Matthew Connolly
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Matthew Connolly
| image = Matthew.Connolly.jpg
| caption = Connolly playing for Cardiff City in 2016
| fullname = Matthew Thomas Martin Connolly{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/siteassets/efl-documents/efl-professional-retain-list--free-transfers---2017-18.pdf |title=Club list of registered players: As at 19th May 2018: Cardiff City |publisher=English Football League |page=12 |access-date=17 June 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|9|24|df=y}}
| birth_place = Barnet, England
| height = {{convert|1.88|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url= http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.overview.html/matthew-connolly|title= Premier League Player Profile Matthew Connolly |work=web page |publisher= Premier League |access-date =18 June 2012}}
| position = Defender
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 = 1997–2006
| youthclubs1 = Arsenal
| years1 = 2006–2008
| years2 = 2006–2007
| years3 = 2007–2008
| years4 = 2008–2012
| years5 = 2012
| years6 = 2012–2020
| years7 = 2015
| clubs1 = Arsenal
| clubs2 = → AFC Bournemouth (loan)
| clubs3 = → Colchester United (loan)
| clubs4 = Queens Park Rangers
| clubs5 = → Reading (loan)
| clubs6 = Cardiff City
| clubs7 = → Watford (loan)
| caps1 = 0
| caps2 = 5
| caps3 = 16
| caps4 = 116
| caps5 = 6
| caps6 = 137
| caps7 = 6
| goals1 = 0
| goals2 = 1
| goals3 = 2
| goals4 = 2
| goals5 = 0
| goals6 = 7
| goals7 = 1
| nationalyears1 = 2006
| nationalteam1 = England U19
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 21:42, 6 March 2018 (UTC)
| ntupdate =
}}
Matthew Thomas Martin Connolly (born 24 September 1987) is an English professional footballer who last played as a defender for {{English football updater|CardiffC}} club Cardiff City.
Having started his career at Arsenal, he moved to Queens Park Rangers, going on to win the Football League Championship in 2011. It would be the first of three titles in four years, as he won the same division again on loan at Reading in 2012 and Cardiff in 2013, which he had joined permanently one year earlier.
Career
=Arsenal=
Born in Barnet, London, Connolly started his career as a youth at Arsenal, eventually making the reserve side. In September 2006 he was made captain of Arsenal's reserves.{{cite web | url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-the-senior-players-impressed-me- | title=Banfield: 'The senior players impressed me' | publisher=Arsenal F.C. | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221073053/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/-the-senior-players-impressed-me- | archive-date=21 February 2014 }} He made his first-team debut for Arsenal on 24 October 2006, starting a League Cup third round match against West Bromwich Albion.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6072672.stm
|title=West Brom 0–2 Arsenal
|publisher=BBC Sport
|date=24 October 2006
|access-date=19 January 2016}}
On 23 November 2006, Arsenal announced that Connolly was going on loan to AFC Bournemouth until 2 January 2007.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/bournemouth/6177378.stm|title=Cherries sign Arsenal youngster|publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=28 October 2017}} In total, he played seven games for Bournemouth (five in League One and two in the FA Cup), and scored his first goal at senior level in a 2–0 win over Nottingham Forest, on 5 December 2006.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/6201530.stm
|title=Bournemouth 2–0 Nottm Forest
|publisher=BBC Sport
|date=5 December 2006
|access-date=8 March 2010}} He returned to Arsenal as scheduled at the start of January 2007,{{cite web | url=http://www.bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=45103 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071220020304/http://www.bournemouth.vitalfootball.co.uk/matchprere.asp?a=45103 |archive-date=20 December 2007 | title=Cherries v Bees | work=Vitalfootball | access-date=4 January 2007 }} and came on as a substitute for Armand Traoré against Liverpool in the League Cup Quarter-finals on 9 January.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_cup/6236687.stm
|title=Liverpool 3–6 Arsenal
|publisher=BBC Sport
|date=9 January 2007
|access-date=19 January 2016}}
On 9 July 2007, Arsenal announced that Connolly would be spending the whole of the 2007–08 season on loan to Colchester United,{{cite web | url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/matthew-connolly-joins-colchester-on-loan | title=Matthew Connolly joins Colchester United on loan | publisher=Arsenal F.C. | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305135454/http://www.arsenal.com/news/news-archive/matthew-connolly-joins-colchester-on-loan | archive-date=5 March 2016 }} although he was eventually recalled midway through the loan on 2 January 2008.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/colchester_united/7165220.stm | publisher=BBC Sport | title=Colchester to lose on-loan Gunner | date=30 December 2007 | access-date=12 May 2010}}
=Queens Park Rangers=
The same day, his transfer to Queens Park Rangers was announced, after a lack of first-team opportunities were offered by Arsenal.{{cite news| url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11711/3015996/connolly-links-up-with-qpr | publisher=Sky Sports | title=Sky Sports – Football – Premier League – News – Connolly links up with QPR}} His debut came on 5 January, in a 1–0 loss to Chelsea in the FA Cup. He scored his first goal for QPR against Blackpool on 16 January 2010.{{cite news
|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8452528.stm
|title=Blackpool 2 – 2 QPR
|publisher=BBC Sport
|date=16 January 2010
|access-date=8 March 2010}}
In the meantime, in November, he received his first call-up to the England U-21 squad, where he joined Arsenal teammate Theo Walcott.{{cite web|url=http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/matt-connolly-called-up-for-under-21-action|title=Matt Connolly called up for Under-21 action|website=Arsenal.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221070434/http://www.arsenal.com/news/reserves-news/matt-connolly-called-up-for-under-21-action|archive-date=21 February 2014}} His second goal came on 6 March against West Bromwich Albion in a 3–1 win.
