 Fryatt lining up forLeicester City in 2008 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Charles Fryatt[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1986-03-05)5 March 1986 (age 39)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Nuneaton,Warwickshire, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2003 | Walsall | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2003–2006 | Walsall | 70 | (27) |
| 2003–2004 | →Carlisle United (loan) | 10 | (1) |
| 2006–2011 | Leicester City | 168 | (51) |
| 2011–2014 | Hull City | 82 | (27) |
| 2013 | →Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | 9 | (4) |
| 2014–2017 | Nottingham Forest | 25 | (6) |
| Total | 364 | (116) | |
| International career | |||
| 2004–2005 | England U19 | 6 | (4) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Matthew Charles Fryatt (born 5 March 1986) is an Englishfootball coach and former professional footballer, who played as astriker.
Fryatt holds the record for fastest goal ever scored by aLeicester City player when he scored after 9 seconds in a 2–1 defeat byPreston North End on 15 April 2006.[2] He broke two further records during his time at Leicester in the 2008–09 season: firstly, becoming the first player in 42 years to score 20 goals beforeChristmas, and secondly, being the first in 83 years to hithat-tricks in successive matches.[3]
Born inNuneaton,Warwickshire, Fryatt rose through the ranks atyouth level atWalsall.[1] He made his first team debut as a substitute in a 3–1League Cup second round defeat toBolton Wanderers at theReebok Stadium on 24 September 2003, replacingSteve Corica after 67 minutes.[4] His first appearance inThe Football League came on 14 October, starting in a 1–1 away draw againstWatford in theFirst Division.[5]
On 18 December 2003, Fryatt moved toThird DivisionCarlisle United on loan for a month to gain vital first team experience.[6] He made his debut for theCumbrians two days later, starting in a 2–0 win overTorquay United atBrunton Park, and scored his first professional goal on 3 January 2004, the winner as his team came from behind to win 2–1 againstBoston United, heading inBrendan McGill's cross for the bottom-ranked club.[7] Twelve days later, Fryatt's loan was extended by another month,[8] and he returned to Walsall on 23 February after playing ten games.[9] On 20 March, he scored his first goal for the Saddlers, in the first two minutes of a 2–1 win atPreston North End, but the season ended with relegation toLeague One.
Fryatt began the2004–05 season with a 12th-minute penalty to open a 3–2 win overWest Midlands neighboursPort Vale on 7 August.[10] A week later he netted two – including another penalty – in a 5–3 loss atOldham Athletic.[11] He scored 15 goals in 36 appearances across the season, including ahat-trick in a 4–3 win overHuddersfield Town on 29 January 2005, being assisted on the winner byplayer-managerPaul Merson.[12] On 12 March, he scored within seven seconds of the start of a home match againstAFC Bournemouth, who won 2–1 nonetheless.[13] He also collected the goal of the season and the player of the season awards at Walsall at the end of the season.
Nottingham Forest made a £850,000 offer for him on 17 August 2005, which was rejected by Walsall because it was "derisory."[14] On 24 August, Merson believedBirmingham City andSunderland would bid for Fryatt.[15] Despite signing a 12-month extension to his existing contract on 27 September, Fryatt was told by the club they would not block a transfer to a bigger club.[16] On 13 December 2005, Fryatt said he expected to be sold by the end of the 2005–06 season.[17] A concrete offer was made by Danish clubOdense Boldklub, which was managed byBruce Rioch, but Fryatt had no intention of moving toDenmark.[17] He scored 18 goals in his final season at Walsall.
