Matt Crowell

Born in Bridgend, Crowell grew up in Coychurch. As a teenager he was part of the youth system at Swansea City before being persuaded to follow Swansea youth coach Malcolm Elias to Southampton at the age of 16 in 2000.[1] Swansea took the case to the Football League appeals committee seeking compensation of £1.5 million. The committee later ordered Southampton to make an immediate payment of £100,000 to Swansea, as well as a further £100,000 when Crowell had made 10, 20, 30 and 40 appearances in the future and 20% of any future transfer fee that the club received for Crowell. Swansea chairman Neil McClure later stated "£500,000 is significantly more than Southampton ever offered at any stage and that must be regarded as satisfactory"[2] However, Crowell never made a first team appearance at Southampton and was released in 2003.

After spending time on trial with Bristol Rovers,[3] Crowell later joined Wrexham, having impressed in a trial spell,[4] and made his professional debut for the club on 9 August 2003 as a substitute in place of Steve Thomas during a 0–0 draw with Chesterfield. In his third season at the Racecourse Ground he made six appearances in the club's Football League Trophy victory, beating Southend United 2–0 in the final.[5] However, he later found himself plagued with injuries in his later years at the Racecourse Ground and, after playing on a six-month contract with the Welsh side in an attempt to show his fitness,[6] he was released in January 2008 having made over 100 appearances for the club.

In January 2008, Crowell signed for Northwich Victoria on non-contract terms.[7] In July 2009, Crowell left Northwich. He attended a trial with NSW Premier League side Sydney Olympic,[3] but later returned to Britain to sign for Altrincham on a short term contract, stating that "It was hard at Northwich last season with the club's difficulties but I am pleased to join Altrincham".

In September 2009, Crowell joined A-League team Central Coast Mariners on a one-year deal until the end of the 2009–10 season.[8] He made 13 appearances for the club before returning to England.

He then rejoined Altrincham before in December 2010 Farnborough announced that he had joined them, apparently on non-contract terms.[9] He left the club after only two appearances.

In May 2011, Crowell had a two-week trial with China's Chengdu Blades before he joined Welsh Premier League club Port Talbot Town in July 2011 after a trial.[10] He played all of the club's league games prior to his next move.

He signed a full-time contract with Spanish club CD Ourense in September 2011 where he made 20 appearances for the club.[11]

In July 2012 Crowell returned to Wales and his former club Port Talbot Town ahead of the 2012/13 Welsh Premier League season. Crowell's first goal in his second spell at the club came in a 5–0 win away at Aberystwyth FC where he scored a penalty.

In March 2013 Crowell signed for the Central Coast Mariners Academy, feeder seed for Central Coast Mariners FC of the A-League where he had a previous stint in the 2009–10 season.