# Matty Blair > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Matty_Blair > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Matty_Blair.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matty_Blair > Source revision: 1348195028 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|English footballer (born 1989)}} {{for|the NFL player|Matt Blair}} {{Use British English|date=August 2019}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Matty Blair | image = Matty Blair 21-05-2012 1.jpg | caption = Blair with the parade that followed [York City](/source/York_City_F.C.)'s victory in the [2012 Conference Premier play-off final](/source/2012_Conference_Premier_play-off_final) | fullname = Matthew James Blair{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/june/efl-club-retained-and-released-lists-published/ |title=EFL: Club retained and released lists published |publisher=English Football League |date=23 June 2016 |access-date=6 January 2018}} | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|6|21|df=y}}{{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/person/pe278940/matty-blair/ |title=Matty Blair: Profile |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HEIM:SPIEL |access-date=8 April 2020}} | birth_place = [Warwick](/source/Warwick), England | height = {{convert|1.78|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/matty-blair/ |title=Matty Blair |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C. |access-date=5 July 2019 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109081824/https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/matty-blair/ |url-status=dead }} | position = [Right back](/source/Defender_(association_football)) | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = | years1 = 2007–2008 | clubs1 = [Racing Club Warwick](/source/Racing_Club_Warwick_F.C.) | caps1 = | goals1 = | years2 = 2008–2009 | clubs2 = [Stratford Town](/source/Stratford_Town_F.C.) | caps2 = 40 | goals2 = 7 | years3 = 2009 | clubs3 = [Bedworth United](/source/Bedworth_United_F.C.) | caps3 = 9 | goals3 = 2 | years4 = 2009–2010 | clubs4 = [Redditch United](/source/Redditch_United_F.C.) | caps4 = 15 | goals4 = 2 | years5 = 2010 | clubs5 = [A.F.C. Telford United](/source/A.F.C._Telford_United) | caps5 = 7 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2010–2011 | clubs6 = [Kidderminster Harriers](/source/Kidderminster_Harriers_F.C.) | caps6 = 43 | goals6 = 11 | years7 = 2011–2013 | clubs7 = [York City](/source/York_City_F.C.) | caps7 = 85 | goals7 = 16 | years8 = 2013–2015 | clubs8 = [Fleetwood Town](/source/Fleetwood_Town_F.C.) | caps8 = 32 | goals8 = 3 | years9 = 2014 | clubs9 = → [Northampton Town](/source/Northampton_Town_F.C.) (loan) | caps9 = 3 | goals9 = 1 | years10 = 2014 | clubs10 = → [Cambridge United](/source/Cambridge_United_F.C.) (loan) | caps10 = 2 | goals10 = 0 | years11 = 2015–2016 | clubs11 = [Mansfield Town](/source/Mansfield_Town_F.C.) | caps11 = 35 | goals11 = 2 | years12 = 2016–2020 | clubs12 = [Doncaster Rovers](/source/Doncaster_Rovers_F.C.) | caps12 = 139 | goals12 = 8 | years13 = 2020–2022 | clubs13 = [Cheltenham Town](/source/Cheltenham_Town_F.C.) | caps13 = 50 | goals13 = 3 | nationalyears1 = 2011–2012 | nationalteam1 = [England C](/source/England_national_football_C_team) | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | club-update = 18:59, 12 September 2021 (UTC) }} '''Matthew James Blair''' (born 21 June 1989) is an English former professional [footballer](/source/Association_football) who last played as a [right back](/source/Defender_(association_football)) for {{English football updater|CheltT}} club [Cheltenham Town](/source/Cheltenham_Town_F.C.). Blair started his career with [Racing Club Warwick](/source/Racing_Club_Warwick_F.C.) and after one season with the club signed for [Stratford Town](/source/Stratford_Town_F.C.) in 2008. He left for [Bedworth United](/source/Bedworth_United_F.C.) a year later, before going on to have spells with [Redditch United](/source/Redditch_United_F.C.) and [A.F.C. Telford United](/source/A.F.C._Telford_United) in the [Conference North](/source/Conference_North). He joined [Kidderminster Harriers](/source/Kidderminster_Harriers_F.C.) of the [Conference Premier](/source/Conference_Premier) in 2010 and after one season signed for York City. He scored in the [2012 FA Trophy Final](/source/2012_FA_Trophy_Final) and [2012 Conference Premier play-off final](/source/2012_Conference_Premier_play-off_final) at [Wembley Stadium](/source/Wembley_Stadium), and his winning goal in the latter saw York [promoted](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) into League Two. After one season with York in League Two, Blair signed for divisional rivals [Fleetwood Town](/source/Fleetwood_Town_F.C.) in 2013 and was released in January 2015. ==Club career== ===Early career=== Born in [Warwick](/source/Warwick), Warwickshire,{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/matty-blair-239646/ |title=Matty Blair |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=6 January 2018}} Blair started his career in the [Midland Football Alliance](/source/Midland_Football_Alliance) with his hometown club, [Racing Club Warwick](/source/Racing_Club_Warwick_F.C.), in the 2007–08 season.