{{short description|English footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Matt Cafer | fullname = Matthew Paul Cafer<ref>{{cite news |last=Carrasco Bellido |first=David |url=http://futbolcarrasco.com/futbol-profesional-matt-cafer-un-portero-de-enorme-proyeccion-para-el-europa-fc/ |title=Matt Cafer, un gran portero para el Europa FC |trans-title=Matt Cafer, a great goalkeeper for Europa FC |website=futbolcarrasco.com |publisher=FútbolCarrasco |date=24 July 2015 |access-date=17 February 2019 |language=Spanish |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190217211623/http://futbolcarrasco.com/futbol-profesional-matt-cafer-un-portero-de-enorme-proyeccion-para-el-europa-fc/ |archive-date=17 February 2019}}</ref> | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=y|1994|9|27}} | birth_place = Weymouth, England | height = {{convert|1.89|m|order=flip}}{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} | position = Goalkeeper | currentclub = VCD Athletic | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 2006–2011 | youthclubs1 = Weymouth | youthyears2 = 2011 | youthclubs2 = Yeovil Town | years1 = 2011–2013 | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | clubs1 = Yeovil Town | years2 = 2012 | caps2 = 1 | goals2 = 0 | clubs2 = → Sherborne Town (loan) | years3 = 2013 | caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0 | clubs3 = → Willand Rovers (loan) | years4 = 2013 | caps4 = 0 | goals4 = 0 | clubs4 = → Weymouth (loan) | years5 = 2013–2014 | caps5 = 0 | goals5 = 0 | clubs5 = Weymouth | years6 = 2014–2017 | caps6 = 16 | goals6 = 0 | clubs6 = Europa | years7 = 2017 | caps7 = 9 | goals7 = 0 | clubs7 = Manchester 62 | years8 = 2017 | caps8 = 0 | goals8 = 0 | clubs8 = Bath City | years9 = 2017 | caps9 = 7 | goals9 = 0 | clubs9 = Gosport Borough | years10 = 2017 | caps10 = 0 | goals10 = 0 | clubs10 = Dorchester Town | years11 = 2017 | caps11 = 5 | goals11 = 0 | clubs11 = Farnborough | years12 = 2018 | caps12 = 16 | goals12 = 0 | clubs12 = Manchester 62 | years13 = 2018–2019 | caps13 = 25 | goals13 = 0 | clubs13 = Gibraltar Phoenix | years14 = 2019–2020 | caps14 = 11 | goals14 = 0 | clubs14 = Bruno's Magpies | years15 = 2020 | caps15 = 17 | goals15 = 0 | clubs15 = Romford | years16 = 2021–2022 | caps16 = 37 | goals16 = 0 | clubs16 = Coggeshall Town | years17 = 2022–2023 | caps17 = 18 | goals17 = 0 | clubs17 = Sittingbourne | years18 = 2023 | caps18 = 8 | goals18 = 0 | clubs18 = → Romford (loan) | years19 = 2024 | caps19 = 0 | goals19 = 0 | clubs19 = Phoenix Sports | years20 = 2024– | caps20 = 3 | goals20 = 0 | clubs20 = VCD Athletic | nationalyears1 = 2018–2019 | nationalteam1 = Gibraltar | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | club-update = 18:35, 2 November 2024 (UTC) | ntupdate = 21:49, 15 October 2019 (UTC) }}
'''Matthew Paul Cafer''' (born 27 September 1994) is a semi-professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for VCD Athletic. Born in England, he has represented the Gibraltar national team.
