
Matthew Ketchell
Ketch joined FourFourTwo as Deputy Editor in 2022 having racked up appearances at Reach PLC as a Northern Football Editor and BBC Match of the Day magazine as their Digital Editor and Senior Writer. During that time he has interviewed the likes of Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero, Gareth Southgate and attended World Cup and Champions League finals. He co-hosts a '90s football podcast called ‘Searching For Shineys’, is a Newcastle United season ticket holder and has an expensive passion for collecting classic football shirts.
Latest articles by Matthew Ketchell

Alan Shearer on England’s Euro 2024 ‘X-Factor’ that will have ‘massive impact’ on their chances in Germany
By Matthew Ketchell published
England head to Germany with numerous world-class players in form, but Alan Shearer explains why one in particular could be the difference maker

Kieran Trippier's can-do attitude could be England's saviour at Euro 2024
By Steven Chicken published
The Newcastle United right-back may need to be redeployed for England this summer but is only too happy to pitch in

FIFA’s revamped Club World Cup could actually be brilliant next summer - but they’ve made one huge mistake
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION At the end of last year FIFA announced a major 32-team revamp of their club tournament and, of course, there are controversies

Incredible piece of football memorabilia, with an amazing backstory, set for auction and expected to fetch thousands
By Matthew Ketchell published
Newcastle United goalkeeper William Bradley’s 100-year-old FA Cup-winning medal and commemorative pocket watch will soon be available to buy

Bella Reay was a war-time football heroine with a ratio of 4.33 goals per game who could’ve inspired millions had politics not got in the way
By Matthew Ketchell published
With swathes of men conscripted during the First World War Women’s football underwent an unexpected boom, but sadly this success story turned into a tragic missed opportunity

Why are Newcastle United’s local heroes are often ‘held to a higher standard’ by certain sections of their fan base
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION They say you hurt the ones you love the most. At Newcastle United this rings true at times

Keep FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley to protect a historic football pilgrimage (and annoy fans of the big clubs)
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION FourFourTwo's Deputy Editor watched his club win non-Wembley semi-finals in the 90s, but wants the fixtures to remain at the national stadium

Searching for Rob and Ryan at Wrexham’s League Two promotion party
By Matthew Ketchell published
ON THE GROUND The famous Welsh club with Hollywood owners secured a second successive promotion and FourFourTwo were there for the party

Sean Longstaff scored in the Champions League vs PSG at home, then watched the away fixture in a local pub next to his old school
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Injury ruled the midfielder out of a crunch European game for Newcastle in Paris, but he didn’t want to just sit his house and watch alone

Rangers vs Celtic: 24 hours in Glasgow ticking the Old Firm off my football bucket list
By Matthew Ketchell published
ON THE GROUND With the Old Firm being one of the most famous derbies in world football, and Ibrox being an iconic stadium, this was a long sought-after game and ground tick

Ranked! The 100 best stadiums in the world
By Mark White last updated
RANKED! The best stadiums in the world from all corners of the globe: this is your ultimate match-going bucket list

Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals precise moment he realised his move into Liverpool’s midfield was working
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE The full-back’s transition into the middle of the pitch exactly a year ago has become one of the most debated tactical adjustments of Jurgen Klopp’s managerial career

Revealed: Sean Longstaff’s parting message to Dan Ashworth regarding his future after Newcastle United
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE His dad was a British ice hockey legend, his brother is already in Canada and Sean Longstaff has his eyes on a Major League Soccer stint before he hangs up his boots

Trent Alexander-Arnold still baffled by Jurgen Klopp's timing, and admits it's too early for him to rehearse the 'Hendo shuffle'
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Trent Alexander-Arnold has spoken about the moment he was named Liverpool vice-captain by Jurgen Klopp and his new ambitions for the future

Sean Longstaff was once linked with a £50 million move to Manchester United, five years on he tells FourFourTwo ‘I’m happy it didn’t happen’
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE His younger brother Matty famously scored against Manchester United (twice) but it was Sean they wanted. However, a huge price tag meant the move didn’t happen

Trent Alexander-Arnold injury latest as he admits ‘Brighton are a nightmare to try and stop’
By Matthew Ketchell last updated
EXCLUSIVE Liverpool’s hybrid full-back-midfielder has been on the sidelines for the best part of two months

Where are England’s world-class goalkeepers? Analysing the past, present and future between the sticks for the Three Lions
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION No English goalkeeper has been close to the world-class category in ten years with James Trafford the latest hope as Jordan Pickford hits his ceiling

‘For England I’m a midfielder’: Trent Alexander-Arnold states his position amid Gareth Southgate ‘frustration’ comment
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Liverpool star exclusively tells FourFourTwo he is focused on earning a starting berth in the middle of the pitch at Euro 2024

An Independent Football Regulator is supporters’ ‘Bosman Rule’ moment and will change the sport’s landscape forever
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION Football clubs are cultural touchpoints for their communities and heritage that needs protecting, time will tell if the passing of a football governance bill will be a good thing for English football, here's why I believe it will

FourFourTwo writers pick their Euro 2024 England squads and first XI for the first game
By Mark White published
The countdown to the Euro 2024 England squad is on, as our esteemed team make their picks for Gareth Southgate's group

The coach, the man-manager, the sheep herder: Sean Longstaff describes what it’s like playing under Benitez, Bruce and Howe
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Sean Longstaff has been managed by Rafa Benitez, Steve Bruce and now Eddie Howe. We asked him to explain the nuances of each

“I’ll never throw my toys out the pram” Trent Alexander-Arnold opens up about his England selection situation in an exclusive interview
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE Liverpool and England star Trent Alexander-Arnold's talent isn't necessarily reflected in the number of international caps to his name, but he isn't giving up

Newcastle United star Sean Longstaff: “You think it’s always going to be rosy, but it’s not like that,” as midfielder opens up about his struggles with mental health
By Matthew Ketchell published
EXCLUSIVE In 2020 Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff broke down in front of his father and was put in contact with a professional. He tells FourFourTwo how it changed his life

England squad announcement: Gareth Southgate got a lot right picking one of the most difficult squads of his tenure but there was one HUGE opportunity missed
By Matthew Ketchell published
OPINION Injury and lack of depth in midfield has left the England squad looking a little unbalanced going into two testing friendly fixtures, but there was one big trick missed by the manager

‘No excuses’ Kieran Trippier reflects on his mistake-ridden December and admits he has no clue why he couldn’t put a foot right
By Matthew Ketchell published
Newcastle United’s vice captain had one month in particular to forget on the pitch this season, but fronted up when asked about his mensis horribilis
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
