Matt Gregg
Encyclopedia
Matthew Stephen "Matt" Gregg (born 30 November 1978 in Cheltenham
, England
) is a football goalkeeper currently playing for Bray Wanderers
. He also runs a goalkeeper coaching school in Dublin.
for Gloucestershire
up to under-16 level before deciding to concentrate on his football career.
He played for Gloucester Primary Schools alongside future Torquay United
teammate Wayne Thomas. He began his senior career as an apprentice with Torquay United
, making his debut while still aged only 16 in the 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic
on 16 September 1995. He then returned to the reserves and his apprenticeship, appearing once more, in the last match of the 1996-97 season away to Doncaster Rovers
, before turning professional in July 1997. He played another 30 times for the Gulls, including the 1997-98 play-off final due to regular keeper Ken Veysey
being suspended, before moving to Crystal Palace
in October 1998 for a fee of £400,000.
He joined Swansea City on loan in February 1999, before finally making his Palace debut in a 1-0 defeat against Fulham
at Craven Cottage in April 2000. He struggled to win a place in the first team, and the arrival of Matt Clarke
from Bradford City
pushed Gregg further out of contention and on 14 September 2001 he joined Exeter City
on loan.
on 25 October 2001, joining Irish side Bray Wanderers
on a free transfer.
Gregg impressed at Bray and earned a move in April 2003 to then champions, Bohemians
. He spent 4 years at Dalymount Park
without really establishing himself as first choice and moved to UCD
for the 2007 season. He made his UCD debut in a 1-0 defeat to Sligo Rovers
on 1 April 2007 and started his UCD career with 5 clean sheets in his first 8 appearances. He traded places with Darren Quigley
through the 2007 season and his performances became shaky as he faded to second choice by season's end. Gregg appeared to have rejoined Bray Wanderers for the 2008 season, but re-signed for UCD when Quigley left the club. He began the 2008 season as first choice keeper and firmly claimed the number one spot as his own with some vastly improved performances including a dramatic equalising injury time headed goal against Cobh Ramblers
. In December 2008, he was short-listed for the Eircom/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Goalkeeper of the Year award, but lost out to Bohemians keeper Brian Murphy
.
With UCD relegated to Division One at the end of the 2008 season, Gregg rejoined Bohemians in January 2009. He was released in November 2009 after his contract expired. Gree signed for Dundalk FC on the 18th January 2010 to battle Peter Cherrie fot the number one spot. Gregg appearances for Dundalk have being limited due to Cherrie's excellent form in goal. Gregg left Dundalk by mutual agreement on the 24th June 2010, citing lack of first team football as the main reason for his departure.
Gregg moved back to Bray in July 2010 in time for the friendly against Spanish side Villarreal and was subbed on at half time. Bray lost 5-0 although Gregg put in a good performance.
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is a football goalkeeper currently playing for Bray Wanderers
Bray Wanderers A.F.C.
Bray Wanderers A.F.C. are an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1942 and elected to the League in 1985, hails from Bray and play their home matches at the Carlisle Grounds. Club colours are Green and White, and it goes by the nickname...
. He also runs a goalkeeper coaching school in Dublin.
Playing career
Gregg played cricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
for Gloucestershire
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club is one of the 18 major county clubs which make up the English and Welsh national cricket structure, representing the historic county of Gloucestershire. Its limited overs team is called the Gloucestershire Gladiators....
up to under-16 level before deciding to concentrate on his football career.
He played for Gloucester Primary Schools alongside future Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
teammate Wayne Thomas. He began his senior career as an apprentice with Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
, making his debut while still aged only 16 in the 1-1 draw with Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic F.C.
Wigan Athletic Football Club is an English Premier League Association football club based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, having been promoted from the Championship in 2005. Wigan's current spell in the Premier League is the only top flight run in the club's history.They have played at the DW...
on 16 September 1995. He then returned to the reserves and his apprenticeship, appearing once more, in the last match of the 1996-97 season away to Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, before turning professional in July 1997. He played another 30 times for the Gulls, including the 1997-98 play-off final due to regular keeper Ken Veysey
Ken Veysey
Kenneth James Veysey is an English former professional football goalkeeper and is currently goalkeeping coach at Torquay United. He was born in Hackney, London.-Biography:...
being suspended, before moving to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
in October 1998 for a fee of £400,000.
