Matty Blair

Matthew James Blair (born 21 June 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a right back for club Cheltenham Town.

For the NFL player, see Matt Blair.

Matty Blair
Blair with the parade that followed York City's victory in the 2012 Conference Premier play-off Final
Personal information
Full name Matthew James Blair[1]
Date of birth (1989-06-21) 21 June 1989[2]
Place of birth Warwick, England
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3]
Position(s) Right back
Club information
Current team
 Cheltenham Town
Number 11
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2008 Racing Club Warwick
2008–2009 Stratford Town 40 (7)
2009 Bedworth United 9 (2)
2009–2010 Redditch United 15 (2)
2010 A.F.C. Telford United 7 (1)
2010–2011 Kidderminster Harriers 43 (11)
2011–2013 York City 85 (16)
2013–2015 Fleetwood Town 32 (3)
2014 → Northampton Town (loan) 3 (1)
2014 → Cambridge United (loan) 2 (0)
2015–2016 Mansfield Town 35 (2)
2016–2020 Doncaster Rovers 139 (8)
2020– Cheltenham Town 21 (2)
National team
2011–2012 England C 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 14:28, 20 January 2021 (UTC)

Blair started his career with Racing Club Warwick and after one season with the club signed for Stratford Town in 2008. He left for Bedworth United a year later, before going on to have spells with Redditch United and A.F.C. Telford United in the Conference North. He joined Kidderminster Harriers of the Conference Premier in 2010 and after one season signed for York City. He scored in the 2012 FA Trophy Final and 2012 Conference Premier play-off Final at Wembley Stadium, and his winning goal in the latter saw York promoted into League Two. After one season with York in League Two, Blair signed for divisional rivals Fleetwood Town in 2013 and was released in January 2015.

Club career

Early career

Born in Warwick, Warwickshire,[4] Blair started his career in the Midland Football Alliance with his hometown club, Racing Club Warwick, in the 2007–08 season.[5] He signed for Stratford Town of the Midland Football Alliance on 7 July 2008.[6] After signing, manager Micky Moore said of Blair: "He had an excellent season with Racing Club Warwick and I feel coming to Stratford and its environment will make him a better player".[6] He finished 2008–09 with seven goals in 40 league appearances for Stratford.[5]

Blair signed for Southern League Division One Central club Bedworth United on 3 June 2009.[7] He scored four times for Bedworth in 16 appearances before signing for Conference North club Redditch United on 25 November 2009.[5][8][9] Having made 15 appearances and scored two goals for Redditch, Blair moved on again, signing for Conference North rivals A.F.C. Telford United on 19 March 2010.[5][10] He finished 2009–10 with one goal in seven appearances for Telford.[5]

Kidderminster Harriers

Blair signed for Conference Premier club Kidderminster Harriers on 9 August 2010 on non-contract terms following a trial.[11] He made his debut on 14 August 2010 as a 75th-minute substitute in Kidderminster's 2010–11 opening day 2–1 victory away to York City.[12][13] His first goal for the club came after scoring with a low shot in the 75th minute of a 2–1 win at home to Gateshead on 5 October 2010.[12][14] In the following match, Blair scored twice as Kidderminster beat Grimsby Town 3–2 on 10 October 2010.[12] Blair signed a contract until the end of 2010–11 on 18 October 2010.[15] His first hat-trick for Kidderminster came after scoring all three of their goals in a 3–3 draw away to Grimsby on 9 April 2011, including an 83rd-minute equaliser after latching onto a loose ball in the penalty area.[12][16] He finished the season with 11 goals in 45 appearances for Kidderminster.[12]

York City
Blair playing for York City in 2011

After turning down a new contract with Kidderminster, Blair signed for Conference Premier rivals York City on 1 June 2011 on a two-year contract.[17] A compensation package was agreed by the two clubs later that month.[18] He made his debut in York's opening match of 2011–12, a 2–1 victory away to Ebbsfleet United on 13 August 2011.[19] His first goal came in the following match with York's final goal in a 3–1 victory at home to Barrow on 16 August 2011, with a sidefooted shot from six yards in the fifth minute of stoppage time.[19][20] Blair scored the equaliser to give York a 1–1 away draw to Luton Town in the FA Trophy semi-final second leg with a 90th-minute header from a Jamal Fyfield cross.[21] York progressed to the final with a 2–1 aggregate victory.[21]

