Matthew James Gill (born 8 November 1980) is an English professional football coach and former player who is the assistant manager of Championship club Southampton.

Matthew Gill
Gill playing for Bristol Rovers in 2013
Personal information
Full name Matthew James Gill[1]
Date of birth (1980-11-08) 8 November 1980 (age 43)
Place of birth Chatham, England
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Southampton (assistant)
Youth career
Peterborough United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2004 Peterborough United 149 (5)
2004–2006 Notts County 57 (0)
2006–2009 Exeter City 148 (14)
2009–2011 Norwich City 12 (0)
2010Peterborough United (loan) 4 (0)
2011Walsall (loan) 8 (2)
2011–2014 Bristol Rovers 45 (0)
2013–2014Exeter City (loan) 24 (0)
2014 Tranmere Rovers 8 (0)
Total 455 (21)
Managerial career
2014 Tranmere Rovers (assistant)
2021 Ipswich Town (caretaker)
2022–2023 Swansea City (assistant)
2023– Southampton (assistant)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He began his career in 1997, notably representing Peterborough United, Exeter City and Bristol Rovers.

Following his retirement in 2014, he moved into coaching, first becoming assistant manager at Tranmere Rovers before taking a post at the Norwich City academy.[2] He left Norwich in October 2018, joining local rivals Ipswich Town as first-team coach to new manager Paul Lambert.[3] Following Lambert's departure in February 2021, Gill was appointed as caretaker manager before Lambert's successor, Paul Cook, was appointed.[4] Gill left the club in May 2021.[5] He briefly joined Russell Martin at Milton Keynes Dons, before the pair moved to Swansea City in August 2021.

Playing career edit

Peterborough United edit

Born in Chatham, Kent, Gill began his career as a trainee with Third Division side Peterborough United. On 25 April 1998, during the 1997–98 season, Gill broke through into Peterborough's first team during a 3–1 loss to Torquay United. In over seven years at Peterborough, Gill made 149 first team appearances, scoring five goals.

Notts County edit

On 3 May 2004, Gill moved to League Two side Notts County for the 2004–05 season. After a tough start at Meadow Lane, Gill was placed on the transfer list by struggling manager Gary Mills. In November 2004 Mills was replaced by Ian Richardson who immediately removed him from the list. Gill went on to make 57 appearances for the Magpies before being transferred to Conference National side Exeter City on 16 January 2006 during the 2005–06 season, on a free transfer.

Exeter City edit

Since joining Exeter in 2006, Gill has quickly established himself as a first-team regular. He was sent off in the 2007 Conference National playoff final for a headbutt, becoming the first player to receive the red card at the new Wembley Stadium.

In September 2008, he was voted League Two player of the month, after scoring four goals in four games.[6]

Norwich City edit

Gill agreed to sign for Norwich City on 9 June 2009 on a free transfer, which came into effect on 1 July.[7] He made his debut in the opening day 7–1 defeat to Colchester United at Carrow Road. Injury blighted Gill's first season at Carrow Road, and he only managed 10 appearances in all competitions. Gill particularly impressed in the 3–0 win over Bristol Rovers on 1 May 2010. He continued his role of a substitute during the 2010–2011 Championship season, making some appearances off the bench, showcasing his long throw-ins to the fans. Gill was released by Norwich City on 1 June 2011.

Gill returned to his first club Peterborough United on 23 September 2010 on a one-month loan deal[8] and made his second debut for the Posh at home to MK Dons.

Bristol Rovers edit

Bristol Rovers agreed terms with Gill on 6 July 2011. Rovers faced competition for his signature, from clubs including Walsall and Exeter City, both of whom are League One clubs. On 1 August 2011 it was announced that Gill would be the club captain for Bristol Rovers for the 2011/12 season.

Gill returned to his former club Exeter City on 18 October 2013 on loan until the end of the year.[9]

Tranmere Rovers edit

Gill signed for League Two outfit Tranmere Rovers on 29 May 2014 on a one-year contract. He signed as a player coach as Tranmere's second signing by new manager, Rob Edwards.[10]

Coaching career edit

Tranmere Rovers edit

On 8 September 2014, he was named as Assistant Manager, following three months working with the manager at the club.[11] After Edwards was replaced by Micky Adams, Gill left Tranmere by mutual consent on 3 November 2014.

Norwich City edit

Gill returned to Norwich in 2015 to work in the Academy as a coach. He took on the interim role of Norwich's Under-23 manager for the remainder of the 2016/17 season following the exit of Dmitri Halajko, who left to become head of technical coaching at Leicester City's academy in February. Gill's role was confirmed as being permanent on 4 July 2017.[12]

Ipswich Town edit

On 27 October 2018, Gill left his role at Norwich to join local rivals Ipswich Town as first team coach as part of Paul Lambert's new backroom staff.[13] Following Lambert's departure by mutual consent in February 2021, Gill was appointed as caretaker manager with fellow club coach Bryan Klug as his assistant.[4] Gill oversaw one game while in caretaker charge, a 2–1 away win at Accrington Stanley, before new boss Paul Cook was appointed. It was confirmed that Gill would remain as a first team coach under Cook, alongside fellow coach Gary Roberts.[14] However, on 7 May 2021, Gill left the club after Cook outlined his intentions of appointing a new backroom ahead of forthcoming season.[5]

MK Dons edit

Gill joined up with Russell Martin at Milton Keynes Dons on 29 June 2021. He was handed the role of technical development coach at Stadium MK.