Fryatt signed a three-and-a-half-year deal withLeicester City for an undisclosed fee on 9 January 2006, while Walsall would receive a share of the profit should he be sold in future.[18] He was handed the number 12 shirt, which he also wore at Walsall. He made his debut in a 2–1 defeat toSheffield Wednesday on 14 January, scoring his first goal in a 2–1 defeat toCardiff City on 21 January. On 6 February 2006, Fryatt admitted he was a bit shocked when managerCraig Levein was sacked within 16 days of his arrival, after a run of poor results. Nonetheless, he still believed he made the right move from Walsall, even if Leicester suffer relegation.[19] He also pleaded to the board of directors to allow caretaker bossRob Kelly to remain as manager until the end of the season.[20] Fryatt scored a total of six league goals, helping Leicester avoid relegation.[21] He ended their last home game of the season with a 1–0 win overPlymouth Argyle on 22 April.[22]
Fryatt was picked by theBBC as Leicester's key player for the 2006–07 season, remarking that he "has the attitude and talent to play in the Premiership".[23] However, he was plagued with injuries during that season,[24] suffering an ankle injury in October 2006 which sidelined him for over two weeks.[25] Fryatt was further frustrated by a foot problem during the second half of the season, forcing him to use aninsole in his boots to take some pressure away from his ankle.[26] Despite playing 34 competitive games, he scored only four goals, one of them in a 4–3FA Cup defeat byFulham.[27] Fryatt nonetheless attracted interest fromWolves in July 2007, whose £2 million bid was turned down by then-managerMartin Allen because "the offer was nowhere near high enough."[28]
His form worsened in the2007–08 season, scoring only two goals in 30 league games and receiving onered card as Leicester were relegated from theChampionship.[29][30][31] One goal he did contribute however, gave Leicester a shock victory overAston Villa in theLeague Cup on 26 September 2007.[32] He was even the transfer loan target of Nottingham Forest,[33]Leeds United[34] andCrewe Alexandra.[35]
Fryatt made a positive start to the2008–09 season, scoring five goals in four league games, earning him a nomination for League One player of the month for August.[36] By November 2008, then-teammatePaul Dickov told Fryatt he thinks "he might have 20 goals by Christmas."[37] He went on to score 20 goals before Christmas, the first Leicester player sinceDerek Dougan 42 years earlier to do so.[3] On 29 November, he scored ahat-trick in a 3–2 FA Cup win overDag & Red,[38] and another againstSouthend on 6 December.[39] In doing so he became the first Leicester player sinceArthur Chandler 83 years earlier to hit hat-tricks in successive matches.[3] Fryatt said he was having the best season of his career with the club on 13 January 2009.[40]
Fryatt's superb form in the first half of the season attracted numerous transfer rumours in January 2009. Initially linked with a move toCrystal Palace,[41] he was also wanted byDerby County and Preston North End.[42] Paul Dickov felt Leicester should do everything possible to keep Fryatt,[43] while chairmanMilan Mandarić was hopeful he would commit himself to the club.[44] Although Fryatt refused to comment on his future in November,[45] he signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal on 23 December 2008.[46]
He was awarded the League One player of the month for December on 13 January 2009,[47] and the League One player of the year on 29 March.[48] In February 2009, managerNigel Pearson said he had total faith in Fryatt and no one, including fans should "doubt his ability."[49] Fryatt went on to score his 30th and 31st goals against Southend on 18 April to secure the club's promotion as champions.[50] He was named in the League OnePFA Team of the Year together with teammatesJack Hobbs andMatt Oakley on 26 April 2009.[51] At Leicester's end of season awards evening, Fryatt was voted by his teammates as players' player of the season, however he lost out toSteve Howard in the player of the season award and also toAndy King who won the young player of the year award.[52] He ended the last game of the season by scoring his 32nd goal against Crewe on 2 May.[53] Fryatt was also joint top scorer in theFA Cup that season with four goals.
