Archie Matthews
Archie Cameron Matthews (born 2 August 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Cymru Premier club Penybont. Matthews came through the youth system at Swindon Town and spent time on loan at Southern League clubs AFC Totton, Thatcham Town and Melksham Town before making his Football League debut for Swindon in February 2021. Released at the end of the season, he signed for Birmingham City. He spent time on loan at National League South club Bath City in 2021 and Gloucester City of the National League North in 2022 before being released, and then signed for Swansea City. In 2023, a loan spell with Oxford City of the National League South was cut short by injury, and after a brief spell on loan at Cymru Premier club Penybont, Matthews moved on to Wealdstone.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Archie Cameron Matthews[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 2 August 2001[2] | ||
| Place of birth | Bath,[2] England | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Penybont | ||
| Number | 24 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2016–2019 | Swindon Town | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019–2021 | Swindon Town | 1 | (0) |
| 2019 | → AFC Totton (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | → Thatcham Town (loan) | 7 | (0) |
| 2020 | → Melksham Town (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Birmingham City | 0 | (0) |
| 2021 | → Bath City (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2022 | → Gloucester City (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2022–2024 | Swansea City | 0 | (0) |
| 2023 | → Oxford City (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2024 | → Penybont (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Wealdstone | 9 | (0) |
| 2025– | Penybont | 9 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18:07, 16 February 2026 (UTC) | |||
Archie Cameron Matthews (born 2 August 2001) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Cymru Premier club Penybont.
Matthews came through the youth system at Swindon Town and spent time on loan at Southern League clubs AFC Totton, Thatcham Town and Melksham Town before making his Football League debut for Swindon in February 2021. Released at the end of the season, he signed for Birmingham City. He spent time on loan at National League South club Bath City in 2021 and Gloucester City of the National League North in 2022 before being released, and then signed for Swansea City. In 2023, a loan spell with Oxford City of the National League South was cut short by injury, and after a brief spell on loan at Cymru Premier club Penybont, Matthews moved on to Wealdstone.
Club career
[edit]Swindon Town
[edit]Matthews joined Swindon Town's academy as a 15-year-old, and took up a scholarship in 2017.[3] His first matchday involvement with the first team came on 23 March 2019: with Lawrence Vigouroux away on international duty, Luke McCormick kept goal and Matthews was on the bench for a 4–0 League Two win against Morecambe.[4] He was an unused substitute twice more that season,[2] and in May 2019, together with fellow academy graduates Jacob Bancroft, Ralph Graham and Luke Haines, Matthews signed his first professional contract.[3]
Matthews spent much of the next 18 months out on loan at Southern League Division One South clubs. He signed for AFC Totton the day before the season started, and went straight into the starting eleven for a 3–1 defeat at home to Larkhall Athletic. He made one more league appearance, but his loan came to a premature end when he was injured during the first half of the FA Cup preliminary round.[5][6] He returned to the Southern League with Thatcham Town in October 2019 on a month's loan.[7] The loan was extended, and he ended up playing 11 matches, 7 in the league and 4 in cup competitions, all as a starter.[8][5] In December 2020, he joined yet another Southern League Division One South club, Melksham Town, on loan. At the time, the league was suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic,[8][9] and it did not restart.
