Matty Fryatt – Catching Up With A Foxes Favourite

[davieG]

https://www.lcfc.com/news/2917860/matty-fryatt--catching-up-with-a-foxes-favourite/featured - With pictures

 

Former Foxes striker Matty Fryatt looks back on his footballing career, from a season as champions to the lows of relegation.
ByMatthew Temple

In 2006, Leicester City completed the signing of teenage sensation, Matty Fryatt from Walsall FC, for the low-cut price of £135,000. 

A Foxes career spanning over six years, which included 62 goals and one league title, made Fryatt a fan favourite among the Leicester faithful. 

To this day, Fryatt still holds the record for the fastest-ever Leicester City goal, when it took him just nine seconds to find the net, in a 2-1 defeat to Preston in April of 2006. He was also the first player in 42 years to reach 20 goals before Christmas and was the first to score successive hat-tricks in 83 years.

Now a 36-year-old, and Under-15s coach at Walsall, Fryatt spent an afternoon with us at the Meynell Ingram Arms in Burton to talk us through his playing days, with honest reflections of team-mates, managers, and fans, as the former Fox unravels the rollercoaster tale of his time on Filbert Way. 

“I got into football with a friend who lived around the corner,” the former striker told LCFC.com, as he began telling the story of his footballing career. 

 

“I went and played this game, we lost 9-2, but I got Man of the Match because I held my position and stayed on the wing. I got a bag of sweets at the end of the game!

“The following season, I got picked up by Hammerwich. I was there for three or four years. It was 11-a-side on full pitches, with massive goals and tiny little goalkeepers.

“I was a bit like Jamie Vardy back then believe it or not! I was up top, quicker than the rest, and you’ve just got to beat a ‘keeper who’s got no chance! You’d score a hatful.

“We played a tournament at the back of Walsall’s stadium and played the home side themself. I think we beat them and then they said they’d take three of the lads on a trial and I was one of the chosen few.”

After spending a few weeks on trial, mainly in goal, Walsall signed a nine-year-old Fryatt who explained had to wait for his chance to impress. 

“It was only once Walsall A played Walsall B that I really got noticed playing for the B side, he said. "We won 5-1. After that I continually played and got recognised. You get noticed when you score goals, and I carried on scoring at Walsall.” 

The young striker forced the hand of first team manager, Colin Lee, to giving Fryatt a chance in the Championship: “My debut was against Bolton in the League Cup. I got the last 10 minutes against players like Mario Jardel, Kevin Nolan, and Jay-Jay Okocha. We lost 3-1 but it was a good experience.

“Lee didn’t really trust in me - I was shipped out on loan to Carlisle in League 2 to get used to the men’s game. 

“I came back in February and played against Preston in March. I scored and played well. Walsall were sixth or seventh on Boxing Day, but eventually went down that season.”

 

Walsall then replaced Lee with Paul Merson, who took temporary charge, and the forward recalled an unusual experience at Norwich: “[Darren] Huckerby is tearing our defence apart that day and we’re 2-0 down at half-time. They’re all over us, clearly the better team. 

“I remember Merse [Paul Merson], at half-time, came in and said: ‘You know what? We’re going to go for it!’ He put me and himself on, so we’d go with four forwards essentially. ‘All out, we’re going to go for it!’ he told us. We lost 5-0.

“You may laugh, but Walsall went down that season on goal difference by one goal. If we’d have shut up shop, it could have been 2 or 3-0 and we’d have stayed up.”

Becoming a regular in League 1 for Walsall, the young striker caught the eye of Leicester City, who admired Fryatt, a striker that offered something different to their original frontmen in their roster.

“They wanted a poacher type to compliment to other three (Iain Hume, Elvis Hammond and Mark De Vries). Once I saw the stadium, it was a no brainer. It was the next level. I’d been at Walsall since I was nine and I loved it there, but it was the next step up. 

“Craig [Levein] was only there for about two weeks with me, but I felt like the players had a bit of fear of him. They were a little bit scared. It was that sort of style. But I was just a kid, I was fearless back then.

“We had a consistent team. I wouldn’t say we were world beaters, but we were solid, and we had enough to do well. But we needed more backing at the time. If you look at the signings, it didn’t quite work out the following season. It was a season of nothingness.”

