Matthew Turner
Founder, Host & Blog Writer
Bristol
Matt originally started Roar of the Lions UK as a blog just before the 2020 NFL Draft. Since then he was joined by the rest of the crew for the Podcast. Matt is also an accountant who supports Liverpool FC and lives in Bristol. He started supporting the Lions in 2009 since they had the number 1 pick in the draft.
Articles by Matthew Turner
Instant Reaction: Lions Survive Overtime Scare, Beat Saints 31-30
Instant reaction as the Detroit Lions escape a Week 1 shootout, edging the Saints 31-30 in overtime after a stunning second-half collapse. Stock up, stock down.
Recap · 8 hours ago
Lions Inactives: What Izien's Absence and the Stille Elevation Mean for Week 1
Christian Izien is out for the Lions' Week 1 opener against New Orleans. We break down what his absence — plus the Ben Stille elevation — means for the defence.
Preview · 13 hours ago
Welcome to the New ROTL UK
After months of work behind the scenes, we're thrilled to say the new Roar of the Lions UK website is officially live at rotluk.com.
Off the Field · 3 days ago
Lions vs Saints Week 1 2026: Date, Time, TV, Injuries & Everything You Need to Know
After a 9-8 finish that fell short of the franchise's own expectations, the Detroit Lions open the 2026 season at home. Here's everything you need to know ahead of kickoff.
Preview · 3 days ago
Jahmyr Gibbs Is Now the NFL's Highest-Paid Running Back — And He's Worth Every Penny
The Lions have made their statement of intent for 2026, agreeing a three-year extension with Jahmyr Gibbs worth $22.5 million a year, with $51.5 million guaranteed.
News · 1 month ago
Detroit Lions vs New England Patriots in Munich — Travel and Ticket Guide for 2026
The NFL has confirmed that the Detroit Lions will face the New England Patriots in Munich on Sunday, November 15, 2026, and we will be there!
Off the Field · 4 months ago
UK Lions meet up
We're meeting up again! This time it's for Lions Rams. Everything on the line now, so let's meet up and suffer together. Please RSVP on our Events pag
News · 9 months ago
Charity Live Stream - 24-hour!
We're live for 24 hours, from 7pm ET on Friday August 15 until 7pm ET on Saturday, raising money two amazing causes: Charity causes Habitat for Humani
News · 1 year ago
ROTL's 4th Annual Detroit Lions Awards
We honour the Lions of 2025 with our 4th annual Detroit Lions Awards
News · 1 year ago
Detroit Lions UK Super Bowl Watch Party
Detroit Lions UK Super Bowl Watch Party
News · 1 year ago
Would It Be Shocking If The Lions Didn't Make A Trade?
Come the trade deadline on Nov 5th, could the Lions really end up without any incoming players?
News · 1 year ago
ROTL - LIVE on CBS
ROTL interviewed on CBS News Detroit regarding the Lions and the NFL Draft
Draft · 2 years ago
Breaking Down the NFL Combine: Who Came Out on Top and Who Fell Short among Wide Receivers?
Get the inside scoop on the top winners and losers among wide receivers at the NFL Combine. Who's rising and who's falling in the draft rankings?
Draft · 2 years ago
NFC North Champions
The Lions are NFC North champions for the first time. The first division title since the NFC Central in 1993. This isn't an in-depth piece. It's not
News · 2 years ago
Lions take sole possession of 2nd seed in the NFC in win over hapless Raiders
A discussion of the Detroit Lions 26-14 win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday Night Football to take sole possession of the 2nd seed in the NFC.
