Matlock Town confirm signing of experienced Prem and EFL player, 38, one month after retiring

Matlock Town confirm the signing of experienced Prem and EFL player Matt Derbyshire just one month after deciding he was retiring from playing.

He left Bradford City at the end of the 2023/24 season and officially made the decision to retire in November 2024.

Lancashire Telegraph report, that he has been coaching at the Senior Training Centre for the Rovers Academy while pursuing his A-license, and also co-manages a thriving coaching school, I.D Football Academy, alongside Andy Taylor.

Matlock Town are pleased to announce the signing of forward Matt Derbyshire, formerly of EFL League Two side Bradford City subject to NPL and FA approval.

Matt began his career in non-league at Great Harwood Town before earning himself a move to his boyhood Premier League club… pic.twitter.com/zb9CqHeyQ1

— 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗙𝗖 | Est 1878 (@Matlock_TownFC) December 30, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT:

Matlock Town are pleased to announce the signing of forward Matt Derbyshire, formerly of EFL League Two side Bradford City subject to NPL and FA approval.

Matt began his career in non-league at Great Harwood Town before earning himself a move to his boyhood Premier League club Blackburn Rovers in 2003.

He played for Blackburn for five years, scoring 20 goals in 86 appearances and becoming a fan favourite.

He had loan spells with Plymouth Argyle, Wrexham and Olympiacos, before joining the latter club permanently in 2009.

Whilst at Olympiacos, Matt won the Super League Greece and Greek Cup before a return to England came calling in 2010, joining Birmingham City on loan where he was part of the squad to win the League Cup, before securing a permanent return to the country with Nottingham Forest for a three-year stint and going on to have loan spells with Oldham Athletic and Blackpool AFC.

Matt would make the move to Rotherham United in 2014, staying with the Millers for two years before clubs abroad came calling once more, spending four seasons in Cyprus with Omonia followed by one season with A-League club Macarthur FC before returning to Cyprus with AEK Larnaca.

He would join Indian Super League side NorthEast United at the start of the 22/23 season, returning to England in December 2022 to link up with Bradford City whom he left at the end of the season.

Matt’s storied full-time career has seen him play 530 times, scoring 177 times at club level featuring in the top leagues in England, Greece, Cyprus, Australia and India alongside playing in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League during his time with Olympiacos FC. He also featured for England U21s earlier in his career, scoring four goals in 14 appearances. He is now working towards his UEFA A-Licence with Blackburn Rovers which he will twin with turning out for Ryan Cresswell’s Gladiators.

When asked how the signing came about, Matlock manager Cresswell said: “Myself and Clayts (Adam Clayton) went to the Rotherham game today and he was the guest speaker in the lounge.

“Clayts played with him at Bradford City so knew him really well. He wants to play football and we put a deal together to suit all parties for him to come on board. He’s really excited to be involved and get back playing and had offers from multiple non-league clubs but is really excited about the work we’re doing at Matlock and wants to be a part of it.”

Welcome to the Gladiators, Matt!

HIS CAREER:

Youth career
–2002 – Darwen

Senior career
2002–2003 – Great Harwood Town – 31 games (21 goals)
2003–2009 – Blackburn Rovers – 86 games (20 goals)
2004–2005 → Plymouth Argyle (loan) – 13 games (0 goals)
2005–2006 → Wrexham (loan) – 17 games (10 goals)
2009–2011 – Olympiacos – 36 games (15 goals)
2010–2011 → Birmingham City (loan) – 20 games (3 goals)
2011–2014 – Nottingham Forest – 51 games (12 goals)
2012 → Oldham Athletic (loan) – 20 games (6 goals)
2013 → Blackpool (loan) – 12 games (0 goals)
2014–2016 – Rotherham United – 74 games (18 goals)
2016–2020 – Omonia – 127 games (69 goals)
2020–2021 – Macarthur FC – 27 games (14 goals)
2021–2022 – AEK Larnaca – 26 games (7 goals)
2022–2023 – NorthEast United – 8 games (1 goal)
2023–2024 – Bradford City – 23 games (2 goals)
2024– Matlock Town

International career
2007–2009 – England U21 – 14 games (4 goals)

This is how fans reacted as Matlock Town confirm the signing of the experienced EFL player, 38, one month after retiring…

@NonLeagueShop: Derbyshire back in Derbyshire!

@carl_aldred: Matlock Shirt with Derbyshire on the back if that’s not a best seller what is !!

@SpezialSSLE4: Unreal goings on at Step 3 this season. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@Tugay_Is_God: Take care of him Matlock although I hope he does well I hope before he departs for Matlock he would do us the decency of meeting fans who’ve never met him signing items & thank him for his overall contribution to his boyhood club although I’ve never met him I’ve seen him in the..

@SteveCrossley80: Good signing 👍🏻

@gatese7en: Matt @olympiacosfc family is with you 🤍❤️

@thebezzler: Top fella is Derbs

@MarcusHeys80975: Class player, proper professional, Great watching him at Blackburn, …Clitheroe Fc could have done with Matt, the team I watch now. Good luck Matt 💙

@MLoukatzie: All the best Captain 🫡☘️

@sonningmovement: Top signing

@dalesilvermat3: Matlock Town taking their Champions League push very seriously. Fouad Bachirou and now Matt Derbyshire. Karim Ansarifard has apparently been spotted at the Heights of Abraham. Incredibly exciting

@daddymacca23: 🫡🫡 guess who’s back. Top player and guy. A rovers favourite.

@katybrush: Derbyshire playing for Matlock is only right and proper.

@yremogtnomnagol: Can’t believe he’s only 38!

@Jordanc_996: What a man 😍

@Willh1985: Matlock killing it with class signings at non league level. Lovely area too.

@Adamheaps3006: Some player for rovers back in the day