John Melvin Matthews (born 1 November 1955)[1] is an English former professional footballer who played in the Football League as a midfielder for Arsenal, Sheffield United, Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle, Chesterfield and Torquay United.
[2] Matthews was born in the London Borough of Camden,[1] and played football for Islington Schools before joining Arsenal as an apprentice.
He started his career in defence, mainly playing as a full back, but later moved into midfield; he made 57 appearances in four seasons with Arsenal but struggled to hold down a first team place, after breaking a leg and missing almost a whole season, and especially with Liam Brady and David Price monopolising the Arsenal midfield places.
[4] He remained at Home Park until June 1989, joining Torquay United on a free transfer, having scored four times in 135 games for the Pilgrims.
He played only 25 times for the Gulls before being released by his former Argyle manager, Dave Smith, at the end of the season, joining non-league Dorchester Town.