{{cite web |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/players/matty-blair/ |title=Player profiles: Matty Blair |publisher=Aylesbury United F.C. |access-date=31 August 2018}} He signed for [Stratford Town](/source/Stratford_Town_F.C.) of the Midland Football Alliance on 7 July 2008.{{cite news |title=Moore signs trio |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=51200 |website=Non-League Daily |publisher=Baltic Publications |date=7 July 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130208145731/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=51200 |archive-date=8 February 2013}} After signing, [manager](/source/Manager_(association_football)) Micky Moore said of Blair: "He had an excellent season with Racing Club Warwick and I feel coming to Stratford and its environment will make him a better player". He finished 2008–09 with seven goals in 40 league appearances for Stratford. Blair signed for [Southern League](/source/Southern_Football_League) Division One Central club [Bedworth United](/source/Bedworth_United_F.C.) on 3 June 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=58209 |title=Three new Greenbacks |website=Non-League Daily |publisher=Baltic Publications |date=3 June 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130182226/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=58209 |archive-date=30 January 2013}} He scored four times for Bedworth in 16 appearances before signing for [Conference North](/source/Conference_North) club [Redditch United](/source/Redditch_United_F.C.) on 25 November 2009.{{cite news |url=http://www.redditchadvertiser.co.uk/sport/4758981.Matt_signs_for_Reds/ |title=Matt signs for Reds |first=Paul |last=Jenkins |newspaper=Redditch Advertiser |date=25 November 2009 |access-date=2 March 2013}} Having made 15 appearances and scored two goals for Redditch, Blair moved on again, signing for Conference North rivals [A.F.C. Telford United](/source/A.F.C._Telford_United) on 19 March 2010.{{cite news |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=65532 |title=Telford bring in Blair |website=Non-League Daily |publisher=Baltic Publications |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130061547/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=65532 |archive-date=30 January 2013}} He finished 2009–10 with one goal in seven appearances for Telford. ===Kidderminster Harriers=== Blair signed for [Conference Premier](/source/Conference_Premier) club [Kidderminster Harriers](/source/Kidderminster_Harriers_F.C.) on 9 August 2010 on non-contract terms following a trial.{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/k/kidderminster_harriers/8897985.stm |title=Kidderminster Harriers sign winger Matty Blair |website=BBC Sport |date=9 August 2010 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He made his debut on 14 August 2010 as a 75th-minute [substitute](/source/Substitute_(association_football)) in Kidderminster's 2010–11 opening day 2–1 victory away to [York City](/source/York_City_F.C.).{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/8897829.stm |title=York 1–2 Kidderminster |website=BBC Sport |date=14 August 2010 |access-date=24 May 2016}} His first goal for the club came after scoring with a low shot in the 75th minute of a 2–1 win at home to [Gateshead](/source/Gateshead_F.C.) on 5 October 2010.{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/9041451.stm |title=Kidderminster Harriers 2–1 Gateshead |website=BBC Sport |date=5 October 2010 |access-date=24 May 2016}} In the following match, Blair scored twice as Kidderminster beat [Grimsby Town](/source/Grimsby_Town_F.C.) 3–2 on 10 October 2010. Blair signed a contract until the end of 2010–11 on 18 October 2010.{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/k/kidderminster_harriers/9103976.stm |title=Kidderminster Harriers sign winger Matty Blair |website=BBC Sport |date=18 October 2010 |access-date=24 May 2016}} His first hat-trick for Kidderminster came after scoring all three of their goals in a 3–3 draw away to Grimsby on 9 April 2011, including an 83rd-minute equaliser after latching onto a loose ball in the [penalty area](/source/penalty_area).