GLADIATORS ARE READY TO CHARGE UNDER DAVE
vital parts of the game but the overall performance was good. It was always going to be difficult trying to get results whilst rebuilding much of the squad but there are signs that the new lads and some of the players I have inherited are beginning to gel.
This job represents Frecklington’s first foray back into management after his controversial departure from Gainsborough Trinity midway through last season with Trinity eventually getting relegated from National League North.
“Leaving Gainsborough was really tough and it took me some time to get over,” the boss admits. “The previous season we had come in with 12 games remaining and managed to keep the team in the Conference North. “Our remit last season was to stay in the division and hopefully have a cup run.
“We got the team into the first round of the FA Cup and were outside of the drop zone but I got a phone call in February to inform me that I had been relieved of my duties.
“It was really frustrating because I felt as though we were on track with our targets but it allowed myself and my assistant Terry Fleming to take some time out and reflect on what we had achieved over the last five or so years.
“The opportunity to return to football with Matlock was a perfect fit really because the club is local to me and is near to a lot of players who I know well.
“It is also a great club full of really welcoming people and you’d be hard pressed to find a ground that is surrounded by more picturesque scenery. It really is a brilliant place to both play and watch football.
“First and foremost, we have to keep this club in the division. We have not been given any definitive targets by the board, but we want to finish as high as we possibly can.
“We will go into every single game looking to win. As a football manager I am used to winning and I am serious about wanting to bring better days to Matlock.”
AFTER a sowwhat chaotic start to the season, Matlock Town’s fortunes may well be finally looking up under the guidance of new manager Dave Frecklington.
Frecklington arrived at Causeway Lane last month following the departure of former boss Davie Hoole, with the club sitting second from bottom in the Evo-Stik Premier League with just one win from their first six league games.
But, in the three weeks since his appointment, Frecklington has overseen a complete squad overhaul with no fewer than NINE players leaving the club, with the same number coming in.
Despite Freckington’s revolution, results on the pitch continued to disappoint but Tuesday’s emphatic 5-2 win at North Ferriby United appears to have heralded a revival of optimism among the Derbyshire club’s faithful.
“It really feels as though things are finally begging to come together” the Gladiators boss told The NLP.
“Coming into a team that is struggling at the wrong end of the table can be tough because you have got a group of players who are low on confidence and not performing either individually or collectively.
“Letting go of certain players is the hardest part of my job but the table doesn’t lie and it was clear that things needed to change.
“It has been difficult because players that we could have brought in over the summer are no longer available but we have definitely been able to add more resilience to the team.”
Tuesday’s victory got Frecklington up and running and signalled a reverse in fortunes following defeats to South Shields, Stalybridge Celtic and Farsley Celtic.
“Although Tuesday was my first win, there has been a notable improvement over the past week or two,” added the former Lincoln United and Spalding United chief.
“We lost 3-2 against Farsley Celtic last weekend and threw away three points because we switched off in