Matthew Blinkhorn

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Matthew Blinkhorn

| image = Matthew Blinkhorn.png

| image_size = 150

| caption = Blinkhorn playing for Morecambe in 2008

| fullname = Matthew David Blinkhorn{{cite book

| editor-first = Barry J.

| editor-last = Hugman

| title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10

| year = 2009

| publisher = Mainstream Publishing

| isbn = 978-1-84596-474-0

| page = 50 }}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1985|3|2|df=y}}

| birth_place = Blackpool, England

| height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}

| position = Striker

| currentclub = Lancaster City

| clubnumber =

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2001

| youthclubs1 = Blackpool

| years1 = 2001–2007

| years2 = 2004

| years3 = 2006–2007

| years4 = 2007

| years5 = 2007–2009

| years6 = 2009–2011

| years7 = 2012

| years8 = 2012–2013

| years9 = 2013

| years10 = 2013–2018

| years11 = 2018–

| clubs1 = Blackpool

| clubs2 = → Luton Town (loan)

| clubs3 = → Bury (loan)

| clubs4 = → Morecambe (loan)

| clubs5 = Morecambe

| clubs6 = Sligo Rovers

| clubs7 = York City

| clubs8 = Hyde

| clubs9 = → AFC Fylde (loan)

| clubs10 = AFC Fylde

| clubs11 = Lancaster City

| caps1 = 44

| caps2 = 2

| caps3 = 10

| caps4 = 12

| caps5 = 52

| caps6 = 72

| caps7 = 15

| caps8 = 30

| caps9 = 2

| caps10 = ?

| caps11 = 36

| goals1 = 5

| goals2 = 0

| goals3 = 0

| goals4 = 8

| goals5 = 10

| goals6 = 22

| goals7 = 1

| goals8 = 7

| goals9 = 1

| goals10 = ?

| goals11 = 6

| nationalyears1 =

| nationalteam1 =

| nationalcaps1 =

| nationalgoals1 =

| club-update = 3 December 2016 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update =

| manageryears1 = 2018

| managerclubs1 = Lancaster City (caretaker)

}}

Matthew David Blinkhorn (born 2 March 1985) is an English semi-professional footballer who plays as a striker for Lancaster City.

Career

=Blackpool=

Born in Blackpool, Lancashire, Blinkhorn started his career with hometown club Blackpool. He played as a substitute in the victorious 2004 Football League Trophy Final.{{cite web

|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3517244.stm

|title=Blackpool 2-0 Southend

|publisher=BBC

|date=21 March 2004 |accessdate=27 October 2018}} On 22 November 2006 he was loaned to Bury, but Blackpool manager Simon Grayson included a 24-hour recall clause in the contract, which began 28 days into the loan period. The loan period was due to end on 22 February 2007, but Blackpool cut it short and he returned on 9 February.

=Morecambe=

He was loaned to Morecambe of the Conference National for a month on 2 March 2007.{{Cite news

| title = Morecambe take Blinkhorn on loan

| url = http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6413157.stm

| publisher = BBC Sport

| date = 2 March 2007

| accessdate = 10 January 2012}} Blinkhorn made an immediate impact, scoring the first goal in a 2–0 victory over St Albans City. By the end of his loan stint he had scored eight goals in 12 games.

Blinkhorn joined Morecambe on a permanent basis on 28 June 2007,{{Cite news

| title = Blinkorn seals Morecambe switch

| url = http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/6250914.stm

| publisher = BBC Sport

| date = 28 June 2007

| accessdate = 10 January 2012}} for a fee of tribunal-set fee of £15,000, plus 25% of any future transfer fee that Morecambe were to receive for him.{{Cite book

| last = Gillatt

| first = Peter

| title = Blackpool FC On This Day: History, Facts and Figures from Every Day of the Year

| publisher = Pitch Publishing Ltd

| date = 30 November 2009

| isbn = 978-1-905411-50-4}}

=Sligo Rovers=

He was released by Morecambe in May 2009, and joined League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers two months later. He made his debut for Sligo as a substitute in a 3–0 home defeat against Cork City at the Showgrounds on 12 July and scored his first goal for the club two weeks later in a 2–0 win over St Patrick's Athletic at home.

