Matthews played for local sides Oldbury St. John's and Langley St. Michael's before joining Burslem Port Vale as an amateur in May 1906.
He returned to Boundary Park after the conclusion of World War I, as the club finished 17th in 1919–20, 19th in 1920–21 and 1921–22, before being relegated in last place in 1922–23.
He returned to Port Vale a remarkable 19 years after his release, in October 1926, and played 21 league games in the 1926–27 campaign ahead of rivals Tom Fern, George Holdcroft, and Alex Binnie.
[1] However, he was seriously injured from a kick to the back by South Shields winger Alex Trotter in a 3–3 draw on 5 February.
[1] He then lost his first-team place to Alf Bennett and made 16 league and cup appearances in the 1927–28 season.