Cresswell appointed new Matlock Town boss

The appointment brings to an end Cresswell's three-year stay at Sheffield.

He won over 100 games during his tenure and turned the world's oldest football club into a stable NPL East Division side.

Cresswell took over the managerial reins at Sheffield in November 2021, having enjoyed his first taste of coaching at Northern Counties side Parkgate following his retirement.

The Gladiators, who sit bottom of the Northern Premier League, say their incoming manager "impressed the interview panel with his knowledge and passion to take the Gladiators forward".

"I’m really excited and looking forward to the challenge," Cresswell said following his appointment.

“The job appealed to me because it offered the chance of progression on a personal level and to have a really good go at Step 3 football, but also because the club’s ambition matched mine in terms of wanting to climb the league and push on from there.

“It was good to see the team win on Saturday because a victory helps any club’s morale, both on and off the pitch, and will help with the work to be done.”

One man who won't be a stranger to the incoming Matlock boss is experienced central defender and new assistant Shaun Brisley.

Brisley joined the club over the summer, becoming the first signing that Nicky Law, Cresswell's predecessor, made at the club.

He also acted as caretaker boss on an interim basis while the Gladiators searched for a permanent successor to Law, who was sacked at the start of the month.

On his relationship with Brisley, Cresswell added: “I was actually playing for Macclesfield on loan from Sheffield United on the day Bris made his professional debut, and we probably played 15-20 games together.

“We then played a similar number of games together at Northampton and have stayed in touch since.

“It will be good to have someone alongside me who already knows the club and the players, and I’ve been speaking with him at length about where we see this crop of players going and where we may need to strengthen."

Changes to the squad have already begun, with former Guiseley full-back Reece Kendall joining prior to Saturday's 2-1 league win over Workington.

Connor Dimaio has also returned to the club on a permanent basis from Bradford Park Avenue, with Woking midfielder Josh Smith also making the move to the Proctor Cars Stadium on a three-month loan.

Photo credit: Sheffield