| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Charles Fryatt | ||
| Date of birth | 5 March 1986 | ||
| Place of birth | Nuneaton, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Hull City | ||
| Number | 12 | ||
| 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– | Hull City | 45 | (17) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2004–2005 | England U19 | 6 | (4) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:05, 26 December 2011 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). |
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Matthew Charles Fryatt (born 5 March 1986) is an English footballer currently playing as a striker for Hull City. A product of Walsall's youth system,[1] Fryatt is a lifelong supporter of Manchester United.[2]
Fryatt currently holds the record for fastest ever goal scored by a Leicester City player when he scored after 9 seconds in a 2–1 defeat to Preston North End on 15 April 2006.[3] He also holds the record for the quickest ever Walsall goal, also 9 seconds in a 2–1 defeat to Bournemouth in the 2004–05 season.[4] Fryatt broke two further records during his time at Leicester in the 2008–09 season. His first was becoming the first player in 42 years to score 20 goals before Christmas, and another being the first in 83 years to hit hat-tricks in successive matches.[5]
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Born in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, Fryatt rose through the ranks at youth level at Walsall. He made his first team debut as a substitute in a 3–1 League Cup defeat to Bolton Wanderers on 24 September 2003.[6] On 18 December 2003, he moved to Carlisle United on loan for a month to gain vital first team experience.[7] The move proved successful, and Fryatt's loan was extended by another month[8] He was recalled to Walsall after two months as the 2003–04 season came to a close.[9] Matty is also known for parking in Disabled spaces around Hull.
Fryatt made a total of 49 league starts for the Saddlers, scoring 27 goals in the process. Fryatt also collected the goal of the season and the player of the season awards at Walsall at the end of the 2004–05 season. Nottingham Forest made a £850,000 offer for him on 17 August 2005, which was rejected by Walsall because it was "derisory."[10] On 24 August, then-manager Paul Merson believed Birmingham City and Sunderland would bid for Fryatt.[11]
Despite signing a 12-month extension to his existing contract on 27 September 2005, Fryatt was told by the club they would not block a transfer to a bigger club.[12] On 13 December 2005, Fryatt said he expected to be sold by the end of the 2005–06 season.[1] A concrete offer was made by Danish club Odense Boldklub, which was managed by Bruce Rioch, but Fryatt had no intention of moving to Denmark.[1] He scored 18 goals in his final season at Walsall.
Fryatt signed a three-and-a-half year deal with Leicester City for an undisclosed fee on 9 January 2006, while Walsall would receive a share of the profit should he be sold in future.[13] He was handed the number 12 shirt, which he also wore at Walsall. He made his debut in a 2–1 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday on 14 January, scoring his first goal in a 2–1 defeat to Cardiff City on 21 January. On 6 February 2006, Fryatt admitted he was a bit shocked when manager Craig 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.[14] He also pleaded to the board of directors to allow caretaker boss Rob Kelly to remain as manager until the end of the season.[15] Fryatt scored a total of six league goals, helping Leicester avoid relegation.[16] He ended their last home game of the season with a 1–0 win over Plymouth Argyle on 22 April.[17]
Fryatt was picked by the BBC as Leicester's key player for the 2006–07 season, remarking that he "has the attitude and talent to play in the Premiership."[18] However, he was plagued with injuries during that season,[19] suffering an ankle injury in October 2006 which sidelined him for over two weeks.[20] Fryatt was further frustrated by a foot problem during the second half of the season, forcing him to use an insole in his boots to take some of pressure away from his ankle.[21] Despite playing 34 competitive games, he scored only four goals, one of them in a 4–3 FA Cup defeat to Fulham.[22] Fryatt nonetheless attracted interest from Wolves in July 2007, whose £2 million bid was turned down by then-manager Martin Allen because "the offer was nowhere near high enough."[23]
