A former England U21 defender who had an advanced playing career playing over 300 professional games for the likes of Lincoln City, West Bromwich Albion, Walsall and many more.

Matt has previously headed up academy football at both Sports Gateway and Alfreton Town. Matt’s professionalism and his proven ability to develop younger players in the area is what drew to club to appointing Matt.

The club has always aimed to be a pathway club to bring players through our junior section to then provide opportunities to get into our Educational Acdemy and then eventually into our first team. Last season we had over 10 players play for the first team who came through our Educational Acdemy along with most recently former Scholar Covarne Leon making the step up to Sheffield United academy.

Owner Chris Munroe penned the following after the appointment of Matt Carbon:

“I am delighted to finally secure Matt Carbon to Head up our Full-Time Educational Acdemy”

“Matt brings outstanding qualities from not only his professional football career but also his time at Sports Gateway and Alfreton Town U19s and reaffirms mine, David Lilley’s and our First Team Management of Gandi and Saul that we our a pathway club who will bring great players through and provide opportunities to local talent”

“Matt will work closely with Gandi and Saul to build a very strong link, we exited about the future as our next set of scholars are very impressive and all of them have a bright future ahead”

Matt Carbon said the following after his appointment:

“Once Dave Lilley contacted me about the Academy Manager role here at Basford United it was an easy decision to accept this new and exciting position even more so after conversations with both Dave and Chris Munroe about the exciting developments going on in the background not only for the Academy but the entirety of Basford United Football Club”

“There are exciting times ahead and they all align with my ambition which includes passing on my football knowledge and my professionalism to all our learners which will then bridge the gap and create a strong pathway to our first team if we think they are ready to take that next step in their footballing journey”

“We won’t hesitate in giving the learners this amazing opportunity!”

“I would like to just thank everyone at Sports Gateway/Alfreton Town for an amazing past 8/9 years which includes all the past and present staff and learners I’ve managed to help along the way not only on the football pitch but also seeing them leave with better life skills”

“A special mention must go out to a very close friend of mine Jamie Brough who gave me my first opportunity to start my coaching journey and someone I’ll always miss and respect highly”

Everyone is delighted to welcome Matt to Basford and we can’t wait to see the academy progress under his leadership.