After the signing of Shamrock Rovers striker Pádraig Amond in the pre-season of 2010, Blinkhorn had to be second choice for half of the season until Amond signed for F.C. Paços de Ferreira. On 25 September 2010, Blinkhorn scored the winner for Sligo in a 1–0 win against Monaghan United in the 2010 League of Ireland Cup Final.{{Cite news

| title = Sligo Rovers 1–0 Monaghan Utd

| url = http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2010/0925/sligorovers_monaghanunited.html

| publisher = RTÉ Sport

| date = 25 September 2010

| accessdate = 26 September 2010}} He had to sit out Sligo's penalty shoot-out win over Shamrock Rovers in the 2010 FAI Cup Final on 14 November through suspension, along with recently confirmed PFAI Player of the Year, Richie Ryan.

=York City=

Following the expiration of his Sligo contract, Blinkhorn returned to England after signing for Conference Premier side York City on a contract until the end of the 2011–12 season on 10 January 2012.{{Cite news

| title = York City sign Matthew Blinkhorn from Sligo Rovers

| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16495381

| publisher = BBC Sport

| date = 10 January 2012

| accessdate = 14 March 2012}} He scored four minutes into his debut against Salisbury City in the FA Trophy second round on 14 January 2012, having entered as a 65th-minute substitute, with York's fifth goal in a 6–2 victory. His first and only league goal for York came with the winner in the sixth minute of stoppage time at home to Stockport County on 18 February 2012 after heading in Jamie Reed's bicycle kick.{{Cite news

| first = Dave

| last = Flett

| title = Match report: York City 2, Stockport County 1

| url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/news/9541178.York_City_2__Stockport_County_1/

| newspaper = The Press

| location = York

| date = 20 February 2012

| accessdate = 3 July 2012}} Having been uninvolved for York in their play-off games, which concluded with League Two promotion, Blinkhorn finished the season with two goals in 19 appearances for York.{{Cite news

| first = Phil

| last = Maiden

| title = Luton 1–2 York

| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18049175

| publisher = BBC Sport

| date = 20 May 2012

| accessdate = 3 July 2012}} He was released on 3 July 2012.{{Cite news

|first = Dave

|last = Flett

|title = Treble joy as Blanchett, Challinor and Doig sign up for York City

|url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/news/9794849.Treble_joy_as_Blanchett__Challinor_and_Doig_sign_up_for_York_City/

|newspaper = The Press

|location = York

|date = 3 July 2012

|accessdate = 3 July 2012

|url-status = dead

|archiveurl = https://archive.today/20121209123926/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/news/9794849.Treble_joy_as_Blanchett__Challinor_and_Doig_sign_up_for_York_City/

|archivedate = 9 December 2012

}}

=Hyde=

After trials with Barrow and Chester, Blinkhorn signed for Conference Premier side Hyde on 17 August 2012.{{Cite news

| title = Hyde sign former Blackpool forward Matthew Blinkhorn

| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19300131

| publisher = BBC Sport

| date = 17 August 2012

| accessdate = 17 August 2012}}{{Cite news

| first = Paul

| last = Wheelock

| title = Chester FC 1 Fleetwood Town 1: Sean Clancy nets draw for Blues

| url = http://www.flintshirechronicle.co.uk/flintshire-sport/2012/08/07/chester-fc-1-fleetwood-town-1-sean-clancy-nets-draw-for-blues-59067-31573015/

| newspaper = Chester Chronicle

| date = 7 August 2012

| accessdate = 17 August 2012}} He scored on his debut for the club later that day, putting Hyde into the lead in a 2–1 defeat at home to Luton Town.{{Cite news

| title = Hyde 1–2 Luton

| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19205080

| publisher = BBC Sport

| date = 17 August 2012

| accessdate = 18 August 2012}} He finished the season with Hyde having scored seven goals in 30 games.{{cite web|title=Hyde FC player appearances 2012/13|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=1332&teamTabs=stats |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |accessdate=29 June 2013}}

=AFC Fylde=

In April 2013, he joined AFC Fylde on loan.{{cite web|title=Blinkhorn returns on permanent deal|url=http://evostikleague.pitchero.com/blinkhorn-returns-on-permanent-deal-14938/|work=Pitchero|accessdate=29 June 2013}} Scoring two goals in three games including the opening goal against Hednesford Town in the Northern Premier League Premier Division play-off semi-final. On 25 June 2013, Blinkhorn signed a permanent one-year deal with Fylde.{{cite web|title=Matty Blinkhorn Signs Permanent Deal|url=http://www.afcfylde.co.uk/latest-news/archive/2013/June/013.php|work=AFC Fylde|accessdate=29 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322013551/http://www.afcfylde.co.uk/latest-news/archive/2013/June/013.php|archive-date=22 March 2014|url-status=dead}}

