Tony Bird (footballer, born 1974)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Bird | ||
| Date of birth | 1 September 1974 | ||
| Place of birth | Cardiff, Wales | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
| Playing position | Striker / Midfielder | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 1992–1996 | Cardiff City | 75 | (13) |
| 1996–1997 | Barry Town | 54 | (51) |
| 1997–2000 | Swansea City | 86 | (18) |
| 1999–2000 | → Merthyr Tydfil (loan) | ? | (?) |
| 2000–2002 | Kidderminster Harriers | 51 | (3) |
| 2002–2004 | St. Patrick's Athletic | ? | (23) |
| 2004–2005 | Drogheda United | 10 | (0) |
| 2005 | Cardiff Grange Quinns | 1 | (0) |
| 2005 | Bath City | 33 | (8) |
| 2006–2007 | Haverfordwest County | 5 | (0) |
| National team | |||
| Wales U21 | 8 | ||
| * 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.
Career
Bird began his career at Cardiff City coming through the club's 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 midway through the 1995-96 season, scoring 9 goals in 16 league appearances. The following season he scored 42 goals in all competitions, his only full season including one against Aberdeen F.C. in the 1996–97 UEFA Cup.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3]
After his departure from Ireland, Bird attended a seven-week training course to become a qualified dog-groomer.[4]
Honours
- Cardiff City
- Football League Third Division Winner: 1
- 1992–93
- Welsh Cup Runner-up: 1
- 1993–94
References
- Hayes, Dean (2006). The Who's Who of Cardiff City. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-462-0.
- ↑ http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=1996/matches/round=666/match=53157/postmatch/lineups/index.html
- ↑ "Tony Bird" Worcesternews.co.uk Retrieved on 12 March 2008
- ↑ "Past players2 Swanseacity.co.uk Retrieved on 12 March 2008
- ↑ "Bird has gone to the dogs in search of a grooming success" PFA.com Retrieved on 12 March 2008
External links
- Tony Bird at WelshPremier.com
- Tony Bird career statistics at Soccerbase
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