Matt Gilks  

Blackpool F.C. Goalkeeper

Matt has been involved with Mick since a serious injury late 2010.  Training Matt during his rehab Mick has played a major part on his journey back to full fitness. In July 2012 Matt reached the level of fitness needed to rejoin the Blackpool Football Club First Team for preseason training for the start of the 2012-2013 season. 

"Just done my last session with Mick Clegg before I go back to work Monday and would like to say huge thank you for getting me ready for preseason and indeed the season ahead." Matt Gilks

Club History

2007 - 2008 Norwich

2011/12 English League Championship

SAVES  214

CLEAN SHEETS  13

Matthew Gilks  was born in Rochdale born on 4 June 1982. Matt joined his hometown club Rochdale A.F.C. at 13. In March 2000 he was promoted, and eventually joined the first team, becoming a regular in the team. By the time he was 24 he he had become the longest-serving player at Rochdale making a total of 198 appearances for the club in league and cup competitions.

When his contract with Rochdale expired in July 2007 he moved on a free transfer to Norwich City, signing a two-year contract with Championship club. He spent most of the 2007-2008 season on the bench, and receiving a ligament injury in November 2007 (twisting his ankle in training) things didn't look good for the promising goalkeeper. 

Without making an appearance for the team, in the summer of 2008 Matt transferred to another Championship club, Blackpool. On 12 August 2008 he finally made a debut first team appearance against Macclesfield Town which ended in a 2–0 League Cup defeat.

Still struggling to break into the first team squad, on 21 November he signed for League Two club Shrewsbury Town on a month's loan due to an injury crisis at the club. He made 3 appearances for the club, his final appearance a 1–0 defeat to Grimsby Town on 13 December. He then returned to Blackpool. 

 Matt's break finally came when Simon Grayson, Blackpool manager eft the club in late December 2008, and was replaced by caretaker manager Tony Parkes. Matt was suddenly placed on the bench as a substitute. Although unused at first, finally on 31 January 2009 he made his league debut for Blackpool. Paul Rachubka was sent off three minutes into the match against Crystal Palace and went on to a 1-0 win.

Starting the 2009 season he made his first League Cup appearance on 22 September 2009 saving a penalty kick in the 4–3 defeat to Stoke City. On 17 October 2009 he made his first league start in the 2–0 win over Plymouth Argyle. Keeping three consecutive "clean sheets" following his performance in Blackpool's 0-0 draw with Swansea City on 24 October, Matt was named in The Championship "Team of the Week". He went on to save a penalty kick in the 2–0 home win over Middlesbrough on 16 February 2010.

He was named Man of the Match on 6 March 2010 after a 1–0 home win over Ipswich Town which was his 200th career Football League appearance. He was also named again in The Championship "Team of the Week", after keeping four clean sheet in five games. It was an incredible achievement for for the club

On 22 May 2010 Blackpool was promoted to the Premiership League after a hard fought game at Wembley against a strong Cardiff side. Even though Cardiff were the favourite, Blackpool ended up winning  3-2 and the club went up to the Premiership for the first time in 40 years, a fantastic achievement for the Lancashire club.

During the November 2010 match against West Ham United Matt suffered a knee cap injury that kept him out of the remaining 2010–11 campaign on rehabilitation.

Finally on 16 April 2011 he made his return to the first team , in a home defeat to Wigan Athletic. It was unfortunate that at the end of the 2011 season Blackpool was relegated from the Premier League back the Championship but Matt decided to stay with the club and in July 2012 he signed a new two-year contract with the club.

In 2010 CRAIG Levein, the national team manager, confirmed the Blackpool goalkeeper was under consideration for a call-up for the Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Gilks qualifies to represent Scotland through his Scottish grandmother, from Perth, and has been on the radar of Levein and the Scotland goalkeeping coach, Jim Stewart, since the previous season. At the time Levein said about Matt - “He is one we became aware of a while ago and have kept track of his progress,” “Obviously he was a key figure in Blackpool’s promotion to the Barclays Premier League and while I will not name my squad until tomorrow, he is one I think we need to take a closer look at." “He comes highly recommended, is playing regularly for his club and the next logical step is for our goalkeeping coach to work closely with him".

On the 24th August 2010 Matt finally received the international call-up he was waiting for and was proud to join the Scotland Team for the UEFA Euro 2012 Qualifiers.

Matt Gilks Wins Five Awards

Matt told the official website. "It was definitely unexpected, nobody would have thought this four years ago when I joined the club. I thought everything and everyone was against me but we've got a manager that showed some faith in me. I knew I always had the ability but he gave me my chance and I'll be eternally grateful for that. I seem to be getting better as I get older and that's down to George Wood as well. What he's brought to my game this year nobody else has done. The awards I've won are partly down to him."

Manager Ian Holloway and goalkeeping coach George Wood both came in for praise as Gilks capped off his career transformation at Blackpool.

Find out about Matt's Rehab >>> HERE <<<

Matt Gilks being put through a routine with personal trainer Steven Clegg

Matt halfway through a typical "Mick Clegg" training session

Matt Gilks during a typical workout at OSG under the watchful eye of his trainer Mick Clegg

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Mon 09 Jul 2012 - PLAYERS REPORT BACK FOR PRE-SEASON
The tape measure, scales and weights were in full use at Squires Gate this morning as the Blackpool FC first-team squad reported back for pre-season.

The likes of Matt Gilks, Ian Evatt, Tom Ince and Matt Phillips joined first-year professionals Curtis Thompson, Jamie Menagh and Matt Challoner in returning for training ahead of the new season, with manager Ian Holloway assembling his squad for a meeting before the real fitness work started.

SHIRT NUMBERS ANNOUNCED - Numbers:

1. Matt Gilks

End of 2012-2013 Season update

Options Taken On 12 Contracts

Blackpool Football Club have announced their retained list for the 2013/14 season, with options taken on the contracts of 12 players.

Options have been taken to extend the contracts of: including -  Matt Gilks,

Keep up with Matt on his FB page.

Matt was featured in the November 2011 edition of Goalkeeper magazine. He also featured in a video special which is available to view alongside here.

Catch the Matt Gilks Goalkeeper Magazine Video Interview >>> HERE <<<

©MickClegg2012