After Matěj Kovář was recalled to Manchester United and Joe Fryer's short-term contract was not extended, Matthews was brought into Swindon's first-team squad in January 2021 as backup to loanee Mark Travers.[10][11] Travers was recalled by AFC Bournemouth,[12] and when his successor Joe Wollacott injured a knee during the pre-match warm-up, Matthews made an unexpected Football League debut, on 27 February in a 2–1 victory over Northampton Town at the County Ground. He allowed the ball to go through his hands for Northampton's goal,[13] but according to the Swindon Advertiser, "his response was extremely impressive. Aside from one or two awkward moments, the 19-year-old made a handful of good saves and his kicking was excellent."[14] By the next match, Connal Trueman arrived on loan, and then Lee Camp signed as a free agent. Matthews finished the season with 22 "appearances" as an unused substitute,[2] and he left the club when his contract expired at the end of the season.[15]
Birmingham City
[edit]Matthews signed for Championship club Birmingham City on 9 August 2021 on a one-year contract with the option of a second. He would initially be working with the development squad.[16] On 16 September, Matthews joined National League South club Bath City on a month's loan.[17] He kept a clean sheet on debut in the FA Cup second qualifying round win against ninth-tier opponents Shaftesbury,[18] but then suffered a training-ground injury while with his parent club,[19] and made no further appearances before his loan expired. Matthews joined National League North club Gloucester City on loan on 18 March 2022 as cover for their two injured goalkeepers.[20] In the next day's 2–1 win away to Bradford (Park Avenue), he produced what the Bradford-based Telegraph & Argus described as "a superb save at the last to ensure three points for his new club on debut".[21] It was his only appearance, and at the end of the season he was released by Birmingham, having made four starts for their under-23 team in the 2021–22 Premier League 2.[2][22]
Swansea City
[edit]Matthews signed a two-year contract with another Championship club, Swansea City, on 1 July 2022. The deal included an option for a third year.[23] He was an unused substitute for Swansea's EFL Cup match in August, but had no further involvement with the matchday squad, and on 13 January 2023 joined National League South club Oxford City on loan until the end of the season.[24] He made a successful debut the next day away to Hampton & Richmond, saving a penalty, and was included in the Non-League Paper's National League South Team of the Day.[25][26] Half an hour into his third appearance, he tore an anterior cruciate ligament and returned to Swansea City for treatment.[27][28] After recovering from his injury, Matthews joined Cymru Premier club Penybont on 9 January 2024 on loan for the rest of the season.[29] He appeared once before returning to Swansea three weeks later after Penybont signed goalkeeper Adam Przybek,[30] and was released at the end of the season.[31]
Wealdstone
[edit]In June 2024, Matthews signed a two-year contract with National League club Wealdstone, whose manager Matt Taylor had been a player at Swindon when Matthews was an under-18.[32] He started the first nine games of the season, in the last of which he dislocated a shoulder.[33] At the end of the 2024-2025 season, Matthews left the club [34]
Penybont
[edit]In August 2025, Matthews returned to Cymru Premier club Penybont on a permanent deal.[35]
Career statistics
[edit]- As of match played 30 November 2024
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Swindon Town | 2018–19[36] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019–20[37] | League Two | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2020–21[38] | League One | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| AFC Totton (loan) | 2019–20[5] | SL Div 1 South | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | ||
| Thatcham Town (loan) | 2019–20[5] | SL Div 1 South | 7 | 0 | — | — | 4[a] | 0 | 11 | 0 | ||
| Melksham Town (loan) | 2020–21 | SL Div 1 South | — | — | — | — | — | |||||
| Birmingham City | 2021–22[39] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| Bath City (loan) | 2021–22[2][18] | National League South | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Gloucester City (loan) | 2021–22[2] | National League North | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Swansea City | 2022–23[40] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| 2023–24[41] | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Oxford City (loan) | 2022–23[2] | National League South | 2 | 0 | — | — | 1[b] | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Penybont (loan) | 2023–24[2] | Cymru Premier | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| Wealdstone | 2024–25[2] | National League | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | |
| Career total | 23 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
- ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, one in Berks & Bucks Senior Cup
- ^ Appearance in Oxfordshire Senior Cup
References
[edit]- ^ "Club list of registered players: As at 27th February 2021" (PDF). English Football League. p. 135. Retrieved 27 February 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "A. Matthews". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Academy quartet sign pro terms". Swindon Town F.C. 9 May 2019. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ Reynolds, Shaun (23 March 2019). "Four-goal win keeps Swindon Town in play-off hunt, as Morecambe collapse at the County Ground". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d "Archie Matthews". aylesburyunitedfc.co.uk. Aylesbury United FC/Luke Buckingham-Brown. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "Defensive mistakes contribute to opening day defeat" and "Stags go out thanks to Plummer's double" (PDF). Stags Review. No. 2. AFC Totton. 26 August 2019. pp. 13, 28.
