Tom Wright vacates Matlock Town chairman role with 'a heavy heart'

Tom Wright is pictured with Andrew Hodkin, of JP Investment Partners, after agreeing a previous shirt sponsorship deal.

Outgoing chairman Tom Wright says he made the decision to depart Matlock Town with ‘a heavy heart.’

His Chairman duties were also combined with a role as the club’s Commercial Manager and his powers of persuasion must have earned the club hundreds of thousands of pounds over the years. While his decision to stand down came as a shock to colleagues associated with Matlock, the good news is that he will be staying on as the club’s s Commercial Manager.

So he will bat on as his long innings with the Gladiators will continue. His father first took him to Causeway Lane as a ten year old in 1959 and he was soon hooked as Matlock made it through to the 1st Round Proper of the FA Cup in November 1959 and won the Midland League title in 1961/62 and 1968/69.

When the Gladiators Social Club opened in 1976, three days after the historic FA Cup 2nd Round victory at Mansfield, he chaired the Social Club committee, playing a key role in ensuring the Gladiators had some long awaited social facilities on the ground. As Chairman he was heavily involved in the planning and building of the new Twiggs Stand and Social Club, opened in 2011 which are the envy of many non league clubs. On the field Matlock won the Derbyshire Senior Cup three times during his tenure.

Standing down as Chairman proved to be an immensely tough decision for him.

“I made the decision with a heavy heart” he admitted. “But now I feel it’s time for a fresh approach, in these difficult times for us all it needs someone younger to move the club on to achieve its full potential, someone dynamic with lots of energy, enthusiasm and commitment.”

Mr Wright is understandably particularly proud of his work in the commercial department and may find it more challenging than ever now given the implications for the country and businesses after the Covid-19 outbreak.

“ I’ve organised fifty three Sportsmans Dinners featuring some big names in football and sport and there’s more to come” he promised.

“I’m really grateful for the support we’ve had at these events and for the backing the club’s received from lots of businesses over the years and I hope that will continue.”

Despite mixed fortunes during his tenure, He looks back on his reign in charge and before with great pride.

“It’s been a great privilege, pleasure and honour to be Chairman of this great club for all these years, we’ve seen some great times and some difficult times” he reflected.