{{short description|English footballer}} {{for|the Scottish rugby union player|Matthew Urwin (rugby union)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}} {{Use British English|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Matthew Urwin | image = | full_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1993|11|28|df=y}} | birth_place = Blackpool, England<ref name=wf>{{WorldFootball.net|matthew-urwin}}</ref> | height = 1.85 m<ref name=wf/> | position = Goalkeeper | currentclub = | clubnumber = | youthyears1 = 2002–2012 | youthclubs1 = Blackburn Rovers | years1 = 2012–2014 | clubs1 = Blackburn Rovers | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2012 | clubs2 = → Taunton Town (loan) | caps2 = 3 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2013 | clubs3 = → Stalybridge Celtic (loan) | caps3 = 16 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2014–2015 | clubs4 = Bradford City | caps4 = 0 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2015–2016 | clubs5 = AFC Fylde | caps5 = 13 | goals5 = 0 | years6 = 2016–2019 | clubs6 = Fleetwood Town | caps6 = 0 | goals6 = 0 | years7 = 2017 | clubs7 = → Telford United (loan) | caps7 = 3 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2017–2018 | clubs8 = → Chorley (loan) | caps8 = 44 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2018–2019 | clubs9 = → Chorley (loan) | caps9 = 22 | goals9 = 0 | years10 = 2019–2026 | clubs10 = Chorley | caps10 = 273 | goals10 = 0 | club-update = 16:41, 30 April 2026 (UTC) }} '''Matthew Urwin''' (born 28 November 1993) is an English footballer who last played as a goalkeeper for Chorley. He now works as a Senior Academy Goalkeeping Coach at Blackburn Rovers.
==Playing career== ===Blackburn Rovers=== Born in Blackpool, Urwin began his career with Blackburn Rovers, featuring in both legs of the club's 4–1 aggregate loss to Chelsea in the 2011–12 FA Youth Cup final. In late 2012, he was sent on a month-long youth loan to Taunton Town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2012/october/urwin-joins-the-peacocks/|title=Urwin joins the Peacocks|date=23 October 2012|access-date=30 November 2023|website=rovers.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.aylesburyunitedarchive.com/player/matt-urwin/12634|title=Matt Urwin|access-date=30 November 2023|website=aylesburyunitedarchive.com}}</ref> At the conclusion of the 2012–13 season, Urwin was one of a number of young players offered a new deal, which he confirmed on Twitter that he had signed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/10461885.blackburn-rovers-confirm-released-list/|title=Blackburn Rovers confirm released list|date=4 June 2013|access-date=30 November 2023|website=lancashiretelegraph.co.uk}}</ref> The following season he was loaned to Conference North side Stalybridge Celtic, where he impressed, making seventeen appearances.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/football/championship/2012-2013/blackburn-goalkeeper-urwin-joins-stalybridge_sto3880594/story.shtml|title=Blackburn goalkeeper Urwin joins Stalybridge|date=13 August 2013|access-date=30 November 2023|website=tntsports.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/afc-telford-united/2013/11/11/triple-tonic-for-afc-telfords-liam-watson-analysis-and-pictures/|title=Triple tonic for AFC Telford's Liam Watson - analysis and pictures|date=11 November 2013|access-date=30 November 2023|website=shropshirestar.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://mail.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk/play.php?code=URWIM|title=Player Profile - Matthew Urwin|access-date=30 November 2023|website=mail.stalybridgeceltic.co.uk}}</ref> Urwin was released at the conclusion of the 2013–14 season, following the expiration of his contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/11218581.blackburn-rovers-announce-retained-list/|title=Blackburn Rovers announce retained list|date=16 May 2014|access-date=30 November 2023|website=lancashiretelegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
===Bradford City=== Following his release by Blackburn, Urwin went on to join Bradford City; initially signing on non-contract terms in August 2014, he extended his deal until the end of the season the following month.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28659550|title=Bradford City sign Ben Williams, Mo Shariff and Matt Urwin|date=5 August 2014|access-date=30 November 2023|website=bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bradfordcityafc.com/news/2014/september/urwin-extends-his-stay/|title=Urwin extends his stay|date=2 September 2014|access-date=30 November 2023|website=bradfordcityafc.com}}</ref> During his time with the club, he was on the bench for Bradford's famous win against Premier League side Chelsea in the FA Cup,<ref name=taa>{{cite web|url=https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/sport/19003976.former-bantams-keeper-urwin-relishing-chorleys-fa-cup-run/|title=Former Bantams keeper Urwin relishing Chorley's FA Cup run|first=Simon|last=Parker|date=13 January 2021|access-date=30 November 2023|website=thetelegraphandargus.co.uk}}</ref> but would remain the back-up goalkeeper to both Jordan Pickford and Ben Williams. He was named as a substitute in Bradford City's 2–0 EFL Cup loss to MK Dons, with a number of sources, including the BBC,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29216853|title=Milton Keynes Dons 2-0 Bradford City|first=Chris|last=Osborne|date=23 September 2014|accessdate=7 June 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> reporting that he replaced Mason Bennett in the second half. However, it was actually Mark Yeates who replaced Bennett.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=officialbantams|number=514506817209393153|title=#bcafc City make a double sub as Oli McBurnie and Mason Bennett come off to be replaced by Aaron Mclean and Mark Yeates}}</ref>
