MATLOCK TOWN FC PRESS RELEASE
Matlock Town and Derby County have signed an agreement which will see the Rams under 21’s playing their home fixtures at the Proctor Cars Stadium until the end of the 2026/27 season.
Derby faced Manchester City at Matlock last October winning 4-2 in a match which attracted more than 300 spectators and following the success of that Saturday lunchtime kick off, talks between the two clubs since have facilitated the move for Derby under 21’s from the Loughborough Students ground to Causeway Lane.
Matlock Chairman Jay Beaumont is delighted that the Rams have made the move to the Derbyshire Dales where there is a strong Rams support with the bonus that Derby will be helping with stadium and pitch improvements at the Proctor Cars Stadium.
“This is a great long term deal for both clubs building further on the close ties that have been developed. This deal will enable us to accelerate the development of our Causeway Lane facilities both on and off the pitch.
These works will be starting in early May with the upgrade of the toilet block and pitch side drainage in that same corner of the ground. Further works are being planned over the next eighteen months focussed largely on the playing surface which I can confirm will be grass.”
Football fans in Matlock and the Derbyshire Dales will have the chance to see up and coming Premier League stars on their own doorstep. For Gladiators season ticket holders there is an added bonus as Mr Beaumont explains. “As well as the ground development this deal means that fans will be able to see Derby County under 21’s welcoming some great teams from the Premier League 2 providing people with the opportunity to see some stars of the future up close. While specific season tickets will be available for these matches, Matlock Town FC season ticket holders will automatically gain admission to these games free of charge.”
Derby Chief Executive Stephen Pearce says that moving to the Proctor Cars
Stadium suits them down to the ground.
“We weighed up various options and felt that Matlock ticked all the boxes for what we required. We have built up a strong working partnership with Matlock in recent years and we’re happy to see that become formalised for the next three years. We’re looking forward to building on those foundations and we’re looking forward to seeing the under 21’s in action at the Proctor Cars Stadium next season.”
Ian Richardson – Matlock Town FC