His form worsened in the 2007–08 season, scoring only 2 goals in 30 league games and receiving one red card as Leicester were relegated from the Championship.[24][25][26] One goal he did contribute however, gave Leicester a shock victory over Aston Villa in the League Cup on 26 September 2007.[27] He was even the transfer loan target of Nottingham Forest,[28] Leeds United[29] and Crewe Alexandra.[30]
Fryatt made a positive start to the 2008–09 season, scoring five goals in four league games, earning him a nomination for League One player of the month for August.[31] By November 2008, then-teammate Paul Dickov told Fryatt he thinks "he might have 20 goals by Christmas."[32] He went on to score 20 goals before Christmas, the first Leicester player since Derek Dougan 42 years earlier to do so.[5] On 29 November, he scored a hat-trick in a 3–2 FA Cup win over Dag & Red,[33] and another against Southend on 6 December.[34] In doing so he became the first Leicester player since Arthur Chandler 83 years earlier to hit hat-tricks in successive matches.[5] Fryatt said he was having the best season of his career with the club on 13 January 2009.[35]
Fryatt's superb form in the first half of the season attracted numerous transfer rumours in January 2009. Initially linked with a move to Crystal Palace,[36] he was also wanted by Derby County and Preston North End.[37] Paul Dickov felt Leicester should do everything possible to keep Fryatt,[38] while chairman Milan Mandarić was hopeful he would commit himself to the club.[39] Although Fryatt refused to comment on his future in November,[40] he signed a new three-and-a-half-year deal on 23 December 2008.[41]
He was awarded the League One player of the month for December on 13 January 2009,[42] and the League One player of the year on 29 March.[43] In February 2009, manager Nigel Pearson said he had total faith in Fryatt and no one, including fans should "doubt his ability."[44] Fryatt went on to score his 30th and 31st goals against Southend on 18 April to secure the club's promotion as champions.[45] He was named in the League One PFA Team of the Year together with teammates Jack Hobbs and Matt Oakley on 26 April 2009.[46] At Leicester's end of season awards evening, Fryatt was voted by his teammates as players' player of the season, however he lost out to Steve Howard in the player of the season award and also to Andy King who won the young player of the year award.[47] He ended the last game of the season by scoring his 32nd goal against Crewe on 2 May.[48]
The BBC Sport remarked on 6 August that Fryatt's "progress in the Championship could also be key to City's chances."[49] He was strongly linked with a move to Hull 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."[50] Fryatt missed much of pre-season due to a hernia operation and leg infection.[51] Nonetheless, he scored three goals in the opening five games of the 2009–10 season, equalling his tally during the club's doomed Championship campaign two seasons ago.[52] Fryatt also helped Leicester to their first league win over Blackpool in 43 years on 12 September, scoring a match-winning double.[53]
During the 2010 January transfer window, West Brom were linked with a £2.5 million bid for Fryatt.[54] Wigan Athletic, whose manager Roberto Martinez was his teammate at Walsall,[55] were believed to have tabled a £3 million bid.[56] On 6 February 2010, Fryatt assisted Dyer's goal against Blackpool in a 2–1 win, helping Leicester to their first away victory at Bloomfield Road in 73 years.[57] On 9 February however, he suffered a broken jaw after colliding with Brian Stock in a 0–0 draw against Doncaster Rovers,[58] and was taken to a hospital in an ambulance.[59] Ruled out for eight weeks,[60] he had undergone surgery at Leicester Royal Infirmary, spending the night there before being transferred to a private hospital.[61] He returned to action as a second-half substitute in a 2–0 win over Middlesbrough on 2 May 2010.[62] He scored his last goal of the season against Cardiff City on 12 May, while Leicester lost the Championship play-off semi-final 4–3 on penalties.[63] Fryatt finished the season as top goalscorer, just ahead of Martyn Waghorn with 13 goals.