===Fleetwood Town=== Having been released by Bradford City at the conclusion of the 2014–15 season, Urwin joined National League North side AFC Fylde, where he spent one season before moving to League One side Fleetwood Town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36568713|title=Matt Urwin: Fleetwood Town sign AFC Fylde goalkeeper|date=18 June 2016|access-date=30 November 2023|website=bbc.co.uk}}</ref> He featured briefly for the club's development squad, even captaining the side,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2017/january/development-squad-progress-to-last-four-of-lancashire-fa-cup/|title=Development Squad progress to last four of Lancashire FA Cup|date=10 January 2017|access-date=30 November 2023|website=fleetwoodtownfc.com}}</ref> before being loaned to National League North side Telford United in early 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/afc-telford-united/2017/02/01/afc-telford-sign-fleetwood-town-goalkeeper-matt-urwin-on-loan/|title=AFC Telford sign Fleetwood Town goalkeeper Matt Urwin on loan|date=1 February 2017|access-date=30 November 2023|website=shropshirestar.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/afc-telford-united/2017/02/07/matt-urwin-looking-to-make-his-mark-at-afc-telford/|title=Matt Urwin looking to make his mark at AFC Telford|date=7 February 2017|access-date=30 November 2023|website=shropshirestar.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref> However, less than a month after joining, he suffered an injury to his hip, and returned to Fleetwood Town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/afc-telford-united/2017/02/24/afc-telford-goalkeeper-matt-urwin-poised-for-scan-on-hip-injury/|title=AFC Telford goalkeeper Matt Urwin poised for scan on hip injury|date=24 February 2017|access-date=30 November 2023|website=shropshirestar.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/afc-telford-united/2017/03/18/telford-lose-matt-urwin-following-loan-recall-by-fleetwood/|title=Telford lose Matt Urwin following loan recall by Fleetwood|date=18 March 2017|access-date=30 November 2023|website=shropshirestar.com|url-access=subscription}}</ref>
===Chorley=== Unable to break into the Fleetwood Town first team, making nine appearances on the bench towards the end of the 2016–17 season, Urwin was loaned to National League North side Chorley in August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2017/august/matt-urwin-joins-chorley-on-season-long-loan/|title=Matt Urwin joins Chorley on season-long loan|date=4 August 2017|access-date=30 November 2023|website=fleetwoodtownfc.com}}</ref> Following Chorley's 4–3 win against Boston United in the fourth qualifying round of the 2017–18 FA Cup, the club were drawn against Fleetwood Town in the first round proper. Urwin, alongside fellow loanee Nick Haughton, were unable to play against their parent club, with Chorley issuing a mock-plea for players to join the club at short notice to replace the pair.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41670570|title=Non-league Chorley make light-hearted Twitter plea for FA Cup players|date=18 October 2017|access-date=30 November 2023|website=bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
Having been named Chorley's young player of the year, he returned to Fleetwood Town, where he was tipped to potentially challenge for the first-choice goalkeeper role.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/big-chance-for-second-keeper-at-fleetwood-town-287004|title=Big chance for second keeper at Fleetwood Town|date=30 May 2018|access-date=30 November 2023|website=blackpoolgazette.co.uk}}</ref> However, he returned to Chorley on another year-long loan in August 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2018/august/matt-urwin-joins-chorley-on-season-long-loan/|title=Matt Urwin joins Chorley on season-long loan|date=3 August 2018|access-date=30 November 2023|website=fleetwoodtownfc.com}}</ref> In Chorley's FA Cup first round game against Doncaster Rovers, Urwin helped his side to an unexpected 2–2 draw, forcing a replay, and earned praise from Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann, who stated "I thought the keeper was outstanding for Chorley. I'm going to find out what his contract details are because he was outstanding."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/doncaster-rovers-grant-mccann-praises-duo-after-being-taken-to-fa-cup-replay-by-chorley-44189|title=Doncaster Rovers: Grant McCann praises duo after being taken to FA Cup replay by Chorley|date=11 November 2018|access-date=30 November 2023|website=doncasterfreepress.co.uk}}</ref>
