Good luck to Matthew Boyce

Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s longest serving player Matthew Boyce has retired from the professional game with immediate effect to pursue a career in finance.

A batsman with a fine technique and temperament, Boyce came all the way through the age groups and Academy system at Grace Road as part of a 20-year involvement with the club.

Boyce, who has a degree in Management and Economics, will now set up his own wealth management firm under the umbrella of one of the leading wealth management companies in the UK.

The 29-year-old received his county cap in 2013 and was recently awarded a special cap for making his 100th first-class appearance for the club. The batsman retires having scored 7,085 runs for Leicestershire in all competitions, including six centuries.

He said: “I’d like to thank the club, including the coaches, support staff, players and supporters, for making my career in cricket so enjoyable. Although it is not easy knowing I am not going to play again, I’m excited about the next chapter in my life and taking on a new challenge.

“I’ve been fortunate to plan and prepare for life after cricket and would like to thank the PCA, in particular Charlie Mulraine, and club sponsor Peter Wilcox for their support. I’ve been coming to Grace Road for 20 years and nothing would make me happier than seeing my current teammates do well in the future. Finally, I’d like to thank my family and close friends for all of their help and support.”

Boyce always put the team first and that was evident in the 2011 T20 Final at Edgbaston. Boyce was not named in the side but made a vital contribution as a substitute fielder, taking four catches in the deep off fellow Oakham School alumnus Josh Cobb as the team lifted the trophy.

Leicestershire and Rutland Cricket Chief Executive Wasim Khan MBE said: “Matthew has spent his entire career at Leicestershire County Cricket Club and we thank him for his immense contribution to the club.

"Matthew scored a lot of runs for the club and was also an excellent role model for our younger players. He was somebody who always played the situation and put the team first. I know Matthew will enjoy success in his new career in the financial industry and I’d like to wish him all the very best for the future on behalf of the entire club." 

A fine man as well as a fine cricketer, Boyce has undertaken two testing personal challenges for charity in recent years.

In 2012, Boyce completed a walk from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise money and awareness for mental health charity MIND and the PCA Benevolent Fund. He then took part in the Big Bike Ride for the Tom Maynard Trust and the Professional Cricketers’ Association Benevolent Fund at the end of the 2013 season.

His family have a close association with the club as Matthew’s father Andrew took the role of Interim Chief Executive for three months last year while his mother Anne and other family members are also regular visitors to Grace Road. Everybody at Grace Road would like to wish Matthew well as he embarks on his new career.