Matlock Town turned to the experience of assistant coach Terry Fleming as their injury crisis worsened during their recent Integro League Cup fixture against Basford United last month, with the latter claiming a 1-0 win and a place in the next round. 

Fleming, 45 years, came out of retirement for this tie as the English non-league club had to make do without 13 senior players who were sidelined by injury. 

With his selection options stretched to the limit, manager David Frecklington asked Fleming to put his football shoes again for one more time and also turned to a number of players from the youth team who are currently managed by former Maltese defender Justin Tellus.

Tellus, who enjoyed a successful club career at Valletta and Birkirkara among others, is currently filling the role of Development Manager at Matlock Town and has been a key figure in nurturing the talent of the likes of Ashton Hall, Ethan Knowles, Nathan Clarke and Alex Phillipson who were named in Matlock’s squad for the match against Basford. 

Contacted by the Times of Malta, Tellus confirmed the story and said that for his youngters it was a great learning curve.

“Having so many players in the treatment room, the coach opted to bring in four players from my youth team, aged between 16 and 17 years, to the first team squad which is quite a rare scenario for us,” he said.

“I was glad to see these youngsters having the chance to play with the seniors, especially sharing the field with a player of the caliber of Terry Fleming. I’m sure they learnt a lot from him.

“Bringing in Fleming was a good decision because the dressing room needed someone with experience who could help the youth members to adapt as quickly as possible without lacking confidence.

“Fleming did a great job as a central midfielder. His experience proved valuable in terms of leadership and communication.” Before joining Matlock’s technical staff, Fleming played for several clubs across the United Kingdom including Coventry City, Preston, Lincoln City and Cambridge. 

After hanging up his boots, he had coaching spells at Lincoln and Sleaford Town before joining the Northern Premier League side. 

“I agreed to come out of retirement in order to help the team in this bizarre situation,” Fleming told the Times of Malta. “I was really looking forward to play and on the field, I felt that buzz of being a player.

“Coaching and management are the next best thing, but playing in competitive games is always something that I liked.” 

Asked if this was just a one-off appearance, Fleming admitted that he would be available to don the Matlock’s kit if the injury list does not start to shorten itself.

Fleming, who arrived at the club this season, hailed the contribution of Justin Tellus and said that the fact that there are young players who can be part of the senior team, augurs well for the future of this club.

“He has great work ethic and commitment as he is determined to help these youngsters maximize their potential to be able to play at senior level.”

Tellus has been working with the Matlock youngsters for the past three years and has been crucial in nurturing talents who went to seek pastures new at clubs at higher divisions.

He has been instrumental in feeding bigger clubs with players who went through his supervision, including Max Hunt and Zack Brunt who joined Derby and Sheffield United respectively earlier this year.  

 “My aim is to work with the academy and the youth teams, here at Matlock Town,” Tellus said.

“We have two recruitment systems who put a lot of emphasis on grassroots football. We monitor 16-year old players who are considered fringes at clubs like Derby County, Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday and we give them the opportunity to develop here.

“It’s a great satisfaction for me as a coach to see these young players develop into senior professionals.”