Leicester City In 100 Players: Matt Elliott
The series continues with Scotland international centre-back Matt Elliott. After joining Leicester City for a Club record fee in January 1997, he became a vital and inspirational player and captain in the Martin O’Neill era.
On 16 January, 1997, Leicester City broke their Club transfer record by paying £1.6M to Oxford United for central defender Matt Elliott.
Matt went on to make nearly 300 appearances for the Foxes. Throughout his time at the Club, playing alongside the likes of Spencer Prior, Steve Walsh and Gerry Taggart, he was consistently effective at the heart of the defence. He was good in the air, comfortable on the ball, effective as an emergency striker and an inspirational captain.
Before arriving at Filbert Street, Matt had moved from Charlton Athletic to Torquay United in March 1989, followed by switches to Scunthorpe United in March 1992 and to Oxford United in November 1993, helping them gain automatic promotion back to what is now the Championship in 1996.
Eight months later, despite interest from Graham Souness’ Southampton, Matt signed for Leicester City, who were in their first season back in the Premier League.
He helped his new team finished ninth in the Premier League in his first season, although he was ineligible for the 1997 League Cup-winning side as he was cup-tied. Three more consecutive top-10 Premier League finishes followed, as did two more League Cup Finals and two UEFA Cup campaigns. Matt’s two goals at in the 2000 League Cup Final at Wembley, when he captained his side to victory, were unforgettable.
He only missed four Premier League games between January 1997 and April 2001. In addition, within a year of arriving at Filbert Street, he became a Scotland international (qualifying through his maternal grandmother), going on to win 18 caps and selection for the Scotland squad for the 1998 World Cup in France. He also won the Midland Player of the Year Award in 2000.
Matt stayed at Leicester through the turbulent times which saw the Club suffer relegation in 2001/02, move to a new stadium in 2002 and go into administration in 2002/03. Despite these difficulties, he captained the team straight back into the Premier League at the first time of asking in 2003.He went on loan to Ipswich Town in March 2004 before injuries forced his retirement in January 2005.
He subsequently either coached or managed at Hednesford Town, Oadby Town, Stafford Rangers and Army United in Thailand. He is now a familiar figure at King Power Stadium where he has been a matchday host. He also regularly appears on Foxes Hub broadcasts.