He played 29 First Division games in 1933–34, as Stoke secured their top-flight status with a 12th-place finish.[20] Matthews added a Staffordshire Senior Cup winners' medal in 1934.[21] He continued to progress in the 1934–35 campaign, and was selected by The Football League for an Inter-League game with the Irish League at The Oval, which finished 6–1 to the English.[22] His England debut followed, and so did a further game for the Football League against the Scottish League.[23] Stoke finished the season in 10th place.