Matthew Pennington
Matthew Pennington (born 6 October 1994) is an English professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Blackpool. He has also played for Everton and Shrewsbury Town, with loan spells at Tranmere Rovers, Coventry City, Walsall, Leeds United, Ipswich Town and Hull City.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Matthew Pennington[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 6 October 1994 | ||
| Place of birth | Warrington, England | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Blackpool | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2005–2013 | Everton | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2013–2021 | Everton | 7 | (1) |
| 2014 | → Tranmere Rovers (loan) | 17 | (2) |
| 2014–2015 | → Coventry City (loan) | 24 | (0) |
| 2016 | → Walsall (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2017–2018 | → Leeds United (loan) | 24 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | → Ipswich Town (loan) | 30 | (1) |
| 2019–2020 | → Hull City (loan) | 14 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | → Shrewsbury Town (loan) | 19 | (2) |
| 2021–2023 | Shrewsbury Town | 82 | (7) |
| 2023– | Blackpool | 21 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2013 | England U19 | 1 | (0) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18:53, 14 February 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14:48, 1 April 2019 (UTC) | |||
He has also represented the England national under-19 football team at international level.
Club career
Everton
Pennington joined Everton at the age of 11. In July 2013, he signed a new contract which would keep him at the club until the summer of 2015,[3] followed by a three-year deal taking him to 2018.[4] He played in two friendlies during July 2015, against Dundee and Leeds United, and made his full debut against Barnsley in the League Cup on 26 August 2015.[5]
Tranmere Rovers (loan)
On 2 January 2014, Pennington joined League One side Tranmere Rovers on a one-month loan deal.[6] He made his debut on 4 January 2014, playing ninety minutes in a 1–1 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.[7] On 25 January 2014, he scored his first senior goal in a 1–0 win over Crewe Alexandra.[8] He was recalled by Everton on 22 February 2014 to strengthen their under-21 squad.[9] On 27 March 2014, he re-joined Tranmere on loan until the end of the season.[10]
Coventry City (loan)
On 27 November 2014, Pennington joined Coventry City on loan until 4 January,[11] and this was subsequently extended to 7 February.[12] In January 2015, he was voted as the club's Player of the Month in a poll conducted by the Coventry Telegraph.[13] On 7 February 2015, his loan was extended to the end of the season, with Pennington from then on being played more consistently at his more natural centre-back position.[14] Pennington was named as Coventry City Young Player of the Year 2014–15, voted for unanimously by Coventry City manager Tony Mowbray and his coaching staff.[15][16]
Return to Everton
On 21 April 2016, having played five games for Walsall, his loan was terminated at the minimum 28-day point due to a defensive crisis at his parent club.[18] He was recalled to be available for Everton's FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United. After picking up a hamstring injury in the final day of the Premier League 2015–16 season on 15 May 2016 in a 3–0 victory against Norwich City,[19] a recurrence of the injury in pre-season required surgery and ruled Pennington out until January 2017.[20]
After returning from injury, his first goal came on 1 April 2017, in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool, levelling the game at 1–1, in an eventual 3–1 loss.[21]
Leeds United (loan)
On 19 July 2017, Pennington joined Leeds United on a season-long loan,[22][23] for a reported loan fee of £500,000.[24] On 6 August 2017, Pennington made his Leeds United debut in a 3–2 victory against Bolton Wanderers. He picked up an ankle injury in the match and had to be replaced by fellow debutant Conor Shaughnessy in the second half.[25] He was unavailable until the latter half of September, when he returned to the bench.[26] In October, Pennington returned intermittently to the starting eleven.[27]
After 24 appearances, on 18 May 2018, Leeds announced Pennington would be returning to his parent club upon the expiry of his loan.[28]
Return to Everton
He returned to Everton to play in the 2018–19 pre season under their new manager Marco Silva, and on 11 May 2018 Pennington signed a new long-term contract at the club, keeping him there until the end of the 2021 season.[29]
Ipswich Town (loan)
On 31 August 2018, Pennington joined Ipswich Town on loan until the end of the season.[30] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw against Birmingham City on 29 September 2018; he was sent off in the match.[31]
Hull City (loan)
On 8 August 2019, Pennington joined Hull City on loan for the 2019–20 season.[32] He made his first appearance for the club in the first round of the EFL Cup in a 3–0 win at Tranmere Rovers.[33]
Shrewsbury Town (loan)
On 31 December 2020, Pennington joined League One side Shrewsbury Town on loan until the end of the 2020–21 season.[34] On 24 April, he scored his first goal for the. club in the 53rd minute during a 1-0 win at Blackpool.
