Career
Since 1957 Matthews worked as an electrician at a local power plant at Hams Hall near Sutton Coldfield and had to take a paid leave for competitions. He took part in the 1960 Olympics, but failed to finish the 20 km race. Following a public outcry, he was belatedly awarded an Administration Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1978.
In 2011, he was inducted into the England Athletics Hall of Fame.