Matt Sparrow

Matthew Ronald Sparrow (born 3 October 1981) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder

Matt Sparrow
Sparrow playing for Brighton & Hove Albion in 2011
Personal information
Full name Matthew Ronald Sparrow
Date of birth (1981-10-03) 3 October 1981
Place of birth Wembley, England
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
0000–1999 Scunthorpe United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999–2010 Scunthorpe United 336 (36)
2010–2013 Brighton & Hove Albion 47 (6)
2013 Crawley Town 17 (3)
2013–2015 Scunthorpe United 35 (4)
2015 → Cheltenham Town (loan) 11 (1)
2015–2016 Lincoln City 31 (0)
2016 Sorrento 9 (0)
2016 Gainsborough Trinity 4 (0)
2017–2019 Joondalup United 22 (3)
2020 Bayswater City
2021 Fremantle City
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 3 June 2020

Sparrow made 440 appearances in the Football League across his 17-year-long playing career, notably 369 over two spells with Scunthorpe United, also appearing professionally for Brighton & Hove Albion, Crawley Town, Cheltenham Town and Lincoln City. He went on to play at non-league level for Gainsborough Trinity, before emigrating to Australia going on to feature semi-professionally for Sorrento, Joondalup United, Bayswater City and Fremantle City.

Club career

Scunthorpe United

Born in Wembley, London, Sparrow spent 11 years of his professional career at Scunthorpe United, playing in the bottom three tiers of league football for them. He formally signed for the club as a 16-year-old and played in the FA Youth Alliance final for Scunthorpe at the old Wembley stadium against West Bromwich Albion.[1]

After spending several months in prison in 2001, he became a regular in the Scunthorpe first team.[2] He was part of the team that won promotion to the Championship after finishing the 2006–07 season as champions.[2] In August 2007, he was offered a new three-year contract with the club.[3]

Sparrow scored twice in the 2008–09 League One Play-off Final at Wembley Stadium against Millwall, helping them to a 3–2 victory and promotion to the Championship.[4]

Testimonial year

Sparrow made his 300th appearance for Scunthorpe in April 2009, and subsequently played in a testimonial match which took take place on 1 May. Former Scunthorpe striker Billy Sharp and veteran midfielder Peter Beagrie returned for the match. Also involved were Jack Cork, Alex Calvo Garcia, Jamie McCombe, Jamie Forrester, John Eyre, Lee Ridley, Paul Wilson, Steve Housham, Andy Butler, Mark Jackson, Martin Carruthers, Steve Torpey, Lee Hodges, Paul Harsley, Wayne Graves, Lee Turnbull, Tony Daws, Andy Crosby, Ian Baraclough, Cleveland Taylor, Chris Hope, Kevin Sharp, Kevin Pressman, Paul Musselwhite, Justin Walker, Ross Hyslop, Brian Quailey, Sam Beagrie, Des Comerford and Simon Elliott – plus managers Brian Laws and Nigel Adkins.

On 24 June 2010, it was reported that Sparrow had turned down a new contract offer and was looking elsewhere to continue his career.[5]

Brighton & Hove Albion

On 29 June 2010, Sparrow signed for League One side Brighton & Hove Albion, penning a three-year contract. Brighton won the League One championship that season (in which Sparrow scored four goals) and were promoted to the Championship. In the 2011–12 season, Sparrow scored two goals, both in the 3–0 home win over Southampton. However, he received a red card and a three-match suspension in February's win against Leicester City, for a reckless sliding tackle.

Crawley Town

On 10 January 2013, Sparrow signed for League One and fellow Sussex side Crawley Town on a free transfer.[6] Sparrow made his Crawley debut only two days later on 12 January, coming on in the 67th minute as a substitute replacing fellow midfielder Dannie Bulman, in a 2–0 defeat against Tranmere Rovers.[7] He made his home debut on 2 February in a 1–1 draw against Swindon Town.[8] He scored his first goal for the club on 9 February in a 2–1 defeat against his former club Scunthorpe United.[9] He scored his second goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Yeovil Town.[10] He played 17 times for Crawley in the league that season, scoring three goals as they finished in 10th place, their highest-ever league placing.

Return to Scunthorpe United

Sparrow returned to his old club Scunthorpe United on 2 July 2013 after being released by Crawley Town.[11] On 5 May 2015 it was announced that Sparrow wouldn't be offered a new deal and was free to leave the club.[12]

Later career

On 24 June 2015, he signed a one-year deal with Conference Premier club Lincoln City and make his debut in a home game against Cheltenham Town.

