Matthew Ketchell
A former goalkeeper, Ketch joined FourFourTwo as Deputy Editor in 2022 having worked across ChronicleLive, LeedsLive, Hull Daily Mail, YorkshireLive, Teesside Gazette and the Huddersfield Examiner as a Northern Football Editor. Prior to that he was the Senior Writer at BBC Match of the Day magazine. He has interviewed the likes of Harry Kane, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gareth Southgate and attended two World Cup finals and two Champions League finals. He has been a Newcastle United season ticket holder since 2000 and has a deep knowledge on the history and culture of football shirts.
Latest articles by Matthew Ketchell

‘What the f*** have you stopped for!?’ Alan Shearer on one of the biggest sliding door moments in the history of English football
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Former England captain Alan Shearer admits he’s watched the Gazza-Germany Euro 96 chance back a million times

Alan Shearer breaks silence on the Paul Gascoigne Euro 96 aeroplane ‘slap’ that inadvertently galvanised Terry Venables’ England squad
By Matthew Ketchell published
Exclusive After 28 years Alan Shearer was asked about a prank that could have been a catalyst for England’s performances at Euro 96

UEFA Euro 2024: Dates, fixtures, stadiums, tickets and everything you need to know
By Matthew Ketchell, Mark White, Ryan Dabbs last updated
Euro 2024 Join FourFourTwo's Euro 2024 coverage, as we bring you information and up-to-date news from the tournament

‘That was never happening’ Harry Kane’s cheeky touchline request that made Gareth Southgate smile as England dispatched Bosnia in their penultimate Euro 2024 friendly
By Matthew Ketchell published
England’s 3-0 victory was secured without any injury scares, but Southgate has a job on his hands to keep everyone happy

Alan Shearer on England’s Euro 2024 ‘X-Factor’ that will have ‘massive impact’ on their chances in Germany
By Matthew Ketchell published
England head to Germany with numerous world-class players in form, but Alan Shearer explains why one in particular could be the difference maker

FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup could actually be brilliant next summer - but they’ve made one huge mistake
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION At the end of last year FIFA announced a major 32-team revamp of their club tournament and, of course, there are controversies

Incredible piece of football memorabilia, with an amazing backstory, set for auction and expected to fetch thousands
By Matthew Ketchell published
Newcastle United goalkeeper William Bradley’s 100-year-old FA Cup-winning medal and commemorative pocket watch will soon be available to buy

Why are Newcastle United’s local heroes are often ‘held to a higher standard’ by certain sections of their fan base
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION They say you hurt the ones you love the most. At Newcastle United this rings true at times

Keep FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley to protect a historic football pilgrimage (and annoy fans of the big clubs)
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION FourFourTwo's Deputy Editor watched his club win non-Wembley semi-finals in the 90s, but wants the fixtures to remain at the national stadium

Searching for Rob and Ryan at Wrexham’s League Two promotion party
By Matthew Ketchell published
ON THE GROUND The famous Welsh club with Hollywood owners secured a second successive promotion and FourFourTwo were there for the party

Sean Longstaff scored in the Champions League vs PSG at home, then watched the away fixture in a local pub next to his old school
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Injury ruled the midfielder out of a crunch European game for Newcastle in Paris, but he didn’t want to just sit his house and watch alone

Rangers vs Celtic: 24 hours in Glasgow ticking the Old Firm off my football bucket list
By Matthew Ketchell published
ON THE GROUND With the Old Firm being one of the most famous derbies in world football, and Ibrox being an iconic stadium, this was a long sought-after game and ground tick

Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals precise moment he realised his move into Liverpool’s midfield was working
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE The full-back’s transition into the middle of the pitch exactly a year ago has become one of the most debated tactical adjustments of Jurgen Klopp’s managerial career

Revealed: Sean Longstaff’s parting message to Dan Ashworth regarding his future after Newcastle United
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE His dad was a British ice hockey legend, his brother is already in Canada and Sean Longstaff has his eyes on a Major League Soccer stint before he hangs up his boots

Trent Alexander-Arnold still baffled by Jurgen Klopp's timing, and admits it's too early for him to rehearse the 'Hendo shuffle'
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Trent Alexander-Arnold has spoken about the moment he was named Liverpool vice-captain by Jurgen Klopp and his new ambitions for the future

Sean Longstaff was once linked with a £50 million move to Manchester United, five years on he tells FourFourTwo ‘I’m happy it didn’t happen’
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE His younger brother Matty famously scored against Manchester United (twice) but it was Sean they wanted. However, a huge price tag meant the move didn’t happen

Trent Alexander-Arnold injury latest as he admits ‘Brighton are a nightmare to try and stop’
By Matthew Ketchell last updated
EXCLUSIVE Liverpool’s hybrid full-back-midfielder has been on the sidelines for the best part of two months

Where are England’s world-class goalkeepers? Analysing the past, present and future between the sticks for the Three Lions
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION No English goalkeeper has been close to the world-class category in ten years with James Trafford the latest hope as Jordan Pickford hits his ceiling

‘For England I’m a midfielder’: Trent Alexander-Arnold states his position amid Gareth Southgate ‘frustration’ comment
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Liverpool star exclusively tells FourFourTwo he is focused on earning a starting berth in the middle of the pitch at Euro 2024

An Independent Football Regulator is supporters’ ‘Bosman Rule’ moment and will change the sport’s landscape forever
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION Football clubs are cultural touchpoints for their communities and heritage that needs protecting, time will tell if the passing of a football governance bill will be a good thing for English football, here's why I believe it will

The coach, the man-manager, the sheep herder: Sean Longstaff describes what it’s like playing under Benitez, Bruce and Howe
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Sean Longstaff has been managed by Rafa Benitez, Steve Bruce and now Eddie Howe. We asked him to explain the nuances of each

“I’ll never throw my toys out the pram” Trent Alexander-Arnold opens up about his England selection situation in an exclusive interview
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Liverpool and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold's talent isn't necessarily reflected in the number of international caps to his name, but he isn't giving up

Newcastle United star Sean Longstaff: “You think it’s always going to be rosy, but it’s not like that,” as midfielder opens up about his struggles with mental health
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE In 2020 Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff broke down in front of his father and was put in contact with a professional. He tells FourFourTwo how it changed his life

England squad announcement: Gareth Southgate got a lot right picking one of the most difficult squads of his tenure but there was one HUGE opportunity missed
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION Injury and lack of depth in midfield has left the England squad looking a little unbalanced going into two testing friendly fixtures, but there was one big trick missed by the manager
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