Matty Blair
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{for|the NFL player|Matt Blair}}
{{Use British English|date=August 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Matty Blair
| image = Matty Blair 21-05-2012 1.jpg
| caption = Blair with the parade that followed York City's victory in the 2012 Conference Premier play-off final
| fullname = Matthew James Blair{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/june/efl-club-retained-and-released-lists-published/ |title=EFL: Club retained and released lists published |publisher=English Football League |date=23 June 2016 |access-date=6 January 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|6|21|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/player_summary/matty-blair/ |title=Matty Blair: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=8 April 2020}}
| birth_place = Warwick, England
| height = {{convert|1.78|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/matty-blair/ |title=Matty Blair |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C. |access-date=5 July 2019 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109081824/https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/matty-blair/ |url-status=dead }}
| position = Right back
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 2007–2008
| clubs1 = Racing Club Warwick
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2008–2009
| clubs2 = Stratford Town
| caps2 = 40
| goals2 = 7
| years3 = 2009
| clubs3 = Bedworth United
| caps3 = 9
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2009–2010
| clubs4 = Redditch United
| caps4 = 15
| goals4 = 2
| years5 = 2010
| clubs5 = A.F.C. Telford United
| caps5 = 7
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2010–2011
| clubs6 = Kidderminster Harriers
| caps6 = 43
| goals6 = 11
| years7 = 2011–2013
| clubs7 = York City
| caps7 = 85
| goals7 = 16
| years8 = 2013–2015
| clubs8 = Fleetwood Town
| caps8 = 32
| goals8 = 3
| years9 = 2014
| clubs9 = → Northampton Town (loan)
| caps9 = 3
| goals9 = 1
| years10 = 2014
| clubs10 = → Cambridge United (loan)
| caps10 = 2
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2015–2016
| clubs11 = Mansfield Town
| caps11 = 35
| goals11 = 2
| years12 = 2016–2020
| clubs12 = Doncaster Rovers
| caps12 = 139
| goals12 = 8
| years13 = 2020–2022
| clubs13 = Cheltenham Town
| caps13 = 50
| goals13 = 3
| nationalyears1 = 2011–2012
| nationalteam1 = England C
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| club-update = 18:59, 12 September 2021 (UTC)
}}
Matthew James Blair (born 21 June 1989) is an English former professional footballer who last played as a right back for {{English football updater|CheltT}} club Cheltenham Town.
Blair started his career with Racing Club Warwick and after one season with the club signed for Stratford Town in 2008. He left for Bedworth United a year later, before going on to have spells with Redditch United and A.F.C. Telford United in the Conference North. He joined Kidderminster Harriers of the Conference Premier in 2010 and after one season signed for York City. He scored in the 2012 FA Trophy Final and 2012 Conference Premier play-off final at Wembley Stadium, and his winning goal in the latter saw York promoted into League Two. After one season with York in League Two, Blair signed for divisional rivals Fleetwood Town in 2013 and was released in January 2015.
Club career
=Early career=
Born in Warwick, Warwickshire,{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/matty-blair-239646/ |title=Matty Blair |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=6 January 2018}} Blair started his career in the Midland Football Alliance with his hometown club, Racing Club Warwick, in the 2007–08 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/matty-blair/ |title=Player profiles: Matty Blair |publisher=Aylesbury United F.C. |access-date=31 August 2018}} He signed for Stratford Town of the Midland Football Alliance on 7 July 2008.{{cite news |title=Moore signs trio |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=51200 |website=Non-League Daily |publisher=Baltic Publications |date=7 July 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130208145731/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=51200 |archive-date=8 February 2013}} After signing, manager Micky Moore said of Blair: "He had an excellent season with Racing Club Warwick and I feel coming to Stratford and its environment will make him a better player". He finished 2008–09 with seven goals in 40 league appearances for Stratford.
Blair signed for Southern League Division One Central club Bedworth United on 3 June 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=58209 |title=Three new Greenbacks |website=Non-League Daily |publisher=Baltic Publications |date=3 June 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130182226/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=58209 |archive-date=30 January 2013}} He scored four times for Bedworth in 16 appearances before signing for Conference North club Redditch United on 25 November 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/sport/4758981.Matt_signs_for_Reds/ |title=Matt signs for Reds |first=Paul |last=Jenkins |newspaper=Redditch Advertiser |date=25 November 2009 |access-date=2 March 2013}} Having made 15 appearances and scored two goals for Redditch, Blair moved on again, signing for Conference North rivals A.F.C. Telford United on 19 March 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=65532 |title=Telford bring in Blair |website=Non-League Daily |publisher=Baltic Publications |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130061547/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=65532 |archive-date=30 January 2013}} He finished 2009–10 with one goal in seven appearances for Telford.
