Paddy Kenny has joined non-league outfit Matlock Town as their goalkeeping coach.

Former Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny has been appointed as Matlock Town’s new goalkeeping coach, the non-league side has announced.

Kenny, who spent eight years at Bramall Lane, playing over 300 games for the club, has linked up with the Derbyshire outfit and will assist them with their push for promotion from the Northern Premier League East Division.

The Gladiators are currently second in the standings, ten points behind league leaders Redcar Athletic. They have won 15 of their opening 24 matches this season, amassing 49 points, meaning they are currently locked in one of the four play-off berths.

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Plying their trade in the same league as Sheffield outfit Hallam FC, Matlock are managed by former Leeds United and Middlesbrough midfielder Adam Clayton. The 37-year-old was sacked by the Derbyshire club just two days after Christmas but was rehired again two days later.

Matlock owner David Hilton said at the time: “We received an approach for Adam from a bigger club higher in the pyramid. We notified Adam of this but due to the investment and the potential to unsettle us we decided to not allow those discussions to take place until our season was complete.

Kenny links up with Clayton

“We later felt that this was unfair on Adam and that the situation had the potential to impact us regardless.

“After the Ossett game, the club decided to release Adam from his contract in order to allow him to move on. We felt that a fresh approach was required due to the situation having the potential to distract people at a vital time in our season.

Matlock Town are pleased to announce the appointment of former Republic Of Ireland international Paddy Kenny to the role of goalkeeping coach.

Paddy started his career in non-league with Ovenden West Riding before a spell at Bradford (Park Avenue). He signed professionally for… pic.twitter.com/RdjvuJwLR4
— 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗙𝗖 | Est 1878 (@Matlock_TownFC) January 19, 2026

“After his release and his discussions with the other club and his family, Adam declined the offer of the new position and requested that he be reinstated at Matlock and allowed to finish what he had started with us and with the group of players he had recruited.”

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In former United shot-stopper Kenny, Matlock have secured a hugely experienced goalkeeper to support their goalkeeping department. The 47-year-old enjoyed a successful playing career, earning promotion to the Premier League with the Blades in 2005/06 and later with QPR in 2010/11.

Kenny chalked up almost 300 Championship appearances during his career, while he played almost 70 games in the Premier League for the Blades and QPR. He has previous coaching experience from a stint in Goole in 2023, serving as joint-manager, but he had to step down because of family and work commitments.