SUMMIT SPECIAL
Matthews aims for peak form at Glasgow
Glasgow warriors hooker Johnny Matthews spent part of the pandemic climbing Everest to raise funds for a scottish mental health charity.
Unfortunately for Matthews, his virtual ascent took place on the stairs of Boroughmuir Rugby club rather than the world’s biggest mountain.
‘It took us 21 hours and 29 minutes to walk up from the basement to the top floor over and over again,’ said Matthews, who reached the height equivalent of 29,028 feet (8,848 metres) along with his former Boroughmuir team-mate Tommy wilson, who helped set up the support and offload charity.
The funds they raised — more than £2,500 — were used to fulfil the ambitions of the charity, which aims to break down feelings of anxiety through sport and exercise, and to arrange informal gatherings over a coffee for those who are struggling.
scaling the heights — just like he did with his phenomenal efforts for charity — is something Matthews hopes to do this season with glasgow, where he has made a storming start. He was in such good form in the first two pre-season friendlies that he was named McCrea Financial services warrior of the Month and is part of the squad for the United Rugby Championship opener against Ulster in Belfast tomorrow evening.
However, his monthly accolade could only take second billing on what was a very special day for the liverpool-born front row star, as he explained: ‘I heard the news on the Monday when I was getting down on one knee to propose to my girlfriend Melanie on luskentyre beach on the Isle of Harris. That was obviously the highlight for me!
‘as for the award, I was absolutely delighted to get it, especially as it came off the back of a good pre-season and a couple of good team performances. The two games against Newcastle and worcester warriors were really good tests and I believe we are looking in good shape heading into the Ulster game.’
The 28-year-old had featured with the scotland Under-18 team alongside the likes of Jonny gray, Jamie Bhatti and sam Hidalgo-Clyne but failed to kick on thereafter.
a spell at English clubs, including otley and Rotherham, kept him playing at a decent level before he made what some may have seen as a surprise decision to move to Boroughmuir.
‘It was a very good decision as the Boroughmuir head coach at the time, Peter wright, and the forwards coach, Paul larter, helped me so much,’ said Matthews, who is scotland qualified through his mother from Blantyre.
Matthews was one of Boroughmuir’s top performers, scoring a remarkable 19 tries in 16 games which made him the top try scorer in the Premiership in the 2018/2019 season.
Edinburgh head coach Richard Cockeril signed him up on a short-term contract as injury cover. although he didn’t play, he did well in training and when he returned to Boroughmuir he earned more rave reviews.
It was then that the club on the other end of the M8 offered him a deal, with Matthews going on to make 12 competitive appearances for warriors over the past two seasons, claiming two tries in the process. He now finds himself up against the likes of scotland internationals Fraser Brown and george Turner, who misses the game against Ulster due to concussion, for the starting hooker jersey.
‘It is good to get a place in the squad after a good pre-season. It is a confidence boost moving forward,’ added Matthews.
McCrea Financial Services, an independent Financial Adviser based in central Glasgow, and long-term sponsor of Glasgow warriors, provide a wide range of services for getting the most out of your finances. to find out more visit mccreafs.co.uk