Matlock Town boss reflects on a year in charge

The former Ashton United and Buxton boss was swiftly installed after Steve Kittrick’s departure and was hoping for a good result in his opening match at Mickleover a couple of days later.

But that game never took place as news emerged of an attack on Matlock midfielder Jordan Sinnott which led to his untimely death a couple of hours after the scheduled finish of the game.

“It’s been a strange year. It was a difficult start for me and for everyone at the club and all our thoughts are with Jordan’s family and friends on the first anniversary of his passing,” said Phillips..

“It was part of a time when there was more bad news for the club than good and I was very proud of how the lads reacted to the terrible news and played the game versus Hyde when there was a lot of media attention on them and the club. Everyone conducted themselves magnificently.”

The Gladiators had slid alarmingly down the table after being league leaders with a 100 per cent record at the start of the campaign to become embroiled in a relegation struggle before Covid-19 halted things.

“It was time for me and my staff to put our own stamp on things and I think people can see , and with no disrespect to previous management teams, we’ve brought in players of a different element, a different mentality and ability into the club,” Phillips added.

Since his appointment, Matlock have played just 19 league and cup matches in a year, a stark contrast to what would happen in a non Covid year.

“The stop/start has probably been the hardest part of it to take, especially after bringing something like thirteen new lads in,” he added.

"Everybody wanted and still wants to get their teeth into it and push on but with the amount of deaths from the pandemic, understandably that’s not going to happen.

"We were on a good run before we suffered from players contracting the virus.

“I’m pleased that we’ve been able to compete well and be up there with the likes of Buxton,” Phillips added. “It’s difficult to pick out a particular game as a highlight in my first year here, for me, it’s that the crowds are up with people seeming to buy into what we’ve been doing.The fans have been fantastic.”