Anthony Griffith

For the actor-comedian, see Anthony Griffith (actor).
Anthony Griffith

Griffith at Vale Park (September 2010).
Personal information
Full name Anthony James Griffith
Date of birth (1986-10-28) 28 October 1986[1]
Place of birth Huddersfield, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Playing position Defensive midfielder
Youth career
2003–2005 Halifax Town
2005–2006 Doncaster Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006–2008 Doncaster Rovers 6 (0)
2006 → Oxford United (loan) 0 (0)
2006–2007 → Darlington (loan) 4 (0)
2007 → Stafford Rangers (loan) 20 (0)
2007–2008 → Halifax Town (loan) 37 (4)
2008–2012 Port Vale 161 (2)
2012–2013 Leyton Orient 21 (0)
2013 → Port Vale (loan) 10 (0)
2013–2014 Port Vale 38 (0)
2014 Harrogate Town 1 (0)
2014 Shrewsbury Town 5 (0)
2015 Carlisle United 11 (0)
2015 Altrincham 2 (0)
Total 316 (6)
National team
2011–2015 Montserrat 4 (0)

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

† Appearances (goals)

Anthony James Griffith (born 28 October 1986) is an English-born former Montserrat international footballer who was noted as a tough tackling defensive midfielder, though at times this has led to him to having a poor disciplinary record.[2]

Impressing at non-league Halifax Town, he turned professional with Doncaster Rovers in 2005. Used sparingly in 2005–06, he was loaned out to Oxford United in March 2006, though did not make it onto the pitch. In 2006–07 he was loaned out to Darlington and Stafford Rangers, before he spent the 2007–08 campaign on loan at Halifax Town. In April 2008 he signed with Port Vale, and became a first team regular in 2008–09. He remained a key first team figure in 2009–10 and 2010–11, and was voted the club's Player of the Year in 2010. He continued to impress for the "Valiants", and earned a move up a division to Leyton Orient in May 2012. He returned to Port Vale on loan in March 2013, and helped the club to secure promotion out of League Two in 2012–13, before re-joining on a permanent basis in the summer. He signed with Shrewsbury Town in August 2014, before moving on to Carlisle United in January 2015. Six months later he signed for Altrincham before retiring in September 2015 due to a hip injury.

Club career

Griffith helping Port Vale to a 1–0 victory over Aldershot Town in September 2010.

As a youth, Griffith played for Stile Common, alongside Cameron Jerome, Fraizer Campbell, and Reuben Noble-Lazarus; who all went on to enjoy careers as professional players.[3] Griffith and Jerome also played for Yorkshire Counties.[3]

Doncaster Rovers

Griffith started his senior career at Halifax Town as a sixteen-year-old. Impressing at the non-league side, he was snapped up by Doncaster Rovers in 2005.[4] However he never made it as a regular first team player at "Donny" and was instead loaned out to four lower league clubs over two years. On 21 March 2006, he joined Oxford United on a month-long loan.[5] However he never made it onto the pitch for the League Two side.

On 23 November 2007 he joined Darlington, again of League Two, on another one-month spell.[6] He made four appearances for the club. He then spent three months with Conference club Stafford Rangers from 26 January 2007,[7] making a total of twenty appearances. Despite only featuring in the first two rounds of the competition, he received a Football League Trophy winners medal after Doncaster won the 2007 final.[8] He then spent the entire 2007–08 season on loan at former club Halifax Town.[9] He made close to forty appearances before returning to Doncaster, where he was subsequently released.

Port Vale

Griffith was signed by Port Vale manager Lee Sinnott in April 2008.[10] He spent much of the 2008–09 season at right-back under new manager Dean Glover.[11] For the 2009–10 season, new manager Micky Adams elected to return Griffith to the role of 'midfield enforcer'.[11] He was transfer listed in late September, along with the entire Port Vale squad, after Adams saw his team slip to a third consecutive defeat.[12] He remained in the first team however, and was playing in the form of his life under Adams,[13] striking up a midfield pairing with Tommy Fraser, who he also shared a house with.[14] His committed performances made him "a darling of the terraces",[15] though he also picked up fourteen yellow cards throughout the season. At the end of the season he was offered a two-year contract,[16] and was given the Player of the Year award.[17] He duly signed the contract.[18]

"I was playing out of position in my first season, and this year it was just a case of proving that I can play in the middle of midfield."

