Matthew Anthony Briggs was born on 6 March 1991 and is an English-born Guyanese professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Gosport Borough and captains the Guyana national football team.
39 Facts About Matthew Briggs
2.
Matthew Briggs made his first-team debut in May 2007, becoming the youngest player to play in the Premier League, aged 16 years and 68 days.
3.
Matthew Briggs made 13 league appearances over eight years with the club, and 30 in all competitions.
4.
Matthew Briggs had loan spells with a number of Football League clubs, including Leyton Orient, Peterborough United, Bristol City and Watford.
5.
Matthew Briggs was released by Fulham in 2014, and he joined Championship side Millwall.
6.
Matthew Briggs was released by Millwall at the end of that season, joining Colchester United on a permanent basis where he remained until May 2017, playing 47 games.
7.
Eligible to represent both England and Guyana, Matthew Briggs has represented England at under-16, under-17, under-19, under-20 and under-21 levels, and has represented Guyana at full international level.
8.
Able to play at left-back or the left of midfield, Matthew Briggs became a regular in the under-18 side despite still being registered with the under-16s, having put in some impressive performances in his age group.
9.
Matthew Briggs featured at reserve level before being called up to Lawrie Sanchez's first-team for a trip to Middlesbrough in May 2007.
10.
Matthew Briggs held the record for 12 years, until Harvey Elliott made an appearance, for Fulham.
11.
Matthew Briggs returned to school the next day to take his GCSE exams.
12.
On 16 January 2010, Matthew Briggs signed for League One club Leyton Orient in a one-month loan deal that would run until 13 February.
13.
Matthew Briggs played for 58 minutes before being replaced by Stephen Kelly.
14.
Matthew Briggs played five games during his one-month spell at London Road.
15.
On his return to Fulham, Matthew Briggs was told by Jol that he would have to wait his chance in the first-team owing to the form of regular left-back John Arne Riise.
16.
Matthew Briggs made nine appearances for Watford during his loan stay.
17.
Matthew Briggs joined Championship club Millwall on trial in July 2014.
18.
Matthew Briggs featured in a friendly against Dartford as manager Ian Holloway decided whether to make a move for the player.
19.
Matthew Briggs initially rejected the contract offered by Millwall, instead holding talks with Blackpool over a move.
20.
Matthew Briggs decided against joining Blackpool, and instead signed a one-year deal with Millwall on 1 August 2014.
21.
Matthew Briggs revealed that his agent had spoken to Blackburn Rovers and received a contract offer from Huddersfield Town after spending a few days with the club.
22.
Matthew Briggs added that his decision was swayed because he "wanted to stay in London as my friends and family are here".
23.
Matthew Briggs made his debut on 12 August 2014 at The Den in a League Cup match against Wycombe Wanderers.
24.
On 22 January 2015, Matthew Briggs joined League One club Colchester United on loan until the end of the season.
25.
Matthew Briggs made 18 appearances for the U's in the closing stages of the season as he helped the club remain in League One for another season, fending off relegation with a final day victory over promotion hopefuls Preston North End.
26.
Matthew Briggs finished his first full season with the club with 32 first-team appearances to his name.
27.
Matthew Briggs joined EFL League Two side Chesterfield in August 2017 on a short-term contract.
28.
Matthew Briggs commuted between Colchester and Chesterfield every day, a 10-hour round trip, while he was caring for his ill partner.
29.
Matthew Briggs joined Barnet on 10 March 2018 on a non-contract basis.
30.
Matthew Briggs made one appearance, at home to Port Vale, but following the departure of Graham Westley new manager Martin Allen announced that Briggs had departed the club as there was not enough room for him due to the size of the squad.
31.
Matthew Briggs won the Player of the Year award in his first season.
32.
Matthew Briggs was one of the profiles for the club in the first half season.
33.
On 10 September 2020, Matthew Briggs returned to Denmark and signed with newly promoted Danish Superliga club Vejle Boldklub after a trial, on a deal until the summer 2022.
34.
On 23 July 2021, Matthew Briggs returned to England to join Southern League Premier Division South side Gosport Borough.
35.
Matthew Briggs is eligible to play for both England and Guyana.
36.
Matthew Briggs was a key member of England's squad that reached the tournament final in Donetsk, Ukraine in 2009.
37.
Matthew Briggs was a late addition to the squad, having to fly back from Fulham's pre-season tour of Australia to link up with his teammates in Ukraine.
38.
In September 2009, Matthew Briggs travelled with the under-20 team for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Egypt.
39.
Matthew Briggs was called up by the Guyana national team in March 2015 ahead of their friendlies against Saint Lucia and Grenada.