’ midfield since his arrival earlier this season, and boasts a wealth of experience in the professional game which saw him play extensively at Premier League and Championship level.

He worked as a player-coach under former manager Ryan Cresswell, who left the club on Sunday, and is now looking to further his experience as he guides the Gladiators for the rest of the campaign.

Joining Clayton in the dugout will be experienced coach Steve Eyre, who has a long background of professional coaching experience.

He enjoyed a 21-year spell at Manchester City where he was part of the elite coaching team which guided their youngsters to winning five league titles and the 2008 FA Youth Cup.

Eyre was previously the manager at Rochdale, and has also been coach or assistant manager at clubs including Huddersfield Town, Chesterfield, Doncaster Rovers and Fleetwood Town.

Clayton said of his appointment as interim manager: “I’m very excited by the challenge and am confident we can change the fortunes of what is a very good squad of players.

“It was disappointing to lose the manager as Ryan is a great guy and one of the reasons why I came here. But he really wants us to succeed and has given me his blessing in terms of taking the job on.

 

“I think the continuity will be beneficial to the group in terms of there being no period of uncertainty or getting to grips with who is here. I know the players and what they’re capable of, but also know the issues that are there and they’ll be attacked from the off.

“It’s a really good chance to show what we’re about. This is largely the same squad that was at the top of the form guide for 14 games so it’s now about injecting a bit of confidence and belief and also changing the mentality.

“Confidence is crucial at any level and a win will bring that and hopefully turn the momentum. We need to build an identity and approach to take into games.”

On the appointment of Eyre, Clayton added: “I first met Steve when I was seven-years-old at Manchester City when he was an academy coach through all the age groups.

“He was assistant manager at both Huddersfield and Doncaster when I was at those clubs and will be on hand to offer his guidance, experience and enthusiasm from over 1,000 games that he has behind him.”

Clayton’s first game in charge will be at home to Blyth Spartans this weekend.

CLAYTON’S CAREER:

Youth career
1996–2008 – Manchester City

Senior career
2008–2010 – Manchester City
2009–2010 → Carlisle United (loan) – 36 games (3 goals)
2010–2012 – Leeds United – 50 games (6 goals)
2010–2011 → Peterborough United (loan) – 8 games (0 goals)
2011 → Milton Keynes Dons (loan) – 8 games (1 goals)
2012–2014 – Huddersfield Town – 94 games (12 goals)
2014–2020 – Middlesbrough – 241 games (1 goal)
2020–2021 – Birmingham City – 16 games (0 goals)
2022–2023 – Doncaster Rovers – 35 games (0 goals)
2023 – Bradford City – 16 games (0 goals)
2023–2024 – Rochdale – 29 games (0 goals)
2024 – Liversedge – 11 games (0 goals)
2024– Matlock Town
Total – 544 games (23 goals)

International career
2009 – England U20 – 4 games (0 goals)

Twitter users reacted as Matlock appoint the experienced former Premier League and EFL player as interim head coach…

@simoncotters: Good decision. Will be there to support you!

@PeterWi60141130: As predicted by me. The only downside is that he is far and away our best player, so I hope he selects himself every game

@borotillidie: Congratulations Clayts hope you smash it. UTB

@andrew_jw89: Class to see Steve Eyre involved. Good bloke and deserved a lot better than how he got treated by #DRFC in the 2022/23 season. Hope Matlock stay up! 🤞

@j17_jj: Get Gary Mac on scene and the band is back together 🤣🤣 #DRFC

@sarahfinn8: Go on Clayts!!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@PaulCon1996: Bold move, giving it to the bass player from U2.

@TheCasualHopper: Does Bono and the Edge know 🤔

@aaron_challoner: Good luck @Clayts15 and Steve!

@a12myp: All the best @Clayts15 ⚽️🤝

@SdohertySean: I wish we had peak Clayts now! #boro

@neilhopkinson12: Let’s get the show on the road 3 points all the best COYG

@Clayts15 Great appointment⚽️7 Cup finals👊Let’s put the opposition to the sword. pic.twitter.com/YkfLXIY7JJ

— Steven@MatlockTownFC (@SGMatlockTownFC) March 19, 2025