Matt Kingsley


Matthew Kingsley was a footballer who played as goalkeeper for Darwen, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Queens Park Rangers, Barrow and Rochdale.

Club career

In all, Kingsley made 180 appearances in six First Division seasons at Newcastle United and nine appearances in the FA Cup, which included an infamous cup exit at Southampton in 1900.
Kingsley lost his place to Jimmy Lawrence midway through the 1903–04 season and moved on to West Ham United. Kingsley departed West Ham after kicking former West Ham player Herbert Lyon in a game against Brighton & Hove Albion in March 1905, causing a crowd invasion and a near riot.

International career

In 1901 he became the first player to receive a call-up to the England national team whilst at Newcastle. Kingsley played the full 90 minutes in a 6–0 victory for England against Wales in a British Home Championship at St James' Park on 18 March 1901.