Matthew Gilks

Matthew Gilks is a goalkeeper, born on 4 June 1982 in Rochdale, England.

Matthew spent last years of his junior career in the academy of local Rochdale and successfully passed all necessary tests to become a senior player in 2000. The coaching staff appraised the footballer’s progress and offered him to pen a professional contract, but did not give the keeper a chance to come on the pitch during his début season, because he had to get accustomed to the new level of performance. Gilks clinched a regular place between the posts rather soon and made 166 appearances for the team from 2000 till 2007.

In 2007, the goalie was invited to more prestigious Norwich City, which meant he had to get his workmanship to the new heights. Matthew decided to accept the challenged and sealed a deal with the club in the summer the same year. However, the footballer failed to take part in any matches for ‘The Canaries’ during his début season and transferred to Blackpool in 2008. Gilks was immediately sent on loan to Shrewsbury Town, where he featured in four games during his spell.

In 2009, the player returned to his parent club and started to perform as a first-choice goalkeeper. Matthew made around 200 ppearances for ‘The Seasiders’ by 2014, when he moved to Burnley.