In 2016, he emigrated to Western Australia and joined semi-professional club Sorrento.[13][14]

On 6 October 2016, it was announced that Sparrow had signed with Gainsborough Trinity of the National League North.[15] He made a total of 4 appearances for Gainsborough before returning to Australia.

Sparrow signed for Joondalup United for the 2017 National Premier Leagues season, where it was announced that he would also work in a coaching role.[16][17]

Personal life

He attended the John Leggott College in Scunthorpe between 1998 and 2000, studying Leisure and Tourism.[18]

Career statistics
As of 1 April 2014.
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Scunthorpe United 1999–2000[19] Second Division 11000101[lower-alpha 1]0130
2000–01[20] Third Division 114002000134
2001–02[21] Third Division 241100000251
2002–03[22] Third Division 42930103[lower-alpha 2]0499
2003–04[23] Third Division 38360204[lower-alpha 1]1504
2004–05[24]
 League Two 44531101[lower-alpha 1]0496
2005–06[25]
 League One 39530201[lower-alpha 1]0455
2006–07[26]
 League One 294302000344
2007–08[27]
 Championship 3211010—341
2008–09[28]
 League One 364301010[lower-alpha 3]2506
2009–10[29] Championship 3011031—342
Total 3363724116120339642
Brighton & Hove Albion 2010–11[30] League One 29452101[lower-alpha 1]0366
2011–12[31] Championship 1823010—222
2012–13[32] Championship 000000—00
Total 476822010588
Crawley Town 2012–13[33] League One 173000000173
Scunthorpe United 2013–14[34] League Two 20210101[lower-alpha 1]0232
Career totals 4204833319122349455
  1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. 1 appearance in Football League Trophy, 2 appearances in Football League Third Division play-offs
  3. 7 appearances in Football League Trophy, 3 appearances and 2 goals in Football League One play-offs

Honours

Scunthorpe United

Brighton & Hove Albion

References
  1. "Sparrow is targeting silverware". BBC Sport. 30 March 2009.
  2. Claridge, Steve (1 May 2007). "Steve Claridge's scouting report: Matt Sparrow, Scunthorpe United". The Guardian. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  3. "Iron reward Sparrow with new deal". BBC Sport. 22 August 2007.
  4. "League 1 Play-Off Final - Match Report". The Football League. 24 May 2009. Archived from the original on 23 December 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  5. "Sparrow leaves The Iron". Scunthorpe United F.C. 24 June 2010. Archived from the original on 27 June 2010.
  6. "Sparrow flies in". Crawley Town F.C. 10 January 2013. Archived from the original on 15 February 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  7. "Tranmere 2-0 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 4 July 2018.
  8. "Crawley Town 1-1 Swindon". BBC Sport. 2 February 2013.
  9. "Scunthorpe 2-1 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 9 February 2013.
  10. "Yeovil 2-2 Crawley Town". BBC Sport. 12 March 2013.
  11. "Scunthorpe United: Matt Sparrow return deal agreed". BBC Sport. 2 July 2013. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  12. "Iron Announce Retained List". Archived from the original on 7 July 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  13. Langley, Ryan (10 June 2016). "NPLWA: Wembley hero Sparrow to fly with Gulls". The West Australian. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  14. Wilson, Charlie (3 July 2017). "Scunthorpe United's 2008/09 Wembley winners – where are they now?". Scunthorpe Telegraph. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  15. "Double Signing Boosts Trinity". Gainsborough Trinity F.C. 6 October 2016. Archived from the original on 13 October 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2016.
  16. "Sparrow flies Seagulls' nest and lands at JUFC". Joondalup United F.C. 16 January 2017. Archived from the original on 3 April 2017. Retrieved 3 April 2017.
  17. "Night Series Kicks Off". SportsTG. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  18. Former Students (Alumni) – Significant Alumni Member (Matt Sparrow) – John Leggot College Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
  19. "Scunthorpe 1999/2000 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  20. "Scunthorpe 2000/2001 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  21. "Scunthorpe 2001/2002 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  22. "Scunthorpe 2002/2003 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  23. "Scunthorpe 2003/2004 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  24. "Scunthorpe 2004/2005 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  25. "Scunthorpe 2005/2006 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  26. "Scunthorpe 2006/2007 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  27. "Scunthorpe 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  28. "Scunthorpe 2008/2009 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  29. "Scunthorpe 2009/2010 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  30. "Brighton 2010/2011 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  31. "Brighton 2011/2012 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  32. "Brighton 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  33. "Crawley 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  34. "Scunthorpe 2013/2014 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 February 2013.
  35. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2011). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2011–2012. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 39, 104–105. ISBN 978-0-7553-6231-8.
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