Following on from training sessions on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday last week, Matlock opened their pre-season friendly games with a win at Koolsport Northern Counties East opponents Armthorpe Welfare last Tuesday.

Reflecting on the opening game, Boss Atkins must surely be happy with his sides performance, despite going a goal down.

Now with training sessions, and one pre-season game under their belt, boss Atkins was happy. “All of the current squad have returned fitter than they had done last season, which is good news for us all as we have been able to focus earlier on ball work training etc which is earlier than we had planned” Mark continued to add “I’ve been delighted with the attitude of the players so far, they have returned raring to go and we will look to take this into future games, and obviously the start of the new campaign”.

There have been no new additions to the squad so far, other than Colin Marrison, who Atkins has currently been impressed with. Both Ross Hannah and Lee Featherstone only appeared for brief spells during the Armthorpe game, as they have not long been back off holiday, but will pick up full training again from the next session.

In fixture news, at the time of going to press the fixtures for the 2010/11 season were due for release on Wednesday 14th at 9am, however the opening fixtures will be on the Official Matlock Town website here http://www.matlocktownfc.co.uk.. by the end of the week. Confirmed fixtures have been announced for the FA Cup, and FA Trophy draws, they are Matlock v Worksop and Matlock v Brig Town or Bedworth United respectively.

Looking ahead to the season, Atkins said once again the newly named “EVO-STIK Premier division, will be a tough league with sides spending plenty of money, but it’s a challenge our boys are up for. “They have something to live up to after last season now, but we will be looking to get off to a good start, and continue where we left off” “There is also plenty of time for us to work on things during training between now and the kick off” Atkins added.

Off the field and as an update on the New Stand development, club spokesman Jay Beaumont stated, “Good above ground progress can now been seen with all of the steelwork for the new stand now being installed as planned” “Work on the brickwork for the changing room facilities is due to start this week, which will see the bulk of the initial building structure finished once completed.” As with every new build project, help is always required and MTFC’s build is no exception, please see below for ways to get involved in any way, big or small.

Updates on the new stand can be found on the new dedicated Stand Website which can be found at http://www.matlocktownstandapp.. which not only acts as a website for updates, but also how everyone can get involved in the final push to see the facilities we all want for Matlock Town FC.