Ex-EFL player Joe Mattock with over 400 appearances to his name, speaks on the decision to sign for 6th tier club Marine.
And he’s already played his first game for them, helping the National League North outfit produce a 2-1 victory over Buxton, the club’s first ever win at that level.
He made two crucially timed plays as the Mariners had over five mins of regular time to hold their lead, which they ended up doing so.
His new side currently sit 20th, a place outside the drop zone after five games played, winning 1, drawing 1 and losing 3, meaning they have 4 points.
Marine now get set to host Leamington, who are 12th with 7 points from 5 games played and left Rushall Olympic (Marine’s opponents next Tuesday) sitting 22nd after beating them 2-1 in the last game.
✍️ We’re delighted to confirm the signing of experienced defender Joe Mattock.
Joe brings a wealth of experience and nous to the side with over 400 EFL appearances, and will help our young side with his elite mentality.
👉 https://t.co/gTNhzpP8Yg#COYM #WeAreMarine pic.twitter.com/p1uSyfkY1U
— Marine Football Club (@MarineAFC) August 25, 2024
🗣️ Joe Mattock says he is ‘looking forward to getting playing’ after joining Marine today.
Here’s our full interview with Joe after the former England U21 international joined today 👉 https://t.co/DOkAnmPDe7#COYM #WeAreMarine pic.twitter.com/ehV6kouIOu
— Marine Football Club (@MarineAFC) August 25, 2024
CLUB STATEMENT:
Marine FC are delighted to confirm the signing of experienced defender Joe Mattock.
The defender has over 400 EFL appearances under his belt, including more than 280 in the Championship.
Joe brings a wealth of experience and nous to the side, and will help our young side with his elite mentality.
His signing is a huge acquisition for Marine given the calibre of player Joe is.
Joe can play at both left-back and centre-back.
On signing for Marine, Joe said: “I’m looking forward to be playing with a newly promoted team with high hopes to go further.
“Hopefully my experience will bring some good positive morale to the club.
“Sometimes young players like to feed off senior players who have done quite a lot in their career and hopefully I can do just that, as well as adding a bit of structure and knowledge to the back line.”
Neil Young said: “Joe is someone with good experience, which is another element of what we have been missing at times this season.
“Joe can play at CB and LB which are two areas now with both Tom and Kacper being out for a number of weeks that we have no squad depth in.”
Joe Mattock says he is ‘looking forward to getting playing’ after joining Marine.
Interviewer: Joe, welcome to Marine, what are your first thoughts on signing?
Joe: Thank you, and I’m just looking forward to getting back playing with a newly promoted team with high hopes to go further.
Interviewer: What do you already know about the club prior to joining?
Joe: I know that Marine got promoted through the play-offs last season and went on a pretty impressive FA Cup run a few years back!
Interviewer: You’re extremely experienced at EFL level having played over 280 games in the Championship alone – how can you use this experience to help a young, talented Marine side?
Joe: Hopefully my experience will bring some good positive morale to the club. Sometimes young players like to feed off senior players who have done quite a lot in their career and hopefully I can do just that, as well as adding a bit of structure and knowledge to the back line.
Interviewer: For fans who may not have seen you play, how would you describe yourself as a player?
Joe: I’m a LB turned CB as I’ve got older, mainly due to my aggressiveness and being able to compete well in the air. In possession I like to play in, not just head it and kick it. And if asked to play LB, I like to get forward and put balls in the box.
Interviewer: What do you hope to achieve with the club this season?
Joe: As a defender, I think my main priority is to defend and try keep as many clean sheets as possible – that would be a good place to start.
HIS CAREER:
Youth career
2004–2007 – Leicester City
Senior career
2007–2009 – Leicester City – 73 games (1 goal)
2009–2012 – West Bromwich Albion – 36 games (1 goal)
2011 → Sheffield United (loan) – 13 games (0 goal)
2011–2012 → Portsmouth (loan) – 7 games (0 goal)
2012 → Brighton & Hove Albion (loan) – 15 games (1 goal)
2012–2015 – Sheffield Wednesday – 66 games (3 goals)
2015–2022 – Rotherham United – 225 games (5 goals)
2022–2024 – Harrogate Town – 33 games (1 goal)
2023–2024 → Hartlepool United (loan) – 8 games (0 goal)
2024– Marine
International career
2006–2007 – England U17 – 1 game (0 goal)
2007–2009 – England U19 – 13 games (1 goal)
2007–2009 – England U21 – 5 games (0 goal)
Here’s how fans reacted as the ex-EFL player with over 400 appearances speaks on his decision to sign for 6th tier Marine…
@world_minty: That’s a signing
@teacake1903: Experience is what is needed. Good move
@GGGroundhopping: Top player 👏
@Nokkapie: Smart signing. Much needed EFL nouse. Welcome
@JBizz09: May the wind take one of his crosses in the goal (he’s good at them apparently)
Jason Lee: good luck to him, always like it seeing efl players play in non league with their career coming to an end, playing for the love of the game
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