=Kidderminster Harriers=
Blair signed for Conference Premier club Kidderminster Harriers on 9 August 2010 on non-contract terms following a trial.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kidderminster_harriers/8897985.stm |title=Kidderminster Harriers sign winger Matty Blair |website=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2010 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He made his debut on 14 August 2010 as a 75th-minute substitute in Kidderminster's 2010–11 opening day 2–1 victory away to York City.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/8897829.stm |title=York 1–2 Kidderminster |website=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2010 |access-date=24 May 2016}} His first goal for the club came after scoring with a low shot in the 75th minute of a 2–1 win at home to Gateshead on 5 October 2010.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_conf/9041451.stm |title=Kidderminster Harriers 2–1 Gateshead |website=BBC Sport |date=5 October 2010 |access-date=24 May 2016}} In the following match, Blair scored twice as Kidderminster beat Grimsby Town 3–2 on 10 October 2010. Blair signed a contract until the end of 2010–11 on 18 October 2010.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kidderminster_harriers/9103976.stm |title=Kidderminster Harriers sign winger Matty Blair |website=BBC Sport |date=18 October 2010 |access-date=24 May 2016}} His first hat-trick for Kidderminster came after scoring all three of their goals in a 3–3 draw away to Grimsby on 9 April 2011, including an 83rd-minute equaliser after latching onto a loose ball in the penalty area.{{cite web |url=http://www.harriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?MatchId=3291160&tcmuri=144350&pageView=full#anchored |title=Full time: Grimsby 3–3 Harriers |first=Matt |last=Wall |publisher=Kidderminster Harriers F.C. |date=9 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811071618/http://www.harriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?MatchId=3291160&tcmuri=144350&pageView=full#anchored |archive-date=11 August 2016}} He finished the season with 11 goals in 45 appearances for Kidderminster.
=York City=
File:Matty Blair 13-07-2011 1.jpg in 2011]]
After turning down a new contract with Kidderminster, Blair signed for Conference Premier rivals York City on 1 June 2011 on a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/9502252.stm |title=Winger Matty Blair moves to York City |website=BBC Sport |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=24 May 2016}} A compensation package was agreed by the two clubs later that month.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13894508 |title=Kidderminster Harriers sign midfielder James Vincent |website=BBC Sport |date=23 June 2011 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He made his debut in York's opening match of 2011–12, a 2–1 victory away to Ebbsfleet United on 13 August 2011. His first goal came in the following match with York's final goal in a 3–1 victory at home to Barrow on 16 August 2011, with a sidefooted shot from six yards in the fifth minute of stoppage time.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9199999.York_City_3__Barrow_1/ |title=Match report: York City 3, Barrow 1 |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=17 August 2011 |access-date=24 May 2016}} Blair scored the equaliser to give York a 1–1 away draw to Luton Town in the FA Trophy semi-final second leg with a 90th-minute header from a Jamal Fyfield cross.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9598840.Luton_Town_1__York_City_1___FA_Trophy_semi_final__second_leg/ |title=Match report: Luton Town 1, York City 1 – FA Trophy semi-final, second leg |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=19 March 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} York progressed to the final with a 2–1 aggregate victory.
