16 Facts About Matthew Gidley

Matthew "Matt" Gidley was born on 1 July 1977 and is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and administrator.

Matthew Gidley is the former CEO of Football Operations at Newcastle.

Gidley had played all his junior football in the five-eighth position, however with Matthew Johns taking up the position in the Knights line up, he slotted in to right centre.

Matthew Gidley was selected for the Australian team to compete in the end of season 1999 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament.

Matthew Gidley played at centre for Newcastle in their 2001 NRL grand final victory against the Parramatta Eels.

Matthew Gidley played at centre and scored a try in Newcastle's loss.

In 2006, Matthew Gidley retired from representative football, aiming to focus on playing well at club level.

Matthew Gidley became only the 4th Newcastle Knight to play more than 200 career games.

Matthew Gidley joined English club St Helens in the Super League as a replacement for Jamie Lyon in 2007 when Lyon returned to Australia with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Matthew Gidley played in the 2007 Challenge Cup Final victory over the Catalans Dragons at Wembley Stadium.

Matthew Gidley was named in the Super League Dream Team for 2008's Super League XIII.

Matthew Gidley played in the 2008 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos.

Matthew Gidley played in the 2009 Super League Grand Final defeat by the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford.

Matthew Gidley then put pen to paper on a one-year contract to keep him at Knowsley Road for 2010.

In 2011, Matthew Gidley returned to the Newcastle Knights as the Business Development Manager before being appointed the CEO of Football Operations in June 2011 by the new owners, Hunter Sports Group.

Matthew Gidley stepped down as CEO on 1 November 2017.