With new chairman, Milan Mandarić, taking control, this saw the conveyor belt of managers be switched on. Nigel Worthington came in to help avoid relegation, which was achieved, but wasn’t enough to prevent being replaced by Martin Allen. 

“There was a hell of a lot of players coming in. Some you could just tell weren’t going to be Championship ready, without being too bad on them.

 

“Some of the stuff at the stadium was a little bizarre. He wanted all the flowers to be blue, white, and yellow to match the kit, but does that really matter?

“He also changed the warm-up room into a ‘sofa room’. He had movie posters on the wall, with the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger up there. It was like going to the cinema."

"It was the chill room, but before a game, you’re not going to go into the Club, put your feet up and crack the films on,” he said comically. 

Further down the line, Ian Holloway became manager, and Fryatt admitted he had never known a character like him. 

“He could really wow a room," he said. "He had everyone in the canteen, including the staff, and he started jumping up on tables and delivering speeches, talking about Coach Carter. He loved that film. 

“He spoke about how we needed to be together and outlined all his ideas. It must have been about five or six hours on his introduction day. You leave thinking: ‘Wow, he’s a character!’ One had gone and then here’s this guy, who’s larger than life.

“Sadly, it didn’t really work out, did it? He had five forwards and he wanted to keep everyone happy. We’d have two up front, one behind, and forwards on the wing. 

“Forwards don’t want to be crossing it for another forward. Unless you’re rapid, you’re not really suited to that inside role or being used as an out-and-out winger. That caused a problem.

“That team should never have gone down, never. He’d probably say that he’d have done things a little bit differently. It was a forced team. I never felt there was a togetherness.”

Fryatt told us about one Holloway story – a night on the south coast: “We never did well at Southampton. We always lost. I remember it was about 10 or 11 in the hotel and some of the lads had taken sleeping pills to get some rest before the game and he calls everyone down for a team meeting in the squash courts. 

 

“He’s got bandages all over him. Apparently, he’s dressed as Patch from Dodgeball. He’s got his staff with him and we’re in the viewing area above looking down on this. His staff all start throwing size five footballs at him.

“It’s bouncing off the wall and missing his head. If any one of them did hit his head, he’d probably put himself in A&E. He then says: ‘Get the boys down here! This is what we need! This is what we’re about!’"

Reluctantly the players got involved, but Fryatt told us how, unsurprisingly, it didn’t quite have the impact that was intended: “We turned up for the game the next day and got smashed. I think we were 2-0 down after 10 minutes.”

Through all the stories, Matty could see what the managers were trying to achieve, but it didn’t change the fact the Club would be in League 1 the next season.

He said: "‘I’m not saying we were a special team - but strong enough to stay in the Championship, definitely. 

“It was the first time in my short career that I had no confidence, the doubts came in. Even if there was no ‘keeper, I think I’d have kicked it wide.”

Luckily for the centre-forward, form did return for the Foxes, as the appointment of Nigel Pearson sparked life back into the Club: “There was a sense that he knew what he was after. I went into pre-season games determined to impress and I think I scored four or five, and that continued into the season.

“I scored 20 goals before Christmas, but I’d say the season after was my best at Leicester. I was just tapping them in, Steve [Howard] had done all the work! But that partnership really came to fruition. It felt better to be a Leicester City player.

“We knew what the minimum was. You knew your job and there was more organisation, and a lot of people took to it. He (Pearson) formed a team that could do what was needed.

Following promotion back to the Championship, Fryatt couldn’t see why new heights couldn’t be reached, labelling the 2009/10 season the best he ever had with Leicester.

 

He recalled: “We got the sense in the first couple of games that there was nothing to be scared of... why can’t we carry on? It was a very organised, together, and solid squad. There was usually enough to get a goal and keep other teams out."

He spoke of that dreaded play-off game: “Cardiff was painful. We knew Blackpool had got to the final and we’d beaten them twice in the season already. It just felt like we’d got so close and yet so far.

“It was taken away from us cruelly and I don’t know why that change happened, with Nigel leaving and Paulo [Sousa] coming in. I could understand what he was trying to do. Maybe it would’ve worked over time, but we were trying to change too much.

“We weren’t that type of team, that would be free-flowing, and playing out from the back. Some of the goals we conceded… it was a mess. Sousa’s last game was Norwich away. I remember it because I got a red card. He thanked me for scoring and getting sent off!"

Not long after, Fryatt’s six-year spell in the Midlands came to an end, as the striker would move north to sign for Hull City. 