{{cite web |url=http://www.harriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?MatchId=3291160&tcmuri=144350&pageView=full#anchored |title=Full time: Grimsby 3–3 Harriers |first=Matt |last=Wall |publisher=Kidderminster Harriers F.C. |date=9 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811071618/http://www.harriers.co.uk/fixtures-results/match-report/index.aspx?MatchId=3291160&tcmuri=144350&pageView=full#anchored |archive-date=11 August 2016}} He finished the season with 11 goals in 45 appearances for Kidderminster. ===York City=== [[File:Matty Blair 13-07-2011 1.jpg|thumb|upright|Blair playing for [York City](/source/York_City_F.C.) in 2011]] After turning down a new contract with Kidderminster, Blair signed for Conference Premier rivals York City on 1 June 2011 on a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/y/york_city/9502252.stm |title=Winger Matty Blair moves to York City |website=BBC Sport |date=1 June 2011 |access-date=24 May 2016}} A compensation package was agreed by the two clubs later that month.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13894508 |title=Kidderminster Harriers sign midfielder James Vincent |website=BBC Sport |date=23 June 2011 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He made his debut in York's opening match of [2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_York_City_F.C._season), a 2–1 victory away to [Ebbsfleet United](/source/Ebbsfleet_United_F.C.) on 13 August 2011. His first goal came in the following match with York's final goal in a 3–1 victory at home to [Barrow](/source/Barrow_A.F.C.) on 16 August 2011, with a sidefooted shot from six yards in the fifth minute of stoppage time.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9199999.York_City_3__Barrow_1/ |title=Match report: York City 3, Barrow 1 |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=17 August 2011 |access-date=24 May 2016}} Blair scored the equaliser to give York a 1–1 away draw to [Luton Town](/source/Luton_Town_F.C.) in the [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy) semi-final second leg with a 90th-minute header from a [Jamal Fyfield](/source/Jamal_Fyfield) [cross](/source/Cross_(football)).{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9598840.Luton_Town_1__York_City_1___FA_Trophy_semi_final__second_leg/ |title=Match report: Luton Town 1, York City 1 – FA Trophy semi-final, second leg |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=19 March 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} York progressed to the final with a 2–1 aggregate victory. With a 111th-minute header from a [Jason Walker](/source/Jason_Walker_(footballer)) cross, Blair scored the winning goal for York away to [Mansfield Town](/source/Mansfield_Town_F.C.) during [extra time](/source/Overtime_(sports)) of their play-off semi-final second leg on 7 May 2012.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17890870 |title=Mansfield 0–1 York |first=Owen |last=Phillips |website=BBC Sport |date=7 May 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He scored the opening goal for York in their 2–0 victory over [Newport County](/source/Newport_County_A.F.C.) in the [2012 FA Trophy Final](/source/2012_FA_Trophy_Final) at [Wembley Stadium](/source/Wembley_Stadium) on 12 May 2012, after lifting the ball 20 yards into an empty net after [goalkeeper](/source/Goalkeeper_(association_football)) [Glyn Thompson](/source/Glyn_Thompson) had charged out of his goal.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9704039.Newport_County_0__York_City_2___FA_Trophy_final/ |title=Match report: Newport County 0, York City 2 – FA Trophy final |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=14 May 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} Eight days later, Blair scored the winning goal in York's 2–1 victory over Luton in the [2012 Conference Premier play-off final](/source/2012_Conference_Premier_play-off_final) at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9717489.York_City_2__Luton_Town_1___play_off_final/ |title=Match report: York City 2, Luton Town 1 – Play-off final |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=21 May 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He scored in the 47th minute with a sidefooted shot from four yards after the ball was head down by [Daniel Parslow](/source/Daniel_Parslow), and the goal was allowed despite Blair being in an [offside](/source/Offside_(association_football)) position. This