Recap · 2 years ago
The Detroit Lions have a very real shot at the no.1 seed in the NFC
When it came to making our preseason predictions for the Detroit Lions, my prediction was 14-3 with losses coming against Baltimore, Denver, and Dalla
Opinion · 2 years ago
Lions Curb Stomp Packers In Biggest Win Of The Holmes/Campbell Era
Since Brad Holmes became the general manager of the Detroit Lions on January 14th, 2021, there has been no more significant a game than the one played
Recap · 2 years ago
Lions make statement in win over Super Bowl champion chiefs
"We're here to win" - that's the statement made to the rest of the league by the Detroit Lions in the 21-20 victory against the champs. Coming into Ar
Recap · 3 years ago
The Lions WON the Swift trade (but so did the Eagles)
Firstly, I'll start by stating that I hate the concept of "winners" and "losers" in a trade. The word itself is too arbitrary to really describe what
Opinion · 3 years ago
The Detroit Lions believe they've opened the window - this season - to win it all
You read that right. I'm not saying they're right, or wrong, but the Detroit Lions believe that they're serious competitors in the 2023 NFL season. Le
Analysis · 3 years ago
NFL Draft 2023 Player Profile - Texas RB Bijan Robinson
When it comes to the NFL Draft for the Detroit Lions, there are many routes to travel. Some will address immediate needs, and some will anticipate fut
Draft · 3 years ago
ROTL Awards 2023 - Fan Vote!
OnePride Nation - it's that time! Vote for your Player of the Year and your Moment of the Year! POTY is on whatever criteria you want it to be - bes
News · 3 years ago
The Hockenson Trade - Inspired or Deluded?
Hockamania is moving to Minneapolis. The no. 8 overall pick for the Detroit Lions in the 2019 NFL draft was traded at the deadline yesterday to the Mi
Analysis · 3 years ago
2023 College QB Watchlist
We stand on the precipice of the 2022 NFL Season. The Detroit Lions have had an overall encouraging offseason process, despite the dud in the final pr
Draft · 4 years ago
Trading Jared Goff Needs To Be On The Table
I know what you're thinking. "Goff played well down the stretch". "Wasn't he a top 5 QB in ratings in the last 4 games of the year". "Isn't this prema
State of the Franchise · 4 years ago
Reviewing Brad Holmes as Detroit Lions GM - Year 1
We've just passed Brad Holmes' 1st anniversary as General Manager of the Detroit Lions, and now at the end of his first season, it's about time we loo
State of the Franchise · 4 years ago
2021 Detroit Lions Quarter-Season Review
Now we're four games in, it seems an apt time to take an early look at how things are going - with the playing personnel and the staff. Results Well,
State of the Franchise · 4 years ago
Previewing 2021 Week 4 - DET @ CHI
Week 4 rolls around for this Detroit Lions team, and it feels like a very different one that we've seen in years past. For the first time in a long ti
Preview · 4 years ago
Previewing 2021 Week 3 - Ravens @ Lions
The Lions have started 0-2 against two teams expecting to make deep runs into the playoffs. So far, the defence has been burned via the linebackers an
Preview · 4 years ago
Previewing 2021 Week 1 - SF @ DET
The long wait is over. The Detroit Lions last played a meaningful game almost 8 months ago, and the wait has been torture! An almost totally revamped
Preview · 5 years ago
Bills 16 - 15 Lions Preseason Week 1 - What Happened?
Friday evening saw the first pre-season game of the Detroit Lions 2021 NFL campaign, at home against the Buffalo Bills, with fans finally returning to
Recap · 5 years ago
Who Are You Most Excited For In The 2021 Season From The Rookies?
A commenter from our Facebook group Detroit Lions Fans UK One Pride World Wide asked what the Lions fans think of our draft picks outside of Penei and
Draft · 5 years ago
Detroit Lions Draft Opinion Piece - Derrick Barnes
In the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions traded up to No. 113 overall to select Purdue Linebacker Derrick Danta Jr. Barnes. Let's
Draft · 5 years ago
Detroit Lions Draft Opinion Piece - Penei Sewell
With the 7th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Detroit Lions selected OT Penei Sewell out of the University of Oregon. Let's take an in-depth look into
Draft · 5 years ago
2021 NFL Draft Class & UDFAs
So, the 2021 NFL Draft is done. We were live throughout, racking up over 22 hours of live content, and about 30 different guests joined us along the w
Draft · 5 years ago
Detroit Lions 2021 roster needs / NFL Draft strategy (Part 4 - Cornerbacks)
In part 4 of this series, we take a look at the cornerback depth in this NFL draft. This series is focused on what prospects are available at each pic
Draft · 5 years ago
Detroit Lions 2021 roster needs / NFL Draft strategy (Part 1 - Wide Receivers)
In my previous post, I highlighted the remaining roster spots that need filling (at the very least): 2 WR 3 OL 2 LB 4 CB 2 S. Within the above the Lio
Draft · 5 years ago
Lions 2021 Free Agency Progress and Roster Needs
In my post from March 1, I examined the holes in the Lions roster, along with some predictions of those players who might be leaving us. In short, of
Off-Season · 5 years ago
Lions 2021 Free Agency Targets
Why do you want FAs? 1) They fills roster gaps 2) Roster upgrades 3) Value for money
Off-Season · 5 years ago
Lions look at the Senior Bowl
The Detroit Lions look ahead to the Senior Bowl. What are their needs, and who is playing in those positions?
