Matthew Rees (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Matthew Rees is a Welsh
footballer currently playing for Welsh Premier League side Neath. A former Wales under-21
international, he began his career with Millwall
without making a first team appearance. After loan spells with Aldershot Town
and Dagenham & Redbridge
, he made his debut in the Football League with Swansea City
in 2004, making three appearances. He has also had spells with Crawley Town
and Newport County
.
, turning professional in April 2000, and later captained the club's reserve side. Having not made a first team appearance for the club, he was allowed to join Conference National
side Aldershot Town
on loan in October 2003. He made his debut for the club in a 3–1 over Halifax Town
on 11 October 2003, going on to make ten appearances in all competitions before being recalled from his loan spell by Millwall to cover for an injury crisis after two months. In January 2004, he returned to the Conference on loan with Dagenham & Redbridge
, playing in just one match for the club, a 2–0 defeat to Exeter City
. After returning to Millwall, Rees was sent out on loan for the third time during the 2003–04 season, joining his home town club Swansea City
. He made a goalscoring debut during a 2–1 defeat to Lincoln City
on 10 April 2004 and made two more appearances before the end of the season.
Released by Millwall on his return, Rees joined Crawley Town
on non-contract terms. He remained with the club until November and, after a brief spell with Newport County
, joined Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town
in December 2004. To date, Rees has made over 150 appearances for the club, becoming the clubs all-time record Welsh Premier appearance holder in December 2009, and was named Welsh Premier League player of the month for September 2006.
side on 6 September 2002 as a substitute in place of Rhys Day
during a 2–1 defeat to Finland
. He made two further appearances during the 2002–03 season, during 0–0 draw with South Korea
, in a game designated as an under-20 international, and a 1–0 win over Azerbaijan
. In May 2003, despite having not made a professional appearance at club level, he was called up to the senior Wales
squad for a friendly match against the United States
, remaining on the bench during a 2–0 defeat.
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...
footballer currently playing for Welsh Premier League side Neath. A former Wales under-21
Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
international, he began his career with Millwall
Millwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
without making a first team appearance. After loan spells with Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
and Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
, he made his debut in the Football League with 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...
in 2004, making three appearances. He has also had spells with Crawley Town
Crawley Town F.C.
Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:...
and 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...
.
Club career
Rees began his career as a youth player at MillwallMillwall F.C.
Millwall Football Club is an English professional football club based in South Bermondsey, south east London, that plays in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football. Founded as Millwall Rovers in 1885, the club has retained its name despite having last played in the...
, turning professional in April 2000, and later captained the club's reserve side. Having not made a first team appearance for the club, he was allowed to join 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...
side Aldershot Town
Aldershot Town F.C.
Aldershot Town Football Club is an association football club based in Aldershot, Hampshire, England, founded in the spring of 1992 just after the closure of debt-ridden Fourth Division club Aldershot Football Club...
on loan in October 2003. He made his debut for the club in a 3–1 over Halifax Town
Halifax Town A.F.C.
Halifax Town Association Football Club were an English football team who most recently played in the Conference National, although prior to that they participated in the Football League for over eighty years...
on 11 October 2003, going on to make ten appearances in all competitions before being recalled from his loan spell by Millwall to cover for an injury crisis after two months. In January 2004, he returned to the Conference on loan with Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge F.C.
Dagenham & Redbridge Football Club , informally known as Daggers, is an English association football club based in Dagenham, in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham, East London. It was formed in 1992 after a merger between Redbridge Forest and Dagenham...
, playing in just one match for the club, a 2–0 defeat to Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
. After returning to Millwall, Rees was sent out on loan for the third time during the 2003–04 season, joining his home town club 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...
. He made a goalscoring debut during a 2–1 defeat to Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
on 10 April 2004 and made two more appearances before the end of the season.
Released by Millwall on his return, Rees joined Crawley Town
Crawley Town F.C.
Crawley Town Football Club is an English football club based in Crawley, West Sussex. They won the title of the Football Conference, by a record 15 point margin on second place, and with it promotion to The Football League, in April 2011.-1896–2009:...
on non-contract terms. He remained with the club until November and, after a brief spell with 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...
, joined Welsh Premier League side Port Talbot Town
Port Talbot Town F.C.
Port Talbot Town F.C. is a football club from Port Talbot in Wales and was founded in 1901, making Port Talbot Athletic as they were then one of the first association football clubs to be founded in Wales...
in December 2004. To date, Rees has made over 150 appearances for the club, becoming the clubs all-time record Welsh Premier appearance holder in December 2009, and was named Welsh Premier League player of the month for September 2006.
International career
Rees made his debut for the Wales under-21Wales national under-21 football team
The Wales national under-21 football team, also known as the Wales U21s, is the national under-21 football team of Wales and is controlled by the Football Association of Wales. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
side on 6 September 2002 as a substitute in place of Rhys Day
Rhys Day
Rhys Day is a Welsh footballer who plays for Mansfield Town.Day mainly plays as a central defender, and has been capped several times for the Wales under-21 team.-Career:...
during a 2–1 defeat to Finland
Finland national under-21 football team
The Finnish national under-21 football team is the national under-21 football team of Finland. The team qualified for the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship final tournament in 2009.-UEFA U-21 Championship Record:...
. He made two further appearances during the 2002–03 season, during 0–0 draw with South Korea
Korea Republic national under-20 football team
The South Korea national under-20 football team represents South Korea in international youth football competitions.-FIFA U-20 World Cup:-AFC U-19 Championship:* Winner* : shared winner* DNP : Did Not Participate* DNQ : Did Not Qualify...
, in a game designated as an under-20 international, and a 1–0 win over Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan national under-21 football team
The Azerbaijan national under-21 football team are a feeder team to the Azerbaijan Senior team.- UEFA U-21 Championship Record:* 2002: Did not qualify. Finished 5th of 6 in qualification group....
. In May 2003, despite having not made a professional appearance at club level, he was called up to the senior Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
squad for a friendly match against the United States
United States men's national soccer team
The United States men's national soccer team represents the United States in international association football competitions. It is controlled by the United States Soccer Federation and competes in CONCACAF...
, remaining on the bench during a 2–0 defeat.