Everyone at Edgeley Park is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of our former player Neil Matthews at the age of 56, following a battle with cancer.
He began his footballing career with his hometown club Grimsby Town and made his league debut for the Mariners in 1984. He had loan spells at Scunthorpe and Bolton before signing for Halifax in 1987.
It was reported at the time, that Matthews stunning 25 yard strike for Halifax in the memorable final game of the 1989-90 season at the Shay, with County chasing down an automatic promotion slot, had convinced County officials that he was a potential replacement for Brett Angell. It was no surprise therefore, that he came to Edgeley Park in the 1990 close season, signed by Danny Bergara for a club record £70,000 fee.
Expectations were high, but his entry into the first team was delayed by a hamstring injury picked up in pre season training and the expected Matthews/Beaumont strike partnership never fully materialised. Ironically, this was to provide a chance for loanee Paul A. Williams to successfully stake a claim to the centre forward shirt, which would further restrict opportunities for Matthews that season.
Matthews made his senior County debut on 14th September 1990 when he came on as a substitute in the 2-2 draw with Burnley at Edgeley Park. He scored his first goal for The Hatters in his third game, away at Cardiff. It was a difficult start for Matthews, without a full pre season and with County starting the season strongly, his chances were limited.
Despite the challenges of breaking back into a successful team, he scored a highly credible 14 goals in 31 appearances. Most memorably he scored in 6 consecutive winning games in April 1991, as County pushed for their first promotion in twenty years. He played a crucial role in the final game of the season. On the never to be forgotten date of 11th May 1991, Matthews scored the important first goal as County defeated Scunthorpe 5-0 at Edgeley Park. Early in the second half, he was to score again and effectively secure a win that has remained in the memory of every County supporter who was present that day.
With the signing of Kevin Francis in February 1991, it was clear that opportunities would be limited, and in the next two seasons Matthews was only to make 16 further appearances for County, scoring one goal.
He left Edgeley Park in December 1992 initially on loan to Lincoln City, before making the move permanent in February 1993. In his time at Edgeley Park he played 47 games, scoring 15 goals.
He finished his playing career having scored 68 goals in 258 games
Following his playing career he working in youth development, coaching in the academies of Huddersfield Town and Bradford City where he was their Academy Manager when he passed away after a battle against cancer.
Neil is fondly remembered at Edgeley Park, for playing a significant part in one of the most important seasons in the club history. He was a part of the Bergara revolution, that galvanised a generation of County supporters. The 1990-91 season gave hope to County fans, who never believed they would ever see the Hatters leave the Fourth Division through promotion. He and his colleagues lit the touch paper that led to the greatest period in the club’s history and for that he will always be remembered with great affection.
Our thoughts are with his wife Sue and all of his friends and family, at this very difficult time.
