Matt Green (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Matthew James "Matt" Green (born 2 January 1987) is an English footballer who plays for Mansfield Town
, on loan until 31 December 2011 from Oxford United
, as a striker.
youth programme but was released by the club as they deemed he was too small to play professional football. An England schoolboy international, Green went on to join the Cirencester Academy under the direction of former Newport County
player and Welsh
international Steve Lowndes
who recommended him to Newport in the 2005 close season. A pacey striker, he made a big impact in his first season, making 30 appearances for the Newport County first team in all competitions. He was a part-time player at Newport and worked full-time at a near-by car auction warehouse before he began to attract interest.
Several teams watched him while he played for Newport, including Bristol City
, Reading
, Stoke City
and Swansea City
, but instead Green joined Cardiff City
in January 2007 for a fee of £10,000 with possible add-ons depending on appearances. Green had played alongside several former Cardiff players at Newport including Nathan Blake
, Jason Bowen
and Damon Searle
. Green made his debut for his new club against Preston North End
coming on for the final few minutes as a substitute for Michael Chopra
in Cardiff's 4–1 home win on 23 February 2007. He made five further appearances, all as a substitute, later that season. At the start of the 2007–08 season Green was included in a two game pre-season tour of Portugal where he made appearances in both games, scoring in one. He also appeared as a substitute in Cardiff's first round League Cup
win at home to Brighton & Hove Albion
.
In October 2007 Green signed a one-month loan
deal at League Two
side Darlington
. He made his debut for Darlington on 9 October against Leeds United
in the Football League Trophy
. He started the match on the bench, but was brought on earlier than planned due to the injury of teammate Tommy Wright. He hit the post late in the game as Leeds won 1–0. He returned to Cardiff on 8 November after making five appearances in all competitions for Darlington.
He joined Oxford United
on an emergency one month loan deal on 22 November and scored on his debut for the club on 24 November against Kidderminster Harriers
. He made two further appearances for Oxford during his loan spell, in the Conference National
defeat away to Northwich Victoria
and in the FA Cup
draw at home to Southend United
, before suffering a broken collarbone and returning to Cardiff for treatment.
He rejoined Oxford on loan on 25 January. He got his first goals of the second loan spell by scoring twice in the 3–0 home win against Histon
on 9 February, going on to make a total of 18 appearances before returning to Cardiff where he was released on his return.
Despite interest for a permanent deal from Oxford and suggestions from Oxford manager Darren Patterson
that Green had verbally agreed to sign for Oxford, on 31 May 2008 he signed for Conference rivals Torquay United
. Green began the season on the bench for Torquay, making regular substitute appearances, and on 23 September he scored his first goal for the club with a late winner away to Forest Green Rovers
.
On 3 January 2009, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 win against Championship side Blackpool
in the FA Cup
third round for Torquay, scoring in the 32nd minute. He rejoined Oxford on loan for the 2009–10
season on 22 June.
On 29 October 2009 Green was named in the England C Squad for the match versus Poland Under-23 on 17 November 2009.
He helped Oxford finish third in the Conference, scoring 10 goals. On 16 May 2010, he scored the opening goal at Wembley Stadium
as Oxford defeated York City
3-1 in the 2010 Conference National play-off Final
to return to the Football League
after a four-year exile.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8673190.stm He signed for Oxford permanently on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 2 June. On Monday 31 January 2011 he signed on loan at Cheltenham Town
until the end of the season.
On 22 July 2011, it was announced that Green would be joining Mansfield Town
on loan until 31 December of the same year, with £2,000 donated towards the transfer by fans' group The 12th Stag.
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
, on loan until 31 December 2011 from Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
, as a striker.
Career
Born in Bath, Somerset, Green was a member of the Bristol CityBristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
youth programme but was released by the club as they deemed he was too small to play professional football. An England schoolboy international, Green went on to join the Cirencester Academy under the direction of former Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
player and Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
international Steve Lowndes
Steve Lowndes
Steve Lowndes is a former Wales international footballer. Lowndes started his career at Newport County during the most successful period in the club's long history...
who recommended him to Newport in the 2005 close season. A pacey striker, he made a big impact in his first season, making 30 appearances for the Newport County first team in all competitions. He was a part-time player at Newport and worked full-time at a near-by car auction warehouse before he began to attract interest.
Several teams watched him while he played for Newport, including Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
, Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
, Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
and Swansea City
Swansea City A.F.C.
Swansea City Association Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Swansea, Wales. One of the most successful clubs in Welsh football, it has won 10 Welsh Cups and led the English Football League First Division in December 1981, before finishing the season in 6th position...
, but instead Green joined Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
in January 2007 for a fee of £10,000 with possible add-ons depending on appearances. Green had played alongside several former Cardiff players at Newport including Nathan Blake
Nathan Blake
Nathan Alexander Blake is a Welsh former professional footballer, who played in the Premier League for several clubs and also represented his country at international level...
, Jason Bowen
Jason Bowen (footballer)
Jason Peter Bowen is a Welsh former international footballer. Bowen was capped twice by Wales in a career which started at Swansea City.-Playing career:...
and Damon Searle
Damon Searle
Damon Peter Searle is a Welsh professional footballer. He is a left-sided defender and midfielder currently without a club after leaving Welsh Premier League side Haverfordwest County.-Career:...