He entered contract negotiations with Hull City in December 2010.[64] 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.[65] Fryatt made his debut as a substitute against Portsmouth on 3 January 2011.[66] 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.[67] On 5 February 2011, in the Humber derby against Scunthorpe United, Fryatt scored a hat-trick, his first for Hull and the third of his career.[68] On his 25th Birthday, Fryatt scored his 100th career league goal and his 7th since joing the club in the 1–0 victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.[69] On 16 April, he scored a brace against Doncaster Rovers at the KC Stadium.
He scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season against Ipswich Town at Portman Road on 13 August 2011, resulting in a 1–0 win.[70] On 1 October 2011 against Cardiff City at the KC Stadium, Fryatt exchanged passes with Martin Pusic down the left before carrying the ball into the box, dropping his shoulder to get past a defender and finishing low past David Marshall at the near post.[71] On 22 October 2011 against Watford at the KC Stadium, an error in the Watford box left the ball loose for Fryatt to fire home from close range.[72] On 1 November 2011 against Barnsley at the Oakwell 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.[73] On 19 November 2011 against Derby County at Pride 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 past Frank Fielding.[74] On 26 November 2011 against Burnley at the KC Stadium, Cameron Stewart received the ball tight to the left touchline, beat Kieran Trippier for skill and pace before crossing low for Matty Fryatt to finish from close range at the near post. A break-away started by Paul McKenna, passed through Robert Koren and fed to Fryatt resulted in the striker blasting home his second goal of the game, although Grant in the Burnley goal will surely have been disappointed with his attempts to keep the shot out. [75] On 3 December 2011 against Leicester City at the KC Stadium, Cameron Stewart's persistence allowed him to poke a ball through to Aaron Mclean and although he should have got his shot away sooner, it didn't matter as he was brought down by Leicester captain Matt Mills. The referee pointed to the spot and the defender was promptly sent off. Fryatt stepped up to take the penalty and confidently beat Schmeichel. Matty is also known for parking his white range rover in Disabled spaces around Hull, especially Boots in Kingswood retail park.[76]
Fryatt made his debut for the England U19 team on 9 September 2004 against Republic of Ireland, coming on as a half-time substitute and assisting a goal in a 2–0 win.[77] He went on to star in the 2005 UEFA European Under-19 Football Championship, scoring four goals in five games, including a hat trick against Serbia and Montenegro.[78]
| Season | Club | Division | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other[79] | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| 2003–04 | Walsall | Division One | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | 12 | 1 | |
| 2004–05 | League One | 36 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | 37 | 15 | |
| 2005–06 | 23 | 11 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | ? | ? | 25 | 13 | ||
| 2003–06 | Total | 70 | 27 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4[80] | 1 | 78 | 30 | |
| 2003–04 | Carlisle United | Division Three | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 |
| 2003–04 | Total | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2005–06 | Leicester City | Championship | 19 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | 19 | 6 | |
| 2006–07 | 32 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 34 | 4 | |||
| 2007–08 | 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 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 4 | ||
| 2006–11 | Total | 168 | 51 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 189 | 62 | |
| 2010–11 | Hull City | Championship | 22 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 9 |
| 2011–12 | Championship | 23 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 8 | |
| 2011– | Total | 44 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 47 | 17 | |
| 2003– | Career Total | 293 | 96 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 324 | 110 | |
| Awards and achievements | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Paul Ritchie |
Walsall Player of the Season 2005 |
Succeeded by Anthony Gerrard |
| Preceded by Jorge Leitão |
Walsall Top Goalscorer 2004–05, 2005–06 |
Succeeded by Dean Keates |
| Preceded by Jermaine Beckford |
League One Player of the Year 2009 |
Succeeded by Jermaine Beckford |
| Preceded by Iain Hume |
Leicester City Top Goalscorer 2008–09, 2009–10 |
Succeeded by Andy King |
| Preceded by Richard Stearman |
Leicester City Players' Player of the Season 2009 |
Succeeded by Andy King Jack Hobbs |
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