About Matt Jay
Born 1996. Matt Jay is a British association football player.
Matthew William Jay (born 27 February 1996) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for National League South side Torquay United.
Early life and education Jay was born in Torbay in Devon and he attended South Dartmoor Community College together with Ollie Watkins and Jamie Reid.
Playing career Exeter City
Jay made his professional debut for Exeter in a 2–0 loss to Wycombe Wanderers in the Football League Trophy at St James Park on 3 September 2013.
On 22 November 2015, Jay joined National League South side Hayes & Yeading United on a one-month loan.
He scored his first goal for Exeter in an EFL Trophy tie against Oxford United on 30 August 2016. Jay finally scored his first league goal on the 8th of April, in the 2017–18 campaign, away to Cambridge United in a game where Exeter came twice from behind to win 3–2. This came to the delight of many players and fans alike following a run of impressive games starting and from the bench.
In 2021, Jay scored his first career hat trick in a 4–0 victory against Leyton Orient. After a month in which he scored five goals and got one assist, Jay received the League Two Player of the Month award for March 2021. and on 29 April 2021 was named in the 2020–21 EFL League Two Team of the Season at the league's annual awards ceremony.
Jay was awarded the Exeter captaincy following the departure of Jake Taylor in the summer of 2021 and was given the number 7 shirt. He continued his goalscoring form into the 2021–22 season, netting 16 times in all competitions. The most significant of these came in a 2–1 home win over Barrow, where he scored a late winner, chesting the ball down from a Josh Key cross and slamming home through the legs of Paul Farman on the volley to secure his boyhood club's return to League One after a decade in League Two.
Colchester United On 9 January 2023, Jay signed for Colchester United for an undisclosed fee.
On 23 January 2025, Colchester United announced that Jay's contract had been cancelled by mutual consent, with Jay free to seek another club as a free agent.
Torquay United On 24 January 2025, Jay signed for National League South side Torquay United.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
2013–14 League Two
2014–15 League Two
2015–16 League Two
2016–17 League Two
2017–18 League Two
2018–19 League Two
2019–20 League Two
2020–21 League Two
2021–22 League Two
2022–23 League One
Weston-super-Mare (loan) 2014–15 Conference South
Hayes & Yeading United (loan) 2015–16 National League South
Truro City (loan) 2015–16 League Two
2024–25 League Two
2024–25
Individual PFA Team of the Year: 2020–21 League Two, 2021–22 League Two EFL League Two Team of the Season: 2020–21
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Important facts
People in Matt Jay's life
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Contemporaries
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Frequently asked questions
Who is Matt Jay?
English association football player (born 1996)
When was Matt Jay born?
Matt Jay was born on 27 February 1996 in Torbay.
What is Matt Jay's occupation?
Matt Jay is an association football player.
What nationality is Matt Jay?
Matt Jay is British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Matt Jay. https://biography.guide/matt-jay/
MLA: "Matt Jay." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/matt-jay/.
Chicago: "Matt Jay." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/matt-jay/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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