— Griffith explains his motivation to perform in 2009–10.[19]

On 28 August 2010 Griffith scored from 25-yards at Vale Park past Torquay United's Scott Bevan in a 2–1 reverse.[20] The goal would prove to be more important to Griffith himself and the Torquay opposition than to his own club, the fine strike his first in the Football League,[21] and his first in Port Vale colours.[22] It also ended the Gulls' run without conceding a league goal at the 998 minute mark,[23] a club record but not a Football League record. He started the season strongly, forming a solid midfield partnership with Gary Roberts.[24] Despite losing his place to Doug Loft following an injury that kept him sidelined for a month, he returned to post 45 appearances in 2010–11.[25]

He retained his first team place at the start of the 2011–12 campaign, and refused to put his international career ahead of his club career.[26] On 14 October, he marked his 150th appearance for the "Valiants" with his second Football League goal – a 35-yard strike past Northampton Town.[27] His good form caused assistant manager Mark Grew to worry that other clubs at a higher level might wish to sign him.[28] He was named in the League Two Team of the Week for his performance in the 1–0 win over Rotherham United at the Don Valley Stadium on 21 January.[29] At the end of the season, the club's female support voted him "Mr Shirt of the Back", breaking Louis Dodds' three-year run.[30] He played 47 of Vale's 50 games, having been denied the chance to become an ever-present due to suspensions resulting from his eleven bookings.

Leyton Orient

In May 2012, out-of-contract Griffith was reported to have been a target for Leyton Orient, Shrewsbury Town, Northampton Town and Bradford City; he was also offered an improved contract at Port Vale.[31] He proved unable to turn down the offer of League One football, and quickly signed a two-year deal with Leyton Orient.[32] Manager Russell Slade signed Griffith as a replacement for departing captain Stephen Dawson, and reportedly doubled his wages to tempt him down south to Brisbane Road.[33]

"Leyton Orient have some fantastic players and you're bound to pick things up from training and playing with them every day. I think I've taken a lot from the experience and I'm a much better player now than I was last summer."

— Griffith's spell at Brisbane Road proved to be a big learning curve.[34]

Return to Port Vale

He returned to Port Vale on loan in March 2013 until the end of the 2012–13 season.[35] After a slow start, he soon returned to top form and won plaudits and 'man of the match' awards for his performances.[36] He made ten appearances during his loan spell, helping the club to win promotion into League One with a third-place finish in League Two.

He re-joined Port Vale on a permanent basis in July 2013, signing a one-year contract.[37] He went on to build an impressive partnership in midfield with Chris Lines in the 2013–14 season; Griffith providing the tough-tackling and Lines providing the creative playmaking.[38] Despite making 45 appearances across the season he was not offered a new contract in the summer.[39]

In summer 2014 Griffith had a trial with League Two club Mansfield Town.[40] He later returned to Vale Park to train, with coach Mark Grew saying "The manager is always ready to help someone like Griff who has been such a good servant to the club."[41]

Later career

Griffith joined Harrogate Town in the Conference North on 22 August 2014.[42] He played one match, against Barrow, but left after just five days at the club when it emerged he had a clause in his contract allowing him to move back into full-time football should a league club make an approach, which had been invoked by Shrewsbury Town.[43]

On 27 August 2014, Griffith signed for League Two club Shrewsbury Town on a one-year contract, citing manager Micky Mellon as a major reason for his decision to join the club.[44][45] Described as "being popular in the dressing room", he became a fringe players, making only six first team appearances for the "Shrews".[46]

