Matty Daly
{{short description|English footballer (born 2001)}}
{{distinguish|Matthew Daly}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Matty Daly
| image = Matty Daly 2022.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Daly in 2022
| full_name = Matthew Paul Daly{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/news/698775|title=2017/18 Premier League clubs publish retained lists|publisher=Premier League|date=8 June 2018|accessdate=25 April 2019}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2001|3|10|df=y}}{{cite web|url=https://www.htafc.com/teams/EDT-team/midfielder/matty-daly/|title=Matty Daly - Midfielder - Elite Development Team - Huddersfield Town|website=htafc.com|accessdate=21 April 2019}}
| birth_place = Stockport, England
| height = {{height|m=1.80}}
| position = Attacking midfielder
| currentclub = Harrogate Town
| clubnumber = 10
| youthyears1 = {{0|000}}
| youthclubs1 = Oldham Athletic
| youthyears2 = {{0|000}}–2015
| youthclubs2 = Everton
| youthyears3 = 2015–2018
| youthclubs3 = Huddersfield Town
| years1 = 2018–2023
| clubs1 = Huddersfield Town
| caps1 = 12
| goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2021–2022
| clubs2 = → Hartlepool United (loan)
| caps2 = 19
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 2022
| clubs3 = → Bradford City (loan)
| caps3 = 9
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2022–2023
| clubs4 = → Harrogate Town (loan)
| caps4 = 35
| goals4 = 7
| years5 = 2023–
| clubs5 = Harrogate Town
| caps5 = 55
| goals5 = 7
| nationalyears1 = 2017–2018
| nationalteam1 = England U17
| nationalcaps1 = 10
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2019–2020
| nationalteam2 = England U18
| nationalcaps2 = 5
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 16:55, 26 March 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 08:03, 28 June 2022 (UTC)
}}
Matthew Paul Daly (born 10 March 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for {{English football updater|HarrogaT}} side Harrogate Town.
Daly began his senior career with Huddersfield, becoming their youngest Premier League player at age 18 in 2019. After struggling to break into the first team, he was loaned to Hartlepool United in August 2021. He had a successful loan with them, but was recalled in January 2022. Later that month, he went back out on loan, this time to Bradford City. His loan was cut short by injury however. He was then loaned to Harrogate Town in August 2022. He had a productive loan with them, but was released by Huddersfield at the end of the 2022–23 season. Harrogate then signed him as a free agent in May 2023.
Early life
Daly was born in Stockport, and attended Reddish Vale Technology College.{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/stockport-footballer-stars-for-everton-7279742 |title=Reddish Vale footballer is named Everton under-13 Player of the Year |website=Manchester Evening News |author=Todd Fitzgerald |date=17 June 2014 |access-date=23 March 2025 }} He began with Oldham Athletic at the age of eight. He later joined the Everton of Everton at the under-11 level.{{cite web |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/lads-join-top-flight-teams-865888 |title=Lads join top-flight teams |website=Manchester Evening News |date=11 January 2013 |access-date=23 March 2025 }} He signed a new deal with Everton in 2014, and was also named as under-13 Player of the Year. He signed for Huddersfield Town in September 2015.{{cite web|title=Position former Everton prospect could play at Huddersfield Town in future|url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/position-former-everton-prospect-could-16166223|publisher=Huddersfield Daily Examiner|date=23 April 2018|accessdate=25 April 2019}}
Club career
=Huddersfield Town=
