Matthew Robinson (footballer, born 1974) explained

Matthew Robinson
Fullname:Matthew Richard Robinson
Birth Date:1974 12, df=y
Birth Place:Exeter, England
Position:Full back
Youthclubs1:Dorset Schools
Youthclubs2:Southampton
Years1:1993–1998
Caps1:14
Goals1:0
Years2:1998–2000
Caps2:69
Goals2:1
Years3:2000–2002
Caps3:65
Goals3:0
Years4:2002–2006
Caps4:171
Goals4:4
Years5:2006–2007
Caps5:30
Goals5:1
Years6:2007–2009
Caps6:56
Goals6:1
Years7:2009–2010
Clubs7:AFC Totton
Caps7:?
Goals7:?
Years8:2010–2012
Clubs8:Swindon Supermarine
Caps8:61
Goals8:3
Manageryears1:2011
Managerclubs1:Swindon Supermarine

Matthew Richard Robinson (born 23 December 1974) is an English football manager and former professional footballer.

As a player, he was a full back who notably played in the Premier League for Southampton, before switching to rivals Portsmouth. He later played in the Football League for Reading and Oxford United before moving into non-league football with Forest Green Rovers and Totton.

He later had a spell as player/manager of Swindon Supermarine, before later joining Chippenham Town as a coach.

Playing career

Having represented Dorset Schools, Robinson joined Southampton as a trainee in July 1991, signing as a professional in 1993. His career at Southampton suffered from the rapid turnover of managers and in little over four years, he served under five different managers. He only made 14 appearances (of which 11 were from the bench) for Southampton before joining Portsmouth for £50,000 in February 1998.[1]

At Portsmouth, he was Alan Ball's second signing as manager and he went straight into the side at left-back. His career also suffered from frequent managerial changes, but in his two years at Fratton Park, Robinson chalked up more than 75 games, including 69 league appearances and scoring one goal,[2] before moving to Reading in a £150,000 deal in January 2000.[1]

Robinson played another 75 league and cup games for Reading before he headed to Oxford United in July 2002 on a free transfer. A regular for Oxford, Robinson amassed 192 games in just over four years.

Another free transfer took him to Forest Green Rovers in September 2006 where he made thirty Conference appearances. In May 2007, he joined Salisbury City on a part-time basis and is now training to be a police officer. After a successful period with Salisbury, Robinson left the club and signed for A.F.C. Totton in February 2009.

In 2010, Robinson joined Southern League side Swindon Supermarine as player-manager. The 2011–12 season was a hard season for Swindon Supermarine finishing third from bottom under the management of Matt Robinson and Gary Horgan. With the appointment of Highworth manager Dave Webb and assistant Lee Spalding the club hoped Robinson would still play for the club and Horgan would take a coaching role. Robinson left Supermarine in April 2012.[3]

Personal life

Robinson is now a Police Officer.[4]

In November 2021, Robinson spoke candidly about how it was difficult to be accepted by Portsmouth fans following his transfer from Southampton.[5]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Southampton
1994–95[6] Premier League10000010
1995–96Premier League50200070
1996–97Premier League70100080
1997–98Premier League10000010
Total140300000170
Portsmouth
1997–98First Division1500000150
1998–99First Division2912010321
1999–2000First Division2501040300
Total691305000771
Reading
1999–2000Second Division190000010200
2000–01Second Division320202030390
2001–02Second Division1400020160
Total650204040750
Oxford United
2002–03Third Division421303010491
2003–04Third Division401002010431
2004–05League Two452101010482
2005–06League Two440401030520
Total17148070601924
Forest Green Rovers2006–07Conference National30100301
Salisbury City
2007–08Conference Premier43000430
2008–09Conference Premier13100131
Total561000000561
Swindon Supermarine
2009–10[7] Southern Premier2501051311
2010–11[8] Southern Premier2726130363
2011–12[9] Southern Premier910040131
Total6137100121805
Career total4661023116022152712

Notes and References

  1. Book: Holley, Duncan . In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC . Chalk, Gary . Hagiology Publishing . 2003 . 0-9534474-3-X. 571–572.
  2. Book: Juson, Dave . Saints v Pompey - A history of unrelenting rivalry. 2004. Hagiology Publishing. 0-9534474-5-6 . 230.
  3. Web site: Players . Swindonsupermarinefc.com . 2013-01-01 .
  4. Web site: Matt Robinson . Where are they now? . 22 December 2021.
  5. Web site: Neil. Allen. Matt Robinson: I crossed the divide, not realising the rivalry. Pompey fans never let me forget my Southampton stigma. 11 November 2021. 22 December 2021.
  6. Web site: Player search: Robinson, MR (Matt) . English National Football Archive . subscription . 5 December 2022.
  7. Web site: Games played by Matthew Robinson in 2009/2010 . swindonsupermarinefc.com . 6 December 2022.
  8. Web site: Games played by Matthew Robinson in 2010/2011 . swindonsupermarinefc.com . 6 December 2022.
  9. Web site: Games played by Matthew Robinson in 2010/2011 . swindonsupermarinefc.com . 6 December 2022.