- ^ Leighfield, Jonathan (17 October 2019). "Swindon Town goalkeeper Archie Matthews has joined Southern League Division One South side Thatcham Town on a month-long loan deal". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ a b Whitney, Steve (8 December 2020). "Melksham take young Swindon keeper on loan". Southern Football League. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "Town manager 'fuming' about FA support for non-league football". Melksham Independent News. 17 December 2020. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ Leighfield, Jonathan (6 January 2021). "Swindon Town sign AFC Bournemouth goalkeeper Mark Travers". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ Leighfield, Jonathan (7 January 2021). "Joe Fryer to leave Swindon Town after contract not extended". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ Leighfield, Jonathan (12 February 2021). "AFC Bournemouth recall goalkeeper Mark Travers from Swindon Town loan spell". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ Leighfield, Jonathan (27 February 2021). "Swindon Town beat Northampton Town 2–1 after goals from Scott Twine and Brett Pitman". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ Leighfield, Jonathan (27 February 2021). "Swindon Town player ratings after win over Northampton Town". Swindon Advertiser. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ "Swindon Town release 13 players after relegation to League Two". BBC Sport. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 11 August 2021.
- ^ "Archie Matthews signs for Blues". Birmingham City F.C. 9 August 2021. Archived from the original on 9 August 2021. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
- ^ "Archie Matthews departs on loan". Birmingham City F.C. 16 September 2021. Archived from the original on 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Late Holness header secures FA Cup win". Bath City F.C. 18 September 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ "Player News – Murphy Mahoney". Bath City F.C. 25 September 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2021.
- ^ Palmer, Jon (18 March 2022). "Birmingham City goalkeeper Archie Matthews joins Gloucester City on loan". GloucestershireLive. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
- ^ Atkinson, Nathan (19 March 2022). "Bradford (Park Avenue) lose to Gloucester after late goal". Telegraph & Argus. Bradford. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ "Blues Men's: Retained and released list". Birmingham City F.C. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 20 May 2022.
- ^ Mitchelmore, Ian (1 July 2022). "Swansea City transfer news as two goalkeepers join, quartet sign pro deals and Martin given glowing reference". WalesOnline. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
- ^ "Goalkeeper Archie Matthews makes Oxford City loan move". Swansea City A.F.C. 13 January 2023. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
- ^ "Archie Matthews: I've really enjoyed it so far". Oxford City F.C. 16 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- ^ Hampton & Richmond Borough F.C. [@HRBFC] (15 January 2023). "Congratulations to @Luis_TF3 and @kurranbrowne7 who earned themselves spots in the @NonLeaguePaper Team of the Day with their performances yesterday" (Tweet). Retrieved 17 January 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Match report: Oxford City 4–2 Oxford United (Oxfordshire Senior Cup)". Oxford City F.C. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "Steven Benda to undergo surgery and miss remainder of the season". Swansea City A.F.C. 2 February 2023. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
- ^ "Archie Matthews makes Penybont loan move". Swansea City A.F.C. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
- ^ Penybont FC [@PenybontFC_] (1 February 2024). "Following Adam's arrival, Archie Matthews will return to his parent club, Swansea City. We'd like to thank Archie for his efforts during his time at the club" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 November 2024 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ Davies, Mathew (17 May 2024). "Swansea City announce full retained list as duo leave and Allen agrees new deal". Wales Online. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ "New goalkeeper Matthews: 'I want to show everyone what I can do.'". Wealdstone F.C. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ Loveridge, Ashley (14 September 2024). "Forest Green thwarted as last-gasp Wealdstone pinch a point". Stroud Times. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
- ^ https://www.wealdstone-fc.com/post/retained-list-2025
- ^ @PenybontFC_ (2 August 2025). "PENYBONT XI 🔢 📍 Alex Cvetkovic makes his competitive debut. 📍 New signing Archie Matthews is named on the bench. #WeArePenybont" (Tweet). Retrieved 3 August 2025 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ "Games played by Archie Matthews in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Archie Matthews in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Archie Matthews in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Archie Matthews in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Archie Matthews in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 July 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Archie Matthews in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
External links
[edit]- Archie Matthews at Soccerbase