Daly signed a two-year scholarship with Huddersfield in April 2017.{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/ones-future-huddersfield-town-announce-12924950 |title=Ones for the future: Huddersfield Town announce 2017/18 scholars |website=Yorkshire Live |author=Rory Benson |date=21 April 2017 |access-date=23 March 2025 }} After impressing in pre-season with the first-team, he signed his first professional contract in July 2018, a three-year deal with an option to extend for a further year.{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/matty-daly-signs-first-professional-14913460 |title=Matty Daly signs first professional contract with Huddersfield Town |website=Yorkshire Live |author=Rory Benson |date=17 July 2018 |access-date=23 March 2025 }} He made his first team debut for the Terriers as a first-half substitute for Jonathan Hogg in their 2–1 defeat to Watford in the Premier League on 20 April 2019. He was 18 years, 1 month and 10 days old during the appearance, making him the youngest Huddersfield player to play in the Premier League.{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/bright-future-ahead-huddersfield-town-16279538 |title=Bright future ahead for Huddersfield Town youngster as he rises up the England ranks |website=Yorkshire Live |author=Steven Chicken |date=15 May 2019 |access-date=25 March 2025 }} Daly finished the season with 2 appearances, as Huddersfield were relegated to the Championship.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/47761884 |title=Huddersfield relegated: Terriers captain Christopher Schindler feeling 'empty' |website=BBC Sport |date=30 March 2019 |access-date=23 March 2025 }}
On 10 December, Daly scored his first senior goal against Charlton Athletic in his fifth appearance for Huddersfield, an injury time winner to win the match 1–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50639259 |title=Charlton 0–1 Huddersfield |date=10 December 2019 |publisher=BBC|accessdate=14 September 2020}} After the match, manager Danny Cowley stated he thought Daly could "press for a place in the first eleven".{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/danny-cowley-matty-daly-interview-17415225 |title=Danny Cowley on the Huddersfield Town player interview that has gone straight into his top five |website=Yorkshire Live |author=Steven Chicken |date=13 December 2019 |access-date=25 March 2025 }} In August 2020, he extended his contract by two years with an additional one-year option.{{cite web |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2020/august/new-contract-for-matty-daly |title=NEW CONTRACT FOR MATTY DALY! |website=Huddersfield Town A.F.C. |date=19 August 2020 |access-date=23 March 2025 }} He received his first start later that year on 1 December, in a 3–0 defeat to Cardiff City.{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11704/12147089/cardiff-3-0-huddersfield-kieffer-moore-double-fires-bluebirds-to-victory |title=Cardiff 3-0 Huddersfield: Kieffer Moore double fires Bluebirds to victory |website=Sky Sports |date=1 December 2020 |access-date=23 March 2025 }} Daly struggled for gametime under Carlos Corberán, as there was midfield competition.{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-could-repeat-lewis-20536009 |title=Huddersfield Town could repeat Lewis O'Brien trick as Carlos Corberan reshapes squad |website=Yorkshire Live |author=Steven Chicken |date=6 May 2021 |access-date=24 March 2025 }} Ahead of the 2021–22 season, he looked to go out on loan, with only 12 appearances in total for Huddersfield.{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/news/huddersfield-town-midfielder-league-two-21234475 |title=Huddersfield Town midfielder completes League Two transfer as development pathway is laid out |website=Yorkshire Live |author=Dave Hartrick |date=5 August 2021 |access-date=24 March 2025 }} He went on trial with recently relegated League One club Rotherham United, but nothing came of it.{{cite web |url=https://www.rotherhamadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/rotherham-united/how-deadline-day-unfolded-for-rotherham-united-and-all-the-targets-deals-and-near-misses-during-the-transfer-window-4327160 |title=How deadline day unfolded for Rotherham United and all the targets, deals and near-misses during the transfer window |website=Rotherham Advertiser |author=Paul Davis |date=10 September 2021 |access-date=24 March 2025 }}
==Loans to Hartlepool United and Bradford City==
