Matt Gilks

Matthew Gilks (born 4 June 1982) is a professional footballer who plays for EFL League Two club Bolton Wanderers as player-goalkeeping coach. He is a goalkeeper. He has previously played for Blackpool, Burnley, Norwich City, Rochdale, Rangers, Wigan Athletic, Shrewsbury Town, Scunthorpe United, Lincoln City F.C, Fleetwood Town and the Scotland national team.

Matt Gilks
Gilks training with Blackpool in 2010
Personal information
Full name Matthew Gilks[1]
Date of birth (1982-06-04) 4 June 1982[2]
Place of birth Rochdale, England
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) [3]
Playing position(s) Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team
 Bolton Wanderers (player-goalkeeping coach)
Youth career
1995–2000 Rochdale
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2000–2007 Rochdale 176 (0)
2007–2008 Norwich City 0 (0)
2008–2014 Blackpool 182 (0)
2008 → Shrewsbury Town (loan) 4 (0)
2014–2016 Burnley 0 (0)
2016–2017 Rangers 0 (0)
2017 Wigan Athletic 14 (0)
2017–2019 Scunthorpe United 42 (0)
2019 Lincoln City 12 (0)
2019–2020 Fleetwood Town 5 (0)
2020– Bolton Wanderers 0 (0)
National team
2012–2013 Scotland 3 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 25 December 2019 (UTC)

Although born in England, he qualifies to represent Scotland. He was first selected for the Scotland national football team in August 2010 and made his international debut in August 2012.[4]

Club career

Rochdale

Born in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, where he started out with Heyside Juniors,[5] Gilks joined Rochdale at the age of 13. He was promoted from their youth team in 2001. After being coached by Fred Barber,[6] he eventually replaced Neil Edwards in the first team, becoming a regular starter. He made a total of 198 appearances for the club in league and cup competitions, and by the time he was 24, he was the longest-serving player at Rochdale.[7] Being an Oldham Athletic fan growing up, and living about a mile from Boundary Park, he states Andy Rhodes and Jon Hallworth as his heroes.[6]

Norwich City

On 1 July 2007, Gilks signed a two-year contract with Championship club Norwich City, moving on a free transfer due to his contract with Rochdale having expired.[7] He was though, unable to break into the Canaries first team, spending most of the 2007–08 season sitting on the substitutes bench,[8] which also included a spell out of action with ligament damage after twisting his ankle in November 2007 in training.[9]

Blackpool

In the summer of 2008, and without having made a first-team appearance for the Canaries, Gilks signed for fellow Championship club Blackpool as makeweight in a part-exchange deal which saw Wes Hoolahan go in the opposite direction. He made his debut on 12 August 2008 in a 2–0 League Cup defeat by Macclesfield Town.[10]

After failing to break into the first team, and considering quitting the game due to lack of opportunities and a self-perceived lack of ability during a training session,[6] he signed for League Two club Shrewsbury Town on a month's loan on 21 November to cover an injury crisis at the club.[8][11][12] He made his debut the following day in a goalless draw with Lincoln City at Sincil Bank.[13] He made three further appearances for the Shrews, with his final match coming on 13 December, a 1–0 defeat by Grimsby Town at Blundell Park,[14] before returning to Blackpool.

While Simon Grayson was Blackpool manager, he did not usually name a substitute goalkeeper, preferring to have five outfield players on the bench. After he left the club, in late December 2008, caretaker manager Tony Parkes immediately began naming Gilks as a substitute. After a number of matches as an unused substitute, Gilks made his league debut for Blackpool on 31 January 2009, after Paul Rachubka was sent off three minutes into the Seasiders' match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Gilks was brought on and helped the Seasiders to a 1–0 win.[15]

On 22 September 2009, he saved a penalty kick in the Seasiders' 4–3 defeat by Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium in the third round of the 2009–10 Football League Cup. His first league start of the 2009–10 season came in the 2–0 win over Plymouth Argyle at Bloomfield Road on 17 October. After three consecutive clean sheets, Gilks was named in The Championship "Team of the Week", along with teammates Stephen Crainey and Marcel Seip, following his performance in Blackpool's goalless draw with Swansea City on 24 October at the Liberty Stadium.[16][17] On 16 February 2010, he saved a penalty kick in the 2–0 home win over Middlesbrough.[18] His 200th career Football League appearance came in a 1–0 home win over Ipswich Town on 6 March 2010, when he was also named Man of the Match.[19] In addition, he was again named in The Championship "Team of the Week", following his performance, which saw a fourth clean sheet in five games.[20][21]

