Uchegbulam heads back to Proctor Cars Stadium
Supporters are set for a familiar face on the wings at the Proctor Cars Stadium, with Jesurun Uchegbulam rejoining Matlock Town from Cymru Premier champions The New Saints. The wide forward, who became a terrace favourite during his earlier spell, returns after previously delivering 9 goals in 38 appearances and lighting up matches with pace, direct running and an eye for goal.
Uchegbulam’s earlier form in blue earned him a move to Chesterfield FC for an undisclosed fee, following a standout showing in a pre‑season meeting with the Spireites. He has since broadened his experience across the pyramid, taking in spells with Rochdale, Oldham Athletic, Eastleigh and Chelmsford City, before heading to The New Saints.
His return gives Matlock a proven outlet out wide and a player who already understands the demands of the club and the expectations from the stands. The move also offers much‑needed continuity in an area of the pitch where direct threat and one‑v‑one ability can quickly change matches.
Coaching team encouraged by pre-season patterns
Assistant manager Ricky Ravenhill said signs of progress are emerging as the squad builds fitness and familiarity, highlighting a recent 2-2 draw with Belper Town. He noted positive combinations despite the recent heat, with staff using friendlies to refine structure and test alternatives.
“We’re starting to see a few patterns. We can be better, we have got lots to work on in certain areas, but you can see the combinations are starting to come together and people are starting to understand each other.”
“We want to try things, we want to look at things, we tried a different shape and we swapped mid-game again, so it is experimental – but it’s good to see the partnerships developing.”
With pre-season in full swing, minutes on the pitch and tactical flexibility are the watchwords. The heatwave has made conditions testing, but staff view it as an opportunity to build resilience while phasing players through varying shapes and roles.
Career path since leaving Matlock
Uchegbulam’s journey since departing has taken him through both the EFL and the National League system, adding adaptability and experience at different levels. For Matlock, this represents the return of a player who has learned from multiple environments yet remains closely connected to the Gladiators’ culture and support base.
| Stage | Detail |
|---|---|
| First Matlock spell | 38 apps, 9 goals; fans’ favourite for pace and direct play |
| Subsequent clubs | Chesterfield (undisclosed fee), Rochdale, Oldham Athletic, Eastleigh, Chelmsford City |
| Most recent club | The New Saints (Cymru Premier champions) |
What it means for Matlock supporters
For the home crowd, the winger’s comeback signals a clear intent to restore cutting edge in wide areas. His familiarity with the club’s environment should reduce bedding‑in time, while his broader CV brings added maturity to the dressing room. Pre‑season still has work to do, but the outlook is buoyed by the visible strides in patterns of play and the reintroduction of a proven threat who resonates with supporters.
- Immediate impact potential: A returnee with end product and acceleration to stretch defences.
- Tactical flexibility: Coaching staff experimenting with shapes and combinations to suit the squad.
- Momentum building: A positive 2-2 friendly, despite challenging temperatures, underpins growing cohesion.
As the warm‑up fixtures continue, all eyes will be on how rapidly Uchegbulam integrates with evolving combinations. The promise, for now, lies in a blend of familiarity and fresh impetus that could serve Matlock well once competitive action begins.
