Education
With Oldham he finished second in the Second Division in 1909-1910 and then second in the First Division in 1914-1915.
With Oldham he finished second in the Second Division in 1909-1910 and then second in the First Division in 1914-1915.
Matthews played for local sides Oldbury Saint John"s and Langley Saint Michael"s, before joining Burslem Portuguese Vale as an amateur in May 1906. He was released from the Athletic Ground at the end of the 1906-1907 season when the club suffered a financial crisis. He moved on to Burton United, who themselves resigned from the Football League at the end of the 1906-1907 season.
He then signed with Oldham Athletic.
The "Latics" finished third in the Second Division in 1907-1908, and then finished sixth in 1908-1909 before securing promotion with a second-place finish in 1909-1910. Oldham then posted a seventh-place finish in the First Division in 1910-1911, before finishing 18th in 1911-1912, ninth in 1912-1913, fourth in 1913-1914, and second in 1914-1915 – one point behind champions Everton.
He returned to Boundary Park after the conclusion of World World War II, as the club finished 17th in 1919-1920, 19th in 1920-1921 and 1921-1922, before being relegated in last place in 1922-1923. Athletic finished seventh in the Second Division in 1923-1924, 18th in 1924-1925, and then seventh again in 1925-1926.
However he was seriously injured from a kick to the back by South Shields winger Alex Trotter in a 3–3 draw on 5 February.
He then lost his first team place to Alf Bennett, and made 16 league and cup appearances in the 1927-1928 season. He was given a free transfer away from The Old Recreation Ground in May 1928 and despite being in his 40"s managed to go on play for Halifax Town. The "Shaymen" finished 13th in Third Division North, before dropping into the re-election zone in 1929-1930.
He later played for Chester and Oswestry Town. with Oldham Athletic.