Matt Barrass (footballer, born 1980)

Matthew Robert Barrass (born 28 February 1980) is an English retired professional footballer, currently the head physiotherapist at Bolton Wanderers.

Matt Barrass

Personal information
Full name	Matthew Robert Barrass[1]
Date of birth	(1980-02-28) 28 February 1980 (age 44)
Place of birth	Bury, England
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1]
Position(s)	Right back
Team information
Current team	Bolton Wanderers (head physiotherapist)
Youth career
1994–1995	Manchester United
1995–1996	San Diego Nomads
1996–1997	Bury
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997–2005	Bury	84	(2)
2005–2006	Radcliffe Borough
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Career

Barrass was born in Bury.^[2]

After beginning as an apprentice at Manchester United, Barrass moved to the United States to play for the San Diego Nomads. He returned to England to sign with Bury in 1996, making his professional debut in 1997 in the League Cup.^[3] Barrass made his league debut in 1999, and made a total of 84 league appearances for the side.^[4] Barrass' time at Bury was plagued by injuries, especially to his knee.^{[3][5][6][7][8]}

Barrass left the club in 2005, signing for Radcliffe Borough; at the time, he was Bury's longest-serving player.^[3]

After ending his playing days, he graduated from the University of Salford in 2009 with a degree in physiotherapy.^[9] He took up a new post as youth team physiotherapist at Preston North End. In July 2012, he became the physiotherapist for Bradford City.^[10]

After four years at Valley Parade, he left Bradford to become the head physiotherapist at Bolton Wanderers on 1 July 2016.^[11]

Personal life

Barrass is a grandson of former player Malcolm Barrass (a Wanderers stalwart of the 1940s and 1950s who played for the club in the 1953 FA Cup Final)^[11] and a great-grandson of his namesake, Matthew Barrass.^[3]

References

1. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2003). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2003/2004. Queen Anne Press. p. 36. ISBN 1-85291-651-6.
2. "Matt Barrass". Up The Posh!. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
3. "End of the road for unlucky Matt". Bolton Evening News. 13 May 2005. Retrieved 26 March 2009.^{[permanent dead link]}
4. "BURY : 1946/47 - 2007/08". Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Transfer Database. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
5. "Player column: Matt Barrass". Manchester Evening News. 13 October 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
6. "Player column: Matt Barrass". Manchester Evening News. 7 February 2004. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
7. "Shakers stunned by Barrass blow". Bolton Evening News. 18 January 2001. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
8. "Injured duo set to return". Bolton Evening News. 10 April 2003. Retrieved 26 March 2009.
9. My Graduation - July 2009 booklet published by University of Salford, July 2009.
10. Simon Parker (25 July 2012). "Barrass unveiled as Bantams' latest signing". Telegraph & Argus.
11. "Wanderers appoint Matt Barrass as head physio". Bolton Wanderers FC. 1 July 2016..