“I loved the first spell of it,” The forward said, concluding his time here. “I know I didn’t score the goals I wanted to in that second Championship season, but I enjoyed it. Then there was the mess, followed by a good patch before I left.

“The fans were unreal and when it’s booming, Leicester is a great place to be. I know being in League 1 isn’t what the Club would ever want, but maybe going down is what was needed to come up again.”

Fryatt believed there was a ‘togetherness’ formed throughout his playing days with the Foxes and says he’s still in contact with several his old team-mates.

 

“Michael Morrison and Jack Hobbs, I still talk to quite a few of them - I obviously had big respect for Steve (Howard) and that worked on the pitch," he said.

“I don’t think you realise what a good club it is until you go elsewhere. The grass isn’t always greener.”

Jumping to today, the former Leicester striker is taken back by the recent history and development happening on Filbert way.

He concluded: "I couldn’t just walk in now; I’d get stopped by security! I’ve been back since and I felt: ‘God, did I used to play here?!’ The calibre of the players now and the level they’re at…

“They’ve had some fantastic years and it’s gone to a different level. Can they sustain that? There’s no reason why not. It’s not always going to be Premier League titles here and FA Cups there but keeping that team spirit will help them on the pitch.”

Talking about the new training ground in Seagrave, the former Leicester man believes it shows dedication towards the growth from the club, and rivals that of even the national team. 

“The training ground is something else, it’s unbelievable," he said. "It blows St.George’s Park out of the water in my opinion.

“For me before, it was a tight training ground, but it had everything you needed. Now it’s just ‘wow’ – it’s a whole different level of professionalism. From the outside, you certainly think: ‘they’ve come a long way’."

Fryatt will be considered by most, as a true servant to the club during a period of high’s and low’s. An impressive Foxes’ career considering ‘it all started out with a mate round the corner, playing for a bag of sweets’. 

 

[Ric Flair]

On his day Fryatt was electric. Great interview.

[Corky]

5 minutes ago, Ric Flair said:

On his day Fryatt was electric. Great interview.

Do you recall that amazing goal he nearly scored against Newcastle? Took the ball from wide about 70 yards away, weaved past basically their whole team and his shot was blocked on the line. 

 

Almost Mahrez-like.

[Bilsthorpe Blue]

12 minutes ago, Corky said:

Do you recall that amazing goal he nearly scored against Newcastle? Took the ball from wide about 70 yards away, weaved past basically their whole team and his shot was blocked on the line. 

 

Almost Mahrez-like.

Christmas game, if I remember 

[Ric Flair]

30 minutes ago, Corky said:

Do you recall that amazing goal he nearly scored against Newcastle? Took the ball from wide about 70 yards away, weaved past basically their whole team and his shot was blocked on the line. 

 

Almost Mahrez-like.

Yes!!!!!

[Tommy Fresh]

How class was League One and the following Championship campaign, such a likeable group at the club from Pearson and the staff and then throughout the playing squad. Even the loans during that two year period seemed to really be invested in the club (bar Ryan McGivern 😂)

Edited 26 November 2022 by Tommy Fresh

[hebangsthedrums]

Seems a lifetime ago but I loved Fryatt at the time. Him & Howard was the best big/little partnership we had since Deane & Dickov and for ages after, in fact I don't really think we've had one since?

Pretty sure he had flat feet or something? He had that weird running style that always looked a bit laboured - if he had a touch more pace think we would have been a decent Prem striker. 

[ALC Fox]

Always thought Fryatt played better after a fresh haircut. If he had a fresh number two all over, you know he was going to play well. If he'd grown it out a bit and was a bit fuzzy, then not so much. No idea if there's any real truth behind that or not.

 

He was, though, a rare ray of light in a dark time. And in League One he really came into his own. Delighted he got to at least get a taste of Premier League football even though it wasn't with us.

[AyewJoking]

Remember him for the crap hair cut but he was a decent goalscorer for our level at that time.

[bovril]

Never lived up to his considerable potential. I thought he was a bit of a donkey at times tbh but no doubt he was brilliant in that League 1 season and I have very fond memories of that 2008-2010 team. One of my favourite periods supporting Leicester. 

[KFS]

That Howard-Fryatt partnership was legendary. Proper football, that. 

[Nick]

7 hours ago, KFS said:

That Howard-Fryatt partnership was legendary. Proper football, that. 

