Dominic Matteo
Encyclopedia
Dominic Matteo is a former Scottish footballer and a Scottish national football team
international. He has played most recently as a defender
for Stoke City
, but spent most of his career at Liverpool
and Leeds United
.
where his father, who "wanted his boy to play like Cesare Maldini
", ran Matthew's Cafe in Friars Vennel, Matteo started his career at Liverpool F.C.
, for whom he played between 1992 and 2000 (with a small Sunderland A.F.C.
loan in between). He scored two goals for Liverpool, one against Southampton in the league and another against Huddersfield in the FA Cup. In August 2000 he joined Leeds United
, and made his team debut against A.C. Milan
the following month, in a UEFA Champions League
contest.
He was one of Leeds' best players through their 2000–01 Champions League campaign
, in which they achieved a semi-final place. He is fondly remembered by Leeds fans especially for the goal he scored at the San Siro
against AC Milan, in the first group stage which ensured they would progress through to the next round. He ended that Champions League campaign with two goals, having also scored earlier against Besiktas.
When Rio Ferdinand
moved to Manchester United
in the summer of 2002, Matteo was handed team captaincy. Leeds were relegated at the end of 2003–04
, despite Matteo's two goals against Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Subsequently, in July 2004 Matteo signed a three-year contract with Blackburn Rovers
. He made his Blackburn debut against West Bromwich Albion
in a 1–1 draw. He scored his first and only goal for Blackburn in a 3-0 win over Colchester United in the FA Cup.
In January 2007, Matteo moved to Championship
side Stoke City
on a free transfer, signing a short-term contract until the summer, playing a total of nine games and scoring one goal against Derby County. Matteo still continued to play for Stoke during the club's 2007–08
pre-season campaign, despite being out of contract. However, he was offered a new 12-month contract by the club on 10 August 2007. He was made captain there, but only played sporadically for the club, his last appearance coming in November 2007. Matteo is currently studying for his Uefa coaching qualifications.
After retiring Matteo became involved at former club Leeds United where he was regarded as a cult hero. He works as a columnist for Yorkshire Evening Post
and is Leeds United's Sporting Bet ambassador.
His book, In My defence, was published in 2011. In an interview, given at the time of the book's release, he said that he had liked working with David O'Leary
and Peter Ridsdale
at Leeds; " I loved working with David. He had been a great central defender at Arsenal. But, as things started to get on top of us, he spent more time in his office. He was nowhere near a failure and, if you finished fifth now, you would not expect the sack."
and 'B'
caps for England,and was also called up for the main squad on two occasions but was never capped. He later was called up for the Scotland side
, having been born and lived as a young boy in Dumfries
. He went on to collect 6 caps for Scotland, making his debut against Australia in November 2000. But he retired from international duty to concentrate on his career at Leeds United
after suffering injury problems.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
international. He has played most recently as a defender
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
for Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
, but spent most of his career at Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
and Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
.
Club career
Born in DumfriesDumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
where his father, who "wanted his boy to play like Cesare Maldini
Cesare Maldini
Cesare Maldini is an Italian football manager and former player. He played as a centre back and spent the majority of his career with AC Milan. Maldini also represented Italy at international level in the 1962 and 1966 World Cups. His son Paolo, also a defender, previously held the record for the...
", ran Matthew's Cafe in Friars Vennel, Matteo started his career at Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, for whom he played between 1992 and 2000 (with a small Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
loan in between). He scored two goals for Liverpool, one against Southampton in the league and another against Huddersfield in the FA Cup. In August 2000 he joined Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
, and made his team debut against A.C. Milan
A.C. Milan
Associazione Calcio Milan, commonly referred to as A.C. Milan or simply Milan , is a professional Italian football club based in Milan, Lombardy, that plays in the Serie A. Milan was founded in 1899 by English lace-maker Herbert Kilpin and businessman Alfred Edwards among others...
the following month, in a UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
contest.
He was one of Leeds' best players through their 2000–01 Champions League campaign
UEFA Champions League 2000-01
The 2000–01 UEFA Champions League was the ninth edition of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA's premier European club football tournament, since it was renamed from the European Cup in 1992, and the 46th tournament overall. The competition was won by Bayern Munich , who beat Valencia 5–4 on...