In January 2015, Griffith signed an 18-month contract with League Two side Carlisle United.[47] He helped the "Cumbrians" to avoid relegation out of the Football League at the end of the 2014–15 season, making 11 appearances either side of his international commitments which manager Keith Curle kept a secret from the media to avoid tipping off opposition teams as to Griffith's absence.[48] He was transfer listed by Curle in May 2015,[49] and released from his contract two months later.[50]

In July 2015, Griffith signed a one-year deal with National League side Altrincham in a move that reunited him with his former Vale boss Lee Sinnott.[51] He played two games for the "Robins" before retiring due to a hip injury in September 2015.[52]

International career

Griffith was raised in the Brackenhall area of Huddersfield,[4] but qualified for the Montserrat national side through his Montserrat-born father.[53] He received his international call-up in June 2011 to compete in the nation's World Cup qualifying campaign,[53] despite never having visited the tiny island nation of 4,600 inhabitants.[25] He was also appointed as team captain.[54] Most of his teammates were amateur players.[55] Before his call-up Montserrat had recorded only two victories in their 25-game history, both coming against Anguilla in 1995. His debut came against Belize, who beat Montserrat 5–2 at Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva, Trinidad and Tobago on 15 June.[56] The second leg was postponed over FIFA's concerns with the Belize government,[57] leaving the possibility of a bye for Montserrat. However the match was re-scheduled, and the Belize progressed with a 3–1 win (8–3 on aggregate).[58]

Style of play

Griffith was usually a popular player with fans due to his 'tigerish displays'. He was best suited to the right-back or midfield position. He struggled with his inconsistent and at times inaccurate distribution skills, though he had a decent passing range.[59] He was praised for his tremendous work ethic by Port Vale's assistant manager Mark Grew.[60] He admitted to not training very well, saying that this was due to him putting so much work into his performances in matches every week.[61]

"Griff is tenacious, he likes a tackle and he's got a great engine. Certainly with Griff, we know he's going to give us 100 per cent effort, he's going to win his tackles and get around the pitch – I like that."

— Port Vale boss Micky Adams explains the appeal of having Griffith in the first eleven.[11]

In addition to his on-the-pitch skills, he was also considered to be a good character off of it. Micky Adams declared that: "he's a great character, a good bloke, and you can rely on him. If my daughter came home with him, I'd be delighted."[62]

Personal life

Griffith and partner Sonia Morris have a daughter, Mya Rose Griffith, born in early 2011.[63] He is a cousin of Grenadian international striker Delroy Facey.[25] He also has a lot of relatives in Jamaica.[64]

Statistics

Season Club Division League FA Cup League Cup Other[65] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
2005–06[66]Doncaster RoversLeague One4000000040
2005–06[66]Oxford United (loan)League Two0000000000
2006–07[67]Doncaster RoversLeague One2000102050
2006–07[67]Darlington (loan)League Two4000000040
2006–07[67]Stafford Rangers (loan)Conference National200000000200
2007–08[68]Doncaster RoversLeague One0000000000
2007–08[68]Halifax Town (loan)Conference National374100010394
Total 6000102090
2008–09[69]Port ValeLeague Two380201010420
2009–10[70]400303020480
2010–11[71]401202010451
2011–12[72]431201010471
Total 16129070501822
2012–13[73]Leyton OrientLeague One210102040280
Total 210102040280
2012–13[73]Port Vale (loan)League Two100000000100
2013–14[74]Port ValeLeague One380501010450
Total 480501010550
2014–15[75]Harrogate TownConference North1000000010
Total 1000000010
2014–15[76]Shrewsbury TownLeague Two5000001060
Total 5000001060
2014–15[76]Carlisle UnitedLeague Two110000000110
Total 110000000110
2015–16[77]AltrinchamNational League2000000020
Total 2000000020
Career total 31661601101403576
  