result meant York were [promoted](/source/Promotion_and_relegation) into [League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two) after an eight-year absence from [the Football League](/source/English_Football_League). He finished his first season at York as top scorer with 20 goals in 52 appearances,{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/9727416.Season_review__York_City___s_class_of_2011_12/ |title=Season review: York City's class of 2011/12 |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=25 May 2012 |access-date=8 June 2014}} and was named in the [2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Football_Conference) Conference Premier Team of the Year alongside York teammate [James Meredith](/source/James_Meredith_(footballer)).{{cite news |url=https://york.vitalfootball.co.uk/york-duo-in-team-of-year/ |title=York duo in team of year |website=Vital York |date=11 June 2012 |access-date=28 May 2018}} thumb|left|upright|Blair playing for York City in 2012 Blair came on as a 78th-minute substitute in York's [2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_York_City_F.C._season) opener away to [League One](/source/EFL_League_One) team [Doncaster Rovers](/source/Doncaster_Rovers_F.C.) in the [League Cup](/source/EFL_Cup) [first round](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_Football_League_Cup) on 11 August 2012. Following a 1–1 draw after extra time the team lost 4–2 in a [penalty shoot-out](/source/Penalty_shoot-out_(association_football)), with Blair missing the final [penalty kick](/source/Penalty_kick_(association_football)).{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19123938 |title=Doncaster 1–1 York |website=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He then entered York's first Football League fixture since their promotion, a 3–1 defeat at home to [Wycombe Wanderers](/source/Wycombe_Wanderers_F.C.) on 18 August 2012, as a 56th-minute substitute.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19221460 |title=York 1–3 Wycombe |website=BBC Sport |date=18 August 2012 |access-date=24 May 2016}} His first goal of the season came with the 80th-minute winner in York's 1–0 victory away to [Rotherham United](/source/Rotherham_United_F.C.) in the [Football League Trophy](/source/Football_League_Trophy) first round Northern section. He finished the season with seven goals in 49 appearances. ===Fleetwood Town=== Following discussions with York manager [Nigel Worthington](/source/Nigel_Worthington), Blair expressed his desire to look for another club, and was in talks with newly relegated League Two club [Portsmouth](/source/Portsmouth_F.C.) before asking for more time to consider the move.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/10387576.Walker_released_by_York_City__Blair_poised_to_follow/ |title=Jason Walker released by York City, Matty Blair poised to follow |first=Dave |last=Flett |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=30 April 2013 |access-date=5 May 2013}}{{cite news |url=http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/pompey/blair-chooses-fleetwood-1-5086519 |title=Blair chooses Fleetwood |first=Neil |last=Allen |newspaper=The News |location=Portsmouth |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=24 May 2016}} However, he signed for League Two rivals [Fleetwood Town](/source/Fleetwood_Town_F.C.) on a two-year contract on 13 May 2013.{{cite news |title=Fleetwood Town make Blair first signing |first=Rob |last=Stocks |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/sport/football/fleetwood-town-make-blair-first-signing-1-5664362 |newspaper=Blackpool Gazette |date=13 May 2013 |access-date=24 May 2016}} Blair joined fellow League Two club [Northampton Town](/source/Northampton_Town_F.C.) on 10 January 2014 on a one-month [loan](/source/Loan_(sports)).{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25685863 |title=Northampton release Clive Platt, sign Matty Blair and Sean McGinty |website=BBC Sport |date=10 January 2014 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He made his debut the following day in a 2–0 home defeat to former club York, before scoring a 76th-minute equaliser for Northampton in their 1–1 away draw with [Cheltenham Town](/source/Cheltenham_Town_F.C.) on 1 February 2014. His loan was ended on 5 February 2014, three days ahead of when it was due to expire, having made three appearances and scored one goal for Northampton.