Matthew Heywood

Swindon Town He made his Swindon debut in a 3–0 victory over Bury a few days later and managed to score his first senior goal during a victory over Brentford, in which Heywood's goal was the only one of the game. The transfer was made permanent on 18 August 2006 and he became club captain in January 2008, following the departure of John Mackie. Brentford struggled under new manager Leroy Rosenior and he was eventually dismissed before being replaced by Scott Fitzgerald, and then later Barry Quinn. Heywood and his new club eventually lost their League One status after finishing bottom of the league. This was Heywood's first taste of relegation. In the 2007–2008 season, Brentford finished 14th in the League Two table, with Heywood winning the "Supporters Player of the Season" award.

Grimsby Town On 25 June 2008, Heywood turned down a fresh contract at Griffin Park, and signed a two-year contract with Grimsby Town. He was named Grimsby's club captain for the 2008–09 season by his new manager Alan Buckley, but the Mariners began to struggle in the league, and Buckley was dismissed early on into the new campaign. Following increasingly worrying poor performances from Heywood, Buckley's replacement as manager, Mike Newell opted to re-sign former Grimsby centre back Rob Atkinson to replace Matt in defence. The club captaincy was also given to youngster Ryan Bennett. Heywood would only make 18 appearances for Grimsby in his first season and spent a good chunk of that sat on the substitutes bench. this following Heywood only featuring once in the season, playing in a 4–0 away defeat against Port Vale in September 2009.

Barrow and Buxton Heywood began training with Mansfield Town on 15 February. He did not sign for them, however, and remained a free agent until July 2010, when he signed for Barrow.

On 11 October 2010, Heywood was released from the club having failed to make a single appearance for them. Heywood signed for Buxton on 25 October 2010, after 9 appearances during the 2010–11 season he left the club in May 2011.

Career statistics

Honours Burnley Football League Second Division second-place promotion: 1998–99

Individual Swindon Town Player of the Year: 2001–02 Brentford Supporters Player of the Year: 2007–08