TheBBC Sport remarked on 6 August that Fryatt's "progress in the Championship could also be key to City's chances."[54] He was strongly linked with a move toHull City that month, which manager Nigel Pearson denied, saying he's "a very important member of our squad and we want to keep hold of our best players."[55] Fryatt missed much of pre-season due to a hernia operation and leg infection.[56] Nonetheless, he scored three goals in the opening five games of the2009–10 season, equalling his tally during the club's doomed Championship campaign two seasons ago.[57] Fryatt also helped Leicester to their first league win overBlackpool in 43 years on 12 September, scoring a match-winning double.[58]
On 6 February 2010, Fryatt assisted Dyer's goal against Blackpool in a 2–1 win, helping Leicester to their first away victory atBloomfield Road in 73 years.[59] On 9 February however, he suffered a broken jaw after colliding withBrian Stock in a 0–0 draw againstDoncaster Rovers,[60] and was taken to a hospital in an ambulance.[61] Ruled out for eight weeks,[62] he had undergone surgery atLeicester Royal Infirmary, spending the night there before being transferred to a private hospital.[63] He returned to action as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 win overMiddlesbrough on 2 May 2010.[64] He scored his last goal of the season againstCardiff City on 12 May, while Leicester lost theChampionship play-off semi-final 4–3 on penalties.[65] Fryatt finished the season as top goalscorer, just ahead ofMartyn Waghorn with 13 goals.
He entered contract negotiations withHull City in December 2010.[66]It was reported in the national media on 30 December 2010 that a £1.2–million deal had been agreed for Fryatt to move to the KC Stadium, but that the deal would not be completed before Leicester City played Hull City on 1 January 2011. The £1.2 million deal was confirmed on Hull City's official website prior to the Leicester game.[67] Fryatt made his debut as a substitute against Portsmouth on 3 January 2011.[68] He scored on his debut coming off the bench to give the Tigers the lead. On 15 January, he scored his second goal, a penalty, in the 2–0 win over Barnsley at the KC Stadium.[69] On 5 February 2011, in theHumber derby againstScunthorpe United, Fryatt scored a hat-trick, his first for Hull and the third of his career.[70] On his 25th Birthday, Fryatt scored his 100th career league goal and his 7th since joining the club in the 1–0 victory overNottingham Forest at theCity Ground.[71] On 16 April, he scored a brace against Doncaster Rovers at the KC Stadium.
He scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season againstIpswich Town atPortman Road on 13 August 2011, resulting in a 1–0 win.[72] On 1 October 2011 against Cardiff City at the KC Stadium, Fryatt exchanged passes withMartin Pusic down the left before carrying the ball into the box, dropping his shoulder to get past a defender and finishing low pastDavid Marshall at the near post.[73] On 22 October 2011 againstWatford at the KC Stadium, an error in the Watford box left the ball loose for Fryatt to fire home from close range.[74] On 1 November 2011 againstBarnsley at theOakwell Stadium,Dele Adebola chested the ball down nicely into the path of Fryatt and the striker fired home into the bottom corner from the edge of the area.[75] On 19 November 2011, against Derby County atPride Park,Liam Rosenior advanced from right back all the way to the edge of the Derby box before feeding Matty Fryatt. He had beaten the offside trap and finished confidently pastFrank Fielding.[76] On 26 November 2011, againstBurnley at the KC Stadium,Cameron Stewart received the ball tight to the left touchline, beatKieran Trippier for skill and pace before crossing low for Matty Fryatt to finish from close range at the near post. A break-away started byPaul McKenna, passed throughRobert Koren and fed to Fryatt resulted in the striker blasting home his second goal of the game, althoughGrant in the Burnley goal will surely have been disappointed with his attempts to keep the shot out.[77] On 3 December 2011, against Leicester City at the KC Stadium, Cameron Stewart's persistence allowed him to poke a ball through toAaron Mclean and although he should have got his shot away sooner, it didn't matter as he was brought down by Leicester captainMatt Mills. The referee pointed to the spot and the defender was promptly sent off. Fryatt stepped up to take the penalty and confidently beatKasper Schmeichel.[78] On 17 April 2012, Fryatt got his second hat-trick for the Tigers in the 3–1 home victory overBarnsley, the fourth in his overall career.[79]
During Hull's opening fixture in the League Cup against Rotherham United, Fryatt picked up a serious Achilles injury. A series of injections were used to try and speed up the healing process, but these proved unsuccessful. It was later confirmed that Fryatt's season was over and he was looking to be fit for the following pre-season. On 21 March, Hull City managerSteve Bruce told theHull Daily Mail that Fryatt could make a return to action in the middle of April, just in time for the final games of the season. He made his return on 13 April coming on as a substitute in the 89th minute againstIpswich Town. Hull City won the game 2–1.[80] Fryatt made another cameo appearance in the following game at Molineux, before starting the next two games.