On 5 August 2021, Daly signed for newly promoted League Two side Hartlepool United for the first loan move of his career.{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/pools-sign-matty-daly/ |title=Pools Sign Matty Daly |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |date=5 August 2021 |access-date=5 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210805183305/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/pools-sign-matty-daly/ |archive-date=5 August 2021 }} He made his debut for Hartlepool as a late substitute in a 1–0 victory against Crawley Town on 7 August.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58036215 |title=Hartlepool United 1–0 Crawley Town |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2021 |access-date=8 August 2021}} He scored his first goal on 31 August in an EFL Trophy match against Carlisle United.{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/carlisle-3-3-pools-verdict-a-unique-evening-of-football-at-brunton-park-3367056 |title=Carlisle United 3-3 Hartlepool United verdict: A unique evening of football at Brunton Park |website=Hartlepool Mail |author=Dominic Scurr |date=1 September 2022 |access-date=24 March 2025 }} He scored his first league goal on 23 October in a 3–2 win over Harrogate Town.{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/challinor-challenges-hufc-match-winner-daly-to-show-his-swagger-3431469 |title=Dave Challinor has challenged on-loan Huddersfield Town star to show his 'swagger' after man of the match display for Hartlepool in Harrogate Town win |website=Hartlepool Mail |author=Joe Ramage |date=23 October 2021 |access-date=24 March 2025 }} Daly became an important player at Hartlepool, with interim manager Anthony Sweeney stating, "He’s growing into a key player for us. He’s got real ability and can affect games."{{cite web |url=https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/matty-daly-returns-to-huddersfield-town-3530575 |title=Hartlepool United dealt a significant blow as Huddersfield Town recall 20-year-old midfielder |website=Hartlepool Mail |author=Dominic Scurr |date=8 November 2021 |access-date=24 March 2025 }} Huddersfield recalled Daly on 17 January 2022, supposedly due to injury problems.{{cite news|url=https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2022/january/matty-daly-leaves-pools/ |title=Matty Daly Leaves Pools |publisher=Hartlepool United FC |date=17 January 2022 |access-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182541/https://www.hartlepoolunited.co.uk/news/2022/january/matty-daly-leaves-pools/ |archive-date=18 January 2022 }} However, it was later revealed that Huddersfield had recalled him due to playtime concerns under new manager Graeme Lee.{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/daly-bradford-loan-bromby-fox-22805559 |title=Huddersfield Town's Leigh Bromby and David Fox explain Matty Daly Hartlepool recall and Bradford City loan |website=Yorkshire Live |author=Steven Chicken |date=19 January 2022 |access-date=24 March 2025 }} Daly made 27 appearances and scored seven goals in total for Hartlepool, including five goals in four appearances in the EFL Trophy.
On 18 January 2022, the day after being recalled from Hartlepool United, Daly returned to League Two to join Bradford City on loan until the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2022/january/city-secure-daly-loan-capture/|title=City secure Daly loan capture|website=www.bradfordcityafc.com|date=18 January 2022}} He made his debut on 22 January, starting in a 0–0 draw against Rochdale.{{cite web |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19867700.match-recap-rochdale-0-bradford-city-0/ |title=MATCH RECAP: Rochdale 0 Bradford City 0 |website=Telegraph & Argus |author=Simon Parker |date=22 January 2022 |access-date=25 March 2025 }} He scored his first goal for The Bantams on 25 January in a 2–1 win over Walsall.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59751213 |title=Walsall 1-2 Bradford City |website=BBC Sport |date=25 January 2022 |access-date=25 March 2025 }} He suffered a foot injury which led to him being recalled by Huddersfield for surgery.{{cite web |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/20109511.verdict-bradford-citys-six-loan-signings-season/ |title=Verdict on Bradford City's six loan signings this season |website=Telegraph & Argus |author=Simon Parker |date=4 May 2022 |access-date=25 March 2025 }} He finished his loan with 1 goal in 9 appearances.