, in which they achieved a semi-final place. He is fondly remembered by Leeds fans especially for the goal he scored at the San Siro
San Siro
The Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, originally and commonly referred to as the San Siro because of its location, officially given its current name on 3 March 1980, is a football stadium located in the San Siro district in Milan, Italy. It is the home of both A.C. Milan and F.C. Internazionale Milano...
against AC Milan, in the first group stage which ensured they would progress through to the next round. He ended that Champions League campaign with two goals, having also scored earlier against Besiktas.
When Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Gavin Ferdinand is an English footballer. He plays at centre back for Manchester United in the Premier League and for the England national football team...
moved to Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in the summer of 2002, Matteo was handed team captaincy. Leeds were relegated at the end of 2003–04
2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
, despite Matteo's two goals against Fulham and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Subsequently, in July 2004 Matteo signed a three-year contract with Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
. He made his Blackburn debut against West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion F.C.
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, also known as West Brom, The Baggies, The Throstles, Albion or WBA, are an English Premier League association football club based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands...
in a 1–1 draw. He scored his first and only goal for Blackburn in a 3-0 win over Colchester United in the FA Cup.
In January 2007, Matteo moved to Championship
Football League Championship
The Football League Championship is the highest division of The Football League and second-highest division overall in the English football league system after the Premier League...
side Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
on a free transfer, signing a short-term contract until the summer, playing a total of nine games and scoring one goal against Derby County. Matteo still continued to play for Stoke during the club's 2007–08
2007-08 in English football
The 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...
pre-season campaign, despite being out of contract. However, he was offered a new 12-month contract by the club on 10 August 2007. He was made captain there, but only played sporadically for the club, his last appearance coming in November 2007. Matteo is currently studying for his Uefa coaching qualifications.
After retiring Matteo became involved at former club Leeds United where he was regarded as a cult hero. He works as a columnist for Yorkshire Evening Post
Yorkshire Evening Post
The Yorkshire Evening Post is a daily evening publication published by Yorkshire Post Newspapers Ltd in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
and is Leeds United's Sporting Bet ambassador.
His book, In My defence, was published in 2011. In an interview, given at the time of the book's release, he said that he had liked working with David O'Leary
David O'Leary
David Anthony O'Leary is an Irish football manager and former player. His managerial career began at Leeds United and later he managed Aston Villa. He most recently worked as the manager of Al-Ahli Dubai...
and Peter Ridsdale
Peter Ridsdale
Peter Ridsdale is an English businessman who is currently the Chairman of Football Operations at League Two club Plymouth Argyle. Ridsdale was previously the chairman of Leeds United, Barnsley and Cardiff City.-History:...
at Leeds; " I loved working with David. He had been a great central defender at Arsenal. But, as things started to get on top of us, he spent more time in his office. He was nowhere near a failure and, if you finished fifth now, you would not expect the sack."
International career
Matteo won Under-21England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
and 'B'
England B national football team
England B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the England national football team. At times they have played other nations' full teams; they have also played matches against 'B' teams from other football associations...
caps for England,and was also called up for the main squad on two occasions but was never capped. He later was called up for the Scotland side
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
, having been born and lived as a young boy in Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
. He went on to collect 6 caps for Scotland, making his debut against Australia in November 2000. But he retired from international duty to concentrate on his career at Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
after suffering injury problems.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
1993–94 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 1994–95 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| Sunderland Sunderland A.F.C. Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League... (loan) |
1994–95 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Liverpool Liverpool F.C. Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups... |
1995–96 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| 1996–97 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 38 | 0 | |
| 1997–98 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 33 | 0 | |
| 1998–99 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 1 | |
| 1999–2000 | 32 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 1 | |
| Total | 129 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 153 | 2 | |
| Leeds United Leeds United A.F.C. Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system... |
2000–01 | 30 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 2 | 48 | 2 |
| 2001–02 | 32 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 40 | 0 | |
| 2002–03 | 20 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 24 | 0 | |
| 2003–04 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 2 | |
| Total | 115 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 23 | 2 | 146 | 4 | |
| Blackburn Rovers Blackburn Rovers F.C. Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.... |
2004–05 | 28 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 |
| 2005–06 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| Total | 34 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 1 | |
| Stoke City Stoke City F.C. Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts... |
2006–07 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| 2007–08 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 2008–09 in English football The 2008–09 season was the 129th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* West Bromwich Albion, Stoke City and Hull City were all playing in the Premier League after winning promotion from the Championship last season. Stoke returned to the top flight after a 23-year absence, while... |
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 23 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 1 | |
| Career total | 302 | 4 | 18 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 34 | 2 | 364 | 8 | |