Hero’s welcome for JCB welder-turned-footballer

Lincoln City’s Matt Rhead receives a rousing reception from former workmates at JCB

FORMER JCB digger maker-turned-FA Cup hero Matt Rhead was given a rousing reception today when he retraced his footsteps on the production line where he worked for almost a decade.

The 32-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent was a popular figure at the JCB Earthmovers factory in Cheadle, Staffordshire, where he worked before leaving to become a professional footballer in 2012.

Five years later he is hitting the national headlines after being named Man of the Match in a game that saw his team, Lincoln City, become the first non-league side to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in 103 years by beating Premier League team Burnley 1-0.

Today – just days before Lincoln take on Arsenal in the eagerly awaited sixth-round tie – Matt Rhead returned to JCB Earthmovers to a hero’s reception from former colleagues.

He said: ‘It’s great to be back at JCB to meet mates I spent almost 10 years working with. I had some very good times here and when I was offered a professional footballing contract it was a dream come true, but leaving JCB was also a very difficult decision because I really enjoyed the job. I was taught to work hard and to continue learning, and that has stood me in good stead for my footballing career.

‘The success we are enjoying in the FA Cup at the moment is just amazing and I’m really looking forward to playing against Arsenal next week. Hopefully we can secure another giant-killing result.’

When Matt Rhead joined JCB in 2003 he trained as a welder before promotion to the role of team leader in the welding area of the factory making JCB wheel loaders. At weekends though, he was turning out for local non-league sides including Kidsgrove Athletic, Nantwich Town and Congleton Town.

In January 2012 Mansfield Town recruited him on a part-time deal before offering him a full-time contract at the end of the season. He signed a two-year deal with Lincoln City in 2015.

Manufacturing operations manager Mick Cheadle said: ‘Matt was a great guy to have working for us. He always had a smile on his face, got the job done and motivated the people around him, which is why he went on to become a team leader.

‘We were very sad to see him leave but naturally he had to follow his dream. It’s great that it’s paying off for him and since he left we have always followed his progress closely. It’s been great to see the success he’s having with Lincoln City in the FA Cup and hopefully they can now reach Wembley.’