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On 27 September 2013, Fryatt joinedSheffield Wednesday on a 28-day emergency loan.[81] Fryatt's first goal for the Owls came atBrighton & Hove Albion, when he took a right-footed shot from the centre of the box to beatTomasz Kuszczak. Fryatt's second goal was an equalising volley in the 1–1 draw atBarnsley, his fifth and final appearance during his loan. On 29 October, Fryatt's loan was extended for a second month until 30 November.[82] Fryatt celebrated his loan extension with a brace at home to Reading on 2 November.
On 28 December 2013, Fryatt scored his firstPremier League goal, in a 6–0 home win againstFulham.[83]
On 13 April 2014, he scored Hull's second goal in their 5–3FA Cup semi-final win againstSheffield United atWembley Stadium.[84] On 17 May 2014, he started in the2014 FA Cup Final againstArsenal.[85]
On 9 June 2014, Fryatt signed forNottingham Forest on a three-year deal.[86] Fryatt scored his first goal in the club's third game against Bournemouth on 19 August 2014.[87]
Fryatt was released by Forest at the end of the 2016–17 season, having not played a game for the club for over two years due to injury.[88]
Fryatt retired from football on 8 February 2018, due to a long-standingAchilles injury.[89] In June 2020, it was announced that Fryatt was suing Nottingham Forest, claiming that his career was ended prematurely due to negligence by the club in treating his injury.[90]
In December 2020, Nottingham Forest Football Club confirmed that the legal claim brought by Fryatt and his solicitor, Barrington Atkins, had been amicably settled.
Fryatt made his debut for theEngland U19 team on 9 September 2004 againstRepublic of Ireland, coming on as a half-time substitute and assisting a goal in a 2–0 win.[91] He went on to star in the2005 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, scoring four goals in five games, including a hat-trick againstSerbia and Montenegro.[92]
Fryatt is currently[when?] coaching the U15 team atWalsall.[93]
| Season | Club | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other[a] | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Walsall | 2003–04 | First Division | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 12 | 1 | |
| 2004–05 | League One | 36 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 15 | |
| 2005–06 | League One | 23 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 14 | |
| Total | 70 | 27 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 78 | 30 | ||
| Carlisle United (loan) | 2003–04 | Third Division | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| Leicester City | 2005–06 | Championship | 19 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 19 | 6 | |
| 2006–07 | Championship | 32 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 34 | 4 | ||
| 2007–08 | Championship | 30 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | 35 | 3 | ||
| 2008–09 | League One | 46 | 27 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 52 | 32 | |
| 2009–10 | Championship | 29 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 35 | 13 | |
| 2010–11 | Championship | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | — | 14 | 4 | ||
| Total | 168 | 51 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 189 | 62 | ||
| Hull City | 2010–11 | Championship | 22 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 23 | 9 | |
| 2011–12 | Championship | 46 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 48 | 16 | ||
| 2012–13 | Championship | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | Premier League | 10 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | — | 18 | 6 | ||
| Total | 82 | 27 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 0 | — | 94 | 31 | |||
| Sheffield Wednesday (loan) | 2013–14 | Championship | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 9 | 4 | |
| Nottingham Forest | 2014–15 | Championship | 25 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 26 | 6 | |
| 2015–16 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 25 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 26 | 6 | |||
| Career total | 364 | 114 | 18 | 11 | 15 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 406 | 134 | ||
Leicester City
Hull City
Individual
