"Just4Keepers has been running successfully now for the past seven years; and over this time period we at J4K have produced more schoolboy goalkeepers than any of our top professional clubs."
Ray Newland - J4K Founder
Mat Greg
Flying the Flag for Dublin Keepers
Mat started playing in goal when he was just seven. Mat said ' Because I was the biggest lad in his class, the teachers threw me in goal.which turned out to be a defining day in my life!'
Mat played consistently in goal and was eventually signed as a schoolboy with Swindon Town, however he was disappointed at sixteen not to be offered an apprenticeship. Mat was resilient and continued to work hard, and while playing for his County team (Gloucestershire) he was spotted by a Torquay United scout and was offered a two-year apprenticeship.
After just a few short months, Mat was given his first team debut as the youngsters player to play for Torquay United, against Wigan Athletic. Mat then signed professionally for Torquay at eighteen, and become their immediate first team keeper, playing all season. In his first season as a professional he played in the play off finals at Wembley Stadium against Colchester United. Even though Torquay got beat 1-0, Mat started getting rave reviews and started to attract the interest of bigger clubs.
The following season ex England manager Terry Venables , signed Mat for Crystal Palace for £400,000. (This is a equivalent to a £1miilion pounds move in today's money)
Mat's most memorable moment in the three years at Crystal palace was playing in the semi final against Liverpool at Anfield in the Coca cola cup.
Then for family reasons Mat decided to move to Ireland to Bray Wanderers where he won player of the year in his first season!!! The following season he moved to league champions (Bohemians) where he stayed for nearly five years playing in the 'Champions League' most memorably against Rosenberg.
Mat has played over 250 professional league and cup games too date and even though he still is only twenty- eight years old, he has decided to play part time football, so he can concentrate on J4K and put all his vast experience to help budding young Irish goalkeepers hopefully emulate his success.
Mat has also worked with fellow premiership/international goalkeepers Dean Keily, Kevin Miller, Kevin Pressman (Now J4K South Yorkshire), Fraser Digby,Stuart Taylor and Goalkeeper coaches Len bond, Malcolm Webster, Dermot O'Neil and Martin Hodge.
Daniel Brennan - Saturday, 29 May 2010, 6:20pm
Hi Mat,I only became a full time keeper for my team this season but I was voted player of the year in my first season!!!!I really like being a keeper and I would love to play in the champo league some day like you. My question is,how did you get scouted?????