Past Legends - Matt Knuckey
Player Legends 11 of 22

11. Past Legends - Matt Knuckey


MATT KNUCKEY
Cray Valley (PM) (2003 - 2013)
Striker


Matt seen here 2nd from the left along with fellow club legends Jamie Miller and Stewart Back.

A prolific scorer for the Millers in his era which spanned ten years notching well over one hundred goals. Matt scored 95 goals in 128 appearances over six seasons from 2003/04 to 2008/09 and we know that he was top scorer in 2010/11 with another 23 goals. Unfortunately we are lacking complete appearance and goal data for the three seasons between 2009/10 and 2011/12 so unable to quote total number of appearances and goals but this doesn't deflect from the huge impact Matt had during his playing career for the Millers. He made his last few appearances in season 2012/13.

He scored 24 goals in 28 appearances in season 2003/04 during which the side finished 4th in the Kent County League Premier Division. Also winning both the London Intermediate Cup beating Thamesmead in the final 4-1 at Fisher FC and the Kent County 'Bill Manklow' Inter Regional Challenge Cup defeating University of Kent 4-2 in the final.
The following season another 29 goals scored this time in 33 appearances. The side were Champions of the Kent County League winning the Premier Division by a clear 11 points. They also won a Challenge Shield Final beating Norton Sports at Chatham FC and were runners-up in both cup competitions.
Matt was top scorer in both seasons and played a major part in helping manager Mark Edwards to win the Kent County League Manager of the Year award three years running.

He played less games the following season but still managed 10 goals in 14 appearances as the team finished 7th. The next three seasons brought 9, 6 and 15 goals in 15, 13 and 24 appearances.

No player records for season 2009/10 but on reviewing 2010/11 it states "The ever reliable Matt Knuckey was top scorer again" with one game remaining he had scored 23 goals (21 league & 2 cup). The side finished 3rd that season and gained a 'double ' promotion from the Kent County League (step 7) to the Kent Invicta League (step 5).
Matt also helped the team win the London Intermediate Cup Final in consecutive years in 2010 under manager Willie O'Sullivan, beating Erith Town 2-1 aet at Met Police FC and with Steve Chapman now at the helm in 2011 when Newham United were beaten 3-1 at Croydon Athletic FC.

Matt age 32 at the time continued to score regularly the following season 2011/12 in the Kent Hurlimann League as the club played at step 5 for the first time, appearing in a number of match reports after scoring vital goals.

His exploits for the Millers earned recognition at county level where he regularly represented the Kent County League Representative side over a number of years.

Matt appeared in the centenary game in September 2019 at Badgers against a Charlton Legends team and showed that he hadn't lost his touch for goal by scoring four in the Millers Legends 6-5 defeat.

A worthy member of the 100 club and player legendary status.

Main Picture above: Matt Knuckey playing for the Millers Legends v Charlton Legends in the Centenary game at Badgers in Sept 2019.