Causeway Lane (Matlock Town)

On a similar note to last week, I’ve been waiting to show you this one for ages. I thought it had gone missing when my phone broke but thankfully it surfaced recently and here it is!

I bloody love Matlock. It’s a gorgeous picturesque town in Derbyshire, and also home to one of my favourite gigs in the country. The Loft bar, where Jason Manford runs a monthly night, is an absolutely brilliant night and now very much a highlight of my year when I get to go and do it.

The football ground is great too, if somewhat quirky. Part of the pitch is shared by the cricket club, meaning that one end is entirely open as it backs onto a cricket pitch. I’m not entirely sure whether it’s a positive or negative for me, but the rest is great. I’ve seen recent pictures with a fence behind the goal – I’ve no idea if that’s permanent or just for match days.

I hit lucky in that there was a cricket game in progress when I visited. If not then there won’t be as much to see from the outside, but the town itself is beautiful enough to make up for it if not. As for the ground, there’s a newer big stand that houses the dug outs, and also offers a raised view of the pitch even from the front rows.

Opposite is a rickety old affair, a combination of seats and standing decked out in blue and white paint. It’s wonderfully pleasing on the eye and then there’s a covered terrace behind one goal.

The club are also nicknamed “The Gladiators”. If you’re a fan of 90s television then you’ll agree with me that this wins special bonus points as well.

Personally, I’ll always welcome a visit to Matlock, and it’d be worth your while trying to time a visit with when the comedy club runs. But the football ground alone, sitting at the bottom of some picturesque Derbyshire countryside, is one to check out. A big thumbs up.
——-

Woodhorn Lane Update
Well after a game against a Newcastle United XI last night, the new stand is eventually open! I’ve nipped across twice this week to take a couple of pictures and each time my camera has died. It’s probably a better idea just to revisit Woodhorn Lane next week with plenty of images for you. But this is the final ever Woodhorn Lane Update. We did it!

If you love Matlock then you’ll love my book! Even though it’s not mentioned anywhere in it!