During the 2010–11 season, Connolly played a part in QPR's Championship title win playing 36 out of 43 games.
He joined Reading on a loan on 31 January 2012 until the end of the 2011–12 season.{{cite web|title=Reading sign QPR defender Matthew Connolly on loan|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16812181.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=31 January 2012|date=31 January 2012}}{{cite web|title=Royals swoop for Matthew Connolly |url=http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~2594815,00.html |publisher=Reading Football Club |access-date=31 January 2012 |date=10 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120418043507/http://www.readingfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10306~2594815%2C00.html |archive-date=18 April 2012 }} He made his debut on 11 February 2012 in a 2–0 win against Coventry City. He only played 6 times during Reading's promotion push which resulted in Reading winning the Championship title.
=Cardiff City=
File:Matthew Connolly.jpg in 2012]]
On 20 August 2012, QPR had accepted a £500,000 bid from Cardiff City for Connolly's services.{{cite news |title=Cardiff City close to signing QPR defender Matthew Connolly |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-close-signing-qpr-2026055 |work=South Wales Echo |date=20 August 2012 |access-date=3 February 2014}} On 22 August, the deal was completed and Connolly signed a contract that would keep him at the Cardiff City Stadium for 3 years.{{cite news|title=DEAL DONE: CONNOLLY SIGNS FOR CITY |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10335~2896709,00.html |work=Cardiff City FC |date=22 August 2012 |access-date=10 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120824211423/http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10335~2896709%2C00.html |archive-date=24 August 2012 }} He made his debut in the Severnside derby against Bristol City on 25 August. He scored his first and second goal for the club in a 3–0 win over Blackpool on 29 September. His third goal came a month later against Burnley, and later scored his fourth against Middlesbrough. Making thirty-six appearances and scoring five goals, Connolly was a key figure as Cardiff won the Championship title, the third time in successive seasons that Connolly has achieved the feat.
File:Matthew Connolly 2015.jpg
He started the Premier League season playing at right back until new signing Kevin Theophile-Catherine became a permanent fixture in the side. Cardiff were relegated after just one season in the top flight. Connolly had then returned to the starting eleven partnering Mark Hudson in a 1–1 draw at Blackburn Rovers.{{cite news |title=Blackburn Rovers 1–1 Cardiff City |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28646428 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=8 August 2014 |access-date=8 August 2014}}
On 19 March 2015 Connolly joined another Championship side, Watford, on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season, despite having played 26 times for Cardiff that season. Manager Russell Slade stated the deal was a business rather than a footballing decision, with Connolly expressing his surprise at the move.{{cite news |title=Matt Connolly says the Watford squad is more talented than the QPR, Reading and Cardiff City sides he was promoted to the Premier League with |url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/12869600.Connolly__Talent_in_Watford_squad_is_better_than_teams_I_ve_been_promoted_with/ |work=Watford Observer |date=6 April 2015 |access-date=7 April 2015}} Whilst at Watford, Connolly achieved the feat of being promoted to the Premier League for the fourth time with four clubs (QPR, Reading, Cardiff and Watford). At Watford, Connolly scored once; in a 3–1 win at Nottingham Forest.{{cite news
|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32213813
|title=Nottm Forest 1–3 Watford
|publisher=BBC Sport
|date=15 April 2015
|access-date=19 January 2016}}
Connolly rejoined the Cardiff squad for the 2015–16 season, earning himself a permanent place in the side alongside Sean Morrison. He had become of interest to other clubs during the January transfer window due to his impressive performances that season. These feats thus earned him a contract extension till 2019 and also the club's Player of the Year award.{{cite news |title=Connolly signs long-term deal |url=http://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/article/connolly-signs-long-term-city-deal-2908639.aspx |work=Cardiff City F.C. |publisher=Official Site |date=19 January 2016 |access-date=19 January 2016}}{{cite news |title=Cardiff City end of season awards RECAP: Matt Connolly named Player of the Year |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-end-season-awards-11299527 |work=Wales Online |date=7 May 2016 |access-date=7 May 2016}} He was released by Cardiff at the end of the 2019–20 season.{{Cite web|title=Matthew Connolly {{!}} Departing professionals {{!}} Cardiff|url=https://www.cardiffcityfc.co.uk/news/matthew-connolly-departing-professionals|access-date=2020-06-30|website=cardiffcityfc.co.uk}}[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53176201 Connolly released by Cardiff]
