Matt Wicks Explained

Matt Wicks
Fullname:Matthew Jonathan Wicks
Birth Date:8 September 1978
Birth Place:Reading, England
Height:[1]
Position:Central defender
Youthyears1:1994–1995
Youthclubs1:Arsenal
Youthyears2:1995–1996
Youthclubs2:Manchester United
Youthyears3:1996–1998
Youthclubs3:Arsenal
Years1:1998–1999
Clubs1:Crewe Alexandra
Caps1:7
Goals1:0
Years2:1999–2000
Clubs2:Peterborough United
Caps2:31
Goals2:0
Years3:2000
Clubs3:→ Brighton & Hove Albion (loan)
Caps3:7
Goals3:3
Years4:2000–2002
Clubs4:Brighton & Hove Albion
Caps4:19
Goals4:1
Years5:2002–2003
Clubs5:Hull City
Caps5:14
Goals5:0
Years6:2003
Clubs6:Newcastle United Jets
Caps6:0
Goals6:0
Totalcaps:78
Totalgoals:4
Nationalteam1:England U17

Matthew Jonathan Wicks (born 8 September 1978) is an English former professional footballer who played as a central defender.

Wicks was viewed as "one of the most promising players of his generation" but never lived up to the label.[2]

Club career

Born in Reading, Wicks began his career with youth contracts at both Arsenal and Manchester United,[3] but failed to make a league appearance for either team.[4] [5] After being released by Arsenal in 1998, Wicks signed for Crewe Alexandra, where he made six league appearances.[6] Wicks later signed for Peterborough United, making a total of 31 league appearances.[7] While at Peterborough, Wicks spent a loan spell with Brighton & Hove Albion, and later signed for Brighton on a permanent deal.[8] In his two spells at Brighton, he made 26 league appearances.[9] After leaving Brighton, Wicks signed for Hull City, where he made 14 league appearances.[10] [11] After leaving Hull in July 2002,[12] Wicks moved to Australia to play with the Newcastle United Jets, under the management of former Norwich City player Ian Crook, but never appeared for the club. He was released from his contract in August 2003 on compassionate grounds because of the illness of a relative, and retired from football soon afterwards.

International career

Wicks was captain of the England national under-17 football team.[13]

Honours

Peterborough United

Personal life

Wicks is the son of fellow footballer Steve Wicks[13] and grandson of former Chelsea F.C. chairman Brian Mears.

Notes and References

  1. Book: Rothmans Football Yearbook: 2002–03 . Headline . 2002 . 978-0-7553-1099-9 . Rollin . Glenda . London . 480 . Rollin . Jack.
  2. Web site: Football: New faces for 1999 – County play for high stakes over Pennant. https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-new-faces-for-1999--county-play-for-high-stakes-over-pennant-1045724.html . 12 May 2022 . subscription . live. 25 March 2009. 8 January 1999. Nick Harris. The Independent. London.
  3. Web site: Former Arsenal trainees, from about 1994. 25 March 2009. Arseweb.
  4. Web site: ARSENAL : 1946/47 – 2007/08. 25 March 2009. Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database.
  5. Web site: MANCHESTER UNITED : 1946/47 – 2007/08. 25 March 2009. Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database.
  6. Web site: CREWE ALEXANDRA : 1946/47 – 2007/08. 25 March 2009. Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database.
  7. Web site: PETERBOROUGH UNITED : 1960/61 – 2007/08. 25 March 2009. Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database.
  8. Web site: Brighton clinch Wicks deal. 25 March 2009. 13 October 2000. BBC Sport.
  9. Web site: BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION : 1946/47 – 2007/08. 25 March 2009. Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database.
  10. Web site: HULL CITY : 1946/47 – 2007/08. 25 March 2009. Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database.
  11. Web site: Career Statistics – Matthew Wicks. 25 March 2009. 25 May 2003. On Cloud Seven.
  12. Web site: Wicks leaves Tigers. 25 March 2009. 26 July 2002. BBC Sport.
  13. Web site: Matthew Wicks. 25 March 2009. Up The Posh!.
  14. News: Trevor. Haylett . Fry high as Clarke lifts Posh. The Guardian. London. 27 May 2000. 4 December 2017.