From a farming family and a product of Oakham School, Matthews first played for Tigers in 1955 and remained in the first team until hanging up his boots in 1974. Since then he has served as coach, president, director and life member, with service totalling more than 50 years.
“I am genuinely surprised that I have been voted into the Legends, especially when you see the severe competition,” says Matthews.
“I have always had a lot of respect for Neil Back, Lewis Moody and ‘Dosser’ Smith, they have all been fantastic players. It is genuine honour to be voted into the Legends.
“Before I played for the club I had never even been to see Leicester play live at Welford Road. I only played nine games in my first two years, then I got back in and I was very lucky that I did not have a severe injury and my career lasted such a long time.
“I remember after one of my earliest games for the second team back in 1955 we came back to Welford Road where the first team had just played Llanelli. The players from both sides started coming into the old tea room and I was looking at the size of these guys, thinking ‘How on earth do you think you’re going to compete with them?’ I was totally in awe of them.
“I pick up the Leicester Mercury this week and the front page has a headline about a player fearing injury might have meant him not playing again. How lucky am I? Then there’s a story about unborn twins getting tickets for Tigers matches. Isn’t it tremendous to see that we have got a club like that? It makes me very emotional.
“I saw that Graham Willars was voted into the Legends team last week and I knew him for such a long time, he was a very dear friend, he was such a positive thinker and a great man at the club.
“When I look at the other names that have been voted in so far I notice that I am the oldest one there, which isn’t always a happy position to be in!
“But I would really like to thank everybody who voted for me. I feel I have been incredibly lucky to have such a long association with Leicester Tigers and with rugby.”
Voting for the final place in the Walk of Legends XV - the No8 - is open now via the Leicester Mercury website. The shortlist comprises Garry Adey, Tom Bleasdale, Martin Corry and Dean Richards.
You can share pride of place with the 15 all-time greats by buying an exclusive engraved commemorative brick, complete with your name and personal message, which will be set in the Walk of Legends on the approach to the new Caterpillar Stand. We can also supply a replica to keep at home.
Prices are from £44.95 for a single brick or £79.95 for a double brick.
To download an order form for a Walk of Legends commemorative brick click here.
