It was announced in October 2008 that midfielder Matthew Ball would be offered a scholarship with the Norwich City academy to commence in the summer of 2009. Matthew, from Welwyn Garden Ciy, joined the Canaries as an Under-14 player. He had also been called up to the Northern Ireland Under 16s development squad

Matthew joined the Academy as a scholar at the end of June 2009

In December 2009, he was called up to the Northern Irish Under-17 development squad. The following September, he played for the Northern Irish Under-18s against Poland and Belarus, which Matthew captained.

Matt, who was on Norwich's bench for the October 2010 clash with Crystal Palace, was given his first one-year professional contract on 24th May 2011. He had scored 13 goals in 28 academy appearances this season."It's a chance for him to see if he can handle playing with the pros" said boss Paul Lambert

Matt spent the end part of the 2011/12 season on loan to Macclesfield.