GLADIATORS HOPE TO PUT ON THEIR SUNDAY BEST FOR FC UNITED

04/02/2009

UniBond League Premier Division club Matlock Town look set to play their first Sunday game in two decades when FC United of Manchester come to Causeway Lane next month.

The Derbyshire Constabulary have ruled that the Gladiators cannot stage their league clash against FC United, who regularly take a following approaching or over 1,000 fans to away games, on the scheduled Saturday date of 7th March. Now it seems almost certain that the match will be played twenty four hours later on Sunday, March 8th with a 3pm kick-off.

Explaining the fixture change, Matlock`s Chief Executive said that the move came about due to Derby County entertaining Bristol City at Pride Park Stadium on the Saturday.

"Due to heavy policing requirements for the Derby County versus Bristol City game on Saturday, March 7th, the authorities have instructed that the Matlock Town v FC United of Manchester game due to be played on the same day is moved. We have discussed the situation with both FC United and UniBond League officials and they have both given their support to the fixture being moved to the following day, Sunday March 8th with a 3pm kick-off. The information has been passed to the relevant Police authorities and we expect to receive their full approval during discussions on Thursday. We are very grateful for the very prompt and positive response we've had from the management of FC United and we're confident that the 24 hour delay will not detract from what promises to be a very attractive fixture, possibly similar to the exciting opening game of the season which ended 3-3 in Manchester."

(Ian Richardson)