Former Wolves and England winger Matt Jarvis reflects on his most elegant, skilful and stylish teammates, kits and moments which make up his beautiful game.
Most beautiful player | Ravel Morrison
Ravel Morrison was just the most technically gifted player I’ve ever played alongside. He could do anything, In training, it would be that easy for him that he would have to make up games to see how many people he could ‘megs’ in one training session, just to make it interesting for himself. He was extreme and he could do everything. Obviously there was a lot of things which he went through, but he showed what he could do in the Premier League, especially at West Ham. I remember he had an eight game run where he was outstanding.
Most beautiful Wolves teammate | David Jones
At Wolves, I’d probably say someone like David Jones. I could even say Karl Henry was up there in technical ability because he had a bit of everything, but Jonah was brilliant for me. I loved playing with Jonah because he was left footed, so he always wanted to come out to the left-hand side, which was even better for me. But everything was just easy for him – everything looks better with a lefty – and you saw it with his flick up and volley for the free kick that he scored against Stoke. He was just technically, very, very classy.
Most beautiful opposition | Chelsea
I remember we played against Chelsea in my first season the Premier League. It was quite early on in the season and we played them away at Stamford Bridge, and we lost 4-0, but they were a disgrace. We couldn’t get near them. I was sprinting around, trying to get close to them, but I just couldn’t get near anyone. But looking back at their team, they had the likes of Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Anelka, Essien, Ivanovic, just a disgrace of a team, really, and we just couldn't get near them. It was a massive realisation to see that this is where we need to step up to and was a first real wake up call for us in the Premier League.
Most beautiful goal | Jones vs Stoke, 2010
That’s a hard one as I've been on the pitch for some really good goals. I could say Jonah’s free kick that I mentioned before, because that was class, but I’ve also had a few against me which have been pretty impressive. Wayne Rooney’s goal from the halfway line was pretty impressive, and Gareth Bale scored a ridiculous goal against us into the top corner for Spurs against West Ham. Ravel Morrison scored one for West Ham against Spurs that was pretty impressive too, where he just ran through the middle of the pitch and just dinked the keeper.
Most beautiful stadium | Old Trafford
There’s a few. Growing up, I always wanted to play at Old Trafford because it was historic. Playing at Anfield was ridiculous, with ‘You’ll never walk alone’. When the Liverpool fans sing that, it doesn't matter if you’re an away player, it massively gets you up for the game. But I remember playing in the Europa League qualification with West Ham and we played at this stadium that was built into a massive mountain. I can’t remember the name of the team, but there weren’t any stands on three sides of it and that was pretty weird, but really unique. But when you first go into the Premier League, and get to play in the amazing stadiums was great. I really liked the old school, tight stadiums like Upton Park and Goodison Park as well.
Most beautiful kit | England 2011 home
It’s a cop out, but I’ve got to say my England shirt. There’s nothing quite like the plain white shirt with the England badge on. It was the one where you couldn’t really see but was all covered in different names But obviously for what it meant, it was iconic for me. Looking back on that moment still gives me tingles now. It’s a boyhood dream and is a moment that will live with me forever. It was incredible and absolutely amazing. I vividly remember it when I first went on the pitch, I was like, ‘I’ve done it. No one can take this away from me. I’ve played for my country’. It was just a moment I had for a second and then you’re into the game. But that one second was a massive, incredible and proud moment.
Most beautiful moment in history | Having his children as mascots
For me personally, I could say my debut as a 17-year-old, but it was actually playing in Dave Edwards’ testimonial and being able to have both my kids come out with me as mascots. That was just amazing. The whole day was great, getting the chance to go back and seeing all the players that I played with, it brought back great memories, and it was like we’d never been away from each other. But to walk out with my kids, which was something I'd never been able to do when I was playing, meant so much on a personal level for me. Scoring two goals in the game helped as well, so the kids got to see what I actually used to do too!
This article originally featured in Wolves' official 2025/26 matchday programme. Last season's programmes are still available to purchase online through retailers Curtis Sports.
