Yates is in hot seat and Atkins back at Matlock after Carruthers resigns
ADAM Yates is taking his first steps in football management after being appointed joint boss of Matlock Town along with Mark Atkins, the former Gladiators manager.
The appointments were made following the resignation of Martin Carruthers after last Saturday’s 5-1 home defeat against Whitby Town in the Pitching In NPL Premier Division.
“Firstly, I didn’t expect Martin to leave, it was a shock and I thought he’d be here for the rest of the season and assess the situation then,” said long-serving Gladiators defender Yates.
“But the club needs someone to step up and Mark Atkins and myself have come in until the end of the season.
“I’m excited as I had been thinking about what happens after playing football. Now, rightly or wrongly, I’ve got this opportunity and I wouldn’t have wanted to start out doing this with anyone else than Atko.
“He gave me my chance at Northern Premier level and with him being here as well, it was an easy decision.”
Atkins, who was a Premiership title winner with Blackburn Rovers, says it’s good to be back at Matlock after a gap of nearly 10 years.
“Matlock is the only place I would consider going back to,” he said. “I’m definitely glad to be back, it’s something I’ve missed in the past few years.”
Atkins had a six-year spell as Matlock boss between November 2008 and September 2014, steering the Gladiators away from the relegation zone in his first season and then securing some solid finishes in the NPL table, as well as winning the Derbyshire Senior Cup in 2010 with a 2-0 victory over Belper Town in the final at Pride Park Stadium.
Atkins recognises his return comes at a difficult time as Matlock have collected only four points from the last 24 on offer.
They face a tough double header over the Easter period, with a home game against Marine on Saturday before a derby on Monday when Ilkeston Town visit (both 3pm).
“They’re all going to be tough games, especially when the team’s not in good form,” Atkins added.
“It’s a case of getting the players to play as well as they can play. I know some of them and have seen a number of NPL games this season, including when Matlock played away at Worksop Town.
“They’ve done well in some games against good sides and we hope that can happen again in the games that lie ahead.”
The Gladiators interim managers have made their first signing as 21-year-old attacking midfielder Jack De Gruchy has arrived on loan from League Two Doncaster Rovers.
Meanwhile, Carruthers says the Gladiators have under-achieved this season, which led to his resignation.
Last season, Matlock made it to the play-offs for the second year running in Carruthers’ first campaign in charge. But they are currently 17th in the table.
“The way the season has panned out is certainly not the way we envisaged after the great success of last season,” said Carruthers.
“Who can forget the memorable day at Marine on the final day of last season when we managed to get into the play-offs? It will be a memory that will remain with me forever.
“Unfortunately, this season has not lived up to our expectations and, for whatever reason, we’ve performed well below the standards expected.
“Sometimes you need to change. I only want what’s best for this club, a fantastic club with fantastic supporters, and I leave with fond memories.”
Carruthers’ assistant manager
Wayne Hallcro has also left and Gladiators chairman Jay Beaumont said: “I want to place on record my thanks and those of everyone involved with the club for Martin’s hard work during his tenure.
“Last season we made it through to the play-offs against the odds and that was down to Martin, Wayne and his staff and players, who were magnificent. He’s been a great guy for the club.
“Everyone is very sorry things haven’t worked out for them this season and they’ll be made welcome at our club any time.”