Sort of. Until Howard couldn't really remember what running felt like and Fatty, sorry Matty became bench material despite the L1 and the Top singing for him to come on and spaff a few chances in the last 20.

 

Them were the days in many ways - but not really in terms of the football being served... expectations were low though - not like the entitled bunch we have become after a flood of success!

 

Loved Matty all the same though.

Edited 27 November 2022 by Nick

[themightyfin]

12 hours ago, Ric Flair said:

On his day Fryatt was electric. Great interview.

One of my favourite ever players.

That Fryatt - Howard partnership 

 

But Ric thing Fryatt was not was electric. 

That's what let him down. 

With a bit of pace he would have been a top notch player. 

[Sampson]

12 minutes ago, Nick said:

Sort of. Until Howard couldn't really remember what running felt like and Fatty, sorry Matty became bench material despite the L1 and the Top singing for him to come on and spaff a few chances in the last 20.

 

Them were the days in many ways - but not really in terms of the football being served... expectations were low though - not like the entitled bunch we have become after a flood of success!

 

Loved Matty all the same though.

My memory is that Fryatt was excellent in the 09-10 season and until he got his jaw broken by that Doncaster player and was out for 3 months, he was hands down our best player and the main reason we were up in the playoffs. Never the same after that injury though.
 

Howard was never any good for us at Championship level really. Very good in League One, but people massively over-romanticise his performance vs Cardiff in the playoffs as though it was indicative of his entire season, when really it was a one-off in a season he otherwise looked way over-the-hill.

[Tommy Fresh]

1 hour ago, Sampson said:

My memory is that Fryatt was excellent in the 09-10 season and until he got his jaw broken by that Doncaster player and was out for 3 months, he was hands down our best player and the main reason we were up in the playoffs. Never the same after that injury though.
 

Howard was never any good for us at Championship level really. Very good in League One, but people massively over-romanticise his performance vs Cardiff in the playoffs as though it was indicative of his entire season, when really it was a one-off in a season he otherwise looked way over-the-hill.

I wouldn't say people massively over romaticise his performance at all really, the bloke was unplayable that day and turned up in our biggest game of the season and dragged us back in to the tie.

Also making out he was terrible that season is a bit over the top as well, bar McGivern, Bruce and probably Neilson I think it's harsh to call anyone from that squad poor when they had no real right on paper to be near the playoffs.

[RumbleFox]

Probably our greatest ever striker. 

[PAULCFC]

Southend Away....

[HybridFox]

Was actually my favourite my player for ages until Jamie Vardy came along. Gutted when he went to Hull

Edited 27 November 2022 by TK95

[Ric Flair]

6 hours ago, themightyfin said:

One of my favourite ever players.

That Fryatt - Howard partnership 

 

But Ric thing Fryatt was not was electric. 

That's what let him down. 

With a bit of pace he would have been a top notch player. 

Yeah I didn't mean electric as in electric pace I just meant on his day everything he did was sensational. That season in League One he was ridiculous.

[Guest]

That League One season was the point at which I became properly invested in Leicester and he was a massive part of that. Perhaps if he hadn't turned into Ronaldo for the year I'd be spending my weekends doing something productive instead.

[Marshall Cockney Fox]

I thought on occasions he looked awesome. Good feet and quick on the turn. But it never really developed any further. Remember seeing him skinning a RB on the flank with a great bit of skill. Then driving 50 meters to goal. I remember Matty Fryatt fondly. 

[Leicesterpool]

I was very surprised how quickly Sven got rid of Fryatt. I know 2010 was a really rough year for him, breaking his jaw against Doncaster, but his form after that horrific injury really did dip. But I dunno I know I always thought, in time Sven would have got the best out of Fryatt. Sadly wasn't all to be. 

[Stadt]

Great finisher, he was having an excellent season before his head injury.

[MattFox]

I know it all worked out in the end but sacking Pearson after the 09/10 season must go down as one of the worst things the clubs ever done.

 

Those two years were great

[Gamble92]

39 minutes ago, MattFox said:

I know it all worked out in the end but sacking Pearson after the 09/10 season must go down as one of the worst things the clubs ever done.

 

Those two years were great

Shown exactly what sort of bloke Mandaric was really didn't it? Finally found a manager that was genuinely class after about 4 failed attempts and then let's him go.