PEC Zwolle UK: Meet The Members - Matt Murphy


PEC Zwolle UK: Meet The Members - Matt Murphy


Next Up in our Meet The Members series is PEC Zwolle UK Co-Founder and Chairman, Matt Murphy from Preston, England.

Why do you love PEC Zwolle?
"I love that the club doesn't give up, through different reincarnations and hardship the club has carried on. It has fighting spirit. The Fans are so passionate yet warm and inviting. It has a great history and captivates the people of Zwolle. A club the City can be proud of".

What do you love about the City of Zwolle?
"I love the friendly people, I have made good friends who are fellow Zwollenaars. The City is very charming and I can speak for the group by saying the nightlife is great. You cant beat getting merry in the bars of Zwolle with good people and finishing the night in Febo!" (You see you can't get a Febo over here in England).

First Memory of Dutch Football?
"Apart from the great Ajax sides in the 90s, I remember going to watch AZ Alkmaar in a friendly under Louis Van Gaal as a teenager away at Bolton Wanderers with fellow group member Joe Smith"

Favourite Dutch player of all-time?
"Personally for me it is Wesley Sneijder. A player in his prime that had everything. Loved watching him in International tournaments for The Oranje".

My Favourite ever PEC Zwolle Match?
"Has to be the recent 4-3 win against Vitesse, even better that the PEC Zwolle lads were there to witness it. Being in the Noord Tribune with PZ-UK, our Dutch friends, having a few beers and seeing that miraculous ending to the game was special. The atmosphere was amazing and the scenes when the final goal went in was unbelievable. I'll never forget that until the day I die".



Favourite all-time Zwolle Player?
"Since I started watching Zwolle in 2017, my favourite has been Kingsley Ehizibue. Loved watching him flying forward from Right-Back and for me was a consistent performer".

Thoughts on Next Season and who PEC should bring in?
"I think survival and staying in the Eredivisie will be the aim and it will be a good season if that is achieved, especially with the summer transfer policy of only bringing in free transfers. I would like to have some bite in midfield, Lee Cattermole who was released by VVV Venlo would do a good job and would bring in some experience. If money was spent then i would like to see Melle Meulensteen from Waalwijk".



Favourite moments of the PEC Zwolle UK Trips so far?
"Taking a boat out on the River IJssel was a good laugh and I really enjoyed visiting Volendam. I do enjoy the pre-match beers in the Supportershome with Marcel Pelleboer who has become a good friend of the group, but nothing can top that injury time win against Vitesse. Being there was unreal".

Who do you support back home and why?
"Preston North End. I I supported them because my Dad gave me no choice! He took me home and away following them all over England. To maintain balance in the family, I also like Aston Villa. My mum is an Aston Villa supporter but with living far away from Birmingham, my local team Preston took the spotlight".



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