With a 111th-minute header from a Jason Walker cross, Blair scored the winning goal for York away to Mansfield Town during extra time of their play-off semi-final second leg on 7 May 2012.[22] He scored the opening goal for York in their 2–0 victory over Newport County in the 2012 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium on 12 May 2012, after lifting the ball 20 yards into an empty net after goalkeeper Glyn Thompson had charged out of his goal.[23] Eight days later, Blair scored the winning goal in York's 2–1 victory over Luton in the 2012 Conference Premier play-off Final at Wembley Stadium.[24] He scored in the 47th minute with a sidefooted shot from four yards after the ball was head down by Daniel Parslow, and the goal was allowed despite Blair being in an offside position.[24] This result meant York were promoted into League Two after an eight-year absence from the Football League.[24] He finished his first season at York as top scorer with 20 goals in 52 appearances,[25] and was named in the 2011–12 Conference Premier Team of the Year alongside York teammate James Meredith.[26]

Blair playing for York City in 2012

Blair came on as a 78th-minute substitute in York's 2012–13 opener away to League One team Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup first round on 11 August 2012.[27] Following a 1–1 draw after extra time the team lost 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out, with Blair missing the final penalty kick.[27][28] He then entered York's first Football League fixture since their promotion, a 3–1 defeat at home to Wycombe Wanderers on 18 August 2012, as a 56th-minute substitute.[29] His first goal of the season came with the 80th-minute winner in York's 1–0 victory away to Rotherham United in the Football League Trophy first round Northern section.[27] He finished the season with seven goals in 49 appearances.[27]

Fleetwood Town

Following discussions with York manager Nigel Worthington, Blair expressed his desire to look for another club, and was in talks with newly relegated League Two club Portsmouth before asking for more time to consider the move.[30][31] However, he signed for League Two rivals Fleetwood Town on a two-year contract on 13 May 2013.[32]

Blair joined fellow League Two club Northampton Town on 10 January 2014 on a one-month loan.[33] He made his debut the following day in a 2–0 home defeat to former club York, before scoring a 76th-minute equaliser for Northampton in their 1–1 away draw with Cheltenham Town on 1 February 2014.[34] His loan was ended on 5 February 2014, three days ahead of when it was due to expire, having made three appearances and scored one goal for Northampton.[34][35] Blair scored the only goal in the play-off semi-final against his former club York, and started for Fleetwood in their 1–0 win over Burton Albion in the 2014 League Two play-off Final at Wembley Stadium on 26 May.[34] This result meant they were promoted into League One for the first time in their history.[36] He finished 2013–14 with 33 appearances and five goals for Fleetwood.[34]

On 17 November 2014, Blair joined League Two club Cambridge United on loan until January 2015.[37]

Mansfield Town

Blair signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on a contract until the end of 2014–15 on 14 January 2015 after leaving Fleetwood by mutual consent.[38]

Doncaster Rovers

Blair rejected a new contract with Mansfield to sign for newly relegated League Two club Doncaster Rovers on 24 May 2016 on a two-year contract.[39] He made 48 appearances and scored 3 goals in 2016–17[40] as Doncaster were promoted to League One after finishing third in League Two.[41]

He was named as PFA League One Community Player of the Year in both seasons 2017–18[42] and 2018–19.[43] In April 2019, Blair was also named as Community Champion by the PFA for the 2018–19 season in recognition of all his community services.[44]

Cheltenham Town

Blair rejected a new contract offered by Doncaster, and was signed by Cheltenham Town at the beginning of September 2020 on a one year contract.[45] He made his debut for the club on 8 September 2020 in an EFL Trophy group stage away win over Newport County.[46]

International career

Blair made his England national C team debut as a 56th-minute substitute for Connor Franklin in a 1–0 defeat at home to Portugal in the 2009–11 International Challenge Trophy on 19 May 2011.[47] His second and final cap came after starting England's 1–1 draw at home to Italy in the 2011–13 International Challenge Trophy on 28 February 2012.[48][49]

