Former Lincoln City striker Matt Green has announced his retirement from professional football, bringing an end to a career that saw him make more than 650 appearances and score more than 200 goals.
Green, now 39, spent 18 months with the Imps after joining on a two-year deal in 2017. He arrived as Lincoln prepared for their first season back in the Football League, and he quickly wrote himself into that chapter of the club’s recent history.
His first appearance brought a notable moment. Green scored City’s first goal back in the EFL, finding the net in the 2-2 draw at Wycombe Wanderers on the opening day of the 2017/18 season. A week later, he was on target again in a 1-1 draw with Morecambe at Sincil Bank, setting the tone for a campaign in which he would become Lincoln’s leading scorer.
Green finished 2017/18 with 17 goals in 56 appearances in all competitions. He was a regular presence in Danny Cowley’s side, often linking with Matt Rhead in attack, and his movement and work rate gave Lincoln a different option in the final third.
There were important league goals along the way, including strikes against Port Vale, Accrington Stanley, Stevenage, Newport County, Grimsby Town and Exeter City. He also scored in the play-off semi-final second leg at Exeter, although City’s season ended in defeat at St James Park.
Green was also part of the squad that delivered one of the club’s great days out. He scored three times in the EFL Trophy run, against Mansfield Town, Accrington Stanley and Peterborough United, before playing almost the whole of the final as Lincoln beat Shrewsbury Town 1-0 at Wembley.
The following season, his starts became more limited after the arrival of John Akinde, but he still made early contributions to the 2018/19 campaign. He scored in the opening-day win at Northampton Town, added another in the 4-1 victory over Swindon Town, and also found the net in the EFL Cup win at Port Vale.
By mid-December, Green had made 19 league appearances that season, 17 of them from the bench. Lincoln accepted an offer from Salford City, bringing his time at Sincil Bank to an end. He left having made 82 appearances for the Imps, scoring 23 goals in all competitions.
Before joining Lincoln, Green had played for Newport County, Cardiff City, Darlington, Oxford United, Torquay United, Cheltenham Town, Mansfield Town and Birmingham City. His most prolific spell was at Mansfield Town, through whom he announced his retirement.
“I’m grateful for every minute on the pitch,” he told their official channel.
“I did my best, learned from my mistakes and couldn’t have done it without Mansfield Town and the fans.
“I scored some goals, but the real wins were the friendships, the lessons and the support that never wavered.
“I leave with a thankful heart, proud of what we achieved together and humbled by how much the club and supporters gave me.
“Football taught me to be brave, to work hard, be mentally resilient and not compare yourselves to others in your football journey. That’s what I’ll take into whatever comes next.
“Now I’m coaching with Bristol City as well as my own private business, Imperial Strikers, I’m enjoying giving all of my experience from my playing days back to the next generation.”
“Thank you for believing in me. I walk off the pitch with plenty of gratitude, no illusions, and a willingness to give back.”
Green may not have been at Lincoln for long, but his spell came at a memorable time. He scored the first goal of City’s Football League return, finished his first season as top scorer, helped the club to Wembley silverware, and played his part in the foundations of a promotion-winning squad.
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