{{cite web |url=https://www.ntfc.co.uk/news/2014/february/loan-players-depart/ |title=Loan players depart |first=Gareth |last=Willsher |publisher=Northampton Town F.C. |date=5 February 2014 |access-date=6 January 2018}} Blair scored the only goal in the play-off semi-final against his former club York, and started for Fleetwood in their 1–0 win over [Burton Albion](/source/Burton_Albion_F.C.) in the [2014 League Two play-off final](/source/2014_Football_League_Two_play-off_final) at Wembley Stadium on 26 May. This result meant they were promoted into League One for the first time in their history.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27465323 |title=Burton 0–1 Fleetwood |first=Phil |last=Maiden |website=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2014 |access-date=24 May 2016}} He finished [2013–14](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Fleetwood_Town_F.C._season) with 33 appearances and five goals for Fleetwood. On 17 November 2014, Blair joined League Two club [Cambridge United](/source/Cambridge_United_F.C.) on loan until January 2015.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30085539 |title=Matty Blair joins Cambridge United on loan from Fleetwood Town |website=BBC Sport |date=17 November 2014 |access-date=24 May 2016}} ===Mansfield Town=== Blair signed for League Two club Mansfield Town on a contract until the end of [2014–15](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_Mansfield_Town_F.C._season) on 14 January 2015 after leaving Fleetwood by mutual consent.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/30810736 |title=Matty Blair: Mansfield sign ex-Fleetwood winger |website=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2015 |access-date=24 May 2016}} ===Doncaster Rovers=== Blair rejected a new contract with Mansfield to sign for newly relegated League Two club Doncaster Rovers on 24 May 2016 on a two-year contract.{{cite news |url=http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers-sign-winger-matty-blair-1-7929033 |title=Doncaster Rovers sign winger Matty Blair |newspaper=South Yorkshire Times |location=Doncaster |date=24 May 2016 |access-date=14 December 2016 |archive-date=14 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214174025/http://www.southyorkshiretimes.co.uk/sport/football/doncaster-rovers-sign-winger-matty-blair-1-7929033 |url-status=dead }} He made 48 appearances and scored 3 goals in [2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_Doncaster_Rovers_F.C._season) as Doncaster were promoted to League One after finishing third in League Two.{{cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=1504 |title=League Two: 2016/17: Latest table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 June 2017}} He was named as PFA League One Community Player of the Year in both seasons [2017–18](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_English_Football_League){{cite web |url=https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/2018/april/blair-named-pfa-league-one-community-player-of-the-year/ |title=Blair named PFA League One Community Player of the Year |publisher=Doncaster Rovers F.C. |date=11 April 2018 |access-date=29 June 2018}} and [2018–19](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_English_Football_League).{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2019/march/2019-efl-awards-divisional-winners-announced/ |title=2019 EFL Awards: Divisional winners announced |publisher=English Football League |date=18 March 2019 |access-date=28 May 2019}} In April 2019, Blair was also named as Community Champion by the [PFA](/source/Professional_Footballers'_Association) for the [2018–19 season](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_English_Football_League) in recognition of all his community services.{{cite web |url=https://clubdoncasterfoundation.co.uk/news/article/matty-blair-named-pfa-community-champion |title=Matty Blair named PFA Community Champion |publisher=Club Doncaster Foundation |date=24 April 2019 |access-date=28 May 2019}} ===Cheltenham Town=== Blair rejected a new contract offered by Doncaster, and was signed by [Cheltenham Town](/source/Cheltenham_Town_F.C.) at the beginning of September 2020 on a one-year contract.{{cite news |title=Former Doncaster Rovers, Mansfield Town, Fleetwood Town and York City winger joins Cheltenham Town |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-doncaster-rovers-mansfield-town-4483815 |access-date=4 September 2020 |publisher=Gloucestershire Live |date=4 September 2020}} He made his debut for the club on 8 September 2020 in an [EFL Trophy](/source/EFL_Trophy) group stage away win over [Newport County](/source/Newport_County_A.F.C.).