Matthew Judge Headshot

Matthew Judge

News Writer, Match Reporter, Live Blogger

Bio: From an early age football was all I cared about, and so I was desperate to try and write about it. I’ve developed other interests as I’ve gotten older, of course, but my love for the world’s most popular sport hasn’t dwindled. I mostly report on men’s and women’s club football, though I also cover international tournaments as well. I’ve had the fortune of covering the beautiful game for a number of different organisations, from several press boxes, and long may that continue.

My Football Story: As a child I spent all of my money on football. Whether it was packs of trading cards hoping to get that elusive shiny I needed, or miniature football figures and discarding the chocolate that came with them. I used to collect half-and-half scarves as well. Yes, I know, I know, but they were not just any scarves, they were special half-and-half scarves featuring teams competing in the old UEFA Cup. Well, they were special to me anyway! 

Areas of Expertise: 

• Premier League, English Football League, WSL, Ligue 1, Bundesliga, Serie A, La Liga

• Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, Super Cup

• World Cup, European Championship

My Favourite Footballing Memory: Marcell Jansen retiring at the age of just 29 after being released by Hamburg in 2015. He could have carried on playing, earning a good salary, but he didn’t want to represent another club after Hamburg.

My All-Time XI: Gianluigi Buffon; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Ricardo Carvalho, Paolo Maldini, Leighton Baines; Andrea Pirlo, Marcos Senna; Dusan Tadic, Kaka, Morten Gamst Pedersen; Antonio Di Natale

Articles by Matthew Judge
  1. McClean set for Wrexham exit after ban for violent conduct

    James McClean is reportedly set to leave Wrexham and return to his homeland by joining Northern Irish side Derry City. The Red Dragons captain, who has played a key role in the club’s remarkable rise from non-league football to the Championship under Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, recently served a three-game ban for violent conduct following an incident against Swansea City in the Welsh derby.

  2. FA Cup cruise for holders Chelsea as Kerr bags a brace

    Defending champions Chelsea opened up their Women’s FA Cup campaign with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday. The free-scoring Blues booked their place in the fifth round thanks to a brace from Sam Kerr and goals from Millie Bright, Guro Reiten and Alyssa Thompson, with Sonia Bompastor's side a class above their WSL 2 opponents at Kingsmeadow.

  3. Conte slams 'arrogant' Amorim over Hojlund treatment

    Antonio Conte has slammed sacked Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim’s “arrogant” handling of Rasmus Hojlund, accusing the Portuguese of failing to “adapt” his rigid methods to the striker’s qualities. The Denmark international has been in fine form since swapping Old Trafford for Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, scoring nine goals in all competitions for the Serie A side.

  4. Dembele scores insane lob to finish off stunning PSG goal

    Ousmane Dembele put himself in contention for the Puskas Award after scoring an incredible lob in Paris Saint-Germain’s 3-0 victory over Lille on Friday evening. The Ballon d’Or winner, who had already found the net in the first half, doubled his side’s lead in outrageous fashion as the Parisians leapfrogged title rivals Lens and moved to the top of Ligue 1.

  5. Arteta speaks out on Rice and Arsenal assistant coach row

    Mikel Arteta insists the issue between Declan Rice and Arsenal assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg is “all sorted” after the pair clashed during Wednesday’s Carabao Cup victory at Chelsea. The duo were involved in a heated argument during the half-time interval at Stamford Bridge, but the Gunners manager is adamant the problem has now been resolved.

  6. Olise & Diaz compared to Bayern legends after Wolfsburg rout

    Michael Olise and Luis Diaz have been compared to legendary Bayern Munich duo Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery after both wingers sparkled in their side’s 8-1 demolition of Wolfsburg on Sunday evening. The pair conjured up six goal involvements between them as Vincent Kompany’s side enjoyed a dream return to Bundesliga action following the recent winter break.

  7. Relentless Raphinha fires Barcelona to more silverware

    Barcelona claimed a record-extending 16th Spanish Super Cup title by defeating Real Madrid 3-2 in the second Clasico of the season in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Raphinha scored twice and Robert Lewandowski also found the back of the net as Hansi Flick's side remained dominant over their bitter rivals by securing a fifth victory in their last six meetings with Xabi Alonso's side.

  1. Man Utd hit extraordinary 111-year low after FA Cup exit

    Manchester United triggered an extraordinary 111-year low after they were beaten by a Danny Welbeck-inspired Brighton and Hove Albion in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday evening. The ex-Red Devils striker came back to haunt his former paymasters, who were reduced to ten men late on when academy graduate Shea Lacey was sent off at Old Trafford.

  2. Kane scores stunner & Olise sparkles as Bayern score EIGHT

    Bayern Munich enjoyed a perfect return to the Bundesliga as they crushed Wolfsburg 8-1 at the Allianz Arena on Sunday evening. Michael Olise scored two and set up another, with Luis Diaz, Raphael Guerreiro, Harry Kane and Leon Goretzka also finding the back of the net, as Vincent Kompany's side sparkled in their first match back following the winter break.

  3. Zlatan's son in talks to join ANOTHER of his father's old clubs

    Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s son Maximilian is reportedly in talks to leave AC Milan and join another one of his father’s former clubs. Ibrahimovic Snr was widely regarded as one of the greatest strikers of his generation, representing a host of Europe’s biggest clubs including Milan, Inter and Juventus in Serie A, as well as Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and La Liga champions Barcelona.

  4. Hat-trick hero Martinelli ensures Arsenal survive cup scare

    Arsenal booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win over Championship side Portsmouth on Sunday afternoon. Gabriel Martinelli bagged an all-important hat-trick, while Andre Dozzell scored an own goal, as the Gunners survived an early scare to maintain their push for a first piece of silverware since winning the same competition six years ago.

  5. Spurs injury crises WORSENS as Richarlison limps off

    Tottenham Hotspur saw their injury crisis worsen after Brazil international Richarlison limped out of their FA Cup third-round tie with Aston Villa on Saturday evening. The north Londoners are now sweating on the fitness of the 28-year-old striker, who had to be replaced midway through the first half after picking up a suspected hamstring problem.

  6. Macclesfield ace dedicates FA Cup win to late team-mate

    Macclesfield FC captain Paul Dawson dedicated his side’s incredible FA Cup victory over holders Crystal Palace to late team-mate Ethan McLeod, who died in a car crash at the age of just 21 last month. The Silkmen produced one of the greatest upsets in the tournament’s history as they defeated Oliver Glasner’s Eagles at Moss Rose Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

  7. Palace STUNNED by Macclesfield in FA Cup's greatest shock

    Macclesfield FC - the lowest-ranked team left in the FA Cup - recorded one of the greatest shocks in the competition's history as they stunned holders Crystal Palace in a seismic 2-1 victory on Saturday. Goals either side of half-time from Paul Dawson and Isaac Buckley-Ricketts ensured the Silkmen, who were newly-reformed in 2020, reached the fourth round at the expense of their Premier League opponents.