On 13 November 2010, in a goalless draw at West Ham United, Gilks suffered an injury to his knee cap that kept him out much of the remainder of the 2010–11 campaign.[22] After working with former Manchester United Strength and Conditioning Coach Mick Clegg,[6] he returned to the first team on 16 April 2011, in a home defeat by Wigan Athletic. Despite Blackpool's relegation from the Premier League in 2011, Gilks signed a new two-year contract with the club in July.[23] His contract with Blackpool expired at the end of the 2013–14 season.[24] He left the club to sign for Burnley, despite being offered a new contract with Blackpool.[24]

Burnley

Gilks signed a two-year contract with newly promoted Premier League club Burnley in July 2014.[25][26] He made his first appearance for Burnley in a League Cup tie; Gilks initially served as a backup to established first choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton.[27]

Rangers

On 24 June 2016, Gilks signed for Rangers on a two-year deal.[28] He made his debut for the club in a League Cup match against Annan Athletic on 19 July.[29] He played in all five of Rangers' League Cup ties, keeping clean sheets in the first four.[30] Rangers lost 1–0 to Celtic in the semi-final, but Gilks made several excellent saves and was praised by the media and teammates for his performance.[31]

Wigan Athletic

Gilks signed for Wigan Athletic on 31 January 2017.[32] On his home debut against Preston North End he saved a Jordan Hugill penalty and the resultant rebound to help his side gain a 0–0 draw.[33]

Scunthorpe United

Gilks signed for Scunthorpe United on 16 June 2017 on a free transfer,[34] becoming the club's first choice goalkeeper for the 2018-19 season.

Lincoln City

On 31 January 2019, Gilks signed for Lincoln City on a free transfer, and would go on to make 12 League appearances as the Imps won League Two.[35]

Fleetwood Town

On 1 August 2019 Gilks signed for Fleetwood Town.[36]

Bolton Wanderers

On 6 August 2020, Gilks signed for Bolton Wanderers, as a player-goalkeeping coach.[37]

International career

On 22 August 2010 the Scottish FA confirmed that manager Craig Levein was considering Gilks for a call-up to the Scotland national squad for their upcoming UEFA Euro 2012 qualifiers against Lithuania and Liechtenstein. Gilks qualifies to play for Scotland through his Scottish grandmother. Levein said of Gilks: "He is one we became aware of a while ago and have kept track of his progress. Obviously he was a key figure in Blackpool's promotion to the Barclays Premier League and while I will not name my squad until tomorrow, he is one I think we need to take a closer look at. He comes highly recommended, is playing regularly for his club and the next logical step is for our goalkeeping coach to work closely with him."[38]

Two days later he was selected in the Scotland squad, joining fellow Blackpool player Charlie Adam.[39][40] On his call up Gilks said: "My grandmother was Scottish and they've traced the roots back and checked it. I'm eligible and it's great to be in the squad. Everybody knows that I am English but England doesn't come knocking on the door of Blackpool Football Club and I think that's a problem. They look at the bigger clubs. To be honest it was nice of Scotland to come and have a look at me and find out about me."[41]

In November 2010, Gilks had to withdraw from the Scotland squad through injury.[42] He again withdrew on 10 August 2011, hours before kick-off in a friendly against Denmark, with an ankle injury.[43] On 15 August 2012 he made his debut for Scotland as a first-half substitute in a friendly against Australia.[4][44]

Coaching Career

On 6 August 2020, Gilks signed for Bolton Wanderers, as a player-goalkeeping coach.[37]