==2022–23 season: Loan to Harrogate Town==
{{quote box |width=30% |align=right |quote="I think he will get people off their seats this season, if we get him in the right areas where he can be as creative as he wants and a real goalscoring threat then he will excite the Harrogate fans, I’ve no doubt about that." |source=Harrogate manager Simon Weaver on Daly's loan.{{cite web |url=https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/huddersfield-town-youngster-matty-daly-swaps-bradford-city-for-harrogate-town-on-a-mission-to-entertain-3747261 |title=Huddersfield Town youngster Matty Daly swaps Bradford City for Harrogate Town on a mission to entertain |website=The Yorkshire Post |author=Stuart Rayner |date=27 June 2022 |access-date=25 March 2025 }}}}
On 27 June 2022, Daly joined Harrogate Town on loan for the whole of the 2022–23 season.{{cite news |title=Loan: Matty Daly joins Harrogate Town |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2022/june/loan-matty-daly-joins-harrogate-town/ |access-date=27 June 2022 |publisher=Huddersfield Town AFC |date=28 June 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2023/may/202223-retained-list-confirmed/|title=2022/23 Retained list confirmed|website=www.htafc.com|date=19 May 2023|accessdate=29 May 2023}} He scored on his debut on 30 July 2022, a 3–0 win over Swindon Town on opening day.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62275047 |title=Harrogate Town 3-0 Swindon Town |website=BBC Sport |date=30 July 2022 |access-date=25 March 2025 }} On 5 November, he scored in a 1–0 win over former club Bradford in the FA Cup, his fourth consecutive goal.{{cite web |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/harrogate-town-hoping-for-more-matty-daly-magic-against-carlisle-united-3909443 |title=Harrogate Town hoping for more Matty Daly magic against Carlisle United |website=Harrogate Advertiser |author=Rhys Howell |date=8 November 2022 |access-date=25 March 2025 }} Later that month on 19 November, in a 3–0 win over Manfield Town, he came off shortly after half-time after injuring his knee.{{cite web |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/huddersfield-town-loanee-matty-dalys-knee-injury-a-worry-for-harrogate-town-3924965 |title=Huddersfield Town loanee Matty Daly's knee injury a worry for Harrogate Town |website=Harrogate Advertiser |author=Rhys Howell |date=20 November 2022 |access-date=26 March 2025 }} Following a scan, it was revealed that he would be out for eight weeks.{{cite web |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/harrogate-towns-on-loan-huddersfield-town-midfielder-matty-daly-ruled-out-for-eight-weeks-3931096 |title=Harrogate Town's on-loan Huddersfield Town midfielder Matty Daly ruled out for eight weeks |website=Harrogate Advertiser |author=Rhys Howell |date=24 November 2022 |access-date=26 March 2025 }} He made his return on 28 January, in a 1–0 defeat to Sutton United. He finished his loan with 8 goals in 39 appearances. He also helped Harrogate avoid relegation.{{cite web |url=https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/huddersfield-town-loanees-rowe-grant-26787173 |title=How Sorba Thomas, Aaron Rowe, Danny Grant and the rest of Huddersfield Town's loanees have fared |website=Yorkshire Live |author=Steven Chicken |date=26 April 2023 |access-date=26 March 2025 }}
=Harrogate Town=
Daly was released by Huddersfield in 2023.{{cite web |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2023/may/202223-retained-list-confirmed/ |title=2022/23 RETAINED LIST CONFIRMED |website=Huddersfield Town |date=19 May 2025 |access-date=26 March 2025 }} Due to his successful loan, he began negotiations to return to Harrogate.{{cite web |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/harrogate-town-in-negotiations-over-permanent-deal-for-huddersfield-town-loan-star-4140333 |title=Harrogate Town in negotiations over permanent deal for Huddersfield Town loan star |website=Harrogate Advertiser |author=Rhys Howell |date=12 May 2023 |access-date=26 March 2025 }}
Daly agreed to return to Harrogate on a two-year deal in May to become Harrogate's first summer signing.{{cite web|url=https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news-media/news/daly-returns-on-two-year-deal-%E2%9C%8D/|title=Daly returns on two-year deal ✍|website=www.harrogatetownafc.com|date=29 May 2023|accessdate=29 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230602003332/https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news-media/news/daly-returns-on-two-year-deal-%E2%9C%8D/ |archive-date=2 June 2023 }} He made his first appearance on his return on opening day, in a 1–0 victory against Doncaster Rovers on 5 August.{{cite web |url=https://www.harrogatetownafc.com/news/2023/august/match-report-for-doncaster-rovers-vs-harrogate-town-on-05-aug-23/ |title=
Muldoon strike earns Town all three points on opening day |website=Harrogate Town A.F.C. |date=5 August 2023 |access-date=26 March 2025 }} He scored his first goal of the season on 16 September in a 1–1 draw to former team Bradford. He maintained his place as a first team regular, making 46 appearances and scoring 6 times that season.
