Matthew Dolan (footballer)

Matthew Dolan

Personal information
Full name	Matthew Alexander Dolan [1]
Date of birth	(1993-02-11) 11 February 1993 (age 31) [1]
Place of birth	Hartlepool, [1] England
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) [2]
Position(s)	Midfielder, defender
Team information
Current team	Spennymoor Town
Number	29
Youth career
	Middlesbrough
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2010–2014	Middlesbrough	0	(0)
2013	→ Yeovil Town (loan)	7	(1)
2013–2014	→ Hartlepool United (loan)	19	(2)
2014	→ Bradford City (loan)	11	(0)
2014–2015	Bradford City	13	(0)
2014	→ Hartlepool United (loan)	2	(0)
2015–2017	Yeovil Town	77	(7)
2017–2023	Newport County	175	(14)
2023	→ Hartlepool United (loan)	12	(0)
2023–2024	Hartlepool United	6	(0)
2024–	Spennymoor Town	28	(3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:05, 17 November 2024 (UTC)

Matthew Alexander Dolan (born 11 February 1993) is an English footballer who plays for National League North club Spennymoor Town.

Born in Hartlepool, Dolan started his career with Middlesbrough, signing his first professional contract in July 2010. He had a loan spell with Yeovil Town where he made an appearance in the 2013 Football League One play-off final win. Dolan then had a loan spell with his home town club Hartlepool United and then Bradford City. After leaving Middlesbrough in 2014, he signed permanently with Bradford where he would spend one season. After another loan spell with Hartlepool, he re-joined Yeovil Town. He departed Yeovil in 2017, signing for Newport County. Dolan spent six seasons with Newport, earning the Player of the Year award in his fourth. He also played in two unsuccessful League Two play-off finals for the club. After another loan spell with Hartlepool, he moved there permanently in 2023. He left Hartlepool in 2024, signing for Spennymoor Town.

Career

Middlesbrough

Dolan began his career at Middlesbrough and in July 2010 was awarded a four-year professional contract with the club, and was captain of their U21 side. ^[3]

On 4 January 2013, Dolan joined Football League One side Yeovil Town on a months loan deal, ^[4] and made his debut as a substitute in their Football League Trophy area semi-final defeat against Leyton Orient. ^[5] He played his first League One match for the club in the 2–0 win at Sheffield United. ^[6] Dolan only managed five appearances for Yeovil in his first spell on loan before returning to the Riverside due to injury. ^[7] On 27 March 2013, Dolan unexpectedly returned to Yeovil for a second loan spell this time until the end of the 2012–13 season. ^[8] On 29 March 2013, Dolan made his first appearance of his second loan spell for Yeovil as a second-half substitute in a goalless draw against Walsall. ^[9] On 1 April, he scored his first goal in professional football in the 2–1 away win at Notts County, with a goal scored direct from a free kick. ^[10] Dolan appeared as a second-half substitute in the 2013 League One play-off final as Yeovil beat Brentford 2–1 to secure promotion to the Football League Championship. ^[11] Dolan returned to Middlesbrough having made nine appearances for Yeovil, in all competitions, in a loan spell hampered by injuries.

In August 2013, Dolan joined his home-town team Hartlepool United on a one-month loan deal, linking up with former Middlesbrough coaches Colin Cooper and Craig Hignett. This loan was extended in October. ^[12] Dolan then scored his first goal for the club, in a 3–1 win over AFC Wimbledon on 22 October 2013. ^[13] This was followed up his second came on 26 December 2013, in a 1–1 draw against Chesterfield. ^[14] In January, Dolan returned to Middlesbrough. He made 24 appearances in all competitions for Hartlepool, scoring twice. ^[15]

Under the management of Aitor Karanka, Dolan was the among players to be offload as part of Karanka's reducing the squad size. ^[16] So on 1 September 2014 Dolan agreed to join Bradford City on loan until the end of the season. ^[17]

Bradford City

On 6 May 2014, Dolan agreed to join Bradford City on a one-year contract. ^[18] He moved on loan to Hartlepool United on 27 November 2014. He made only two appearances for Pools when he was recalled to Bradford City due to an injury. ^[19] Dolan struggled for game time with Bradford and made only 13 league appearances and was released at the end of the 2014–15 season.