=Lancaster City=

Blinkhorn joined Lancaster City in June 2018.[http://www.lancastercityfc.co.uk/news/the-dolly-blues-sign-matthew-blinkhorn-2314115.html The Dolly Blues sign Matthew Blinkhorn!], lancastercityfc.co.uk, 8 June 2018

=Coaching=

On 29 October 2015 while playing for AFC Fylde, Blinkhorn was appointed as the Lead Foundation Coach for the academy at Blackpool.[https://www.blackpoolfc.co.uk/news/2016/february/blinkhorn-on-blackpool-academy-position/ Blinkhorn On Blackpool Academy Position], blackpoolfc.co.uk, 2 February 2019[https://twitter.com/bfcacademy1953/status/648901625977937920 Blackpool tweet on official Twitter account], twitter.com, 29 September 2018

In August 2018, he became a youth development lead coach at Fleetwood Town.[https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/club-ftfc/whos-who/ Club Officials and Staff – Fleetwood Town], fleetwoodtownfc.com

Following the resignation of Lancaster manager Phil Brown on 10 September 2018, the club appointed Blinkhorn as caretaker manager together with Craig Stanley.[https://www.lancasterguardian.co.uk/sport/football/lancaster-city/will-stan-be-the-man-for-lancaster-city-caretaker-boss-craig-stanley-hopes-to-land-job-on-permanent-basis-1-9358797 Will Stan be the man for Lancaster City: caretaker boss Craig Stanley hopes to land job on permanent basis], lancasterguardian.co.uk, 20 September 2018 They were in charge for 6 games.

Blinkhorn returned to Blackpool FC as the youth academy's Head of Coaching in 2020, returning as part of Ciaran Donnelly's staffing structure after spending 2 seasons at Fleetwood FC's youth academy.

Career statistics

File:Matthew Blinkhorn 18-02-12.png in 2012]]

