Matlock Town boss helps Brian Wilson's bid to become a manager

But the vastly experienced Wilson who turned 37 earlier this month, has told Phillips of his desire to be a manager in his own right, a situation Phillips is happy with.

“Brian will again be on the playing staff next season as well as being part of the management team” Phillips confirmed.

“He has a wealth of experience with over 400 Football League games under his belt, but Brian has also told me he wants to be a manager in his own right and will be applying for jobs.

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“He has my full support, he’s one hundred per cent professional and as a club we’ll do all we can to help him. But until the time that the management job comes his way, he’ll be giving one hundred per cent to Matlock Town.”

Phillips has been busy shortlisting for two scouting positions with the Gladiators during the last few days.

“We had eighty eight applications which just goes to show what a good club Matlock is and how people regard it” said Phillips.

“We’ve got it down to the final three and will be making a decision shortly. It’s been a terrific response and I’d like to thank everyone who has taken the time and trouble to apply.”

Meanwhile, Matlock officials continue to be overwhelmed by the generosity of people from far and wide as donations to their Just Giving fund, set up to cover the void in finances due to the Covid-19 outbreak, have passed the £17,000 mark.

The vast majority of the money collected has come from online donations but the club stress that donations can also be made using the more traditional methods of sending cheques or posting cash donations through the door of their club shop at the entrance to the Proctor Cars Stadium.

During the last week two keen fans based in New Zealand have pledged £500 and more local fans have kept the donations coming in, including an amount of £130 from the Matlock Town Juniors U14 girls team.

“Helen Cordin from the girls team organised a collection and it’s brilliant that they’ve done so well” said Matlock Chief Executive Keith Brown.

“We’re so grateful to them and to everyone who’s contributed.

“In many ways it’s very typical of the response we’ve had since the appeal was launched, it shows there’s true community spirit around the place and that the football club is still very much vitally important to a lot of people, not only here in Matlock but further afield.”

At present nobody knows when non league football will return and how that return will be managed with social distancing measures likely to be in force.

“Our manager Paul Phillips and his staff have been working hard preparing as best they can for the new season whenever that may start” said Chairman Tom Wright.

“Despite all of the problems that this outbreak has caused for clubs like ours, it’s important that we’re set and ready to go once we get the green light to resume playing.”

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