Matt Groves

Matt returned to the Avenue Stadium for a second spell with the Magpies in the summer of 2009, having previously spent ten years with the county town club.

Matt started his career as a Y.T.S trainee with Portsmouth, during which time he suffered a broken leg. After making a full recovery, this talented striker was released during his first season as a full time professional due to the club's administrative problems.

Matt joined the Magpies during the 1998/99 season and made a number of appearances in the first team, mainly as substitute, before establishing himself in the first team on a regular basis over the next eight seasons.

Affectionately known as 'Groover', Matt has now made over 400 appearances for the first team, landing him in eighth place in the list of all-time club appearances, and is a player who always gives 100 per cent, often making life difficult for the opposing defence.

Matt left for Lewes in September 2007, and after winning the league, he then had a spell with Eastleigh before returning to the Magpies, but was released in February 2011 before joining local rivals Weymouth.