With a 111th-minute header from a Jason Walker cross, Blair scored the winning goal for York away to Mansfield Town during extra time of their play-off semi-final second leg on 7 May 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17890870 |title=Mansfield 0–1 York |first=Owen |last=Phillips |website=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He scored the opening goal for York in their 2–0 victory over Newport County in the 2012 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium on 12 May 2012, after lifting the ball 20 yards into an empty net after goalkeeper Glyn Thompson had charged out of his goal.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9704039.Newport_County_0__York_City_2___FA_Trophy_final/ |title=Match report: Newport County 0, York City 2 – FA Trophy final |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=14 May 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} Eight days later, Blair scored the winning goal in York's 2–1 victory over Luton in the 2012 Conference Premier play-off final at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9717489.York_City_2__Luton_Town_1___play_off_final/ |title=Match report: York City 2, Luton Town 1 – Play-off final |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=21 May 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He scored in the 47th minute with a sidefooted shot from four yards after the ball was head down by Daniel Parslow, and the goal was allowed despite Blair being in an offside position. This result meant York were promoted into League Two after an eight-year absence from the Football League. He finished his first season at York as top scorer with 20 goals in 52 appearances,{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9727416.Season_review__York_City___s_class_of_2011_12/ |title=Season review: York City's class of 2011/12 |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=25 May 2012 |access-date=8 June 2014}} and was named in the 2011–12 Conference Premier Team of the Year alongside York teammate James Meredith.{{cite news |url=https://york.vitalfootball.co.uk/york-duo-in-team-of-year/ |title=York duo in team of year |website=Vital York |date=11 June 2012 |access-date=28 May 2018}}
File:Matty Blair 21-07-2012 1.jpg
Blair came on as a 78th-minute substitute in York's 2012–13 opener away to League One team Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup first round on 11 August 2012. Following a 1–1 draw after extra time the team lost 4–2 in a penalty shoot-out, with Blair missing the final penalty kick.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19123938 |title=Doncaster 1–1 York |website=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He then entered York's first Football League fixture since their promotion, a 3–1 defeat at home to Wycombe Wanderers on 18 August 2012, as a 56th-minute substitute.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19221460 |title=York 1–3 Wycombe |website=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} His first goal of the season came with the 80th-minute winner in York's 1–0 victory away to Rotherham United in the Football League Trophy first round Northern section. He finished the season with seven goals in 49 appearances.
=Fleetwood Town=
Following discussions with York manager Nigel Worthington, Blair expressed his desire to look for another club, and was in talks with newly relegated League Two club Portsmouth before asking for more time to consider the move.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/10387576.Walker_released_by_York_City__Blair_poised_to_follow/ |title=Jason Walker released by York City, Matty Blair poised to follow |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=30 April 2013 |access-date=5 May 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/blair-chooses-fleetwood-1-5086519 |title=Blair chooses Fleetwood |first=Neil |last=Allen |newspaper=The News |location=Portsmouth |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=24 May 2016}} However, he signed for League Two rivals Fleetwood Town on a two-year contract on 13 May 2013.{{cite news |title=Fleetwood Town make Blair first signing |first=Rob |last=Stocks |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-make-blair-first-signing-1-5664362 |newspaper=Blackpool Gazette |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=24 May 2016}}
Blair joined fellow League Two club Northampton Town on 10 January 2014 on a one-month loan.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25685863 |title=Northampton release Clive Platt, sign Matty Blair and Sean McGinty |website=BBC Sport |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He made his debut the following day in a 2–0 home defeat to former club York, before scoring a 76th-minute equaliser for Northampton in their 1–1 away draw with Cheltenham Town on 1 February 2014. His loan was ended on 5 February 2014, three days ahead of when it was due to expire, having made three appearances and scored one goal for Northampton.{{cite web |url=https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2014/february/loan-players-depart/ |title=Loan players depart |first=Gareth |last=Willsher |publisher=Northampton Town F.C. |date=5 February 2014 |access-date=6 January 2018}} Blair scored the only goal in the play-off semi-final against his former club York, and started for Fleetwood in their 1–0 win over Burton Albion in the 2014 League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 26 May. This result meant they were promoted into League One for the first time in their history.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27465323 |title=Burton 0–1 Fleetwood |first=Phil |last=Maiden |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2014 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He finished 2013–14 with 33 appearances and five goals for Fleetwood.
On 17 November 2014, Blair joined League Two club Cambridge United on loan until January 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30085539 |title=Matty Blair joins Cambridge United on loan from Fleetwood Town |website=BBC Sport |date=17 November 2014 |access-date=24 May 2016}}
=Mansfield Town=
Blair signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on a contract until the end of 2014–15 on 14 January 2015 after leaving Fleetwood by mutual consent.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30810736 |title=Matty Blair: Mansfield sign ex-Fleetwood winger |website=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2015 |access-date=24 May 2016}}
=Doncaster Rovers=