Shrewsbury Town
On 27 May 2021, Pennington signed for Shrewsbury Town on a permanent deal following his release from Everton.[35]
Blackpool
After rejecting the offer of a new contract with Shrewsbury, Pennington agreed to join Blackpool on 1 July 2023.[36]
International career
Pennington made his debut for England U19s on 21 March 2013, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute in a 1–0 win over Turkey.[37]
Career statistics
- As of match played 13 February 2024
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Everton | 2013–14[38] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| 2014–15[39] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015–16[40] | Premier League | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17[41] | Premier League | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 3 | 1 | ||
| 2017–18[27] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2018–19[42] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2019–20[43] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2020–21[44] | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | ||
| Tranmere Rovers (loan) | 2013–14[38] | League One | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 2 |
| Coventry City (loan) | 2014–15[39] | League One | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[lower-alpha 1] | 0 | 25 | 0 |
| Walsall (loan) | 2015–16[40] | League One | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Leeds United (loan) | 2017–18[27] | Championship | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | |
| Ipswich Town (loan) | 2018–19[42] | Championship | 30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 31 | 1 | |
| Hull City (loan) | 2019–20[43] | Championship | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 16 | 0 | |
| Shrewsbury Town (loan) | 2020–21[44] | League One | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 2 |
| Shrewsbury Town | 2021–22[45] | League One | 45 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 51 | 3 |
| 2022–23[46] | League One | 37 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 6 | |
| Total | 101 | 9 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 113 | 11 | ||
| Blackpool | 2023–24 | League One | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[lower-alpha 2] | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| Career total | 243 | 14 | 8 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 264 | 16 | ||
- Appearance in Football League Trophy
- Appearances in EFL Trophy
References
- "Premier League clubs publish 2019/20 retained lists". Premier League. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
- "Matthew Pennington: Overview". Premier League. Premier League. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
- "So Close..." Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 16 June 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2014.
- "Matthew Pens New Deal". Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
- "Martinez Praises Debutant Pennington". Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 31 July 2016. Retrieved 28 August 2015.
- "Tranmere Rovers: Liam Ridehalgh rejoins ahead of permanent deal". BBC Sport.
- "Tranmere Rovers vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers – 1 January 2014". Soccerway.
- "Tranmere Rovers vs. Crewe Alexandra – 25 January 2014". Soccerway.
- "Latest Sky Bet League 1 News". The Football League. Archived from the original on 16 March 2014. Retrieved 16 March 2014.
- "So Close..." Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
- "Pennington Loaned To Coventry". Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 27 November 2014.
- "Matty Pennington: Everton defender extends Coventry loan". BBC Sport.
- Aidan McCartney (9 January 2015). "Everton loan star Matthew Pennington is YOUR Coventry City Telegraph Player of the Month". Coventry Telegraph.
- "Matthew Pennington: Coventry City extend defender's loan deal". BBC Sport.
- Kieran Crowley. "Matthew Pennington voted as the Coventry City 2014/15 Young Player of the Year". Coventry City F.C.
- "Pennington picks up Sky Blues award". Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 May 2015.
- "Pennington loaned to Walsall". Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- "Everton recall Matthew Pennington". Everton F.C.
- Johnstone, Neil (15 May 2016). "Everton 3 Norwich 0". Everton F.C. Retrieved 15 May 2016.
- Urbani, Rob (8 January 2017). "Pennington on comeback trail". Everton F.C. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2017.
- Sanghera, Mandeep (1 April 2017). "Liverpool 3–1 Everton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
Jagielka flicked on a corner at the near post and, after Ashley Williams got a touch, Matthew Pennington arrived to slot in his first Everton goal on his first appearance of the season.
- "Everton Defender Joins on Loan". Leeds United F.C. 19 July 2017.
- Pennington joins Leeds on loan, Everton F.C., 19 July 2017
- Barton, Joey (4 September 2017). "Monday, September 4, 2017". The Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. talkSPORT. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
- "REPORT: BOLTON WANDERERS 2–3 LEEDS UNITED". Leeds United F.C. 6 August 2017.
- "Leeds United news: Pennington and Cooper set to return v Ipswich". Football Insider. 18 September 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
- "Games played by Matthew Pennington in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- "LEEDS UNITED 2018/19 RETAINED LIST". Yorkshire Evening Post. 18 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- "Matthew Pennington signs new contract at Everton until 2021". BBC Sport. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
- "Pennington joins Ipswich on loan". Everton F.C.
- "Birmingham 2–2 Ipswich Town". BBC Sport. 29 September 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
- "Pennington Pens Loan Deal". Hull City A.F.C. 8 August 2019. Retrieved 8 August 2019.
- "Tranmere Rovers 0–3 Hull City". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 August 2019. Retrieved 13 August 2019.
- "Shrewsbury Town sign Everton's Matthew Pennington and Blackburn's Harry Chapman on loan". BBC Sport. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- "Pennington pens permanent deal in Shropshire". Shrewsbury Town FC. 27 May 2021.
- "Blackpool sign Shrewsbury defender Pennington". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
- "TheFA.com – Report: England U19s 1–0 Turkey U19s". The Football Association.
- "Games played by Matthew Pennington in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- "Games played by Matthew Pennington in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- "Games played by Matthew Pennington in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- "Games played by Matthew Pennington in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- "Games played by Matthew Pennington in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 20 June 2018.
- "Games played by Matthew Pennington in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 31 December 2020.
- "Games played by Matthew Pennington in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- "Games played by Matthew Pennington in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- "Games played by Matthew Pennington in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
External links
- Profile at the Everton F.C. website
- Matthew Pennington at Soccerbase