==Club career== Born in Weymouth, Dorset, Cafer began his football career in the youth system of his home town club Weymouth captaining their youth sides from under-12 to under-16 level.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/13501806.Football__Gibraltar_return_for_keeper_Cafer/ |title=Football: Gibraltar return for keeper Cafer |last=Rose |first=Dan |publisher=Dorset Echo |date=28 July 2015 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> Cafer had previously had trials Reading and Bristol City at the ages of 13 and 14, as well as playing for Dorset county from under-15 to under-17 level.<ref name="Achieve">{{cite web |url=http://achievemanagement.co.uk/goalkeeper-matt-cafer-joins-achieve/ |title=Goalkeeper Matt Cafer joins ACHIEVE |publisher=Achieve Management |date=9 November 2013 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/4886993.royals-seal-of-approval/ |title=Royals seal of approval |last=Meech |first=Rob |publisher=Dorset Echo |date=3 February 2010 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> In May 2011, Cafer signed a two-year youth scholarship with League One side Yeovil Town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/asp/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=15011 |title=Three More Sign Up To Scholarship Programme |work=Ciderspace (an independent Yeovil Town FC website) |date=16 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221112/http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/asp/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=15011 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> On 12 November 2011, with the unavailability of loan goalkeeper Marek Štěch due to international commitments, Cafer featured on the Yeovil substitutes bench for the first time in the FA Cup first round against Hereford United.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/15604820.stm |title=Hereford 0–3 Yeovil |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 November 2011 |access-date=20 November 2018 }}</ref> In November 2012, Cafer joined Western League First Division side Sherborne Town on a work-experience loan deal featuring once for the Dorset side in a 2–0 win over Welton Rovers.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Sherborne-Town-hope-homework-bring-FA-Vase-glory/story-17327507-detail/story.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505073450/http://www.thisissomerset.co.uk/Sherborne-Town-hope-homework-bring-FA-Vase-glory/story-17327507-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=5 May 2013 |title=Sherborne Town hope homework can bring further FA Vase glory |publisher=Western Gazette |date=15 November 2012 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> Having been part of the Yeovil squad that traveled to Wembley Stadium for the 2013 Football League One play-off final, Cafer was awarded his first professional contract at the end of the 2012–13 season signing a six-month deal.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/asp/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=19611 |title=Glovers Youth Keeper Given Professional Deal |work=Ciderspace (an independent Yeovil Town FC website) |date=22 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120095517/http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/asp/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=19611 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> In August 2013, Cafer joined Western League Premier Division side Willand Rovers on a one-month loan deal,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/asp/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=20001 |title=Cafer Gets Willand Deal |work=Ciderspace (an independent Yeovil Town FC website) |date=9 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221056/http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/asp/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=20001 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> on his return to Yeovil he re-joined his home town club Southern Premier Division side Weymouth initially on loan.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/asp/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=20236 |title=Cafer To Head Out In Second Loan Deal |work=Ciderspace (an independent Yeovil Town FC website) |date=14 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221025/http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/asp/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=20236 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> On 23 December 2013, Cafer was released by Yeovil to join Weymouth permanently on non-contract terms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/asp/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=20790 |title=Cafer Leaves Huish Park |work=Ciderspace (an independent Yeovil Town FC website) |date=23 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181120221058/http://www.ciderspace.co.uk/asp/news/news.asp?NewsItemId=20790 |archive-date=20 November 2018 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/10916949.terras-matthews-aims-to-keep-hold-of-green-and-cafer/ |title=TERRAS: Matthews aims to keep hold of Green and Cafer |last=Summers |first=Adam |publisher=Dorset Echo |date=7 January 2014 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref>
