One of a number of academy graduates to hail from the Torbay area, Matt Jay has always been a player that has shown plenty of promise. Regarded as the best technical player in the Grecian side by numerous teammates, MJ (as he is affectionately referred to) shone in the academy, impressing the first team management so much that he made his first team debut aged just 17, in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy in September 2013. His league debut soon followed in November of that year and by December he had signed a professional deal, while still a second-year scholar. Despite an excellent start to his City career, MJ found first team opportunities difficult to come by and was sent out on loan to the National League South the following season. Following brief spells at Weston-Super-Mare and Hayes & Yeading, he saw a successful end to the 2015/16 season at Truro City, where MJ helped Steve Tully’s side to the play-off semi-final. An unsuccessful 2016/17 followed, with MJ only able to muster five appearances in red and white across all competitions. It wasn’t until the tail end of 2017/18 that Matt got regular opportunities in the Grecian side, finally scoring his first league goal in a sensational comeback win against Cambridge United in April 2018 under Paul Tisdale. The following season saw Matt’s involvement in the first team grow, contributing a handful of goals and featuring in the play-off final defeat against Coventry in 2018. Going into the 2020/21 season MJ had established himself and has been a mainstay in Matt Taylor’s starting XI since.