{{Cite web| url=https://www.southwalesargus.co.uk/sport/18706534.newport-0-cheltenham-1-exiles-downed-efl-trophy-opener/ |title=Newport 0 Cheltenham 1: Exiles downed in EFL Trophy opener |publisher=South Wales Argus |date=8 September 2020}} On 12 September 2022, Blair announced his retirement from football due to injury.{{Cite web| url=https://www.ctfc.com/news/2022/september2/matty-blair-announces-his-retirement/ |title=Matty Blair announces his retirement |publisher=Cheltenham Town |date=12 September 2022}} ==International career== Blair made his [England national C team](/source/England_national_football_C_team) debut as a 56th-minute substitute for Connor Franklin in a 1–0 defeat at home to [Portugal](/source/Portugal_Olympic_football_team) in the [2009–11 International Challenge Trophy](/source/2009%E2%80%9311_International_Challenge_Trophy) on 19 May 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2011/England-C-v-Portugal |title=Lions lose out to single goal |first=Matt |last=Phillips |publisher=The Football Association |date=19 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822200815/http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2011/England-C-v-Portugal |archive-date=22 August 2012}} His second and final [cap](/source/Cap_(sport)) came after starting England's 1–1 draw at home to [Italy](/source/Italy_national_football_C_team) in the [2011–13 International Challenge Trophy](/source/2011%E2%80%9313_International_Challenge_Trophy) on 28 February 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2012/England-Italy-ICT |title=England held by Italy |first=Mike |last=Appleby |publisher=The Football Association |date=28 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131022115507/http://www.thefa.com/England/england-c/News/match-centre/2012/England-Italy-ICT |archive-date=22 October 2013}}{{cite book |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2013 |pages=1003, 1005, 1006}} ==Personal life== Blair is the son of former professional footballer [Andy Blair](/source/Andy_Blair_(footballer)). His sister-in-law is actress [Holly Matthews](/source/Holly_Matthews), who was married to his brother Ross up until his death from a brain tumour.{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/son-of-ex-aston-villa-ace-andy-4606 |title=Son of ex-Aston Villa ace Andy Blair makes charity gesture after meningitis scare |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=25 September 2012 |access-date=2 March 2013}}{{cite news |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/holly-matthews-ross-blair-dead-10910016 |title=Husband of TV actress dies after wife shared heartbreaking Facebook post as he lay dying in hospice |first1=Sophie |last1=Evans |first2=John |last2=Siddle |first3=Alison |last3=Stacey |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=1 August 2017 |access-date=6 January 2018}} ==Career statistics== {{updated|match played 8 May 2021}} {| 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](/source/FA_Cup) !colspan=2|[League Cup](/source/EFL_Cup) !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |[Stratford Town](/source/Stratford_Town_F.C.) |2008–09 |[Midland Football Alliance](/source/Midland_Football_Alliance) |40||7|| || ||colspan=2|—|| || ||40||7 |- |[Bedworth United](/source/Bedworth_United_F.C.) |[2009–10](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_Southern_Football_League)For FA Cup preliminary round: {{cite web |url=http://www.aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk/match/2009-08-29/leek-town/vs/bedworth-united/ |title=Leek Town 2–3 Bedworth United |publisher=Aylesbury United F.C. |access-date=15 April 2013}}
For FA Cup first qualifying round: {{cite news |url=http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/bedworth-clean-cup-draw/story-20288098-detail/story.html |title=Bedworth keep it clean in cup draw |newspaper=Nuneaton News |date=14 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714231711/http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/bedworth-clean-cup-draw/story-20288098-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 July 2014}}
For FA Cup first qualifying round replay: {{cite news |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Greenbacks+make+it+count+at+home.-a0207852459 |title=Greenbacks make it count at home |newspaper=Coventry Telegraph |date=16 September 2009 |access-date=31 August 2018 |via=TheFreeLibrary.com}}
For FA Cup second qualifying round: {{cite news |url=http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/ugly-scenes-marr-bedworth-win/story-20288111-detail/story.html |title=Ugly scenes marr Bedworth win |newspaper=Nuneaton News |date=28 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714132637/http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/ugly-scenes-marr-bedworth-win/story-20288111-detail/story.html |archive-date=14 July 2014}}
