Matty James Explained

Matty James
Fullname:Matthew Lee James[1]
Birth Date:22 July 1991
Birth Place:Bacup, England
Height:1.81m (05.94feet)[2]
Position:Midfielder
Youthyears1:2007–2010
Youthclubs1:Manchester United
Years1:2009–2012
Clubs1:Manchester United
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2010
Clubs2:Preston North End (loan)
Caps2:18
Goals2:2
Years3:2010–2011
Clubs3:Preston North End (loan)
Caps3:10
Goals3:0
Years4:2012–2021
Clubs4:Leicester City
Caps4:101
Goals4:4
Years5:2017
Clubs5:Barnsley (loan)
Caps5:18
Goals5:1
Years6:2020–2021
Clubs6:Barnsley (loan)
Caps6:15
Goals6:0
Years7:2021
Clubs7:Coventry City (loan)
Caps7:23
Goals7:3
Years8:2021–2024
Clubs8:Bristol City
Caps8:100
Goals8:7
Nationalyears1:2007
Nationalteam1:England U16
Nationalcaps1:5
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2007–2008
Nationalteam2:England U17
Nationalcaps2:10
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2009–2010
Nationalteam3:England U19
Nationalcaps3:13
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalyears4:2009
Nationalteam4:England U20
Nationalcaps4:6
Nationalgoals4:0
Club-Update:23:59, 10 February 2024 (UTC)
Ntupdate:22:17, 4 January 2022 (UTC)

Matthew Lee James (born 22 July 1991) is an English professional footballer who last played for Championship club Bristol City. His regular position is in midfield, but he can play in defence when required. James began his career with Manchester United, where his brother Reece also came through the youth ranks, but left the club for a spell on loan at Preston North End before joining Leicester City on a permanent basis in 2012.

Club career

Manchester United

Born in Bacup, Lancashire, James joined the Manchester United Academy at an early age, and made his first appearance for the under-18 side in October 2005, at the age of 14. His next appearance for the under-18s came just over a year later, when he came on as a substitute for Magnus Eikrem in a Premier Academy League fixture against Manchester City. He made a further eight appearances for the under-18s during the 2006–07 season, before establishing himself as a regular in the team in 2007–08, although he began the season filling in in defence. James scored his first goals in a Manchester United shirt during the 2007–08 season, both of them in the league. After making his first appearance for the reserve team in November 2007, James became a regular for the reserves during the 2008–09 season, while remaining a relative mainstay in the under-18 side. At the end of a season in which he had made 22 appearances for the reserves and 14 for the under-18s, James received his first call-up to the Manchester United senior team on 24 May 2009. Given the number 47 jersey, James was named on the bench for the match, but did not take to the field.[3]

James signed his first professional contract with Manchester United in July 2009,[4] before playing in the 1–0 win over Bolton Wanderers in the final of the 2008–09 Lancashire Senior Cup.[5] Prior to the first team's match against Barnsley in the Fourth Round of the League Cup on 27 October 2009, James was given a new squad number (43),[6] and was named as an unused substitute.[7]

Preston North End (loan)

In February 2010, James followed in the footsteps of Manchester United teammate Danny Welbeck by signing on loan with Preston North End until the end of the 2009–10 season.[8] He went straight into the Preston first-team for their match against Sheffield United on 9 February 2010, and scored within 10 minutes as his deflected shot from outside the penalty area beat Sheffield United goalkeeper Ian Bennett.[9] James returned to Manchester United at the end of the 2009–10 season, but rejoined Preston on a season-long loan on 2 July 2010.[10]

On 30 December 2010, Sir Alex Ferguson chose to recall Ritchie De Laet, Joshua King and James from their loans at Preston after the sacking of his son. De Laet and King returned immediately, but due to the terms of James' loan, he did not return to Manchester United until 4 January 2011.[11]

Leicester City

2012–13 season

On 15 May 2012, James and De Laet moved to Leicester City in a double transfer, for which the fee was undisclosed. The pair each signed three-year contracts.[12] James, along with De Laet and Jamie Vardy, made his competitive debut for Leicester against Torquay United, scoring his first goal for the club (and Leicester's third of the night) as the Foxes ran out 4–0 winners in the League Cup tie.[13] James added another 3 goals (all in the league) over the course of the season, including one in the 3–2 win against Nottingham Forest on the final day of the season, helping Leicester to the final play-off position.[14] James started both legs of the eventual 3–2 aggregate defeat to Watford in the Championship play-off semi-final.

