Michael Tonge

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Michael Tonge
Personal information
Full name Michael William Tonge
Date of birth April 7, 1983 (1983-04-07) (age 25)
Place of birth    Manchester, England
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current club Sheffield United
Youth clubs
Manchester United
Sheffield United
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
2000– Sheffield United 258 (21)   

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 18:45, 26 April 2008 (UTC).
* Appearances (Goals)

Michael William Tonge (Born April 7, 1983 in Manchester, England) is a football player.

Raised in Leigh, Tonge began his football career at Manchester United but moved to Sheffield United at the age of sixteen after being released by the premiership club.

Contents

[edit] Playing career

[edit] Sheffield United

Tonge was signed as a youth player by manager Steve Bruce when he was released by Manchester United. His talent quickly emerged and he was in the Sheffield United first team reckoning by April 2001. he made his first senior start in the last game of the 2000-01 season, a 1-1 draw away at Bolton.[2] Tonge scored his first competitive goal for the Blades in October the following season, netting the winner in a 1-0 home victory over Crewe.[3]

Good performances led to an England youth international call-up and by the end of 2002 interest from clubs such as Liverpool, especially after scoring two goals to help the Blades to a 2-1 win in the first leg of the Semi-Final of the League Cup against the Merseyside team.[4]

[edit] Biography

A highly rated midfielder during the 2002/2003 season who has since never really lived up to the form shown in that season. The following season in 2003/04 saw Tonge notch up over 15 assists but only 2 league goals. Season 04-05 was a dissapointing one for Michael, poor form and critism from the fans hinded his progress, however his performance live on the BBC against Aston Villa in the F.A cup was a reminder of the talent he possesses. He played in 33 games during the 2005-06 promotion campaign and his goal against Wednesday on February 18, 2006 was selected as the Capital One Goal of the Season. Tonge was in outstanding form from December onwards and his new permanent position in central midfield looked like being the breakthrough Tonge had needed since. In July 2006, Tonge signed a two-year extension to his contract which would take him through to the end of the 2007-08 season. He ended the 2005-06 campaign with 3 goals and 3 assists.

During the season 2006-07 in the premiership Tonge made some telling contributions including a spectacular free kick against West Ham United but whilst his technical play is praised, he has also been accused of poor consistency and a lack of confidence in the midfield for the Blades.[citation needed] He scored his first Premiership goal against Fulham on January 30, 2007. Tonge ended the Premiership season with some excellent individual performances, particually against West Ham United, Watford and Charlton.

During the summer there were rumours of possible moves to Birmingham City and Derby County, Tonge has however always stayed loyal to his Sheffield United roots.

The 2007/08 season has so far been a bitter dissapointment for Sheffield United and the players, with manager Brian Robson ending up getting fired. Tonge has suffered along with the rest of the side, many poor and inconsistent performances have once again troubled him. However, since new manager Kevin Blackwell took control of the side Tonge has been in excellent form, showing the ability all Sheffield United fans know he is capable of. He has so far scored only once this season.

[edit] Statistics

Club Performance
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Europe Others Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Sheffield United 2007-081 45 1 3 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 51 1
2006-07 27 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 2
2005-06 30 3 1 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 33 3
2004-05 34 2 5 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 41 3
2003-04 46 4 3 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 51 4
2002-03 44 6 4 0 7 2 0 0 3 0 58 8
2001-02 30 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 32 3
2001-02 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 258 21 19 0 16 3 0 0 3 0 296 24

1 Last updated 5 May 2008

[edit] References

  1. ^ Profile at SUFC.
  2. ^ "Bolton strike late to deny Blades", BBC Sport, 2001-05-06. Retrieved on 2007-12-03. 
  3. ^ "Sheff Utd 1-0 Crewe", BBC Sport, 2001-10-27. Retrieved on 2007-12-03. 
  4. ^ "Blades cut down Liverpool", BBC Sport, 2003-01-08. Retrieved on 2007-12-03. 

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Sheffield United F.C. – current squad

1 Kenny • 3 Naysmith • 5 Morgan • 6 Beattie • 7 Shelton • 8 Stead • 9 Hulse • 10 Webber • 11 Hendrie • 13 Bennett • 14 Carney • 15 Speed • 16 Kilgallon • 17 Montgomery • 18 Tonge • -- Zeyn Alabidyn S-Latef • 19 Gillespie • 20 Armstrong • 22 Lucketti • 24 Sharp • 26 Geary • 28 Quinn • 31 Law • 33 Ehiogu • –– Seck • Manager: Blackwell


Persondata
NAME Tonge, Michael William
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Tonge, Michael
SHORT DESCRIPTION footballer
DATE OF BIRTH 1983-4-7
PLACE OF BIRTH Manchester , England
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
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