. Green made his debut for his new club against Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
coming on for the final few minutes as a substitute for Michael Chopra
Michael Chopra
Rocky Michael Chopra is an English footballer who plays for Football League Championship side Ipswich Town. He is of mixed Indian and British descent....
in Cardiff's 4–1 home win on 23 February 2007. He made five further appearances, all as a substitute, later that season. At the start of the 2007–08 season Green was included in a two game pre-season tour of Portugal where he made appearances in both games, scoring in one. He also appeared as a substitute in Cardiff's first round League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
win at home to Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
.
In October 2007 Green signed a one-month loan
Loan (football)
In sports, a loan involves a particular player being allowed to temporarily play for a club other than the one he is currently contracted to. Loan deals may last from a few weeks to all season-long....
deal at League Two
Football League Two
Football League Two is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
. He made his debut for Darlington on 9 October against Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in the Football League Trophy
Football League Trophy
The Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
. He started the match on the bench, but was brought on earlier than planned due to the injury of teammate Tommy Wright. He hit the post late in the game as Leeds won 1–0. He returned to Cardiff on 8 November after making five appearances in all competitions for Darlington.
He joined Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
on an emergency one month loan deal on 22 November and scored on his debut for the club on 24 November against Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
. He made two further appearances for Oxford during his loan spell, in the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
defeat away to Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
and in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
draw at home to Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
, before suffering a broken collarbone and returning to Cardiff for treatment.
He rejoined Oxford on loan on 25 January. He got his first goals of the second loan spell by scoring twice in the 3–0 home win against Histon
Histon F.C.
Histon Football Club is an English football club based in the twin villages of Histon and Impington, approximately north of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. From the 2007–08 season they competed in the Conference National, the highest level that the club has ever reached in the English football league...
on 9 February, going on to make a total of 18 appearances before returning to Cardiff where he was released on his return.
Despite interest for a permanent deal from Oxford and suggestions from Oxford manager Darren Patterson
Darren Patterson
Darren James Patterson is a Northern Irish former footballer and manager. As a player he was primarily a central defender who could also play at full back or as a defensive midfielder. He is the interim assistant manager at Bristol Rovers, where he has previously held the positions of Head of...
that Green had verbally agreed to sign for Oxford, on 31 May 2008 he signed for Conference rivals Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. Green began the season on the bench for Torquay, making regular substitute appearances, and on 23 September he scored his first goal for the club with a late winner away to Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers F.C.
Forest Green Rovers Football Club is an English football club based in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, currently the longest-serving members of the Conference National. The club is affiliated to the Gloucestershire County FA.-Early years:...
.
On 3 January 2009, he scored the winning goal in a 1–0 win against Championship side Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
third round for Torquay, scoring in the 32nd minute. He rejoined Oxford on loan for the 2009–10
2009–10 in English football
The 2009–10 season was the 130th season of competitive football in England.The season began on 8 August 2009 for the Championship, League One and League Two and 15 August 2009 for the Premier League...
season on 22 June.
On 29 October 2009 Green was named in the England C Squad for the match versus Poland Under-23 on 17 November 2009.
He helped Oxford finish third in the Conference, scoring 10 goals. On 16 May 2010, he scored the opening goal at Wembley Stadium
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
as Oxford defeated York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
3-1 in the 2010 Conference National play-off Final
2010 Conference National play-off Final
The 2010 Conference National play-off Final, known as the 2010 Blue Square Premier play-off Final for sponsorship purposes, was a football match between Oxford United and York City on 16 May 2010 at Wembley Stadium in London. It was the eighth Conference National play-off Final and the fourth to be...
to return to the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
after a four-year exile.http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8673190.stm He signed for Oxford permanently on a two-year contract for an undisclosed fee on 2 June. On Monday 31 January 2011 he signed on loan at Cheltenham Town
Cheltenham Town F.C.
Cheltenham Town Football Club is an English football club playing in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. Founded in 1887, the team has played at four different grounds, namely Agg-Gardner's Recreation Ground, Carter's Field and now the Abbey Business Stadium, although it is more...
until the end of the season.
On 22 July 2011, it was announced that Green would be joining Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
on loan until 31 December of the same year, with £2,000 donated towards the transfer by fans' group The 12th Stag.
Club statistics
As of 29 June 2009.| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | App | Goals | ||
| Newport County Newport County A.F.C. Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system... |
2005-06 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 32 | 5 |
| 2006-07 | 20 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 29 | 7 | |
| Subtotal | 48 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | 61 | 12 | |
| Cardiff City Cardiff City F.C. Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for... |
2006-07 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2007-08 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Darlington Darlington F.C. Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003... (loan) |
2007-08 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Oxford United Oxford United F.C. Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The... (loan) |
2007-08 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Oxford United Oxford United F.C. Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The... (loan) |
2007-08 | 18 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 9 |
| Subtotal | 78 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 95 | 22 | |
| Torquay United Torquay United F.C. Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley... |
2008-09 | 29 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 5 |
| Oxford United Oxford United F.C. Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The... (loan) |
2009-10 | 41 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 46 | 13 |
| Subtotal | 70 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 80 | 18 | |
| Oxford United Oxford United F.C. Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The... |
2010-11 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 2 |
| Mansfield Town Mansfield Town F.C. Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910... (loan) |
2011- | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 4 |
| Total | 114 | 26 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 4 | 136 | 31 | |