After a hamstring injury kept him out for six weeks, Daly made his return on 14 October in a 1–0 win over Newport County. Manager Simon Weaver said Daly's return made Harrogate "a better team".{{cite web |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/matty-daly-makes-harrogate-town-a-better-team-says-simon-weaver-after-attacking-midfielder-returns-from-injury-lay-off-4823733 |title=Matty Daly makes Harrogate Town a 'better team', says Simon Weaver after attacking midfielder returns from injury lay-off |website=Harrogate Advertiser |author=Rhys Howell |date=14 October 2024 |access-date=26 March 2025 }} He would then suffer a toe injury however, which kept him out from November until returning on 3 December, in a 2–0 defeat to Salford City.{{cite web |url=https://www.harrogateadvertiser.co.uk/sport/football/harrogate-town-could-welcome-one-player-back-for-chesterfield-fc-clash-but-have-fresh-injury-concerns-4869697 |title=Harrogate Town could welcome one player back for Chesterfield FC clash but have fresh injury concerns |website=Harrogate Advertiser |author=Rhys Howell |date=16 November 2024 |access-date=26 March 2025 }}
International career
He has represented England at international youth levels, including under-17, where he received 10 caps including his participation at the 2018 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. This included scoring the winning goal in the 2–1 win over Israel under-17s in their first match.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44013343|title=England start U17 European Championship with victory over Israel|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 May 2018|accessdate=25 April 2019}} He then played in a semi-final defeat to the Netherlands under-17s on a penalty shootout,{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44163466|title=European Under-17 Championships: England lose 6–5 on penalties to Netherlands|publisher=BBC Sport|date=17 May 2018|accessdate=25 April 2019}} although Daly did score England's second penalty.{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/under17/match/2024318--england-vs-netherlands/|title=England 0–0 Netherlands|publisher=UEFA|date=17 May 2018|access-date=25 April 2019}}
In May 2019, Daly was part of the England U18s squad that competed at the Slovakia Cup.{{cite web |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2019/may/matty-daly-earns-first-england-u18-cap/|title=Another England U18 cap for Matty Daly|publisher=htafc.co.uk|date=23 May 2019|access-date=24 May 2019}}
Style of play
Daly has been described as "a creative player and probably at his best playing in the final third. Quite an attacking midfielder who likes a dribble and a pass."{{cite web |url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19859067.need-know-bradford-city-signing-matty-daly/ |title=All you need to know about Bradford City signing Matty Daly |website=Telegraph & Argus |author=Simon Parker |date=19 January 2022 |access-date=25 March 2025 }}
Career statistics
{{updated|26 March 2025}}{{cite web|title=Matthew Daly|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=119017|website=Soccerbase}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|League Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan=4|Huddersfield Town
|2018–19{{soccerbase season|119017|2018|access-date=29 May 2023}} |2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|119017|2019|access-date=29 May 2023}}
|4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2020–21{{soccerbase season|119017|2020|access-date=29 May 2023}}
|Championship |5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 1 | |
| Hartlepool United (loan)
|2021–22{{soccerbase season|119017|2021|access-date=29 May 2023}} |19 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy}} | 5 | 27 | 7 | |
| Bradford City (loan)
|League Two |9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | |
| Harrogate Town (loan)
|2022–23{{soccerbase season|119017|2022|access-date=29 May 2023}} |League Two |35 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 39 | 8 | |
| rowspan="3"|Harrogate Town
|2023–24{{soccerbase season|119017|2023|access-date=21 August 2023}} |League Two |40 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=EFLT}} | 0 | 46 | 6 | |
| 2024–25{{soccerbase season|119017|2024|access-date=19 October 2024}}
|League Two |15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!55 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 63 | 7 | |
| colspan=3| Career total ||129||18||7||1||7||0||8||5||150||24 |
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Harrogate Town A.F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Daly, Matty}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Footballers from Stockport
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Oldham Athletic A.F.C. players
Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players
Category:Hartlepool United F.C. players
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:Harrogate Town A.F.C. players
Category:Premier League players