Yeovil Town

Following his release from Bradford City, Dolan agreed to sign for League Two side Yeovil Town on a two-year deal from 1 July 2015 – the club he had previously played for on loan in 2013. ^[20] On 8 August 2015, Dolan scored on his first game back for the club in a 3–2 defeat against Exeter City. He made headlines in August 2016 after he scored from inside his own half in a 2–1 EFL Cup win against Walsall. ^[21] In his two years with Yeovil, Dolan played 94 times in all competitions and scored eight times. ^[22]

Newport County

On 7 June 2017, Dolan rejected the offer of a new contract from Yeovil to sign for fellow League Two side Newport County on a two-year contract. ^[23] He made his debut for Newport on the opening day of the 2017–18 season, in a 3–3 draw at Stevenage. ^{[24] [25]} On 10 November 2017, Dolan scored his first goal for Newport in the 1–1 draw against Port Vale in League Two. ^{[24] [26]} On 26 January 2019 Dolan scored the equalising goal in the 93rd minute against Championship club Middlesbrough in the FA Cup fourth round 1–1 draw. ^[27] Newport won the replay 2–0 and progressed to the FA Cup fifth round home tie against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. ^[28] Manchester City won the match 4–1. Dolan scored the winning goal in the 2018–19 League Two play-off semi-final penalty shoot-out against Mansfield Town. ^[29] In the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 25 May 2019, Dolan was a 72nd minute substitute as Newport lost to Tranmere Rovers 1–0 after a goal in the 119th minute. ^[30]

In June 2019, Dolan signed a two-year contract extension with Newport County. ^[31] In April 2021, Dolan was named as the 2021 EFL League Two Player in the Community for his "exceptional attitude to County in the Community initiatives". ^[32] Also in April 2021, Dolan extended his Newport contract until the end of the 2022–23 season. ^[33] Dolan played for Newport in the League Two play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 31 May 2021 which Newport lost to Morecambe, 1–0 after a 107th-minute penalty. ^[34] In June 2021 Dolan was selected as the Newport County Player of the Year for the 2020–21 season. ^[35] He was released by Newport at the end of the 2022–23 season. ^[36]

Hartlepool United

On 5 January 2023, Dolan moved on loan to Hartlepool United until the end of the 2022–23 season. ^[37] At the end of the season, he signed for Pools on a permanent basis. ^[38] On 15 February 2024, Dolan left Hartlepool United via mutual consent following the termination of his contract. ^[39]

Spennymoor Town

On 15 February 2024, Dolan signed for National League North club Spennymoor Town. ^[40] As part of his contract, Dolan would also take on a coaching role at the club's academy. ^[40]

He scored his first goal for Spennymoor on the opening day of the 2024–25 season via a free kick from 30 yards in a 3–0 win against Chester. ^[41]

Career statistics

As of match played 16 November 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Middlesbrough	2012–13 [42]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2013–14 [43]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
Yeovil Town (loan)	2012–13 [42]	League One	7	1	0	0	0	0	2 [a]	0	9	1
Hartlepool United (loan)	2013–14 [43]	League Two	19	2	3	0	0	0	2 [b]	0	24	2
Bradford City (loan)	2013–14 [43]	League One	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
Bradford City	2014–15 [44]	League One	13	0	1	0	2	0	1 [b]	0	17	0
Hartlepool United (loan)	2014–15 [44]	League Two	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Yeovil Town	2015–16 [45]	League Two	39	3	3	0	1	0	4 [b]	0	47	3
	2016–17 [46]	League Two	38	4	2	0	2	1	5 [c]	0	47	5
	Total		77	7	5	0	3	1	11	0	96	8
Newport County	2017–18 [24]	League Two	40	3	5	0	2	0	1 [c]	0	48	3
	2018–19 [47]	League Two	32	2	6	1	1	0	3 [d]	0	42	3
	2019–20 [48]	League Two	22	0	3	0	2	0	7 [c]	1	34	1
	2020–21 [49]	League Two	38	6	2	0	3	0	3 [d]	1	46	7
	2021–22 [50]	League Two	33	2	0	0	1	0	2 [c]	0	36	2
	2022–23 [51]	League Two	10	1	1	0	1	0	3 [c]	0	15	1
	Total		175	14	17	1	10	0	19	2	221	17
Hartlepool United (loan)	2022–23 [51]	League Two	12	0	—		—		—		12	0
Hartlepool United	2023–24 [52]	National League	6	0	0	0	—		0	0	6	0
Spennymoor Town	2023–24 [52]	National League North	14	0	—		—		—		14	0
	2024–25 [52]	National League North	14	3	2	0	—		1	0	17	3
	Total		28	3	2	0	0	0	1	0	31	3
Career total			350	27	28	1	15	1	34	2	427	31