Personal life

Blair is the son of former professional footballer Andy Blair.[7] His sister-in-law is actress Holly Matthews, who was married to his brother Ross up until his death from a brain tumour.[50][51]

Career statistics
As of match played 7 September 2019
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Stratford Town 2008–09[5] Midland Football Alliance 407—407
Bedworth United 2009–10[5][8] Southern League Division
One Central		 9262—1[lower-alpha 1]0164
Redditch United 2009–10[5] Conference North 152———152
A.F.C. Telford United 2009–10[5] Conference North 71———71
Kidderminster Harriers 2010–11[12] Conference Premier 431110—1[lower-alpha 1]04511
York City 2011–12[19] Conference Premier 411010—10[lower-alpha 2]105220
2012–13[27] League Two 44620102[lower-alpha 3]1497
Total 85163010121110127
Fleetwood Town 2013–14[34] League Two 24320106[lower-alpha 4]2335
2014–15[52] League One 8000101[lower-alpha 3]0100
Total 323202072435
Northampton Town (loan) 2013–14[34] League Two 31———31
Cambridge United (loan) 2014–15[52] League Two 2020——40
Mansfield Town 2014–15[53] League Two 30———30
2015–16[53] League Two 322200000342
Total 352200000372
Doncaster Rovers 2016–17[40] League Two 45310101[lower-alpha 5]0483
2017–18[54] League One 40230201[lower-alpha 5]0462
2018–19[55] League One 42361204[lower-alpha 6]1545
2019–20[56] League One 12000101[lower-alpha 5]0140
Total 1398101607116210
Career total 4105326390281447370
  1. Appearance in FA Trophy
  2. Seven appearances and eight goals in FA Trophy, three appearances and two goals in Conference Premier play-offs
  3. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  4. Three appearances and one goal in Football League Trophy, three appearances and one goal in League Two play-offs
  5. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
  6. Two appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances and one goal in League One play-offs

