Tony James (footballer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tony James
Personal information
Date of birth October 9, 1978 (1978-10-09) (age 29)
Place of birth    Cwmbran, Wales
Height 5"10
Playing position Centre back
Club information
Current club Burton Albion
Number 5
Youth clubs
West Bromwich Albion
Senior clubs1
Years Club App (Gls)*
1998–2006
2006–2007
2007–		 Hereford United
Weymouth
Burton Albion		 273 (16)
033 0(3)
030 0(0)   
National team
Wales Semi-Pro

1 Senior club appearances and goals
counted for the domestic league only and
correct as of 12:23, 24 May 2008 (UTC).
* Appearances (Goals)

Tony James (born 9 October 1978 in Cwmbran) is a Welsh footballer currently playing for Burton Albion as a central defender. In the first half of the 2000s he was widely regarded as one of the highest performing central defenders in the Conference, with Peter Shreeves stating that he was the best defender in the Conference.[1][2] James has also represented his country at international level.[3]

He started his professional career at Hereford United having failed to win a professional contract at West Bromwich Albion where he played in the reserves. He soon established himself as a first choice centre back, partnering Hereford captain Ian Wright. He was voted Player of the Year for the 2002-03 and 2003-04 seasons, in the latter he was an ever-present. When Wright left the club in 2003, James took over the captaincy and led the club to runner-up spot in the Conference in three successive seasons. He was also the regular penalty taker for Hereford, his most notable penalty being the opening goal in the televised 9-0 win over Dagenham & Redbridge in 2004.[4]

By 2006 injuries had cost him his first team place to Dean Beckwith and James did not play a part in the last nine games of the season, including the play-off final which saw Hereford win promotion to the Football League. His significant contribution to the club was recognised when he was invited onto the rostrum to lift the trophy with team captain Tamika Mkandawire. He holds the record for the most Conference appearances by a Hereford United player and is ranked 18th on Hereford's all-time list of most appearances with 322 (20 goals).

James moved to Weymouth[5] where he was to spend just one season at the promotion-chasing outfit, captaining the club and scoring three penalties.[6] When financial troubles hit the Terras, James moved to Burton Albion for the current season.[7] A knee injury sustained at the start of the season has so far limited his appearances but he recently returned to first team action against Altrincham.[8]

He was part of the team that reached the semi-finals of the play-offs.

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ Tony James Hereford Times, 14 July 2005. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  2. ^ Hereford dominate as James tops list Worcester News, 18 May 2004. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  3. ^ Wales lose semi-pro crown BBC Sport, 22 May 2003. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  4. ^ Dagenham and Redbridge 0 Hereford United 9 Ledbury Reporter, 28 February 2004. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  5. ^ Former Bulls captain James joins Terras Dorset Echo, 24 May 2006. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  6. ^ Meet the Terras BBC Dorset, 26 January 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  7. ^ Burton snap up Weymouth's James BBC Sport, 10 May 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  8. ^ Birthday cheer as Tony returns Burton Mail, 12 October 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Burton Albion F.C. – current squad

1 Poole • 2 Corbett • 3 Webster • 5 James • 6 McGrath • 7 Stride • 8 Goodfellow • 11 Gilroy • 12 Holmes • 13 Taylor • 14 Harrad • 15 Austin • 17 Brayford • 19 Hall • 20 Clough • 24 Simpson • 30 Deeney • FW Banim • FW Knowles • Manager: Clough