Blair rejected a new contract with Mansfield to sign for newly relegated League Two club Doncaster Rovers on 24 May 2016 on a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers-sign-winger-matty-blair-1-7929033 |title=Doncaster Rovers sign winger Matty Blair |newspaper=South Yorkshire Times |location=Doncaster |date=24 May 2016 |access-date=14 December 2016}} He made 48 appearances and scored 3 goals in 2016–17 as Doncaster were promoted to League One after finishing third in League Two.{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1504 |title=League Two: 2016/17: Latest table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 June 2017}}
He was named as PFA League One Community Player of the Year in both seasons 2017–18{{cite web |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2018/april/blair-named-pfa-league-one-community-player-of-the-year/ |title=Blair named PFA League One Community Player of the Year |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C. |date=11 April 2018 |access-date=29 June 2018}} and 2018–19.{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2019/march/2019-efl-awards-divisional-winners-announced/ |title=2019 EFL Awards: Divisional winners announced |publisher=English Football League |date=18 March 2019 |access-date=28 May 2019}} In April 2019, Blair was also named as Community Champion by the PFA for the 2018–19 season in recognition of all his community services.{{cite web |url=https://clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk/news/article/matty-blair-named-pfa-community-champion |title=Matty Blair named PFA Community Champion |publisher=Club Doncaster Foundation |date=24 April 2019 |access-date=28 May 2019}}
=Cheltenham Town=
Blair rejected a new contract offered by Doncaster, and was signed by Cheltenham Town at the beginning of September 2020 on a one-year contract.{{cite news |title=Former Doncaster Rovers, Mansfield Town, Fleetwood Town and York City winger joins Cheltenham Town |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-doncaster-rovers-mansfield-town-4483815 |access-date=4 September 2020 |publisher=Gloucestershire Live |date=4 September 2020}} He made his debut for the club on 8 September 2020 in an EFL Trophy group stage away win over Newport County.{{Cite web| url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18706534.newport-0-cheltenham-1-exiles-downed-efl-trophy-opener/ |title=Newport 0 Cheltenham 1: Exiles downed in EFL Trophy opener |publisher=South Wales Argus |date=8 September 2020}}
On 12 September 2022, Blair announced his retirement from football due to injury.{{Cite web| url=https://www.ctfc.com/news/2022/september2/matty-blair-announces-his-retirement/ |title=Matty Blair announces his retirement |publisher=Cheltenham Town |date=12 September 2022}}
International career
Blair made his England national C team debut as a 56th-minute substitute for Connor Franklin in a 1–0 defeat at home to Portugal in the 2009–11 International Challenge Trophy on 19 May 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2011/England-C-v-Portugal |title=Lions lose out to single goal |first=Matt |last=Phillips |publisher=The Football Association |date=19 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822200815/http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2011/England-C-v-Portugal |archive-date=22 August 2012}} His second and final cap came after starting England's 1–1 draw at home to Italy in the 2011–13 International Challenge Trophy on 28 February 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2012/England-Italy-ICT |title=England held by Italy |first=Mike |last=Appleby |publisher=The Football Association |date=28 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022115507/http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2012/England-Italy-ICT |archive-date=22 October 2013}}{{cite book |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2013 |pages=1003, 1005, 1006}}
Personal life
Blair is the son of former professional footballer Andy Blair. His sister-in-law is actress Holly Matthews, who was married to his brother Ross up until his death from a brain tumour.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/son-of-ex-aston-villa-ace-andy-4606 |title=Son of ex-Aston Villa ace Andy Blair makes charity gesture after meningitis scare |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=2 March 2013}}{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/holly-matthews-ross-blair-dead-10910016 |title=Husband of TV actress dies after wife shared heartbreaking Facebook post as he lay dying in hospice |first1=Sophie |last1=Evans |first2=John |last2=Siddle |first3=Alison |last3=Stacey |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=1 August 2017 |access-date=6 January 2018}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 8 May 2021}}
{{notelist}}
Honours
York City
- Conference Premier play-offs: 2012
- FA Trophy: 2011–12
Fleetwood Town
Doncaster Rovers
- EFL League Two third-place promotion: 2016–17{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018 |year=2017 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3397-4 |pages=158–159}}
Cheltenham Town
- EFL League Two: 2020–21{{Cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12296730/cheltenham-4-1-harrogate-michael-duffs-robins-clinch-league-two-title-in-style |title=Cheltenham 4–1 Harrogate: Michael Duff's Robins clinch League Two title in style |publisher=Sky Sports |date=8 May 2021 |access-date=19 November 2022}}
Individual
- Conference Premier Team of the Year: 2011–12
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- [https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/matty-blair/ Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109081824/https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/matty-blair/ |date=9 January 2021 }} at the Doncaster Rovers F.C. website
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{2011–12 Conference Premier Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Blair, Matty}}
Category:Sportspeople from Warwick
Category:Footballers from Warwickshire
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers
Category:Men's association football wingers
Category:Men's association football fullbacks
Category:Racing Club Warwick F.C. players
Category:Stratford Town F.C. players
Category:Bedworth United F.C. players
Category:Redditch United F.C. players
Category:AFC Telford United players
Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players
Category:York City F.C. players
Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players
Category:Northampton Town F.C. players
Category:Cambridge United F.C. players
Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players
Category:Midland Football Alliance players
Category:Southern Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:English Football League players