Matt Elliott had lived a relatively anonymous life as a professional footballer when Martin O’Neill decided to pay £1,6million for his services in early 1997. He made the switch from Oxford United, in the 2nd tier at the time.
His instant presence in the Leicester City team was just the perfect fit really, as he slotted into the center of defense and became somewhat a leading character in the team from day one. His performances was classy and soon Scotland made it clear they wanted him in their set up, not born north, but qualified due to an ancestor.
He is one of few Leicester City players to experience a World Cup as he made the trip to France in 1998, but was never selected to play. He did though play at full international level from 1997 to 2001 and added up 18 caps and scored one goal.
Matt started his career in non-league with Leatherhed and Epson & Ewell, but was surprisingly for himself signed by Charlton Athletic. He played once in the first team at The Valley and never really got the chance, moving down the leagues and signed for Torquay United.
He did well at Torquay and later moved to Scunthorpe and then Oxford, before his time with Leicester. Elliott had to wait a wail before his days in the top flight was secured and in that respect played a major part in the rise under Martin O’Neill.
He did though miss the 1997 League Cup final win, being cup tied and must have been gutted when getting the chance to play in the final again two years later being defeated by Tottenham. But as we all know Leicester with Matt Elliott as captain and the real hero of that 2000 final v. Tranmere banging in both goals in the 2-1 win made it finally certain that also Matt Elliott had won a major trophy in football.
He did play on late into his 30’s and helped Leicester City back to the top flight in 2002-03, but it was clear that he no longer could sustain a certain place in the team, and did make a loan move to Ipswich, before finally hanging up his boots in 2005.
One of the real greats among Leicester City players past and present adding up 245 league games in eight years with the club, scoring 26 goals in all.
Later in life Matt also had his period in football management, being in charge at non-league level and later a period abroad coaching in Thailand. Today Matt is a popular host of official broadcasts at LCFC.com and also been seen as expert reporter for BBC Radio Leicester.
FACTFILE:
- Full Name: Matthew Stephen Elliott
- Position: Defender
- Date of Birth: 01.11.1968
- Birthplace: Wandsworth
- Nation: Scotland
- Caps / Goals: 18/1
- Major League Career:
- 1989-92, Torquay United (124/15)
- 1992-93, Scunthorpe United (61/8)
- 1993-97, Oxford United (148/21)
- 1997-05, Leicester City (245/26)
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