Born in Coventry and educated at Barkers Butts school, Reg joined the club as a 17-year-old in May 1950. He won a regular first-team place in the 1954-55 season, after which his progress was phenomenal. Standing 5ft 10in, at just over 12 stone, he was hardly a giant among goalkeepers, but his anticipation, courage and athleticism soon drew the attention of the England selectors.

They gave him his first international cap on April 14 1956 - a most demanding occasion, since the opposition were Scotland at Hampden Park. Matthews did well; a spectacular goal by the little Scottish winger Graham Leggat beat him, but Johnny Haynes scored for England and the game finished 1-1.

Reg kept his place for a memorable victory against Brazil at Wembley in May 1956. The Brazilians, still struggling to adapt to a third-back style defence, were penetrated time and again, but although England missed two penalties and Brazil scored twice, England won 4-2.

Reg now went on England's annual continental tour. In Stockholm, he kept a clean sheet against Sweden in a goalless draw. Ten days later, in Berlin, he helped England to a notable 3-1 win against West Germany. His last cap was in October 1956, against Northern Ireland in Belfast, a 1-1 draw. He was then replaced by a far older goalkeeper, the Tottenham veteran Ted Ditchburn.

In the new year, after playing for Coventry more than 100 times, Reg moved to Chelsea, displacing Bill Robertson and staying for five years, during which he played almost 150 times. By the end of the 1960-61 season, he had been displaced by the rising young Peter Bonetti; and the following season saw him joining Derby County, making 25 appearances for them in the second division.
Altogether he made more than 200 appearances for the Rams to the end of the 1966-67 season. He was also a player-manager at Rugby, and coached Coventry amateurs. From 1968, he worked on the production line at the tractor manufacturer Massey Ferguson.

Born in Coventry and educated at Barkers Butts school, Reg joined the club as a 17-year-old in May 1950. He won a regular first-team place in the 1954-55 season, after which his progress was phenomenal. Standing 5ft 10in, at just over 12 stone, he was hardly a giant among goalkeepers, but his anticipation, courage and athleticism soon drew the attention of the England selectors.

They gave him his first international cap on April 14 1956 - a most demanding occasion, since the opposition were Scotland at Hampden Park. Matthews did well; a spectacular goal by the little Scottish winger Graham Leggat beat him, but Johnny Haynes scored for England and the game finished 1-1.

Reg kept his place for a memorable victory against Brazil at Wembley in May 1956. The Brazilians, still struggling to adapt to a third-back style defence, were penetrated time and again, but although England missed two penalties and Brazil scored twice, England won 4-2.

Reg now went on England's annual continental tour. In Stockholm, he kept a clean sheet against Sweden in a goalless draw. Ten days later, in Berlin, he helped England to a notable 3-1 win against West Germany. His last cap was in October 1956, against Northern Ireland in Belfast, a 1-1 draw. He was then replaced by a far older goalkeeper, the Tottenham veteran Ted Ditchburn.

In the new year, after playing for Coventry more than 100 times, Reg moved to Chelsea, displacing Bill Robertson and staying for five years, during which he played almost 150 times. By the end of the 1960-61 season, he had been displaced by the rising young Peter Bonetti; and the following season saw him joining Derby County, making 25 appearances for them in the second division.
Altogether he made more than 200 appearances for the Rams to the end of the 1966-67 season. He was also a player-manager at Rugby, and coached Coventry amateurs. From 1968, he worked on the production line at the tractor manufacturer Massey Ferguson.