Joe Mattock

Leicester City

Mattock was a regular for the Leicester under-18 side (playing alongside the likes of Ashley Chambers, Max Gradel, Andy King and Eric Odhiambo) as well as England U17s. He was part of the U18 squad that won the FA Premier Academy League by beating Sunderland U18s 4–3 on penalties in the 2006–07 season, and was voted Leicester's academy player of the season. He made his senior debut for Leicester in a 2–1 home defeat to Norwich City on 14 April 2007, replacing Gareth McAuley in the 78th minute at left back. He was given the number 30 shirt worn the year before by another promising youngster, James Wesolowski. Mattock went on to start three games against Birmingham City, Preston North End and Barnsley during the close of the 2006–07 season. On 9 November 2007, during the 2007–08 season, Mattock signed a new three-year contract with Leicester. The club rejected a bid from an unnamed Premier League club for Mattock on 14 January 2008 (later revealed to be West Ham United). Following Leicester's relegation in the 2007–08 season, Aston Villa became interested in Mattock and then-teammate Richard Stearman. While Stearman left for Wolves in the July transfer window, Mattock remained at the club for another year. He did, however, hand in a transfer request during pre-season, but was unable to secure a deal with any club. Mattock suffered ligament damage to his left ankle in a 1–0 League Cup win over Stockport County on 12 August 2008. Fortunately, there was no…

After making his first team debut, Mattock was named in the England squad for the U17 Championships in Belgium. On 3 October 2007, Mattock was called up to the England U19 squad for the 2008 European U19 Championship. On 12 November, Mattock was called up to the England U21 squad alongside former clubmate Richard Stearman for the 2009 European U21 Championship qualifiers, making his debut in a 2–0 win over Bulgaria U21 on 16 November. In doing so he became the second youngest player to represent the England U21, behind Theo Walcott. However, he did not make the final squad for the tournament and instead played at the U19 European Championships. He scored his first ever international goal in the group stage and helped England to the final where they lost out to the hosts, Ukraine.

As of match played 18 February 2025

Mattock grew up in the Eyres Monsell area of Leicester. On 2 September 2009, he was charged with assaulting four people in the Churchgate area of Leicester. In July 2011, Mattock pleaded guilty to a charge of affray and on 23 October 2011 he was sentenced to ten months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work and pay £1,500 costs.