Montserrat national team
YearAppsGoals
201120
201520
Total[78]40

Honours

Individual
with Doncaster Rovers
with Port Vale

References

  1. 1 2 "Name: Anthony Griffith". port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  2. ↑ "Griffith attitude puts off Wilder". BBC Sport. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  3. 1 2 "Stoke City: Old pals breach the Potteries' footballing divide". The Sentinel: The New Green UN. 15 October 2011. p. 3. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Port Vale: Griffith going for a Terriers treble". The Sentinel. 27 November 2009. Retrieved 27 November 2009.
  5. ↑ "Oxford snap up teenager Griffiths". BBC Sport. 21 March 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  6. ↑ "Quakers bag defender Albrighton". BBC Sport. 23 November 2006. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  7. ↑ "Duo extend loan deals at Stafford". BBC Sport. 1 March 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  8. ↑ "Port Vale: Griffith looking for final appearance". The Sentinel. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  9. ↑ "Halifax sign midfielder on loan". BBC Sport. 14 August 2007. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  10. ↑ "First summer signings for Sinnott". BBC Sport. 29 April 2008. Retrieved 20 May 2009.
  11. 1 2 3 Shaw, Steve (18 August 2009). "Port Vale: Griffith happy to be back in middle ground". The Sentinel. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  12. ↑ "Adams puts Vale squad up for sale". BBC Sport. 27 September 2009. Retrieved 27 September 2009.
  13. ↑ "Midfielder inspired by Vale boss". BBC Sport. 22 October 2009. Retrieved 22 October 2009.
  14. ↑ Shaw, Steve (3 February 2010). "Port Vale: Griffith happy with midfield marriage". The Sentinel. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  15. ↑ "Port Vale: Battling Griff on the brink". The Sentinel. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  16. ↑ "Anthony Griffith offered new two-year deal by Port Vale". BBC Sport. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2010.
  17. ↑ Owen, Jon (12 May 2010). "Port Vale: Griffith takes home top accolade". The Sentinel. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  18. ↑ "Port Vale deals for Griffith, McCombe, Martin & Taylor". BBC Sport. 13 May 2010. Retrieved 13 May 2010.
  19. ↑ "Anthony Griffith voted Port Vale's player of the year". BBC Sport. 12 May 2010. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  20. ↑ "Port Vale 1 - 2 Torquay". BBC Sport. 28 August 2010. Archived from the original on 28 August 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  21. ↑ "Anthony Griffith works hard for first Port Vale goal". BBC Sport. 29 August 2010. Archived from the original on 2 September 2010. Retrieved 29 August 2010.
  22. ↑ "Match report: Port Vale 1 Torquay United 2". The Sentinel. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  23. ↑ "We Were Worthy Winners". torquayunited.com. 28 August 2010. Archived from the original on 1 September 2010. Retrieved 28 August 2010.
  24. ↑ Shaw, Steve (11 September 2010). "Port Vale: Griffith targets more goals after breaking Vale duck". The Sentinel. Retrieved 11 September 2010.
  25. 1 2 3 "Port Vale midfielder Anthony Griffith ready for call-up". BBC Sport. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 30 May 2011.
  26. ↑ "Anthony Griffith to put Port Vale ahead of Montserrat". BBC Sport. 7 October 2011. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  27. ↑ "Port Vale 3 - 0 Northampton". BBC Sport. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 15 October 2011.
  28. ↑ "Grew expects interest in Port Vale's Anthony Griffith". BBC Sport. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 18 October 2011.
  29. ↑ "Team of the Week". port-vale.co.uk. 24 January 2012. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  30. ↑ "Awards success is all relative for family man Loft". The Sentinel. 2 May 2012. Retrieved 2 May 2012.
  31. ↑ "Anthony Griffith a wanted man as four clubs chase his signature". The Sentinel. 16 May 2012. Retrieved 16 May 2012.
  32. ↑ "Leyton Orient sign Port Vale midfielder Anthony Griffith". BBC Sport. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
  33. ↑ "Griffith thanks Vale's fantastic fans". The Sentinel. 21 May 2012. Retrieved 21 May 2012.
  34. ↑ Pearson, Guy (21 July 2013). "Griffith on mission to prove he's up for the challenge". The Sentinel.
  35. ↑ Johnson, Dave. "Griff joins on loan". port-vale.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
  36. ↑ Pearson, Guy (1 April 2013). "Griffith delighted to hit top form for final push". The Sentinel. Retrieved 1 April 2013.
