Reg Matthewson
Encyclopedia
Reg Matthewson is a former English
professional footballer. He played as a defender
in The Football League
for three clubs, making 394 appearances in the process.
with Sheffield United
, who he signed a professional contract with in June 1958. He had to wait until 1961–62
for his league debut, with the Blades playing in the top-flight of English football
at the time.
After six years in the Blades’ first-team, Matthewson joined Fulham
in February 1968 for £30,000, beginning a five year spell at Craven Cottage
that included one promotion and two relegations. In January 1973 Matthewson dropped into the Fourth Division
when he joined Chester
, initially on loan. He made his debut in a 1–1 away draw at Aldershot
, with his home debut a fortnight later ending in a 5–0 win over Darlington
. Matthewson quickly joined Chester permanently and became club captain when Bob Wallace
moved to Aldershot
.
The 1974–75 season
was to be a final glory for Matthewson, as he skippered Chester to a first promotion from Football League Division Four and on an unlikely run to the Football League Cup
semi-finals. Matthewson featured in all of Chester’s eight games during the cup run and missed just two league games, but he was to rarely play after promotion. His final game for Chester was a 3–1 derby defeat to Wrexham
in April 1976.
Matthewson had a spell on the Chester coaching staff and then joined Bangor City
as player-coach, working under his former Chester team-mate Stuart Mason
. He later had a spell assisting Graham Turner
at Shrewsbury Town
and away from football worked for a chemical fertiliser company in Ellesmere Port
. His nephew Trevor Matthewson
played professionally. Matthewson now lives in a small village close to Chester and is retired from work.
Chester
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
professional footballer. He played as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
in 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...
for three clubs, making 394 appearances in the process.
Playing career
Matthewson began his professional career in his home city of SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
with Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, who he signed a professional contract with in June 1958. He had to wait until 1961–62
1961-62 in English football
The 1961–62 season was the 82nd season of competitive Football in England.-Overview:The season was notable for the remarkable achievement of Ipswich Town winning the League Championship. Under the managership of Alf Ramsey, the club progressed from the old Third Division South to the First Division...
for his league debut, with the Blades playing in the top-flight of English football
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
at the time.
After six years in the Blades’ first-team, Matthewson joined Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in February 1968 for £30,000, beginning a five year spell at Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage
Craven Cottage is the name of a football stadium in the Hammersmith and Fulham area that has been the home ground of the association football team Fulham F.C. since 1896....
that included one promotion and two relegations. In January 1973 Matthewson dropped into the Fourth Division
Football League Fourth Division
The Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
when he joined Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, initially on loan. He made his debut in a 1–1 away draw at Aldershot
Aldershot F.C.
Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable...
, with his home debut a fortnight later ending in a 5–0 win over 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...
. Matthewson quickly joined Chester permanently and became club captain when Bob Wallace
Bob Wallace (footballer)
Robert "Bob" Wallace is a former footballer who made 322 appearances in the Football League as a midfielder, playing for Huddersfield Town, Halifax Town, Chester and Aldershot.-External links:*...
moved to Aldershot
Aldershot F.C.
Aldershot Football Club was an English Football League club, which was wound up in the High Court in March 1992. They became the first Football League club since Accrington Stanley to resign from the League during the course of a season. The club was nicknamed the Shots for both the last syllable...
.
The 1974–75 season
1974-75 in English football
The 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
was to be a final glory for Matthewson, as he skippered Chester to a first promotion from Football League Division Four and on an unlikely run to the Football 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...
semi-finals. Matthewson featured in all of Chester’s eight games during the cup run and missed just two league games, but he was to rarely play after promotion. His final game for Chester was a 3–1 derby defeat to Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
in April 1976.
Matthewson had a spell on the Chester coaching staff and then joined Bangor City
Bangor City F.C.
Bangor City Football Club are a semi-professional Welsh football club from the City of Bangor. The club compete in the Welsh Premier League, being ever present since the league was founded in 1992....
as player-coach, working under his former Chester team-mate Stuart Mason
Stuart Mason
Stuart Mason was an English professional footballer who made appearances in The Football League for five clubs...
. He later had a spell assisting Graham Turner
Graham Turner
Graham John Turner is an English former footballer who became a manager. He is currently manager of League Two club Shrewsbury Town. His son Mark was also a professional footballer....
at Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
and away from football worked for a chemical fertiliser company in Ellesmere Port
Ellesmere Port
Ellesmere Port is a large industrial town and port in the unitary authority of Cheshire West and Chester and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. It is situated on the south border of the Wirral Peninsula on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal, which in turn gives access to the River...
. His nephew Trevor Matthewson
Trevor Matthewson
Trevor Matthewson is a former English professional footballer who played as a centre-half. He played over 500 senior games, including over 200 for Birmingham City.-Biography:...
played professionally. Matthewson now lives in a small village close to Chester and is retired from work.
Honours
Fulham- Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
runners-up: 1970–711970-71 in English footballThe 1970–71 season was the 91st season of competitive football in England.-First Division:Arsenal won the league championship at the end of a season which would soon be followed by their FA Cup final tie with Liverpool. Arsenal secured the league title at White Hart Lane, the home of bitter rivals...
(44 apps, 1 goal)
Chester
- Football League Fourth DivisionFootball League Fourth DivisionThe Fourth Division of The Football League was the fourth-highest division in the English football league system from the 1958–59 season until the creation of the Premier League prior to the 1992–93 season...
promotion as fourth placed team: 1974–751974-75 in English footballThe 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
(44 apps, 1 goal)
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe 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...
semi-finalists: 1974–751974-75 in English footballThe 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
.