Matt started and ended his playing career at Southampton FC. He made 444 appearances for The Saints from 1986 to 2002. He has always maintained that he is a devoted Southampton fan and is considered a hero at St. Mary's, so much so the club have named one of the hospitality suites and an apartment block at the site of their old ground after him.

He had great technical ability as an attacking midfielder and was the first ever players to score 100 goals in the Premier League. He scored 48 out of his 49 penalties and is considered by many to be the greatest penalty taker of all time. Matt represented England on 8 occasions between 1994 and 1997. Matt was voted PFA Young Player of the Year for the 1989-90 season in which he was on the league’s top goal scorers with 20 goals.

His charismatic personality on and off the pitch has led to a career in the media. Matt is currently a regular pundit on the panel of Sky Sports Gillette Soccer Saturday.In June 2009, he made his debut as a guest in ‘Dictionary Corner’ on the game show Countdown, hosted by Soccer Saturday presenter Jeff Stelling.

Matt has had a number of books and DVD’s attributed to his career and in 2009 he released his autobiography "Taking Le Tiss".

Matt is a keen golfer and regularly takes part in charity golf days.