Tony Bird (footballer)

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Tony Bird
Personal information
Full name Anthony Bird
Date of birth September 1, 1974 (1974-09-01) (age 33)
Place of birth    Cardiff, Wales
Height 5'10
Playing position Striker / Midfielder
Club information
Current club Retired
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1992-1996
1996-1997
1997-2000
1999-2000
2000-2002
2002-2004
2004-2005
2005
2005
2006-2007		 Cardiff City
Barry Town
Swansea City
→ Merthyr Tydfil (loan)
Kidderminster Harriers
St. Patrick's Atheltic
Drogheda United
Bath City
Cardiff Grange Quinns
Haverfordwest County		 75 (13)
54 (51)
86 (18)
0? 0(?)
51 0(3)
0? 0(?)
0? 0(?)
0? 0(?)
01 0(0)
05 0(0)   
National team
Wales U21

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only.
* Appearances (Goals)

Anthony "Tony" Bird (born 1 September 1974 in Cardiff) is a former Welsh professional footballer.

[edit] Career

Bird began his career at Cardiff City coming through the clubs youth system, making his debut in August 1992 when he replaced Cohen Griffith during a 3-2 win over Walsall. He went on to make three starts during his first season and scored his first league goal in a 2-1 victory over Carlisle United as the Bluebirds won promotion to division two. Bird remained at Cardiff for the next three years, although never fully managing to hold down a first team place and was released at the start of the 1996-97 season, despite scoring twice in the opening three games, in an attempt to cut costs at Ninian Park.

He joined Barry Town and scored 42 goals in all competitions during his only season. His form prompted Swansea City boss Jan Molby to bring him back into league football for a fee of £30,000 and Bird was a regular in his first season at the club before eventually following Molby to his next club, Kidderminster Harriers, on a free transfer. He was transfer listed in January 2001 but managed to force his way back into the side by switching to a right-midfield position.[1] He eventually spent three years in Ireland with St. Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United before moving back to Wales and playing for non-league sides Bath City and Haverfordwest County.[2]

After his departure from Ireland, Bird attended a seven-week training course to become a qualified dog-groomer.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Tony Bird" Worcesternews.co.uk Retrieved on 12 March 2008
  2. ^ "Past players2 Swanseacity.co.uk Retrieved on 12 March 2008
  3. ^ "Bird has gone to the dogs in search of a grooming succsess" PFA.com Retrieved on 12 March 2008

[edit] External links