Playing career
He began his professional playing career as a midfielder for Chelsea F.C., Chelsea in the early 1990s, playing 21 league games and being issued with the number 8 when FA Premier League squad numbers were introduced in 1993-94 in English football, 1993–94. He next played for Crystal Palace F.C., Crystal Palace but once again his first team chances were limited. He then played for Burnley F.C., Burnley and Northampton Town F.C., Northampton Town before retiring from playing professionally in 1999 at the age of 29, due to injury.Coaching career
Matthew is a UEFA qualified coach and, after retiring as a player, became a scout for Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., Wolverhampton Wanderers, before returning to Chelsea as a Youth Development Officer. In 2003, he became assistant manager of Bedford Town F.C., Bedford Town. He joined Charlton Athletic F.C., Charlton Athletic in 2006, as the U18s coach, and, in 2007, he shared this role with coaching at Maidstone United F.C., Maidstone United. He became Charlton's Reserve Development Coach in 2008, before later also becoming Academy Development Coach in 2010. In January 2011, he was promoted to first-team coach by new manager Chris Powell. Matthew maintained his place through the departures of Powell, José Riga and Bob Peeters, but he was sacked on 24 October 2015 at the same time as his final manager, Guy Luzon, was relieved of his duties. Matthew joined Welling United F.C., Welling United as first-team coach in April 2016, under manager Mark Goldberg (football manager), Mark Goldberg. He left the club on 14 September 2016, after only 10 matches of the 2016-17 National League, 2016-17 season. In January 2022 he joined Millwall FC's Youth Academy as Head of Coaching, taking over from Kenny Brown (footballer), Kenny Brown On 18 June 2022, Matthew was appointed assistant coach at Queens Park Rangers F.C., Queens Park Rangers, under Michael Beale (football coach), Michael Beale. However, five months later he left the club alongside Beale to join Scottish Premiership side Rangers F.C., Rangers.References
External links
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Matthew, Damian 1970 births Living people English footballers England men's under-21 international footballers Chelsea F.C. players Luton Town F.C. players Crystal Palace F.C. players Bristol Rovers F.C. players Burnley F.C. players Northampton Town F.C. players Premier League players Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. non-playing staff Chelsea F.C. non-playing staff Charlton Athletic F.C. non-playing staff Southend United F.C. non-playing staff Rangers F.C. non-playing staff Footballers from Islington (district) Men's association football midfielders