  37. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (16 July 2013). "Anthony Griffith re-joins Port Vale". The Sentinel. Retrieved 16 July 2013.
  38. ↑ "Lines says Griff is his perfect midfield partner". The Sentinel. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2013.
  39. ↑ "Micky Adams announces retained list". Port Vale FC. 2 May 2014.
  40. ↑ "Micky Adams prepares to name his new captain". The Sentinel. 2 August 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  41. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (18 August 2014). "Anthony Griffith training with Port Vale". The Sentinel. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  42. ↑ "Former Port Vale midfielder Anthony Griffith joins Harrogate". Stoke Sentinel. 22 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  43. ↑ "Anthony Griffith Becomes a Shrew". Harrogate Town AFC. 28 August 2014. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
  44. ↑ "Town sign Anthony Griffith". 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  45. ↑ "Shrewsbury Town sign former Port Vale midfielder". BBC Sport. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  46. ↑ "Town allow Anthony Griffith to join Carlisle". Shropshire Star. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  47. ↑ "Carlisle United sign Anthony Griffith after Shrewsbury Town exit". BBC Sport. 15 January 2015. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  48. ↑ "Curle: Griffith call-up kept quiet in attempt to foil Oxford". News & Star. 30 March 2015. Retrieved 8 May 2015.
  49. ↑ "Carlisle United offer deals to six players, with six to leave club". BBC Sport. 4 May 2015. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  50. ↑ "Anthony Griffith: Midfielder leaves Carlisle United". BBC Sport. 10 July 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  51. ↑ "Anthony Griffith: Altrincham sign former Carlisle midfielder". BBC Sport. 17 July 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  52. ↑ Baggaley, Mike (14 September 2015). "Former Valiant Anthony Griffith forced to retire". The Sentinel. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  53. 1 2 "Port Vale's Anthony Griffith called up by Montserrat". BBC Sport. 3 June 2011. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  54. ↑ "Skipper Honour for Griffith". port-vale.co.uk. 12 June 2011. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
  55. ↑ "World Cup 2014: Trinidad to host qualifying opener". BBC Sport. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  56. ↑ "Montserrat - Belize". fifa.com. 15 June 2011. Retrieved 16 June 2011.
  57. ↑ "Belize Football Federation faces World Cup expulsion". BBC Sport. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2011.
  58. ↑ "Belize - Montserrat". fifa.com. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  59. ↑ "Port Vale: Fans' favourite hoping to play his way to new deal". The Sentinel. 12 February 2010. Retrieved 12 February 2010.
  60. ↑ "Port Vale: Griff reaping rewards of hard work, says Grew". The Sentinel. 19 October 2011. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  61. ↑ Anthony Griffith interview on 6 Towns radio on YouTube
  62. ↑ "Port Vale v Barnet". BBC Sport. 19 February 2010. Retrieved 19 February 2010.
  63. ↑ Shaw, Steve (11 February 2012). "Port Vale: Griffith still busy on rare weekend off". The Sentinel. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
  64. ↑ "Port Vale: Griff ignores derby delights to focus on game in hand". The Sentinel. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  65. ↑ Includes other competitions, including the Football League Trophy and Conference League Cup.
  66. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  67. 1 2 3 "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  68. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  69. ↑ "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  70. ↑ "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  71. ↑ "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  72. ↑ "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2011.
  73. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  74. ↑ "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
  75. ↑ Anthony Griffith profile at Soccerway
  76. 1 2 "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  77. ↑ "Games played by Anthony Griffith in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Retrieved 27 August 2014.
  78. ↑ Anthony Griffith profile at Soccerway
  79. ↑ Owen, Jon (12 May 2010). "Port Vale: Griffith takes home top accolade". The Sentinel. Retrieved 12 May 2010.
  80. ↑ Sherwin, Phil; Johnson, Dave (2013), Port Vale This Side Up: 2012-2013 Promotion Celebration, BGL, ISBN 978-0-9926579-0-1

External links

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