For FA Cup third qualifying round: {{cite news |url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/coventry-sphinx-0-bedworth-united-3074700 |title=Coventry Sphinx 0 Bedworth United 1 |newspaper=Coventry Telegraph |date=12 October 2009 |access-date=31 August 2018}}
For FA Cup fourth qualifying round: {{cite news |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/sport/4702455.York_City_2__Bedworth_0_-_FA_Cup_fourth_qualifying_round/ |title=York City 2, Bedworth 0 – FA Cup fourth qualifying round |first=Steve |last=Carroll |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=26 October 2009 |access-date=31 August 2018}}
For FA Trophy preliminary round: {{cite web |url=http://www.mossleyweb.com/MatchReports09~10/vBedworthUtd.html |title=Mossley go nap on Greenbacks |publisher=Mossley A.F.C. |access-date=15 April 2013}} |[Southern League](/source/Southern_Football_League) Division
One Central |9||2||6||2||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=FAT|Appearance in [FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy)}}||0||16||4 |- |[Redditch United](/source/Redditch_United_F.C.) |[2009–10](/source/2009%E2%80%9310_Football_Conference) |[Conference North](/source/Conference_North) |15||2||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||15||2 |- |[A.F.C. Telford United](/source/A.F.C._Telford_United) |2009–10 |Conference North |7||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||7||1 |- |[Kidderminster Harriers](/source/Kidderminster_Harriers_F.C.) |[2010–11](/source/2010%E2%80%9311_Football_Conference){{cite book |editor1-first=Mike |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-first=Tony |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2012 |year=2011 |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |isbn=978-1-869833-70-1 |pages=106–107}} |[Conference Premier](/source/Conference_Premier) |43||11||1||0||colspan=2|—||1{{efn|name=FAT}}||0||45||11 |- |rowspan=3|[York City](/source/York_City_F.C.) |[2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_York_City_F.C._season){{cite book |editor1-first=Mike |editor1-last=Williams |editor2-first=Tony |editor2-last=Williams |title=Non-League Club Directory 2013 |year=2012 |publisher=Tony Williams Publications |isbn=978-1-869833-77-0 |pages=162–163}} |Conference Premier |41||10||1||0||colspan=2|—||10{{efn|Seven appearances and eight goals in FA Trophy, three appearances and two goals in [Conference Premier play-offs](/source/Conference_Premier_play-offs)}}||10||52||20 |- |[2012–13](/source/2012%E2%80%9313_York_City_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|55903|2012|access-date=24 May 2016}} |[League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two) |44||6||2||0||1||0||2{{efn|name=FLT|Appearance(s) in [Football League Trophy](/source/Football_League_Trophy)}}||1||49||7 |- !colspan=2|Total !85||16||3||0||1||0||12||11||101||27 |- |rowspan=3|[Fleetwood Town](/source/Fleetwood_Town_F.C.) |[2013–14](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Fleetwood_Town_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|55903|2013|access-date=24 May 2016}} |League Two |24||3||2||0||1||0||6{{efn|Three appearances and one goal in Football League Trophy, three appearances and one goal in [League Two play-offs](/source/EFL_League_Two_play-offs)}}||2||33||5 |- |[2014–15](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_Fleetwood_Town_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|55903|2014|access-date=24 June 2015}} |[League One](/source/EFL_League_One) |8||0||0||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||10||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !32||3||2||0||2||0||7||2||43||5 |- |[Northampton Town](/source/Northampton_Town_F.C.) (loan) |[2013–14](/source/2013%E2%80%9314_Northampton_Town_F.C._season) |League Two |3||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||3||1 |- |[Cambridge United](/source/Cambridge_United_F.C.) (loan) |[2014–15](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_Cambridge_United_F.C._season) |League Two |2||0||2||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||4||0 |- |rowspan=3|[Mansfield Town](/source/Mansfield_Town_F.C.) |[2014–15](/source/2014%E2%80%9315_Mansfield_Town_F.C._season) |League Two |3||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||3||0 |- |[2015–16](/source/2015%E2%80%9316_Mansfield_Town_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|55903|2015|access-date=24 May 2016}} |League Two |32||2||2||0||0||0||0||0||34||2 |- !colspan=2|Total !35||2||2||0||0||0||0||0||37||2 |- |rowspan=5|[Doncaster Rovers](/source/Doncaster_Rovers_F.C.) |[2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_Doncaster_Rovers_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|55903|2016|access-date=16 July 2017}} |League Two |45||3||1||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=EFLT|Appearance(s) in [EFL Trophy](/source/EFL_Trophy)}}||0||48||3 |- |[2017–18](/source/2017%E2%80%9318_Doncaster_Rovers_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|55903|2017|access-date=13 May 2018}} |League One |40||2||3||0||2||0||1{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||46||2 |- |[2018–19](/source/2018%E2%80%9319_Doncaster_Rovers_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|55903|2018|access-date=5 July 2019}} |League One |42||3||6||1||2||0||4{{efn|name=FLTPO|Two appearances in EFL Trophy, two appearances and one goal in [League One play-offs](/source/EFL_League_One_play-offs)}}||1||54||5 |- |[2019–20](/source/2019%E2%80%9320_Doncaster_Rovers_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|55903|2019|access-date=8 April 2020}} |League One |12||0||0||0||1||0||1{{efn|name=EFLT}}||0||14||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !139||8||10||1||6||0||7||1||162||10 |- |[Cheltenham Town](/source/Cheltenham_Town_F.C.) |[2020–21](/source/2020-21_Cheltenham_Town_F.C._season){{soccerbase season|55903|2020|access-date=1 March 2021}} |League Two |44||2||4||0||1||0||3{{efn|name=FLT}}||0||52||2 |- !colspan=3|Career total !454||55||30||3||10||0||31||14||525||72 |} {{notelist}} ==Honours== '''York City''' *[Conference Premier](/source/Conference_Premier) play-offs: [2012](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Football_Conference) *[FA Trophy](/source/FA_Trophy): [2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_FA_Trophy) '''Fleetwood Town''' *[Football League Two play-offs](/source/Football_League_Two_play-offs): [2014](/source/2014_Football_League_play-offs) '''Doncaster Rovers''' *[EFL League Two](/source/EFL_League_Two) third-place promotion: [2016–17](/source/2016%E2%80%9317_EFL_League_Two){{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2017–2018 |year=2017 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-3397-4 |pages=158–159}} '''Cheltenham Town''' *EFL League Two: [2020–21](/source/2020%E2%80%9321_EFL_League_Two){{Cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12296730/cheltenham-4-1-harrogate-michael-duffs-robins-clinch-league-two-title-in-style |title=Cheltenham 4–1 Harrogate: Michael Duff's Robins clinch League Two title in style |publisher=Sky Sports |date=8 May 2021 |access-date=19 November 2022}} '''Individual''' *Conference Premier Team of the Year: [2011–12](/source/2011%E2%80%9312_Football_Conference) ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== {{commons category}} *[https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/matty-blair/ Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109081824/https://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/teams/first-team/midfielder/matty-blair/ |date=9 January 2021 }} at the Doncaster Rovers F.C. website *{{Soccerbase}} {{2011–12 Conference Premier Team of the Year}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Blair, Matty}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Warwick Category:Footballers from Warwickshire Category:English men's footballers Category:England men's semi-pro international footballers Category:Men's association football wingers Category:Men's association football full-backs Category:Racing Club Warwick F.C. players Category:Stratford Town F.C. players Category:Bedworth United F.C. players Category:Redditch United F.C. players Category:AFC Telford United players Category:Kidderminster Harriers F.C. players Category:York City F.C. players Category:Fleetwood Town F.C. players Category:Northampton Town F.C. players Category:Cambridge United F.C. players Category:Mansfield Town F.C. players Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players Category:Cheltenham Town F.C. players Category:Midland Football Alliance players Category:Southern Football League players Category:National League (English football) players Category:English Football League players Category:English people of Scottish descent Category:21st-century English sportsmen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Matty Blair](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matty_Blair) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matty_Blair?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.