Frank Matson
Encyclopedia
Francis Robert "Frank" Matson (21 November 1905–1985) was a Welsh professional footballer who played at outside-left for various clubs in the 1920s and 1930s, spending most of his playing career with Cardiff City
.
and played his youth football with Cardiff Corinthians
before joining Reading
as a trainee. He then signed for Cardiff City
, of the Football League First Division
, in December 1926 but made only 14 appearances over the next three seasons. Following Cardiff's relegation to the Second Division
in 1929, Matson was used more regularly, making 13 appearances in the league.
In August 1930, he was transferred to Newport County but made only one appearance before joining Southampton
a few weeks later.
Matson spent two years at The Dell, spending most of his time in the reserves. His two first team appearances came in December 1931, when the club were trying to replace the injured Bert Jepson
. In Jepson's absence, manager George Kay
tried seven different players on the right wing, before Dick Neal
was signed in February.
In the summer of 1932, Matson retired from professional football.
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
.
Football career
Matson was born in CardiffCardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
and played his youth football with Cardiff Corinthians
Cardiff Corinthians F.C.
Cardiff Corinthians F.C. are a football club from Cardiff, Wales. They play in the Welsh Football League.-History:The club was formed in 1898 when players from the Alpha Cricket Club decided to form a football teamto keep in touch during the winter months...
before joining Reading
Reading F.C.
Reading Football Club is an English association football club based in the town of Reading, Berkshire who currently play in the Championship...
as a trainee. He then signed for Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
, of the Football League First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, in December 1926 but made only 14 appearances over the next three seasons. Following Cardiff's relegation to the Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
in 1929, Matson was used more regularly, making 13 appearances in the league.
In August 1930, he was transferred to Newport County but made only one appearance before joining Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
a few weeks later.
Matson spent two years at The Dell, spending most of his time in the reserves. His two first team appearances came in December 1931, when the club were trying to replace the injured Bert Jepson
Bert Jepson
Albert Edward Jepson was an English footballer who played as an outside right for Southampton and Brighton & Hove Albion in the 1920s and 1930s.-Huddersfield Town:...
. In Jepson's absence, manager George Kay
George Kay
George Kay was an English football player and manager of Luton Town, Southampton and Liverpool.The highlight of his playing career was when he captained West Ham United in the first FA Cup final to be played at Wembley, the so-called White Horse Final.He was manager of Liverpool for 15 years and...
tried seven different players on the right wing, before Dick Neal
Dick Neal, Sr.
Richard Marshall "Dick" Neal was an English professional footballer who played as a winger. He spent most of his career at Blackpool and Southampton.-Playing career:...
was signed in February.
In the summer of 1932, Matson retired from professional football.