In January 2014, following a successful trial Cafer signed a professional contract with Gibraltar Premier Division side Europa.<ref>[https://englishplayersabroad.com/2014/11/22/exclusive-interview-with-college-europas-matt-cafer/ Exclusive interview with College Europa's Matt Cafer] englishplayersabroad.com</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/10948384.terras-matthews-on-the-search-for-reinforcements/ |title=TERRAS: Matthews on the search for reinforcements |last=Summers |first=Adam |publisher=Dorset Echo |date=20 January 2014 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> After two and a half years in Gibraltar playing for Europa and Manchester 62, Cafer returned to England to sign for National League South side Bath City.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thenationalleague.org.uk/bath-reward-two-triallists-with-deals-37875 |title=Bath Reward Two Triallists With Deals |last=Whitney |first=Steve |publisher=National League |date=27 July 2017 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> Due to a delay in his international clearance coming through following his move from Gibraltar Cafer failed to make a first-team appearance for Bath City, and subsequently joined Southern Premier Division side Gosport Borough.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bathchronicle.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/bath-city-boss-gary-owers-387557 |title=Bath City boss Gary Owers laments injury misfortune in Poole Town triumph |last=Burridge |first=Harry |publisher=Bath Chronicle |date=27 August 2017 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> In October 2017, Cafer had a brief spell with Dorchester Town before signing for Farnborough.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/15596632.breaking-news-magpies-dorchester-town-sign-goalkeeper-chad-collins/ |title=BREAKING NEWS: Magpies: Dorchester Town sign goalkeeper Chad Collins |last=Walton |first=Neil |publisher=Dorset Echo |date=14 October 2017 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> In 2018, Cafer returned to Gibraltar to re-sign for Manchester 62 before signing for newly promoted Gibraltar Phoenix at the end of the season. Following Phoenix's exit from Gibraltar football in August 2019, he joined Bruno's Magpies. He left in January 2020 and subsequently signed for Romford. Cafer joined Sittingbourne in June 2022 after a season with Coggeshall Town.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1533047552832053255|title=𝙉𝙚𝙬 𝙎𝙞𝙜𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 ✍️ We are delighted to announce the signing of Gibraltar International Matthew Cafer. Welcome Matthew 🤝 #SittingbourneFC #TheBrickies|date=4 June 2022|accessdate=18 June 2022|user=SittingbourneFC|author-link=Sittingbourne F.C.}}</ref> Mid-way through the season, he rejoined Romford on loan, but left both clubs after a long term injury. After a year out of football in which he spent time playing with Sunday League side Sungate, he joined Phoenix Sports on 13 June 2024.
==International career== Following a rule change in 2018, Cafer became eligible to play for the Gibraltar national football team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/sport/16275111.football-gibraltar-focus-for-ex-terra-matt-cafer/ |title=Football: Gibraltar focus for ex-Terra Matt Cafer |publisher=Dorset Echo |date=7 June 2018 |accessdate=20 November 2018 }}</ref> Cafer made his international debut for Gibraltar on 19 November 2018, starting in the 2018–19 UEFA Nations League D match against Macedonia, which finished as a 0–4 away loss.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/match/2024132--fyr-macedonia-vs-gibraltar/ |title=UEFA Nations League – Macedonia v Gibraltar |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations |date=19 November 2018 |access-date=19 November 2018}}</ref>
==Career statistics==
===International=== {{updated|10 October 2019|<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eu-football.info/_player.php?id=30523 |title=Matthew Cafer |website=EU-Football.info |access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref>}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- !colspan=4|Gibraltar |- !Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |2018||1||0 |- |2019||1||0 |- !Total!!2!!0 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{UEFA player|250071494}} * {{Soccerway|matthew-caser/217724}} * {{WorldFootball.net|mathew-caffer}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cafer, Matt}} Category:1994 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Weymouth Category:English people of Gibraltarian descent Category:English men's footballers Category:Gibraltarian men's footballers Category:Gibraltar men's international footballers Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:F.C. Magpies players Category:Weymouth F.C. players Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players Category:Willand Rovers F.C. players Category:Europa F.C. players Category:Manchester 62 F.C. players Category:Bath City F.C. players Category:Gosport Borough F.C. players Category:Dorchester Town F.C. players Category:Farnborough F.C. players Category:Gibraltar Phoenix F.C. players Category:Romford F.C. players Category:Coggeshall Town F.C. players Category:Sittingbourne F.C. players Category:Southern Football League players Category:Isthmian League players Category:Western Football League players Category:Gibraltar Premier Division players Category:Gibraltar National League players Category:21st-century English sportsmen