Matthew Hockley
Encyclopedia
Matthew Hockley is an English
former professional footballer, currently playing for Bideford. He can play in defence or midfield.
Hockley was born in Paignton
, Devon
and joined Torquay United
as a trainee. He turned professional in July 2000 and made his first team debut in the 1-1 draw at home to Southend United
in the FA Cup
1st Round on November 18, 2000. His league debut came the following week in a 2-1 home win against Barnet
. He made sporadic appearance over the next two seasons before becoming a regular under Leroy Rosenior
, missing only one game in the 2003-04 promotion season. He is nicknamed 'Pitbull' due to his tenacious tackling.
In May 2005, he accepted a new contract with Torquay and in the 2006-07 season made his 200th first team appearance for the Gulls. His 200th league appearance came on March 2, 2007 in a 1-1 draw away to Chester City
, Hockley replacing Lloyd Kerry
as a late substitute.
Torquay were relegated to the Conference National
at the end of the 2006-07 season, but Hockley chose to remain with the club, agreeing a new contract with new Torquay manager Paul Buckle
. He was an unused substitute in Torquay's FA Trophy
Final defeat at Wembley
in May 2008, and was released by Torquay three days later.
Hockley joined Truro City
in June 2008. After 1 season at Truro City he then moved onto Bideford on a free transfer.
His brother Wayne
was also a professional with Torquay United.
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...
former professional footballer, currently playing for Bideford. He can play in defence or midfield.
Hockley was born in Paignton
Paignton
Paignton is a coastal town in Devon in England. Together with Torquay and Brixham it forms the unitary authority of Torbay which was created in 1998. The Torbay area is a holiday destination known as the English Riviera. Paignton's population in the United Kingdom Census of 2001 was 48,251. It has...
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
and joined 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...
as a trainee. He turned professional in July 2000 and made his first team debut in the 1-1 draw at home to Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
1st Round on November 18, 2000. His league debut came the following week in a 2-1 home win against Barnet
Barnet F.C.
Barnet Football Club is an English football team from High Barnet, London, England, currently playing in Football League Two. The ground is in the town of Barnet within the London Borough of Barnet....
. He made sporadic appearance over the next two seasons before becoming a regular under Leroy Rosenior
Leroy Rosenior
Leroy Rosenior is a professional football coach and pundit. He is a former professional footballer whose clubs included Fulham, Queens Park Rangers , Bristol City and West Ham United.As one of the few black football managers in England, Rosenior has spoken openly about the racism...
, missing only one game in the 2003-04 promotion season. He is nicknamed 'Pitbull' due to his tenacious tackling.
In May 2005, he accepted a new contract with Torquay and in the 2006-07 season made his 200th first team appearance for the Gulls. His 200th league appearance came on March 2, 2007 in a 1-1 draw away to Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
, Hockley replacing Lloyd Kerry
Lloyd Kerry
Lloyd Kerry is an English professional football midfielder currently playing for Hinckley United in Conference North.-Sheffield United:Kerry began his career as a trainee with Sheffield United...
as a late substitute.
Torquay were relegated to the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
at the end of the 2006-07 season, but Hockley chose to remain with the club, agreeing a new contract with new Torquay manager Paul Buckle
Paul Buckle
Paul John Buckle is an English professional footballer and football club manager. He is currently manager of League Two side Bristol Rovers.-Career:...
. He was an unused substitute in Torquay's FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
Final defeat at Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
in May 2008, and was released by Torquay three days later.
Hockley joined Truro City
Truro City F.C.
Truro City F.C. are an English professional football club based in Truro, Cornwall. They currently play in the Conference South following five promotions in six seasons. They were founding members of the South Western League in 1951 and won the title five times in their history...
in June 2008. After 1 season at Truro City he then moved onto Bideford on a free transfer.
His brother Wayne
Wayne Hockley
Wayne Hockley is an English former professional footballer.Hockley was born in Paignton, Devon and joined Torquay United as a trainee, having previously played for local side Stoke Gabriel...
was also a professional with Torquay United.
All time playing career
| Season | Team | Division | League Apps | League Goals | Cup Apps | Cup Goals | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-01 | Torquay United | 3 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2001-02 | Torquay United | 3 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2002-03 | Torquay United | 3 | 40 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2003-04 | Torquay United | 3 | 45 | 5 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2004-05 | Torquay United | 2 | 35 | 1 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2005-06 | Torquay United | 2 | 36 | 5 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2006-07 | Torquay United | 2 | 37 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |
| 2007-08 | Torquay United | Conference National | 29 | 1 | 4 | 0 | |