Matt Crowell

Matthew Thomas Crowell (born 3 July 1984) is a Welsh retired footballer who last played for NSW Premier League side Central Coast Mariners Academy.

Matt Crowell
Personal information
Full name Matthew Thomas Crowell
Date of birth (1984-07-03) 3 July 1984
Place of birth Bridgend, Wales
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
000–2000 Swansea City
2000–2002 Southampton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2003 Southampton 0 (0)
2003–2008 Wrexham 93 (4)
2008–2009 Northwich Victoria 56 (5)
2009 Altrincham 5 (1)
2009–2010 Central Coast Mariners 13 (0)
2010 Altrincham 9 (0)
2010 Farnborough 2 (0)
2011 Port Talbot Town 4 (0)
2011–2012 CD Ourense 20 (0)
2012–2013 Port Talbot Town 24 (1)
2013–2015 CCM Academy 44 (2)
2016 Maitland FC 4 (1)
2018–2019 Central Coast United 32 (1)
Total 306 (15)
International career
2001 Wales U17 2 (0)
2002 Wales U19 3 (0)
2003–2005 Wales U21 7 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Club career

Southampton

Born in Bridgend, Crowell grew up in Coychurch. As a teenager he was part of the youth system at Swansea City before being persuaded to follow Swansea youth coach Malcolm Elias to Southampton at the age of 16 in 2000.[1] Swansea took the case to the Football League appeals committee seeking compensation of £1.5 million. The committee later ordered Southampton to make an immediate payment of £100,000 to Swansea, as well as a further £100,000 when Crowell had made 10, 20, 30 and 40 appearances in the future and 20% of any future transfer fee that the club received for Crowell. Swansea chairman Neil McClure later stated "£500,000 is significantly more than Southampton ever offered at any stage and that must be regarded as satisfactory"[2] However, Crowell never made a first team appearance at Southampton and was released in 2003.

Wrexham

After spending time on trial with Bristol Rovers,[3] Crowell later joined Wrexham, having impressed in a trial spell,[4] and made his professional debut for the club on 9 August 2003 as a substitute in place of Steve Thomas during a 0–0 draw with Chesterfield. In his third season at the Racecourse Ground he made six appearances in the club's Football League Trophy victory, beating Southend United 2–0 in the final.[5] However, he later found himself plagued with injuries in his later years at the Racecourse Ground and, after playing on a six-month contract with the Welsh side in an attempt to show his fitness,[6] he was released in January 2008 having made over 100 appearances for the club.

Non-league

In January 2008, Crowell signed for Northwich Victoria on non-contract terms.[7] In July 2009, Crowell left Northwich. He attended a trial with NSW Premier League side Sydney Olympic,[3] but later returned to Britain to sign for Altrincham on a short-term contract, stating that "It was hard at Northwich last season with the club's difficulties but I am pleased to join Altrincham".

Central Coast Mariners

In September 2009, Crowell joined A-League team Central Coast Mariners on a one-year deal until the end of the 2009–10 season.[8] He made 13 appearances for the club before returning to England.

Return to Non-league

He then rejoined Altrincham before in December 2010 Farnborough announced that he had joined them, apparently on non-contract terms.[9] He left the club after only two appearances.

Port Talbot Town

In May 2011, Crowell had a two-week trial with China's Chengdu Blades before he joined Welsh Premier League club Port Talbot Town in July 2011 after a trial.[10] He played all of the club's league games prior to his next move.

CD Ourense

He signed a full-time contract with Spanish club CD Ourense in September 2011 where he made 20 appearances for the club.[11]

Return to Port Talbot Town

In July 2012 Crowell returned to Wales and his former club Port Talbot Town ahead of the 2012/13 Welsh Premier League season. Crowell's first goal in his second spell at the club came in a 5–0 win away at Aberystwyth FC where he scored a penalty.

Central Coast Mariners Academy

In March 2013 Crowell signed for the Central Coast Mariners Academy, feeder seed for Central Coast Mariners FC of the A-League where he had a previous stint in the 2009–10 season.[12]

Retirement

Crowell retired from professional football in August 2019[13]

International career

A former captain of the Wales under-15 side,[2] Crowell later went on to represent Wales at under-17 and under-19 levels. He has also played numerous times for the Wales U21 side and has also scored a screamer with his left foot for the side, against Azerbaijan U21 in 2004.[14]

Career statistics
As of 2 September 2010.
Club statistics
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Wrexham 2003–04 151001020181
2004–05 280100060350
2005–06 293000000293
2006–07 150102011191
2007–08 6000000060
Subtotal 9342030911075
Northwich Victoria 2007–08 151000000151
2008–09 414000000414
Subtotal 565000000565
Altrincham 2009–10 5100000051
Central Coast Mariners 2009–10 130000000130
Altrincham 2010–11 2000000020
Total 169 10 2 0 3 0 9 1 183 11

References
  1. "Charles out of Swans youth job". Daily Mirror. 1 August 2000. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  2. "Swans get Crowell compensation". BBC Sport. 26 September 2000. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  3. "Departed players and staff 2009–10". Altrincham F.C. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  4. "Four in race to replace Ferguson". Liverpool Daily Post. 25 November 2003. Retrieved 2 September 2010.
  5. "Southend 0-2 Wrexham". BBC. 10 April 2005. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
  6. "Crowell is ready to seize chance". BBC Sport. 16 June 2007. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
  7. "Three is the magic number for Dino". Northwich Guardian. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 18 January 2008.
  8. Archived 13 October 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  9. "Farnborough Football Club". Farnboroughfc.co.uk. Archived from the original on 22 August 2011. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  10. Archived 31 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  11. "WelshPrem news from Welsh Premier League – Welsh Premier League". Welshpremier.com. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
  12. Tucker, Steve (16 May 2016). "What became of the young Welsh boys who played with Gareth Bale". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 December 2021.
  13. "Central Coast United". 12 August 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2021 – via Facebook.
  14. "Azerbaijan U21 0–1 Wales U21". BBC Sport. 3 September 2004. Retrieved 17 November 2007.
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