Tony Wagstaff

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Tony Wagstaff
Personal information
Full name Anthony Wagstaff
Date of birth February 19, 1944
Place of birth Wombwell, England
Position Midfielder
Professional clubs*
Years Club Apps (goals)
1961-1969
1969-1973
Sheffield United
Reading
Total
138 (19)
166 (5)
304 (24)

* Professional club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.

Anthony (Tony) Wagstaff (born February 19, 1944 in Wombwell) was an English football player who played for Reading and Sheffield United in the position of Midfielder.

Wagstaff became an apprentice at Bramall Lane in June 1960, turning professional in March 1961. Following promotion to Division One in April 1961, he debuted in a 4-1 home win against Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane on April 29 1961[1], in the final match of 1960-61 season. Wagstaff was not a regular in the Sheffield United first team until the latter stages of season 1962-63 when he netting four goals in 15 league appearances, including the winner in a 1-0 victory at Birmingham City on March 23, 1963.[1]

In 1963-64, he scored 9 times in 37 league matches, which was the best scoring spell of his career. Many believed that his apparent lack of pace and power reduced the effectiveness of such a skilled player.

When his brother Barry made the Blades first team, the pair were often in and out of the side. By the time United were relegated in to Division Two in 1968, Tony's appearances had become very limited and the Wagstaff's were sold to Reading for a combined fee of £17,500. Tony had played 157 competitive games (138 league games) for Sheffield United scoring 21 (19 league) goals in all.

Tony stayed at Reading until 1973, making 185 competitive appearances (166 league games) and scoring 6 times (5 league goals) for the Royals.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Clarebrough, Denis (1989). Sheffield United F.C., The First 100 years. Sheffield United Football Club.