Honours

York City

Fleetwood Town

Doncaster Rovers

Individual

References
  1. "EFL: Club retained and released lists published". English Football League. 23 June 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  2. "Matty Blair: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  3. "Matty Blair". Doncaster Rovers F.C. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  4. "Matty Blair". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  5. "Player profiles: Matty Blair". Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  6. "Moore signs trio". Non-League Daily. Baltic Publications. 7 July 2008. Archived from the original on 8 February 2013.
  7. "Three new Greenbacks". Non-League Daily. Baltic Publications. 3 June 2009. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013.
  8. For FA Cup preliminary round: "Leek Town 2–3 Bedworth United". Aylesbury United F.C. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
    For FA Cup first qualifying round: "Bedworth keep it clean in cup draw". Nuneaton News. 14 September 2009. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
    For FA Cup first qualifying round replay: "Greenbacks make it count at home". Coventry Telegraph. 16 September 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2018 – via TheFreeLibrary.com.
    For FA Cup second qualifying round: "Ugly scenes marr Bedworth win". Nuneaton News. 28 September 2009. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
    For FA Cup third qualifying round: "Coventry Sphinx 0 Bedworth United 1". Coventry Telegraph. 12 October 2009. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
    For FA Cup fourth qualifying round: Carroll, Steve (26 October 2009). "York City 2, Bedworth 0 – FA Cup fourth qualifying round". The Press. York. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
    For FA Trophy preliminary round: "Mossley go nap on Greenbacks". Mossley A.F.C. Retrieved 15 April 2013.
  9. Jenkins, Paul (25 November 2009). "Matt signs for Reds". Redditch Advertiser. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  10. "Telford bring in Blair". Non-League Daily. Baltic Publications. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013.
  11. "Kidderminster Harriers sign winger Matty Blair". BBC Sport. 9 August 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  12. Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2011). Non-League Club Directory 2012. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 106–107. ISBN 978-1-869833-70-1.
  13. "York 1–2 Kidderminster". BBC Sport. 14 August 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  14. "Kidderminster Harriers 2–1 Gateshead". BBC Sport. 5 October 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  15. "Kidderminster Harriers sign winger Matty Blair". BBC Sport. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  16. Wall, Matt (9 April 2011). "Full time: Grimsby 3–3 Harriers". Kidderminster Harriers F.C. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016.
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  18. "Kidderminster Harriers sign midfielder James Vincent". BBC Sport. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  19. Williams, Mike; Williams, Tony, eds. (2012). Non-League Club Directory 2013. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 162–163. ISBN 978-1-869833-77-0.
  20. Flett, Dave (17 August 2011). "Match report: York City 3, Barrow 1". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  21. Flett, Dave (19 March 2012). "Match report: Luton Town 1, York City 1 – FA Trophy semi-final, second leg". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  22. Phillips, Owen (7 May 2012). "Mansfield 0–1 York". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  23. Flett, Dave (14 May 2012). "Match report: Newport County 0, York City 2 – FA Trophy final". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  24. Flett, Dave (21 May 2012). "Match report: York City 2, Luton Town 1 – Play-off final". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  25. Flett, Dave (25 May 2012). "Season review: York City's class of 2011/12". The Press. York. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  26. "York duo in team of year". Vital York. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2018.
  27. "Games played by Matty Blair in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  28. "Doncaster 1–1 York". BBC Sport. 11 August 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  29. "York 1–3 Wycombe". BBC Sport. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  30. Flett, Dave (30 April 2013). "Jason Walker released by York City, Matty Blair poised to follow". The Press. York. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  31. Allen, Neil (13 May 2013). "Blair chooses Fleetwood". The News. Portsmouth. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  32. Stocks, Rob (13 May 2013). "Fleetwood Town make Blair first signing". Blackpool Gazette. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  33. "Northampton release Clive Platt, sign Matty Blair and Sean McGinty". BBC Sport. 10 January 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  34. "Games played by Matty Blair in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  35. Willsher, Gareth (5 February 2014). "Loan players depart". Northampton Town F.C. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  36. Maiden, Phil (26 May 2014). "Burton 0–1 Fleetwood". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  37. "Matty Blair joins Cambridge United on loan from Fleetwood Town". BBC Sport. 17 November 2014. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  38. "Matty Blair: Mansfield sign ex-Fleetwood winger". BBC Sport. 14 January 2015. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  39. "Doncaster Rovers sign winger Matty Blair". South Yorkshire Times. Doncaster. 24 May 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  40. "Games played by Matty Blair in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
  41. "League Two: 2016/17: Latest table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  42. "Blair named PFA League One Community Player of the Year". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 11 April 2018. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  43. "2019 EFL Awards: Divisional winners announced". English Football League. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  44. "Matty Blair named PFA Community Champion". Club Doncaster Foundation. 24 April 2019. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  45. "Former Doncaster Rovers, Mansfield Town, Fleetwood Town and York City winger joins Cheltenham Town". Gloucestershire Live. 4 September 2020. Retrieved 4 September 2020.
  46. "Newport 0 Cheltenham 1: Exiles downed in EFL Trophy opener". South Wales Argus. 8 September 2020.
  47. Phillips, Matt (19 May 2011). "Lions lose out to single goal". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 22 August 2012.
  48. Appleby, Mike (28 February 2012). "England held by Italy". The Football Association. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013.
  49. Williams; Williams (eds.). Non-League Club Directory 2013. pp. 1003, 1005, 1006.
  50. "Son of ex-Aston Villa ace Andy Blair makes charity gesture after meningitis scare". Birmingham Mail. 25 September 2012. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  51. Evans, Sophie; Siddle, John; Stacey, Alison (1 August 2017). "Husband of TV actress dies after wife shared heartbreaking Facebook post as he lay dying in hospice". Daily Mirror. London. Retrieved 6 January 2018.
  52. "Games played by Matty Blair in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 June 2015.
  53. "Games played by Matty Blair in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 May 2016.
  54. "Games played by Matty Blair in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  55. "Games played by Matty Blair in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  56. "Games played by Matty Blair in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 April 2020.
  57. Anderson, John, ed. (2017). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 158–159. ISBN 978-1-4722-3397-4.
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