In January 2019, having impressed while on loan, Urwin joined Chorley on a permanent basis, having mutually agreed to the termination of his contract with Fleetwood Town.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fleetwoodtownfc.com/news/2019/january/matt-urwin-joins-chorley-on-permanent-contract/|title=Matt Urwin joins Chorley on permanent contract|date=28 January 2019|access-date=30 November 2023|website=fleetwoodtownfc.com}}</ref> Having established himself as Chorley's first-choice goalkeeper, Urwin was involved in the club's 2020–21 FA Cup run, where he helped his side to famous wins over League One sides Wigan Athletic and Peterborough United, before taking advantage of Championship side Derby County's COVID-19-hit squad to win 2–0 in the third round.<ref name=taa/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bicesteradvertiser.net/sport/national/18995675.heaven-adele-chorley-third-fa-cup-upset-another-singalong/|title=Heaven and Adele: Chorley up for a third FA Cup upset and another singalong|date=7 January 2021|access-date=30 November 2023|website=bicesteradvertiser.net}}</ref> However, he could not help his side past Premier League opposition Wolverhampton Wanderers, who ran out 1–0 victors courtesy of a goal from Vitinha in the fourth round tie.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/big-interview-craig-salmon-talks-to-chorley-goalkeeper-matty-urwin-about-the-fa-cup-the-future-of-this-season-and-those-penalty-saves-3156530|title=Big Interview: Craig Salmon talks to Chorley goalkeeper Matty Urwin about the FA Cup, the future of this season and those penalty saves|first=Craig|last=Salmon|date=6 March 2021|access-date=30 November 2023|website=lep.co.uk|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Urwin signed a contract extension with the club in May 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/19272734.former-rovers-among-players-commit-chorley-next-season/|title=Former Rovers among players to commit to Chorley for next season|date=1 May 2021|access-date=30 November 2023|website=lancashiretelegraph.co.uk}}</ref>
In April 2026, Urwin announced he would be leaving Chorley at the end of the season to take up a full time coaching position at Blackburn.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chorleyfc.com/blogs/news/matt-urwin-to-leave-chorley-at-the-end-of-this-season|title=Matt Urwin to leave Chorley at the end of this season|date=10 April 2026|access-date=10 May 2026|website=chorleyfc.com}}</ref> Across nine seasons, Urwin made 384 appearances for the Magpies and captained the side for the final three seasons of his Chorley career.
==Coaching career== While playing, Urwin took up a position in Blackpool's academy as a goalkeeping coach.<ref name=taa/> In April 2026, he moved to Blackburn Rovers to take up the position as Senior Academy Goalkeeping Coach.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rovers.co.uk/news/2026/april/08/matty-makes-rovers-return-/|title=Matty makes Rovers return!|date=8 April 2026|access-date=10 May 2026|website=rovers.co.uk}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{updated|7 June 2019}}<ref>{{Soccerway|matthew-urwin/295365}}</ref>
{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|FA Cup !colspan="2"|EFL Cup !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Blackburn Rovers |2013–14 |Championship |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |Stalybridge Celtic (loan) |2013–14 |Conference North |16||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||1{{efn|name=FAT|Appearances in the FA Trophy}}||0||17||0 |- |Bradford City |2014–15 |League One |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |AFC Fylde |2015–16 |National League North |13||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||3{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||18||0 |- |rowspan="4"|Fleetwood Town |2016–17 |rowspan="3"|League One |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2017–18 |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |2018–19 |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0 |- |rowspan="3"|Chorley (loan) |2017–18 |rowspan="2"|National League North |44||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||47||0 |- |2018–19 |22||0||3||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||25||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !66!!0!!5!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!72!!0 |- |Chorley |2018–19 |National League North |16||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||0||0||16||0 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !111!!0!!7!!0!!0!!0!!5!!0!!123!!0 |} ;Notes {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Urwin, Matthew}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:English men's footballers Category:Footballers from Blackpool Category:Men's association football goalkeepers Category:National League (English football) players Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players Category:Taunton Town F.C. players Category:Stalybridge Celtic F.C. players Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players Category:AFC Fylde players Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players Category:Chorley F.C. players Category:21st-century English sportsmen