International career
Connolly made three appearances for the England under-19 side in 2006, playing in the 2006 UEFA European Under-19 Championship elite qualification matches.{{cite news|url=http://englandfootballonline.com/MatchRsl/MatchRslTmU19pg1.html|title=Match Results Under 19|publisher=England Football Online|accessdate=16 May 2024}}
Personal life
Connolly attended Nicholas Breakspear School in St Albans.
Career statistics
Updated 28 August 2018
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !rowspan="2"|Division !colspan="2"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Total !colspan="2"|Discipline | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | File:Yellow card.svg | File:Red card.svg |
| Arsenal | 2006–07 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0
!2!!0 |0 | 0 |
| AFC Bournemouth (Loan) | 2006–07 | League Two | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0
!9!!1 |1 | 0 |
| Colchester United (Loan) | rowspan="2"|2007–08 | rowspan="5"|Championship | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
!17!!2 |1 | 1 |
| rowspan="5"|Queens Park Rangers | |20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0
!21!!0 |4 | 0 | ||
| 2008–09 | |35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0
!39!!0 |4 | 1 | ||
| 2009–10 | |19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0
!21!!2 |5 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11 | |36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0
!36!!0 |2 | 2 | ||
| rowspan="2"|2011–12 | |Premier League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0
!7!!0 |0 | 0 | |
| Reading (Loan) | Championship | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0| | ||||
| 6 | 0
|2||0 | ||||||||
| colspan="3"|Queens Park Rangers Total | 116 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 125 | 2
!17 | 3 |
| rowspan="3"|Cardiff City | 2012–13 | Championship | 36 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
!36!!5 |5 | 0 |
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0
!4!!0 |2 | 0 | |
| 2014–15 | Championship | |23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0
!26!!0 |7 | 0 | |
| Watford (Loan) | 2014–15 | Championship | 6 | 1| | |||||
| 6 | 1
|1||0 | ||||||||
| rowspan="5"|Cardiff City | Championship | |43 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0
!45!!1 |7 | 0 | |
| 2016–17 | Championship | |28 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0
!29!!1 |4 | 1 | |
| 2017–18 | Championship | |4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0
!5!!0 |2 | 0 | |
| 2018–19 | Premier League | |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0
!1!!0 |0 | 0 | |
| 2019–20 | Championship | |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0
!0!!0 |0 | 0 | |
| colspan="3"|Cardiff City Total | 137 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 146 | 7
!27 | 1 |
| colspan="3"|Career Total | 280 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 304 | 13
!49 | 5 |
Honours
Queens Park Rangers
- Football League Championship: 2010–11{{cite web|url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/football/matthew-connolly_prs178885/person.shtml|title=Matthew Connolly|website=Eurosport.com}}
Reading
- Football League Championship: 2011–12
Cardiff City
- Football League Championship: 2012–13
Watford
- Football League Championship runner-up: 2014–15
Individual
- Cardiff City Player of the Year: 2015–16
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20120720015533/http://www.qpr.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0%2C%2C10373~34055%2C00.html Matthew Connolly profile] at Queens Park Rangers F.C.
- {{Soccerbase}}
- [https://twitter.com/connolly035?lang=en Matthew Connolly on Twitter]
{{Cardiff City F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Connolly, Matthew}}
Category:Footballers from the London Borough of Barnet
Category:People from Chipping Barnet
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:AFC Bournemouth players
Category:Colchester United F.C. players
Category:Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Premier League players