Matthew Bloomer
 Bloomer playing for Harrogate in 2010. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Brian Bloomer | ||
| Date of birth | 3 November 1978 | ||
| Place of birth | Grimsby, England | ||
| Height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Harrogate Town | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1993–1997 | Grimsby Town | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1997–2001 | Grimsby Town | 12 | (0) |
| 2001–2003 | Hull City | 3 | (0) |
| 2002 | → Lincoln City (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2002 | → Telford United (loan) | 13 | (0) |
| 2003–2006 | Lincoln City | 89 | (3) |
| 2006 | → Grimsby Town (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2006 | → Cambridge United (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| 2006–2007 | Cambridge United | 17 | (0) |
| 2007 | Grimsby Town | 9 | (0) |
| 2007–2009 | Boston United | 40 | (0) |
| 2009– | Harrogate Town | 143 | (2) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 May 2013. † Appearances (Goals). | |||
Matthew Brian "Matt" Bloomer (born 3 November 1978 in Grimsby) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender in the Conference North for Harrogate Town.
Bloomer notably had three separate spells with his home town club Grimsby Town, having also played for Hull City, Lincoln City, Telford United, Cambridge United and Boston United.
Career
Grimsby Town
Bloomer started his career as a trainee with his home town club of Grimsby Town, but failed to make an impact, starting only three games in his four years under contract. He was brought up in a youth team that consisted the likes of Jack Lester, John Oster and Daryl Clare, and under the stewardship of long serving manager Alan Buckley. Unfortunately Bloomer was released by the clubs new manager Lennie Lawrence at the end of the 2000–01 campaign.
Hull City
Upon his release from Blundell Park, Bloomer dropped down two league's to sign for Hull City, where he also struggled, making just three appearances in the league in two years, all of them off the bench. In 2002, Alan Buckley’s Lincoln City, who were facing relegation from Division Three signed Bloomer on a month-long loan. He turned in a series of impressive displays at centre back which helped keep Lincoln in the Football League.
Lincoln City
The following season, Keith Alexander succeeded Alan Buckley as manager, and brought Bloomer in on a permanent deal. After signing permanently for Lincoln he was mainly a bit-part player, but nonetheless made nearly a century of appearances for the club. During the 2004–2005 season, he earned himself a starting place at right-back, replacing veteran Dean West. Bloomer was given his chance to start ahead of West for the League Cup first round match against Derby County. Lincoln won 3–1, Bloomer’s performance was highly praised, and he went onto make a number of solid performances. He lost his starting place following an ill-fated first half against Wycombe Wanderers in early 2005. Bloomer moved from right back to central defensive position held by captain Paul Morgan, who was out with an injury, Wycombe scored three goals in the first 45 minutes, all from Nathan Tyson. He did not start again all season, with both Lee Beevers and Gareth McAuley playing in his position for the rest of the year, however, he did play as a striker in the play-off final in Cardiff, where Lincoln lost 2–0 after extra-time to Southend United. During the 2005–06 season, Bloomer found himself on the fringes of the Lincoln squad, and had spells on loan at former club Grimsby Town and Conference side Cambridge United.
Cambridge United
Bloomer signed for Cambridge permanently in July 2006, and made 18 first team appearances. However he only had a short lived spell at the struggling Conference club, and he had his contract cancelled on 31 January 2007.
Return to Grimsby Town
Following his release from Cambridge, Alan Buckley tempted Bloomer into returning to his home town and he rejoined Grimsby Town until the end of the 2006–07 season. After playing only a cameo role in the end of the club's season, Buckley released Bloomer four months later.
Boston United
He went on trial with York City at the end of the 2006–07 season following his release by Grimsby,[1] but York confirmed they would not be offering Bloomer a contract after did not turn up to training, and had also gone to play for Halifax Town for a pre-season friendly.[2] However, he eventually signed for Conference North side Boston United. Despite Boston's financial trouble, Bloomer stayed on even though the club were demoted two years in a row for financial irregularities.[3] Despite being offered a new but reduced contract for the 2009–10 season, Bloomer was eventually released by Boston on 1 June 2009.
Harrogate Town
Less than two weeks after his release from Boston United, Bloomer agreed to join Harrogate Town,[4] who were managed by his former Lincoln City team-mate Simon Weaver. Despite finishing bottom of the Conference North with Harrogate Town, Bloomer managed to make a total of 44 appearances.
Personal life
Bloomer is a third generation professional footballer. His father, Brian played in the Football League for Scunthorpe United while Brian's father, Jimmy played for Grimsby Town as well as Matt's old club Boston United. Matt's uncle, Jimmy Bloomer Jr also played for Grimsby Town.
Honours
Grimsby Town
- Second Division play-off winner: 1997–98
- Football League Trophy winner: 1997–98
Lincoln City
- Third Division play-off runner up: 2002–03
- Football League Two play-off runner up: 2004–05
References
- ↑ "York and Leeds draw". Confguide. 14 July 2007. Archived from the original on 6 August 2007. Retrieved 14 July 2007.
- ↑ "Billy’s blast for no-show trialist". The Press. 21 July 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2007.
- ↑ "Boston sign ex-Mariners defender". BBC Sport. 27 July 2007. Retrieved 27 July 2007.
- ↑ "Ex-Imp Joins Weaver's Harrogate Town". The Forgotten Imp. 15 June 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
External links
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