HE is one of the most popular and most respected figures in Cornish football, and this week Tommy Matthews confirmed he is looking forward to his next challenge after standing down as manager of Cornwall's U18s after ten years in charge.
The 52-year-old exclusively revealed to Cornish Guardian Sport on Monday of his decision to leave his role, after landing a new position with the FA.
Matthews, who enjoyed a long and distinguished playing career, most notably at Falmouth Town, where he made 460 appearances, has been appointed as a coach educator in the county, where he will help other coaches obtain their level one FA coaching badges.
He said: "It has been a fantastic honour and privilege to have managed the county youth team for ten years."
Matthews is the only person to have represented Cornwall at every level, county schools, county youth and county senior, and gone on to manage the county youth team.
He added: "I feel very lucky that I've been able to represent my county at every level and managed the county youth team for ten years. I've completed the box set!"
But after ten successful years, in which he steered the county's U18s to their first ever back-to-back titles in the South West Counties Championships, Matthews has landed his 'dream' role in the FA.
He said: "This is something that I have wanted to do for a long time.
Difference
"I've always wanted to make a difference, I hope I've done that with the county youth, and now I want to help other coaches in the county make a difference."
Matthews has been training for his new position since October, and it has even included a trip to St George's Park, the Football Association's new national football centre in Burton.
He will be based across the county, delivering courses to aspiring coaches, but will also continue his position as football development officer and teacher of PE at Newquay Tretherras School.
He said: "The CCFA come in for some stick from time to time, but not a lot of people realise just how much work goes on behind the scenes.
"In some ways I'm leaving with a heavy heart but the time was right for me to move on."
Matthews took charge of his final game of the Cornwall County Youth team on Saturday as they were beaten 1-0 away to Wiltshire.
He said: "It was an honest performance, but unfortunately the result didn't go our way.
"I've been fortunate to work with some brilliant players, and seeing them move on to bigger and better things makes it all worthwhile.
"People like Ben Williams have gone on to play for Truro City's first-team, Olly Brokenshire is doing very well at Bodmin, and Mamsy Sabo goes straight into the Newquay team when he's home from university.
"We don't have the benefit of having professional clubs like other county's do but they have always gelled so well together."
Matthews has never managed a south west senior team on a permanent basis, though he has had spells helping out at Falmouth Town, and earlier this season he stepped in at Penzance for a couple of games after Robin Watt and Steve Flack stood down.
He said: "I could have taken a South West league job if I wanted, but I've always wanted to coach players of the future.
"I've been back at Falmouth to help out in the past and at the start of the season I went down to Penzance. If I can help in anyway for any club, then I'll continue to do that when I can."
The Cornwall FA will now set about the task of finding a replacement for Matthews, with his assistant James Ross one candidate to take over.
It is also hoped that Pete Foxwell and Sam Boston will remain in their roles as goalkeeper coach and physiotherapist respectively.
Matthews said: "They have been fantastic to work with, and hopefully they will continue when the new manager comes in."
