Veteran midfielder to end long and distinguished playing career
Exeter City midfielder Matt Oakley has announced that he will be retiring at the end of this season.
Matt, who has played nearly 200 games for the club over a five-and-a-half-year spell, began his career at Southampton and made his debut for the Saints towards the end of the 1994/95 season.
The 39-year-old midfielder has had a long and distinguished playing career. He played for Southampton for over a decade in the Premier League and guided them to the FA Cup final in 2003, before moving on to Derby County where he helped captain the Rams to promotion via the play-offs in 2007. He also had success at Leicester City, winning the League One title, before moving to Exeter City in 2012.
In his six seasons at St James Park, Matt has become an integral part of the club. He has played nearly 200 games for City as well has helped out on the coaching and tactical analysis side of the club.
Speaking about Matt’s decision to retire, Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale said: “He has been a great servant to Exeter City in the five-and-a-half years he has been at the club. There are few players in modern football with his CV and achievements at the top level who actively give something back to the game at the lower level once their elite playing days are over.
“I’m sure whatever Matt decides to do next it will be a massive benefit to football because of his professional and hard-working nature.”