Matlock impress fans with ‘statement of intent’ appointment in ex-EFL player and manager

Matlock Town have managed to impress fans with a ‘statement of intent’ appointment in ex-EFL player and manager Nicky Law.

The 62-year-old comes in having most recently been the head of recruitment at Premier League outfit Burnley, but is now ready for the challenge of life in the Northern Premier League Premier Division.

Matlock finished the 2023/24 season 15th in the 7th tier with 47 points from 40 games played, 17 points above the drop zone, and 23 points below the playoff places, with Martin Carruthers in charge for much of his before he left for Basford in March 2024.

He previously played as a defender for clubs including Arsenal (youth days), Barnsley, Blackpool, Plymouth, Notts County, Scarborough, Rotherham, Chesterfield and Hereford. He became manager of Chesterfield between 2000 and 2001 and later went on to take charge at Bradford, Grimsby, Buxton and Alfreton.

We are delighted to confirm the appointment of Nicky Law as our new first team manager.

More here ➡️ https://t.co/EthkN8FHXV#GladsAllOver pic.twitter.com/ZAOWQiEQ4v

— 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗙𝗖 | Est 1878 (@Matlock_TownFC) May 3, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

We are delighted to announce that Nicky Law has been appointed as the new manager of Matlock Town.

The 62-year-old was most recently head of recruitment at Premier League club Burnley.

Previously, in a playing career scanning 16 years from 1981 when he was with Arsenal for two years, the uncompromising defender made 530 first team appearances in the Football League with approximately two thirds of these games being for Barnsley, Rotherham United and Chesterfield.

His management career began with the Spireites, taking over from John Duncan in the spring of 2000, and although he arrived too late to prevent Chesterfield from dropping out of what was then Division Two, he masterminded a successful return during the following season in spite of Chesterfield being handed a nine-point deduction due to alleged financial irregularities.

Law then managed Bradford City and Grimsby Town before joining Buxton in 2004, winning the Northern Counties East League title in 2005/06 and then the NPL First Division title in 2006/07, before in May 2007 he was appointed as Alfreton Town manager. Under Law’s guidance, the Reds won the Conference North in 2010/11 to reach the top tier of non-league football.

Law says that Matlock’s close link with the local community impressed him when he met the club’s officials.

“I’m delighted to be manager of a well-established club in Matlock; I find the community aspect and the close link with the fans very refreshing and it really impressed me,” said Nicky Law.

He said: ”I firstly need to speak with the lads already here but we need to improve on last year and try to build as squad that will compete at a better level.

“In the medium to long-term we need to develop a squad that is younger and is sustainable for the club but that can be up there challenging for honours. People talk about styles of play but the main objective has to be to win games of football, the more you win the better off you are.

“I’ll be looking for the players to always give 100 per cent. Honesty is a big thing for me, people come and spend their hard-earned cash and expect to see 100 per cent effort from the players as a bare minimum.

“For now I’ll be looking at what we’ve got, who stays and who goes. Part of management is making tough decisions.”.

Law will announce his supporting team within the next few weeks.

Acting chairman Martin Harrison, who led the recruitment process, says Law’s hunger to build a team that would challenge in the NPL Premier Division and above were huge factors in deciding he was the man to take over the managerial reins.

He said: “We’re pleased and excited to name Nicky as our new manager. His motivation to succeed in management again, added to his experience and understanding of what it’ll take to rebuild the team, were all key factors in our decision in selecting Nicky.”

As mentioned, Matlock impress fans with the ‘statement of intent’ appointment in ex-EFL player and manager Nicky Law…

@john_rimington: As a Spireite, that’s a great appointment for you to be honest. One of my Favourite players/managers we’ve had at Chesterfield 😊

@montehasspoken: Top Man, In my eyes he’s only second to Cookie in my time supporting @ChesterfieldFC

@Bretheren: Good appointment that

@hibbard96: Some coup for matlock that is!

@GodwillaNB: This is a quality appointment by @Matlock_TownFC. Very ambitious plans on the horizon, let’s go get it ❤️

@Tom_Atkins107: That’s a superb appointment

@becky196734: Anyone who follows non league football will know how good an appointment this is.

@LiamHenton: Excellent appointment from Matlock. Good to see Nicky back in the managerial game. Will be keeping a close eye on the Gladiators.

@MichaelWilcox82: What an appointment, good luck Nicky 👏🏼

@CfcCrookes: Great appointment. Good luck to you guys and Nicky too. See you in the summer 🙂

@StevenB1962: Fantastic appointment. Good luck Nicky

@StevoJW: Great appointment

@AL2Spireite: Good luck Nicky

@JohnMasling: Great appointment! Good luck Nicky Law. X

@BFC_ExPlayers: Wishing Nicky all the very best at The Gladiators ! 👍😀⚽️

@rockie_white: Good luck Nicky ⚽️👏🏻👏🏻

@gee_gee_man; Great signing for Matlock, Nick will bring success to the club All the best for the future Nick

@EddieRu24186859: Well done MTFC and thank you NL. A great appointment. The new manager will have a thick and very useful Contacts book that, I’m sure, he is already flicking through.

@YesterdaysStars: That’s a statement of intent 👍👍

@stig25uk: Superb!

@Cartwrigh11Dean: What an appointment back him let’s get this club going forward

@IanWood2584316: Wow you’ve got a good’un there. All the best Nicky.

@Pottingpinks: You would think thats a very good appointment all things considered