Matt Horsley

NSL Career: Wollongong Wolves, Perth Glory 347 (41) / 1990/91 - 2003/04

Socceroos Career: 1 (0) A International

One of the most successful NSL players during the late 1990s and early 2000s, Horsley was a versatile and hardworking footballer who captained Wollongong to back-to-back championships before joining Perth Glory where he won another two championship medals.

Born and bred in Wollongong, Horsley began his junior career with Balgownie Rangers and progressed through the ranks to make his first team debut at the age of 16 in the Illawarra Premier League. Horsley won the league's player of the year award in 1989 and 1990 before making NSL club Wollongong City's senior team.

Horsley played in Balgownie's 1991 IPL Grand Final victory over Wests-Figtree before making his NSL debut for Wollongong late in the 1990/91 season at the age of 18. Horsley became a regular in the Wollongong side during his second season and helped the side qualify for the finals series for the first time since 1988, where they lost one-nil to Adelaide City in the elimination final.

Horsley played in every game for Wollongong in the 1992/93 season and scored in the second leg of their elimination final against Parramatta Eagles to ensure a spot in the minor semi-final where they again lost to Adelaide City. Despite signing talented players such as Pedro Ricoy and Scott Ollerenshaw for the 1993/94 season, Wollongong struggled to win games, finishing in eleventh place. At just 22 years of age, Horsley was given the captain's armband by coach David Ratcliffe for the 1994/95 season. 

Despite being a consistent performer, Horsley was unable to help the club qualify for the finals series during the next two seasons but added goals to his game in the 1996/97 season, finishing as the club's top scorer with seven from midfield. Under the guidance of coach Nick Theodorakopoulos, who replaced Ratcliffe midway through the 1995/96 season, Wollongong managed to qualify for the finals series in the 1997/98 season after Horsley's goal in a two-all draw with Sydney United in the last round guaranteed the club a finals spot.

Horsley provided the assist for the opening goal in Wollongong's three-nil win over Adelaide City in the first leg of the elimination final before the club lost their minor semi-final match to Marconi two-one. Wollongong's form dipped during the 1998/99 season, but the club's prolific forward line began to take shape with new signing Saso Petrovski and the rise of Socceroo Scott Chipperfield. 

The club signed English striker Stuart Young and Victorian defender David Cervinski for the 1999/00 season and the side's blend of experience and youth began to pay dividends. Running the Wollongong midfield with youngster Paul Reid, Horsley's work rate and distribution helped the side achieve the league's goal scoring record (72 league goals scored during the regular season). 

Horsley form during the season earned him a Socceroos call-up where he made his full international debut in a one-all draw with Bulgaria. Wollongong progressed to their first NSL Grand Final and went in to the half-time break three-nil down against Perth Glory. Inspirational as ever, Horsley helped Wollongong get back on level terms - scoring the Wolves second goal before Reid equalised late in regulation time. The match ended in a penalty shoot-out in which Horsley started the trend of four consecutive saved/missed penalties before Chipperfield and Reid struck truly to deny Perth their first NSL Championship.

As defending champions, Wollongong started the 2000/01 season strongly, losing just twice in the first 13 games of the season before competing in the 2001 Oceania Club Championship. Playing as a right wing-back, Horsley claimed another trophy as captain but missed the chance to lead the side on the world stage when the 2001 edition of the FIFA Club World Championship was eventually cancelled.

After finishing second to South Melbourne in the league standings, Wollongong progressed directly to the major semi-final where Horsley contributed with inspirational performances and scored in the second leg as Wollongong defeated South four-two on aggregate. 

Three weeks later, Wollongong and South met again in the grand final where Horsley played a part in both of his side's goals. South's grand final specialist John Anastasiadis pulled one back late in the game but it was not enough as Wollongong claimed back-to-back championships. 

Horsley was awarded the Joe Marston Medal for his tireless work down the right flank before leaving the club as their all-time appearance record holder and longest serving captain. Horsley joined Perth Glory for the 2001/02 season where he spent more time as a right full-back and helped the side get in to their second NSL Grand Final after a dominant season, conceding just 23 goals and losing just one game during the regular season. 

Perth lost the grand final to Sydney Olympic but continued to show their worth during the 2002/03 season under South African-English coach Mich D'Avray, who signed Horsley after replacing German Bernd Stange the previous season. After finishing runners-up to Sydney Olympic in the regular season, Perth comfortably qualified for the grand final after topping the 10-round Championship Series by eight points. Playing in his fourth grand final in four seasons, Horsley helped Perth win their first NSL Championship, getting revenge on Sydney Olympic in a two-nil victory.

The following season, Horsley suffered an ACL injury in Perth's round 10 match against former club Wollongong and was sidelined for the remainder of the season. Perth went on to finish minor premiers before progressing to the grand final where they defeated Parramatta Power in what would have been Horsley's league record fifth consecutive grand final. 

After recovering from his knee injury, Horsley continued his career with Perth in the new A-League competition but decided to retire after making just nine league appearances during the inaugural season due to family commitments and hung up his boots at the age of 33. Horsley was selected as captain in Wollongong's Greatest XI and was a nominee in Perth's Ultimate XI.