1. One appearance in Football League Trophy, one in League One play-offs
2. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
3. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy
4. Appearance(s) in League Two play-offs

Honours

Yeovil Town

• Football League One play-offs: 2013 ^[11]

Individual

• Newport County Player of the Year: 2020–21 ^[53]

References

1. "Matthew Dolan". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 18 May 2019.
2. "First Team – Midfielder – Matthew Dolan". Newport County A.F.C. Retrieved 19 July 2017.
3. "Matthew Dolan". Middlesbrough F.C. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
4. "Matthew Dolan: Yeovil Town sign Middlesbrough defender on loan". BBC Sport. 4 January 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
5. "Leyton Orient 1–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2013.
6. "Sheffield United 0–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
7. "Middlesbrough midfielder Matt Dolan may have played final Yeovil Town game". Western Gazette. 7 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
8. "Matthew Dolan: Yeovil bring back Middlesbrough midfielder". BBC Sport. 28 March 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
9. "Yeovil 0–0 Walsall". BBC Sport. 29 March 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
10. "Notts County 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 1 April 2013. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
11. "Brentford 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 19 May 2013. Retrieved 20 May 2013.
12. "Matthew Dolan: Hartlepool extend loan of Middlesbrough midfielder". BBC Sport. 27 September 2013. Retrieved 23 October 2013.
13. "Hartlepool United 3–1 AFC Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
14. "Chesterfield 1–1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 26 December 2013. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
15. "Dolan Returns To Middlesbrough". Hartlepool United F.C. 9 January 2014. Archived from the original on 1 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
16. "Middlesbrough: Aitor Karanka wants squad size reduced". BBC Sport. 24 January 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
17. "Dolan deal in place". Bradford City A.F.C. 6 February 2014. Archived from the original on 1 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
18. "Dolan signed up". Bradford City A.F.C. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 1 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
19. "Bradford City midfielder returns to Hartlepool on loan". Bradford Telegraph and Argus. 27 November 2014.
20. "Matt Dolan: Yeovil Town sign midfielder". BBC Sport. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
21. "Kenton Richardson named in final England C squad". Sky Sports. 10 August 2016. Retrieved 25 June 2023.
22. "Matt Dolan". Soccerbase.
23. "Matt Dolan: Midfielder joins Newport County on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 7 June 2017. Retrieved 7 June 2017.
24. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
25. "Stevenage 3–3 Newport County". BBC Sport. 5 August 2017. Retrieved 5 August 2017.
26. "Newport County 1–1 Port Vale". BBC Sport. 10 November 2017. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
27. "Late Newport goal forces Boro replay". BBC Sport. 26 January 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
28. Pearlman, Michael (5 February 2019). "Newport shock Boro to set up Man City tie". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
29. "Mansfield Town 0–0 (3–5 pens) Newport County". BBC Sport. 12 May 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
30. Pearlman, Michael (25 May 2019). "Tranmere beat Newport to win promotion". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
31. "Dolan re-signs with Newport County". BBC Sport. 21 June 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
32. "Dolan Player in the community Ward". Newport County AFC. 14 April 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
33. "Dolan extends to 2023". BBC Sport. 30 April 2021. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
34. Michael Pearlman (31 May 2021). "Morecambe beat Newport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
35. Chris Kirwan (19 June 2021). "Matty Dolan and Mickey Demetriou win Newport County awards". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
36. "22/23 Retained List". Newport County AFC. 10 May 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
37. "Dolan signs for Hartlepool". Hartlepool United FC. 5 January 2023. Retrieved 11 March 2023.
38. "Loan players return". Hartlepool United FC. 17 May 2023. Retrieved 19 May 2023.
39. "Matty Dolan departs Pools". Hartlepool United FC. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
40. "Matty Dolan Signs For Spennymoor Town". Spennymoor Town FC. 15 February 2024. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
41. "Report: Moors 3 Chester 0". Spennymoor Town FC. 10 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
42. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
43. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
44. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
45. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 February 2017.
46. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
47. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
48. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
49. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
50. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
51. "Games played by Matthew Dolan in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 2 January 2023.
52. "M. Dolan profile". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
53. "Matty Dolan named Newport County AFC captain for 2021/22 season". newport-county.co.uk. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 2 September 2022.

External links

• Matthew Dolan at Soccerbase
• Matthew Dolan at Soccerway