Matlock Town — just another non-league side gunning for FA Trophy glory
The Buildbase FA Trophy, a competition opened to clubs in the fifth — eighth step of England’s football league system, is still as relevant today as it was nearly 52 years ago when Macclesfield Town lifted the cup for the first ever time.
Since its inauguration in the 1969/70 season has faced several changes and developments however, the FA Trophy still grants non-league teams the opportunity to play at Wembley Stadium and win a knockout tournament similar to that of the FA Cup. Originally opened to all semi-professional teams in the country, the abolishment of the amateur status in 1974 meant that 300 clubs would now be fighting for the trophy.
By 1991, just 120 teams would enter at the start of each season, however it was decided that all clubs in the first four tiers of the non-league system would be able to enter.
Matlock Town, a Northern Premier League (NPL) Premier side located in Derbyshire, are just one of 310 sides going for FA Trophy glory this season, entering the competition in the third qualifying round.
Bryn Apperley, chairman of the club, explained how the cup is still valued in the modern non-league system:
“I feel the FA Trophy is highly significant. It offers clubs the chance to gain much needed revenue and also to put their teams against opposition from higher leagues.”
The Gladiators won their first and only FA Trophy in 1974/75. Matlock put four past Scarborough FC without reply at the original Wembley, creating history with the largest winning margin in FA Trophy final history. Since then, Matlock have not reached the final of the competition and with the National League growing ever stronger, it seems unlikely for that to happen in the near future.
On the National League’s strength, Bryn said: “Over the league season full-time clubs should excel over other clubs. But with the Trophy, one-off games, anything is possible.
Matthew Rhodes, a local reporter and part of the media team at the club, spoke of the competition’s relevancy to the team’s season: “I don’t think it can be denied that the FA Trophy isn’t seen as a priority by many National League sides — at least in the first few months of a season anyway.
“Even Dave Wild, Matlock Town’s assistant manager, stated that the league is the top priority ahead of their 1st round FA Trophy clash this season.”
Matlock were eliminated in the First Round Proper in the 2020/21 season, losing 5–2 to eighth tier Coleshill Town. And although the NPL North is the priority, after a strong start to the season in the league, the club have managed to reach the third round of the cup and will face sixth tier side and two-time winners York City at home on December 18th.
The competition still has an importance financially to the non-league structure and going far in the FA Trophy can hold high significance for teams. Matthew spoke of the value this can have: “If you’re purely looking from a financial point of view, the prize money is decent.
“It [the prize money] can genuinely act as a huge safety net for teams going through a lot of financial strife,” he added.
Matlock have secured £9,200 after defeating AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Rushall Olympic and Marske United in this season’s tournament. This money is paramount to clubs like Matlock who have had their two previous league seasons suspended and cancelled due to Covid-19.
The players are also offered a small bonus for their endeavours in the Trophy, giving them all the more reason to succeed.
With Matlock just five wins from a historical trip to Wembley Stadium and a chance at £60,000, Gladiators fans might start to dream of cup glory. Now dissolved North Ferriby United’s 2015 FA Trophy win can bring hope to Matlock, as they look to end 47 years of hurt.