State of the Franchise · 5 years ago
Detroit Lions hire LA Rams Director of College Scouting Brad Holmes as General Manager
The first of the Lions big jobs this offseason has gone. Replacing Bob Quinn at GM is Brad Holmes. Let's have a look at the man who, all being well,
State of the Franchise · 5 years ago
Week 13 Preview - Lions @ Bears
The King is dead, long live the (interim) King! The first game since the Detroit Lions has cleaned house is here. Interim HC Darrell Bevell faces hi
Preview · 5 years ago
2020 Thanksgiving preview - Texans @ Lions
And so the Detroit Lions go into the traditional thanksgiving game at their lowest eb so far this season. As it stands, they have the thinnest thread
Preview · 5 years ago
Week 9 - Lions @ Vikings preview
The Lions are 3-4, and considering the form of the rest of the division, go to US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis with their season on the line against a
Preview · 5 years ago
Week 6 - Lions @ Jags preview
Time for Detroit to roll into Duval after a much-needed bye and time to reset. This should be a game but sides believe they can win, with both sides s
Preview · 5 years ago
Week 4 - Saints @ Lions Review
Apologies to any of the tens of readers out there for the lateness of this piece. I was pissed off after Sunday and what happened, and with the bye we
Recap · 5 years ago
Week 3 - Lions @ Cardinals preview
Lions start 0-2, and it doesn't get any easier. Those of you who have any sort of memory will recall the opening day last season where Detroit had a 1
Preview · 5 years ago
Week 2 - Lions @ Packers review
So, week 2 is in the books. Another day, another disappointing loss. This felt different from the Bears game. Against the Bears, we snatched defeat f
Recap · 5 years ago
Week 1: Bears @ Lions - Review
Chicago Bears 27 - Detroit Lions 23 It had an air of inevitability to it, didn't it? The Lions were 17 points ahead at the start of the fourth quarter
Recap · 5 years ago
Covid-19 - NFL & NFLPA CBA Amendment - Why it will fail, and what we can do about it
Covid-19 - NFL & NFLPA CBA Amendment - Why it will fail, and what we can do about it The NFL has a big problem. On Friday 24 July 2020 the amended CBA
News · 6 years ago
Post-draft 2020 & UDFA roster and projected starters
In my previous posts I have discussed the pre-draft roster, the 2020 draft class and the post-draft undrafted free agent signings and cuts. Here I tak
Draft · 6 years ago
Post - NFL Draft 2020 Activity - Rookie UDFA signings & Cuts
After a short break after the draft I am back! The Lions however didn't take any such break and wasted no time in signing a number of rookie undrafted
Draft · 6 years ago
NFL Draft 2020 - Day 2 Review
Day 2 is done. Lions twitter is almost wholly happy. What world are we living in? Going into day 2, the Lions had three picks: 35 (3rd pick, 2nd roun
Draft · 6 years ago
NFL Draft 2020 - Day 1 Review and Day 2 Preview
So, day 1 is in the books, and Detroit surprised absolutely no-one in selected Jeff Okudah (CB, Ohio State) at No.3. A little more about our new playe
Draft · 6 years ago
The NFL Draft 2020 - Lions needs and outcomes
The NFL 2020 draft starts on Thursday night here in the UK (more accurately Friday morning) and I cannot wait. The fact that the draft will be held at
Draft · 6 years ago
State of the Franchise - Part 3: Overview
My first article in a build up to the draft is an in-depth look into the state of the Lions franchise, looking at the roster as it stands after the fi
State of the Franchise · 6 years ago