NPL Premier Division outfit Matlock Town recently announced the signing of midfielder Callum Chippendale from local rivals Buxton.
Chippendale is one of three signings announced so far by the Gladiators ahead of the 2020/21 season. The former Bucks skipper was asked whether it was a tough decision to join a rival team:
“Yes and no. I had a really good time at Buxton. I’d been there for just over two years. I loved my time at the club, I can’t say anything bad about the place really. I had Phillo (Paul Phillips) as a manager whilst I was there.
"I know about Matlock because it’s got a big online presence, so you see quite a bit of them and obviously I’ve played against Matlock quite a few times. With what Phillo has told me, it seemed like a good time to sign.”
Chippendale spoke enthusiastically about Matlock Town’s prospects for the season ahead.
“I think it’s exciting times ahead, definitely. The club’s getting some interest from overseas…it looks like Rob Molloy has got really good intentions for the club. We’re not here to finish mid-table – we want to be up there challenging for the league title or for the play-offs.”
The new recruit has also spoken about his first impressions of the first training sessions and get-togethers for the new-look Gladiators squad.
“It’s been weird because obviously it still has to be all socially distanced. We’ve looked at more of the technical side of things. I already know quite a few of the lads who are at the club. I think the club’s attracting really good players, I think it’s going to be an exciting year.”
The midfielder, who has also had spells at Boston United and Gainsborough Trinity, spoke in detail too about what a team managed by Paul Phillips is like and what his key attributes are. Despite taking over at the Gladiators in January, Matlock fans still won’t have seen a great deal of the club under Phillips’s stewardship.
Chippendale also commented on the struggles of trying to train when the pandemic lockdown was at its strictest, how difficult it is to prepare for a season which still has no confirmed start date and how football at this level has been somewhat left in the lurch regarding the future.
In his interview, Chippendale was also asked what Matlock fans can expect from him on the pitch once the 2020-21 campaign is finally under way.
“I’d say I’m a box to box midfielder, I like to get up and down. I always look to help out the forwards and score goals from midfield. I am more of an attacking midfielder than defensive.
"I’m looking at bringing goals into this team. I’m looking at being part of a good, strong midfield that will help us dominate games.”
This should be welcome news to Matlock supporters who have watched for the past year a side who have struggled to take their chances in front of goal and were too heavily reliant on Marcus Marshall to keep scoring goals.
This issue has needed further addressing as Marshall left the Gladiators for Basford United shortly after the NPL 2019/20 campaign was officially cancelled. Chippendale ended the interview with high optimism for Matlock’s season ahead.
“Play-offs are the absolute minimum. We’re not here to have a season where if we finish in the top half we’ll see it as a success. Play-offs is the minimum required for it to be a success.
"We want to be one of the toughest teams to play against in this league. It’s been a bit stale here for a while and we’re looking to bring some life to the club and get the whole of the town of Matlock behind us.”
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