2013–14 season

James found himself starting more games during the 2013–14 season, being in the line-up for Leicester's first five league games before being controversially shown the first red card of his career in the 1–2 defeat to Charlton Athletic, after being shown two yellow cards.[15] On 8 February 2014, James scored his only goal of the season, helping Leicester come from 2–0 down to draw 2–2 with Watford. James played 35 times in the league as Leicester won promotion to the Premier League, collecting the Championship trophy along the way.

2014–15 season

Having missed the start of the season through injury, James made his first Premier League appearance on 21 September 2014, as a second-half substitute in a 5–3 victory against his former club, Manchester United.[16] On 10 January 2015, James picked up the second red card of his career in the 1–0 victory over Aston Villa, he was given a straight red following a strong challenge on Jores Okore and an ensuing altercation with Ciaran Clark that resulted in Clark receiving a second yellow card himself.[17] In a 2–0 win over Southampton on 9 May, James ruptured his anterior ligaments and was ruled out for between six and nine months.[18]

2015–16 season

Due to his injury, James missed the entire 2015–16 campaign, in which the club became the Premier League champions.[19]

2016–17 season

At the beginning of the season, James played with Leicester City U23 squad to regain fitness.[20] On 26 November 2016, James returned to the first-team squad against Middlesbrough.[21]

On 25 January 2017, he joined Barnsley on a loan deal until the summer of 2017.[22]

2017–18 season

On 19 August 2017, James made his first start for the club since May 2015 in a 2–0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.[23]

2020–21 season

On 16 October 2020 he returned to Barnsley on loan.[24]

On 6 January 2021, James joined Championship side Coventry City on loan.[25] He scored his first goal for Coventry on 27 February 2021 in a 1-1 draw against Blackburn Rovers.[26] On 21 May 2021 Leicester announced his departure from the club.[27]

Bristol City

On 23 June 2021, James joined Championship club Bristol City on a three-year deal.[28]

On 11 May 2024, James was released from Bristol City following the expiration of his contract at the end of the 2023/24 Championship season.[29]

International career

James has played regularly for the England Under-16s and Under-17s sides, and in 2009 he was called up to the Under-19s for the 2009 UEFA European Under-19 Championship.[30] He was named captain and in his first game as skipper, England recorded a 3–2 victory in their opening game against Austria.

Personal life

James' father, Linton James, played non-league football for Bacup Borough and later worked as assistant manager of the club.[31] His younger brother, Reece James, currently plays for Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Championship. He was educated at Fearns Community Sports College.[32]

He donated two therapy tilt-in space chairs, worth about £2000, to Fairfield General Hospital where his mother Maxine works as a nurse, in 2020. [33]

Career statistics

Club statistics
ClubSeasonLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Manchester United2009–10Premier League00000000
2010–1100000000
2011–1200000000
Total0000000000
Preston North End (loan)2009–10Football League Championship1820000182
Preston North End (loan)2010–11Championship1000021121
Leicester City2012–13Championship24320212[34] 0304
2013–143511040401
2014–15Premier League2702000290
2015–1600000000
2016–1710000010
2017–181302000150
2018–1900100010
2019–2010000010
2020–21000000
Total10148061201175
Leicester City U23s2016—172[35] 020
Barnsley (loan)2016–17Championship1810000181
Leicester City U21s2019—201[36] 010
Barnsley (loan)2020–21Championship1500000150
Coventry City (loan)2020–21Championship2331000243
Bristol City2021–22Championship3310000331
2022–233533010390
2023–243234030393
Total10077040001117
Career totals285171601225031819

Honours

Leicester City

2013–14[37]