He joined Swansea City on loan in February 1999, before finally making his Palace debut in a 1-0 defeat against Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
at Craven Cottage in April 2000. He struggled to win a place in the first team, and the arrival of Matt Clarke
Matt Clarke (footballer born 1973)
Matthew Clarke is an English former football goalkeeper.-Club career:Clarke's first club was Rotherham United, where his nickname was Matt the Cat, in reference to his agility. He won the 1996 Football League Trophy with Rotherham...
from Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
pushed Gregg further out of contention and on 14 September 2001 he joined Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
on loan.
Career in Ireland
He finally left Selhurst ParkSelhurst Park
Selhurst Park is an English football stadium located in the London suburb of South Norwood in the Borough of Croydon. It is the current home ground of Crystal Palace Football Club. Its present capacity is 26,309.-History:...
on 25 October 2001, joining Irish side Bray Wanderers
Bray Wanderers A.F.C.
Bray Wanderers A.F.C. are an Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1942 and elected to the League in 1985, hails from Bray and play their home matches at the Carlisle Grounds. Club colours are Green and White, and it goes by the nickname...
on a free transfer.
Gregg impressed at Bray and earned a move in April 2003 to then champions, Bohemians
Bohemian F.C.
Bohemian F.C. , more commonly referred to as Bohemians, is a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. Bohemians compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the third most successful club in League of Ireland football history, having won the League of Ireland title 11...
. He spent 4 years at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
without really establishing himself as first choice and moved to UCD
University College Dublin A.F.C.
University College Dublin Association Football Club known commonly as UCD is the football team of University College Dublin. They play in the League of Ireland. The club, founded in 1895 was elected to the league in 1979 under the management of Dr. Tony O'Neill. Since the 2008 season they have...
for the 2007 season. He made his UCD debut in a 1-0 defeat to Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
on 1 April 2007 and started his UCD career with 5 clean sheets in his first 8 appearances. He traded places with Darren Quigley
Darren Quigley
Darren Quigley, born in Dublin on June 10, 1986, is a footballer currently playing with League of Ireland side Bray Wanderers.- Biography :Quigley has one Ireland B international cap, which he earned against Scotland B on 14 November 2006, and eight Ireland U-21 caps...
through the 2007 season and his performances became shaky as he faded to second choice by season's end. Gregg appeared to have rejoined Bray Wanderers for the 2008 season, but re-signed for UCD when Quigley left the club. He began the 2008 season as first choice keeper and firmly claimed the number one spot as his own with some vastly improved performances including a dramatic equalising injury time headed goal against Cobh Ramblers
Cobh Ramblers F.C.
Cobh Ramblers Football Club . is an Irish football club playing in the A Championship, the third tier of Irish football. The club, founded in 1922 and elected to the league in 1985, hails from Cobh, County Cork and play their home matches at St. Colman's Park...
. In December 2008, he was short-listed for the Eircom/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Goalkeeper of the Year award, but lost out to Bohemians keeper Brian Murphy
Brian Murphy (footballer)
Brian Murphy is an Irish footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Queens Park Rangers. Murphy previously played for Bohemians, Swansea City, Manchester City and Ipswich Town.-Club career:...
.
With UCD relegated to Division One at the end of the 2008 season, Gregg rejoined Bohemians in January 2009. He was released in November 2009 after his contract expired. Gree signed for Dundalk FC on the 18th January 2010 to battle Peter Cherrie fot the number one spot. Gregg appearances for Dundalk have being limited due to Cherrie's excellent form in goal. Gregg left Dundalk by mutual agreement on the 24th June 2010, citing lack of first team football as the main reason for his departure.
Gregg moved back to Bray in July 2010 in time for the friendly against Spanish side Villarreal and was subbed on at half time. Bray lost 5-0 although Gregg put in a good performance.