Biography
Right winger Matthews joined the Tigers in March 2001, one of a clutch of players signed in the early weeks of Adam Pearson’s remarkable tenure as Hull City chairman. Matthews slotted into a City side managed by Brian Little that was ascending the league table, and played all but one of the next 11 games including the two play-off legs against Leyton Orient – the second leg was the only one of those games that City lost. Retained for 2001/02, Matthews was an occasional choice in the first team although he did enjoy a run of games in November and December that yielded three goals – in the Cup at Northwich, a winner at Luton in the League and the opener in a 3-0 win against Oxford. When Jan Molby took over the Tigers at the end of the season Matthews was selected two more times and rewarded the Dane with a goal at Bristol Rovers. But Rob was not retained that Summer and left the club.
Born in Slough, Matthews took the less well trodden path into the game, studying at Loughborough University and only commencing a career in the senior game in his early 20s. He toured a possee of lower league clubs, rarely stringing long spells in the first team together for nearly ten seasons but often popping up with a handful of goals. His most prominent spell was during the late 1990s at Bury where he developed a reputation as a powerful winger.
On leaving City in 2002 Matthews dropped down into the non-leagues, firstly with Northwich Victoria and then Mossley and Altrincham. He stopped playing in 2004 and later set up a day nursery in Altrincham with his wife Karen.
Details
Nationality: England
Date/Place of Birth: 14 October 1970, Slough
Hull City First Game: 27 March 2001, Rochdale H (League Division 3), 30 years, 164 days old
Hull City Final Game: 20 April 2002, Lincoln City H (League Division 3), 31 years, 188 days old
Clubs
Notts County (1992-1995), Luton Town (1995), York City (1995-1996), Bury (1996-1998), Stockport County (1998-2001), Blackpool (1999-2000, loan), Halifax Town (2001, loan), Hull City (2001-2002), Northwich Victoria (2002), Mossley (2002-2003), Altrincham (2003), Mossley (2003-2004)
Hull City Record
Career: 30 apps, 4 goals
Rob Matthews| Season | LGE App | LGE Gls | FAC App | FAC Gls | FLC App | FLC Gls | EUR App | EUR Gls | OTH App | OTH Gls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000/01 | 8 (0) | 0 | - | - | - | - | - | - | 2 (0) | 0 |
| 2001/02 | 9 (6) | 3 | 2 (0) | 1 | 0 (1) | 0 | - | - | 1 (1) | 0 |