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National Cup !colspan="2"\|League Cup !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="7"\|Blackpool \|2001–02{{Soccerbase season\|28753\|2001\|name=Matt Blinkhorn\|access-date=14 September 2012}} \|Second Division \|3	0	0	0	0	0	1Appearances in Football League Trophy	0	4	0
2002–03{{Soccerbase season\|28753\|2002\|name=Matt Blinkhorn\|access-date=14 September 2012}} \|Second Division \|7	2	0	0	0	0	1	0	8	2
2003–04{{Soccerbase season\|28753\|2003\|name=Matt Blinkhorn\|access-date=14 September 2012}} \|Second Division \|12	1	0	0	0	0	4	1	16	2
2004–05{{Soccerbase season\|28753\|2004\|name=Matt Blinkhorn\|access-date=14 September 2012}} \|League One \|4	0	2	0	0	0	2	3	8	3
2005–06{{Soccerbase season\|28753\|2005\|name=Matt Blinkhorn\|access-date=14 September 2012}} \|League One \|16	2	1	0	1	0	1	1	19	3
2006–07{{Soccerbase season\|28753\|2006\|name=Matt Blinkhorn\|access-date=10 January 2012}} \|League One \|2	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	3	0
colspan="2"\|Total !44	5	3	0	1	0	10	5	58	10
\|Luton Town (loan) \|2004–05 \|League One \|2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	3	0
\|Bury (loan) \|2006–07 \|League Two \|10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	0
\|Morecambe (loan) \|2006–07 \|Conference National \|12	8	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	12	8
rowspan="3"\|Morecambe \|2007–08{{Soccerbase season\|28753\|2007\|name=Matt Blinkhorn\|access-date=14 September 2012}} \|League Two \|41	10	1	0	2	0	5	1	49	11
2008–09{{Soccerbase season\|28753\|2008\|name=Matt Blinkhorn\|access-date=14 September 2012}} \|League Two \|11	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	12	0
colspan="2"\|Total !64	18	1	0	3	0	5	1	73	19
rowspan="4"\|Sligo Rovers \|2009{{cite web \| title = M. Blinkhorn \| url = https://int.soccerway.com/players/matthew-blinkhorn/50664/ \| publisher = Soccerway \| accessdate = 10 January 2012}} \|LOI Premier Division \|17	4	1	1	?	?	?	?	18	5
2010 \|LOI Premier Division \|26	6	2	0	?	?	?	?	28	6
2011{{cite web \| title = Sligo Rovers 3 – 2 Pike Rovers \| url = http://extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/132/2011/17434/1/ \| publisher = Extratime.ie \| accessdate = 13 January 2012 \| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221052/http://extratime.ie/fixtures/detail/132/2011/17434/1/ \| archive-date = 3 March 2016 \| url-status = dead }}{{cite web \| title = Player Profile \| url = http://inform.fai.ie/Statsportal/PlayerDetails.aspx?playerID=98640 \| publisher = Airtricity League Stats Centre \| accessdate = 12 January 2012}} \|LOI Premier Division \|29	12	6	0	3	0	5Three appearances in Setanta Sports Cup, two in UEFA Europa League.	0	43	12
colspan="2"\|Total !72	22	9	1	3	0	5	0	89	23
\|York City \|2011–12Appearances and goals for this season are taken from: {{Soccerbase season\|28753\|2011\|name=Matt Blinkhorn\|access-date=3 July 2012}} {{Cite news \| first = Dave \| last = Flett \| title = Match report: Salisbury City 2, York City 6 – FA Trophy round two \| url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/matchreports/9473584.Salisbury_City_2__York_City_6/ \| newspaper = The Press \| location = York \| date = 16 January 2012 \| accessdate = 21 January 2012}} {{Cite news \| first = Dave \| last = Flett \| title = Match report: Grimsby Town 0, York City 1 – FA Trophy quarter-final \| url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/matchreports/9555669.Grimsby_Town_0__York_City_1___FA_Trophy_quarter_final/ \| newspaper = The Press \| location = York \| date = 27 February 2012 \| accessdate = 10 March 2012}} {{Cite news \| first = Dave \| last = Flett \| title = Match report: York City 1, Luton Town 0 – FA Trophy semi-final, first leg \| url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/matchreports/9584206.York_City_1__Luton_Town_0___FA_Trophy_semi_final__first_leg/ \| newspaper = The Press \| location = York \| date = 12 March 2012 \| accessdate = 13 March 2012}} {{Cite news \| first = Dave \| last = Flett \| title = Match report: Luton Town 1, York City 1 – FA Trophy semi-final, second leg \| url = http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/yorkcityfc/matchreports/9598840.Luton_Town_1__York_City_1___FA_Trophy_semi_final__second_leg/ \| newspaper = The Press \| location = York \| date = 19 March 2012 \| accessdate = 19 March 2012}} \|Conference Premier \|15	1	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	4Appearances in FA Trophy	1	19	2
\|Hyde \|2012–13Appearances and goals for this season are taken from: {{Soccerbase season\|28753\|2012\|name=Matt Blinkhorn\|access-date=17 August 2012}} {{Cite web \| title = Hyde vs. Barrow 1 – 1 \| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/11/24/england/fa-trophy/hyde-united-fc/barrow-afc/1413103/ \| publisher = Soccerway \| accessdate = 19 July 2013}} {{Cite web \| title = Barrow vs. Hyde 1 – 0 \| url = https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2012/11/27/england/fa-trophy/barrow-afc/hyde-united-fc/1415678/ \| publisher = Soccerway \| accessdate = 19 July 2013}} \|Conference Premier \|30	7	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	2	0	32	7
\|AFC Fylde (loan) \|2012–13 \|NPL Premier Division \|3	2	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	3	2
rowspan="6"\|AFC Fylde \|2013–14 \|NPL Premier Division \|?	?	?	?	colspan="2"\|—	?	?	?	?
2014–15{{soccerway\|matthew-blinkhorn/50664\|accessdate=25 November 2017}} \|Conference North \|18	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	1	0	19	0
2015–16 \|rowspan="2"\|National League North \|25	2	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	3	1	30	3
2016–17 \|22	3	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	2	0	24	3
2017–18 \|National League \|7	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	0	0	7	0
colspan="2"\|Total !72	5	2	0	0	0	6	1	80	6
colspan="3"\|Career total !312	60	15	1	8	0	30	8	365	69

Honours

Blackpool

Football League Trophy: 2003–04{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/3517244.stm |title=Blackpool 2–0 Southend |website=BBC Sport |date=21 March 2004 |access-date=17 March 2024}}

Sligo Rovers