Key duo sign new deals

Top scorer Lewis McMahon and players’ player of the season Micky Harcourt have accepted offers from Town supremo Mark Atkins, who is delighted to have got their signatures.

“Both had good seasons last year and obviously one of our main aims was to get them to sign on again for the coming campaign, which they’ve done so it’s excellent news,” said Atkins.

McMahon netted 24 times in his first full campaign at the Reynolds Stadium after moving from Blue Square North Gainsborough Trinity last summer, while full back Harcourt turned out in 39 of Matlock’s 54 league and cup matches in 2012/13.

“Lewis had a very good season, playing really well and scoring some very good goals and we hope he’ll carry on in the same vein next year,” added Atkins.

“Micky has been a mainstay of the side who always gives everything so all in all they are two very good acquisitions for us.”

Atkins is currently in talks with a number of players ahead of the coming campaign and high on his shopping list should be strikers, particularly as McMahon will miss the opening four league matches of 2013/14 following his second red card of last term in the home defeat to Worksop Town on May 2.

Only bottom club Eastwood Town scored fewer league goals than the Gladiators and Stafford Rangers, who hit the net 54 times in their 42 league outings.

With Massiah McDonald also having departed, Matlock will need to find at least another recognised striker as they aim to improve on last term’s disappointing 17th place finish.

Meanwhile, off the pitch, xhairman Tom Wright announced another significant deal with the announcement of a new shirt sponsor.

The GMB Union (Matlock Branch) will have its logo on Town’s shirts, replacing JP Investment Partners who had sponsored the shirts last season.

Wright said: “I’d like to thank last year’s sponsors for their support and generosity while welcoming GMB as our new shirt sponsor and hope that together we can be part of a successful season for Matlock Town Football Club.”