Career statistics

Club
As of 25 December 2019
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rochdale 1999–2000[45] Third Division 0000000000
2000–01[46] Third Division 3000000030
2001–02[47] Third Division 190201000220
2002–03[48] Third Division 20010001[lower-alpha 1]0220
2003–04[49] Third Division 120101000140
2004–05[50] League Two 30030002[lower-alpha 1]0350
2005–06[51] League Two 46010102[lower-alpha 1]0500
2006–07[52] League Two 46020102[lower-alpha 1]0510
Total 176010040701970
Norwich City 2007–08[53] Championship 000000—00
Blackpool 2008–09[54] Championship 500010—60
2009–10[55] Championship 26000303[lower-alpha 2]0320
2010–11[56] Premier League 1800000—180
2011–12[57] Championship 42030003[lower-alpha 2]0480
2012–13[58] Championship 4502010—480
2013–14[59] Championship 4601010—480
Total 18206060602000
Shrewsbury Town (loan) 2008–09[54] League Two 40——0040
Burnley 2014–15[60] Premier League 000010—10
2015–16[61] Championship 000010—10
Total 000020—20
Rangers 2016–17[62] Scottish Premiership 000050—50
Wigan Athletic 2016–17[62] Championship 140000000140
Scunthorpe United 2017–18[63] League One 420302010480
2018–19[64] League One 0000000000
Lincoln City 2018–19[64] League Two 120000000120
Fleetwood Town 2019–20[65] League One 5000001[lower-alpha 1]040
Career total 43101901901504840
  1. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  2. Appearances in Championship play-offs

International
As of match played 10 September 2013[66]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Scotland 201220
201310
Total30

Honours

Club

Blackpool

  • Football League Championship play-offs: 2010[67]

Lincoln City

Individual
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See also

References
  1. "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  2. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Queen Anne Press. p. 167. ISBN 1-85291-651-6.
  3. "Premier League Player Profile". Premier League. Retrieved 15 March 2011.
  4. "Allan McGregor likely to miss Scotland's World Cup opener". BBC Sport. BBC. 20 August 2012. Retrieved 15 July 2014.
  5. "Matt Gilks Interview // Getting to Know You" – Scotland National Team, YouTube
  6. "The Big Interview – Matt Gilks" – Goalkeeper Magazine, YouTube
  7. "Norwich to sign Rochdale keeper". bbc.co.uk. 27 June 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  8. "Gilks solves Shrews keeper crisis". bbc.co.uk. 21 November 2008. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  9. "Gilks looks set for rapid return". bbc.co.uk. 30 November 2007. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  10. "Macclesfield 2–0 Blackpool". Soccerbase. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
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  12. "Matt Gilks". Shrewsbury Town F.C. 21 November 2008. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 21 November 2008.
  13. "Lincoln 0–0 Shrewsbury". Soccerbase. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
  14. "Grimsby 1–0 Shrewsbury". Soccerbase. 22 November 2008. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
  15. "Report – Crystal Palace vs Blackpool". Blackpool F.C. 31 January 2009. Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
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  17. "Championship Team Of The Week (26/10/2009)" (PDF). The Football League. 26 October 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 November 2009. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
  18. "Blackpool 2–0 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 February 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
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  25. Burnley snap up former Blackpool keeper Gilks, Burnley Express.
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  34. "Iron sign experienced goalkeeper Gilks". Scunthorpe United F.C. Scunthorpe United F.C. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
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  36. "Joey Barton signs ex-Blackpool and Burnley keeper Matt Gilks to put pressure on Fleetwood Town number one Alex Cairns". www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
  37. "Wanderers confirm Matt Gilks appointment". Bolton Wanderers F.C. 6 August 2020. Retrieved 6 August 2020.
  38. "Gilks can be tartan tower of strength". Scottish F.A. 22 August 2010. Archived from the original on 14 June 2011. Retrieved 22 August 2010.
  39. "GILKS JOINS CHARLIE IN SCOTLAND SQUAD". Blackpool F.C. 24 August 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2010.
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  41. "Grandma Gilks proves Scottish call-up". Blackpool Gazette. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  42. "Gilks poised for Pool return" – SkySports.com, 9 March 2011
  43. "Blackpool's Matt Gilks withdraws from Scotland squad" – BBC Sport, 10 August 2011
  44. "Scotland 3–1 Australia". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
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  61. "Games played by Matt Gilks in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  62. "Games played by Matt Gilks in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 September 2017.
  63. "Games played by Matt Gilks in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  64. "Games played by Matt Gilks in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  65. "Games played by Matt Gilks in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  66. "Gilks, Matt". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmerman. Retrieved 30 August 2016.
  67. Fletcher, Paul (22 May 2010). "Blackpool 3–2 Cardiff". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
  68. "League Two: 2018/19: Current table". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
    "Lincoln: Squad details: 2018/19". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
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