Swansea City edit

Russell Martin and his MK coaching staff, including Gill, left to join Swansea City in August 2021 with Gill serving as technical development coach.[15] He held this role until February 2022, where following the departure of Luke Williams, Gill became the interim assistant head coach at the swans. During pre season preparations ahead of the 2022–2023 season, Gill was promoted to assistant head coach permanently.[16]

Southampton edit

On 27 June 2023, it was confirmed that Gill had joined Russell Martin's backroom staff at Southampton as an assistant head coach.[17]

Career statistics edit

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[a] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Peterborough United 1997–98[18] Third Division 2 0 2 0
1998–99[19] 26 0 2 0 1 0 29 0
1999–00[20] 20 1 1 0 3[b] 0 24 1
2000–01[21] Second Division 16 1 3 0 1 0 20 1
2001–02[22] 12 2 12 2
2002–03[23] 41 1 1 0 1 0 43 1
2003–04[24] 32 0 2 0 1 0 2 0 37 0
Total 149 5 7 0 4 0 7 0 167 5
Notts County 2004–05[25] League Two 43 0 4 0 2 0 1 0 50 0
2004–05[26] 14 0 1 0 1 0 16 0
Total 57 0 5 0 3 0 1 0 66 0
Exeter City 2005–06[26] Conference National 16 1 2 0 18 0
2006–07[27] 46 1 1 0 3[c] 0 50 1
2007–08[28] 42 3 2 0 5[c][d] 0 50 3
2008–09[29] League Two 43 9 1 0 1 0 1 0 46 9
Total 148 14 4 0 1 0 11 0 164 14
Norwich City 2009–10[30] League One 8 0 1 0 1 0 10 0
2010–11[31] Championship 4 0 2 0 6 0
Total 12 0 0 0 3 0 1 0 16 0
Peterborough United (loan) 2010–11[31] League One 4 0 4 0
Walsall (loan) 2010–11[31] League One 8 2 8 2
Bristol Rovers 2011–12[32] League Two 33 0 2 0 1 0 36 0
2012–13[33] 11 0 1 0 1 0 13 0
2013–14[34] 1 0 1 0
Total 45 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 50 0
Exeter City (loan) 2013–14[34] League Two 24 0 1 0 25 0
Tranmere Rovers 2014–15[35] League Two 8 0 1 0 1 0 10 0
Career total 455 21 17 0 15 0 23 0 510 21
  1. ^ Football League Trophy matches except marked.
  2. ^ Appearances in Football League Trophy and Third Division play-offs
  3. ^ a b Appearances in Conference National play-offs
  4. ^ Appearances in FA Trophy

Managerial statistics edit

As of match played 2 March 2021
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
G W D L Win % Ref.
Ipswich Town (caretaker) 28 February 2021 2 March 2021 1 1 0 0 100.00
Total 1 1 0 0 100.00

Honours edit

Peterborough United

Exeter City

Norwich City

Individual

References edit

  1. ^ Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 235. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  2. ^ "ACADEMY STAFF PROFILES". Archived from the original on 17 September 2015.
  3. ^ "Lambert's Backroom Staff Confirmed". Ipswich Town Official Website. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 28 March 2019.
  4. ^ a b "Matt Gill to Take Charge at Accrington".
  5. ^ a b "Matt Gill Departs Town".
  6. ^ "Gill is named Player of the Month". BBC Sport. 8 October 2008. Retrieved 18 November 2008.
  7. ^ "Exeter's Gill to sign for Norwich". BBC Sport. 9 June 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  8. ^ "Gill seals Posh return". Yahoo! Eurosport. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 25 September 2010.
  9. ^ "Matt Gill: Exeter re-sign Bristol Rovers midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  10. ^ "Matt Gill: Gill signs for Tranmere as player coach". Tranmere Rovers. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  11. ^ "Matt Gill: Gill promoted to Assistant Manager". Tranmere Rovers. 8 September 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2014.
  12. ^ "Matt Gill". 30 October 2018. Retrieved 30 October 2018.
  13. ^ "Matt Gill: Lambert adds Norwich U23s coach Gill to his Ipswich coaching staff". Eastern Daily Press. 27 October 2018. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  14. ^ "'The lads deserve credit after everything that's gone on' - Gill on Ipswich Town's 2-1 win at Accrington". 2 March 2021.
  15. ^ "RUSSELL MARTIN CONFIRMED AS NEW SWANSEA CITY HEAD COACH". Swansea City. 1 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  16. ^ "Matt Gill becomes Swansea City's assistant head coach". www.swanseacity.com. 15 June 2022.
  17. ^ "Four new faces join Martin's staff". Southampton FC. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2023.
  18. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  19. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  20. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  21. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  22. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  23. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  24. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  25. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  26. ^ a b "Games played by Matt Gill in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  27. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  28. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  29. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  30. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  31. ^ a b c "Games played by Matt Gill in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  32. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  33. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 October 2013.
  34. ^ a b "Games played by Matt Gill in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  35. ^ "Games played by Matt Gill in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  36. ^ "GILL NAMED BEST IN LEAGUE 2". The Football League. 7 October 2008. Archived from the original on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 18 October 2013.

External links edit