Matt Tootle Explained

Matt Tootle
Fullname:Matthew James Anthony Tootle[1]
Birth Date:1990 10, df=y[2]
Birth Place:Widnes, England
Height:5feet
Position:Defender
Currentclub:Peterborough Sports
Youthyears1:1998–2009
Youthclubs1:Crewe Alexandra
Years1:2009–2015
Clubs1:Crewe Alexandra
Caps1:199
Goals1:2
Years2:2015–2016
Clubs2:Shrewsbury Town
Caps2:16
Goals2:0
Years3:2016–2020
Clubs3:Notts County
Caps3:95
Goals3:4
Years4:2019–2020
Clubs4:Chesterfield (loan)
Caps4:3
Goals4:0
Years5:2020–2022
Caps5:25
Goals5:0
Clubs6:Grantham Town
Years6:2022–2023
Caps6:?
Goals6:?
Years7:2023–
Clubs7:Peterborough Sports
Caps7:0
Goals7:0
Club-Update:19:37, 25 June 2023 (UTC)

Matthew James Anthony Tootle (born 11 October 1990) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for National League North side Peterborough Sports.

Career

Crewe Alexandra

Tootle was born in Widnes, Cheshire. Joining Crewe as an eight-year old,[3] Tootle signed his first professional contract after making an impression on Crewe manager Gudjon Thordarsson in July 2009.

He made his full debut on 21 November for Crewe Alexandra in a 2–2 draw, away at Northampton Town in League Two, playing the full 90 minutes.[4] Tootle became a regular in the first team after Dario Gradi took over for his third spell as Crewe manager. His first goal in senior football came in Crewe's 2–2 draw with Rochdale on Boxing Day 2009.[5]

Tootle appeared in the 2012 Football League Two play-off final at Wembley, as Crewe beat Cheltenham Town 2–0 to win promotion to League One after three seasons in League Two.[6] Less than a year later, Tootle became a winner at Wembley for the second time, playing the whole match as Crewe defeated Southend 2–0 in the 2013 Football League Trophy Final.[7]

As Crewe battled against relegation in the 2013–14 season, Tootle replaced teammate Abdul Osman as captain of the side in March 2014. Crewe stayed up following a final-day win over Preston North End, and following Osman's departure it was decided he would continue in this role for the 2014–15 season.[8]

Despite not featuring since October 2014 due to injury and illness, Crewe offered Tootle a contract extension at the end of the season.[9]

Shrewsbury Town

Tootle moved to Shrewsbury Town on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract on 16 June 2015.[10] He made his debut on the opening day of the 2015–16 season against Millwall,[11] and scored his first goal for the club in a League Cup second-round tie against Crystal Palace,[12] but he did not feature again at first-team level following a defeat at Port Vale on 31 October.[13] He was released from his contract one year early by mutual consent in June 2016.[14]

Notts County

On the same day that he left Shrewsbury Town, Tootle joined League Two side Notts County on a two-year contract.

He signed a new contract with Notts County at the end of the 2017–18 season.[15]

At the end of the 2019–20 season, Tootle was released by the club.[16]

Boston United

On 25 August 2020, Tootle signed for National League North side Boston United.[17]

Style of play

Matt Tootle is a tenacious full back being comfortable on either the left or right back positions. He can also play as a winger. He's often praised for his work rate, athleticism, pace, stamina and adaptability which all make him an integral part for most teams.[18]

Career statistics

Club statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Crewe Alexandra2009–10League Two281000000281
2010–11League Two39010202[19] 0440
2011–12League Two37010105[20] 0440
2012–13League One371200050441
2013–14League One430001020460
2014–15League One150002110181
Total199240611502243
Shrewsbury Town2015–16League One160002200182
Notts County2016–17League Two332301010382
2017–18League Two362301020422
2018–19League Two240000000240
2019–20National League2000000020
Total9546020301064
Career total31061001031803489

Honours

Crewe Alexandra

2012–13

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: List of Players under Written Contract Registered Between 01/02/2013 and 28/02/2013 . PDF . The Football Association . 30 April 2013.
  2. Book: Glenda. Rollin. Jack. Rollin. Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011. 2010. Headline. London. 978-0-7553-6107-6. 41st.
  3. News: Matt Tootle leaves Crewe Alex for League One rivals Shrewsbury Town. Crewe Chronicle. 16 June 2015. 16 June 2015.
  4. News: Northampton 2 – 2 Crewe. BBC Sport. 21 November 2009. 22 November 2009.
  5. Web site: Crewe 2–2 Rochdale . BBC Sport. 26 December 2009 . 16 June 2015.
  6. Web site: Cheltenham Town 0–2 Crewe Alexandra. BBC Sport. 27 May 2012. 16 June 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20140329130851/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18135731#. 29 March 2014. dead. dmy-all.
  7. Web site: Johnstone's Paint Trophy final: Crewe 2–0 Southend. BBC Sport. 7 April 2013. 16 June 2015.
  8. Web site: Crewe Alexandra: Matt Tootle delighted to be named club captain. Stoke Sentinel. 8 August 2014. 16 June 2015.
  9. Web site: Captain Matt Tootle 'wants to stay' at Crewe Alex. Crewe Chronicle. 27 May 2015. 16 June 2015.
  10. Web site: Matt Tootle: Shrewsbury Town sign Crewe Alexandra captain. BBC Sport. 16 June 2015. 16 June 2015.
  11. Web site: Shrewsbury Town 1–2 Millwall. BBC Sport. 8 August 2015. 18 November 2015.
  12. Web site: Crystal Palace 4–1 Shrewsbury Town (AET). BBC Sport. 25 August 2015. 18 November 2015.
  13. Web site: Matt Tootle: Former Shrewsbury Town defender joins Notts County. BBC Sport. 23 June 2016. 23 June 2016.
  14. Web site: Tootle moves on. Shrewsweb. 23 June 2016. 23 June 2016.
  15. Web site: Notts County: Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith leave League Two club. 22 May 2018. 24 May 2018. BBC Sport.
  16. News: 'Cruel' - Notts County release five players as retained list is revealed . Watson . Chris . Nottinghamshire Live . 4 August 2020.
  17. News: Former Crewe Alex defender Matt Tootle joins National League North side Boston United . Powell . Dave . Cheshire Live . 25 August 2020 . 2 September 2020.
  18. Web site: Shrewsbury swoop for Crewe's Matt Tootle. Shropshire Star. 16 June 2015. 16 June 2015.
  19. Appearances in Football League Trophy
  20. Two appearances in Football League Trophy, three in Football League Two play-offs
  21. News: Matt Tootle Signs for The Magpies . Notts County FC . 23 June 2016 . 27 February 2023.