Nicknamed the Gladiators, Matlock Town F.C. has been in existence for more than a century although they were disbanded during World War 2.

Nobody can be certain when Matlock Town was actually formed. Records prove the club was in existence by 1894, and that it continued until the Second World War before disbanding. Following reformation in 1946, committee members had continually struggled to keep the club afloat.
The saviour of the club turned out to be the Supporters Auxiliary Association, formed in 1956, which continued to pump-in the necessary finances the club desperately needed. And almost immediately, the future seemed brighter - and with money now available, expansion was possible both on and off the field.
Starting with 400 members, the SAA, developed through the good work of its agents and the loyalty of its members to a position where it was able to help provide the necessary money to maintain a very high standard of football
Memories of those hard years however, were recalled by the immortal phrase of the late Matlock Town chairman, Cyril Harrison, 'those long-striding giants from Ilkeston,' not to mention other Derbyshire teams, had handed-out thrashing after thrashing to Matlock, were still all too fresh.
But there had been a dramatic improvement in the previous two seasons - thanks to this new financial backing - with Matlock now able to field teams capable of finishing fifth in the Central Alliance League in 1957/58, and third in 1958/59.

Crest of a Wave
And the good times continued - at least in the league - for the Gladiators, swept along on the crest of a wave, won the championship twice in succession before leaving the Central Alliance for the fresher pastures of the Midland League in 1961. Joining this new League however, did nothing to halt the club's progress and they soon celebrated further success, claiming the championship of that League too at their first attempt.

Lean FA Cup years - But an Early Trophy Sight of Wembley
The club continued to enjoy some additional league and trophy success - finishing runners-up in the Derbyshire Senior Cup in 1960/61 season and again in 1963/64. And in 1961/62, Matlock won the Derby Divisional Cup (North), and the following year they almost repeated the process - but had to settle for runners-up in the same competition.
Several lean FA cup years though had followed the Crook Town excitement and it was to be about nine years later before they made an impact in another major cup contest - the FA Trophy.
And yet, apart from a slight flutter of excitement when Matlock forced a replay with Macclesfield Town in the mid sixties, there was little else for the fans to shout about in any cup competition until 1967, when Town were drawn away to top of the Southern League, Nuneaton Utd.
The previous year, their opponents had reached the 3rd Round Proper and their town was now gripped with cup fever. Over 5,500 watched the match and apart from Wembley in 1975, this was still the largest crowd to watch a Matlock Town game. The day was exciting and Matlock played well and looked set for a replay until Nuneaton clinched it with a goal fifteen minutes from time.
The next year, 1968, and Matlock were in the 4th qualifying round, again drawn away, this time to Bilston, a lowly side from the West Midlands League. Matlock disappointed on the day and fell to two first-half goals - allowing Bilston the honour of going on to meet Halifax Town.

Northern Premier League - and Cup Ambitions
In 1968/69, the Gladiators lifted the Midland Counties League championship once again. This was a significant triumph as it guaranteed them admission to the prestigious Northern Premier League - formed just a year earler. The 1969/70 season also marked their best effort to date in the FA Trophy - reaching the last sixteen and creating hopes of an early Wembley appearance.
Playing under manager Ian Swift, Matlock had confidently swept into the 3rd Round Proper of the competition and seemed certain to reach the quarter-finals after being drawn at home to Cheshire League side Mossley. Mossley however, had other ideas and soon undermined Swifty's confidence, proving much tougher opposition than expected.

Quarter Final Blow
The team's drew 2-2 at Causeway Lane on February 21, 1970; and were still level-pegging at 3-3 after extra-time at Mossley just three days later. The second replay was staged at Buxton's Silverlands ground the following week. Once again, the teams were locked 1-1 and extra time seemed inevitable when, with little more than a minute of play left, came a dramatic decider which shattered Matlock's hopes. Town defender John Fairhurst who had played a true captain's game, tried to push the ball back to goalkeeper Ken Walton, only to turn it into his own net. Matlock were out and the mirage of Wembley disappeared on the snow-flecked Silverlands turf - until five years later.
Matlock Town's entry however into the Northern Premier League still didn't do much to improve their FA Cup record.
They were immediately eliminated by Retford of the Midland League, and the following season, they lost to lowly Yorkshire League side Rawmarsh - amid dramatic scenes after the Gladiators had taken the lead with minutes to go only to see Rawmarsh equalise seconds from time and then grab the winner in extra time.
Sutton Town were Matlock's next cup tormentors in 1971 and 1972; winning straight-out at Causeway Lane in the first encounter, and then repeating the dose twelve months later - this time after a replay. And in 1973, Matlock were again drawn against Midland League opposition, travelling to Arnold to force a replay. In the return match at Causeway Lane; Matlock were 0-2 down with five minutes to go but dramatically forced extra-time before eventually going down 3-4.