Matlock Town might not have a new manager in place but the new backers are recruiting players.
The Gladiators have announced the signing of 25-year-old attacking full-back Reece Kendall from Guiseley for an undisclosed fee and he has been registered to play against Workington this afternoon.
Kendall first joined Matlock in June 2019 after his final season with Brighouse and he went on to play 26 games and score five goals.
It’s been a hectic week since the new backers – said to be putting a six-figure sum into the club were announced and included a 2-0 home defeat to Gainsborough Trinity.
They remain bottom of the table with six defeats in eight games and only two draws to show for their efforts.
On Monday strikers Montel Gibson and Remaye Campbell arrived from Hereford FC and Kettering Town respectively, as the Gladiators sought to arrest a run of form that sees them without a win so far this season and managerless since the departure of Nicky Law last Monday.
A new manager is expected to be announced by the end of the week, but with the first additions to the playing squad now having been made, funds that have been donated to the club are now bearing fruit.
A club spokesman said: “The first of the initial six-figure backing has arrived. Utilising the contacts of the backer, these players have been brought in on a sustainable level. The money is in donations, not in loans, so the club will always remain sustainable.
“We are hopeful of appointing a new manager before the weekend’s game with Workington, and have had a large number of interested applicants whom we thank for their interest in the role.”
Gibson, 26, joined Notts County, aged 18, from where he would spend time on loan at Romulus, Hednesford Town, and Sutton Coldfield Town. He would return to League Two in 2020 with a move to Grimsby Town under manager Ian Holloway, that after productive spells at the likes of Ilkeston Town and Halesowen Town.
More recently, Gibson has played for AFC Telford United, helping them to reach the SPL Premier Division play-off final against Leamington, finishing the Bucks’ top scorer and earning a move to Hereford FC of the National League North this summer.
Campbell, 24, came through the ranks at Notts County, making his way to the first team where he made three appearances before a move to Grantham Town and Ilkeston Town, where he scored 30 goals for the Robins, followed by a move to Basford United where he got 11 goals in the Pitching In NPL last season, joining Kettering Town in the summer.
They might still be without a football manager but they have appointed Rachael Edwards as the club’s new general manager.
Rachael brings with her vast experience in the hospitality industry, having been a senior manager at Horsley Lodge hotel for over 20 years, with extensive experience in managing all aspects of the hotel, leisure and golf club.
Rachael will oversee off field facilities at the club throughout the week, including match days, and is expected to be a great asset to the club.