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Updated squads for 2017/18 Premier League confirmed . Premier League . 2 February 2018 . 11 February 2018 .
  2. Web site: Matty James . Leicester City F.C. . 22 December 2018.
  3. News: Ian . Hughes . Hull 0–1 Man Utd . BBC Sport . 24 May 2009 . 2 July 2009.
  4. News: Nick . Coppack . Teen trio turn pro . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 2 July 2009 . 2 July 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090901163433/http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BF9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114%7D&newsid=6635556 . 1 September 2009 . dead . dmy-all .
  5. News: Steve . Bartram . Reserves: Bolton 0 Utd 1 . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 17 August 2009 . 27 October 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20091212045639/http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BB4CEE8FA-9A47-47BC-B069-3F7A2F35DB70%7D&newsid=6637945 . 12 December 2009 . dead . dmy-all .
  6. News: Ben . Hibbs . Today at Old Trafford – Tuesday 27 October  – 09:01 . ManUtd.com . Manchester United . 27 October 2009 . 27 October 2009 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100214164115/http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7B6DDFCB6E-3471-4E45-9385-F04D05F4A70D%7D&newsid=6637707 . 14 February 2010 . dead . dmy-all .
  7. News: Jonathan . Stevenson . Barnsley 0–2 Man Utd . BBC Sport . 27 October 2009 . 27 October 2009.
  8. News: Preston North End set to sign Man Utd's Matthew James . BBC Sport . 8 February 2010 . 8 February 2010.
  9. News: Preston 2–1 Sheff Utd . BBC Sport . 9 February 2010 . 10 February 2010.
  10. News: Manchester United's Matthew James rejoins Preston . BBC Sport . 2 July 2010 . 2 July 2010.
  11. News: James Returns To United . pnefc.net . Preston North End FC . 4 January 2011 . 13 January 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120327081645/http://www.pnefc.net/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10362~2257986%2C00.html . 27 March 2012 .
  12. Web site: Agreement reached for United duo . Leicester City FC . LCFC.co.uk . 15 May 2012 . 15 May 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120518112245/http://www.lcfc.com/page/LatestNews/0%2C%2C10274~2773743%2C00.html . 18 May 2012.
  13. Web site: Torquay 0–4 Leicester . BBC Sport . 14 August 2012 . 17 August 2012.
  14. Web site: Nott'm Forest 2–3 Leicester . BBC Sport . 4 May 2013 . 10 January 2015.
  15. Web site: Charlton 2 Leicester 1: Why did the ref send Matty James off? . Leicester Mercury . 2 September 2013 . 10 January 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150111004629/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Charlton-2-Leicester-1-did-ref-send-Matty-James/story-19739158-detail/story.html . 11 January 2015 . dead . dmy-all .
  16. Web site: Leicester City 5–3 Manchester United . BBC Sport . 21 September 2014 . 10 January 2015.
  17. Web site: Report: Leicester City 1 Aston Villa 0 . Leicester City . 10 January 2015 . 10 January 2015.
  18. News: Matty James: Leicester City midfielder out for up to nine months . BBC Sport . 14 May 2015 . 14 May 2015.
  19. Web site: James. Stuart. 2017-09-08. Matty James: 'I was in so much pain I'll remember it for the rest of my life'. 2020-12-26. The Guardian. en.
  20. Web site: Manchester United U23 vs. Leicester City U23 – 15 August 2016 – Soccerway . int.soccerway.com.
  21. Web site: Leicester City team news for Premier League clash with Middlesbrough: Matty James returns to squad . 26 November 2016 . Leicester Mercury . 10 December 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161127131915/http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/leicester-city-team-news-for-premier-league-clash-with-middlesbrough-matty-james-returns-to-squad/story-29936752-detail/story.html . 27 November 2016 . dead . dmy-all .
  22. Web site: Reds Land Matty James! . Barnsley F.C..
  23. News: Matty James scouting report: Leicester midfielder proves he is ready to step into Chelsea target Danny Drinkwater's boots . McLeman . Neil . 19 August 2017 . . 19 August 2017.
  24. Web site: 16 October 2020. MATTY JAMES SIGNS ON LOAN. www.barnsleyfc.co.uk.
  25. Web site: Blackwell. Jordan. January 6, 2021. Matty James loan confirmed with midfielder's Leicester City contract expiring. January 7, 2021. LeicestershireLive.
  26. Web site: Blackburn 1-1 Coventry . 27 February 2021. BBC. 28 February 2021 .
  27. Web site: Matty James To Leave Leicester City. 21 May 2021. Leicester City F.C..
  28. News: Matty James is a Robin . bcfc.co.uk . 23 June 2021 . 24 June 2021 .
  29. News: City announce retained list . bcfc.co.uk . 11 May 2024 . 11 May 2024 .
  30. Web site: England U19 Players . https://archive.today/20090405001456/http://www.thefa.com/England/MensUnder19s/Players.aspx . dead . 5 April 2009 . TheFA.com . The Football Association . 10 February 2010 .
  31. News: Dream debut for Valley star Matty . 19 January 2019 . . 25 September 2014.
  32. News: James the first . 19 January 2019 . . 4 May 2007.
  33. News: The Loop . 8 . Northern Care Alliance . Winter 2020.
  34. Appearances in the 2013 Football League play-offs
  35. Appearances in the EFL Trophy
  36. Appearances in the EFL Trophy
  37. Web site: Matty James To Leave Leicester City . LCFC.com . 16 June 2021.
  38. Web site: Leicester City's Young Player Of The Season Winners . LCFC.com . 16 June 2021.