Tony Anderson Player Profile

Biography

Forward Tony Anderson spent one season in the first team as a teenager, and is best remembered for his only goal from the half-way line against Cliftonville in the 2000/2001 campaign.

Born in Glengormley, the St Malachys student Anderson joined the Sky Blues as a teenager in July 1999, starring as a strongly built striker for Joe McCall’s Reserves and also featuring in the Northern Ireland Under-18 Schools panel.

Early in his second season at the club, Anderson was quickly elevated into cash-strapped United’s starting eleven in September 2000 for a senior debut in a home win over Newry Town under Nigel Best. It was the first of 13 appearances during the 2000/2001 season, with the highlight for the teenager undoubtedly being the stunning strike against Cliftonville in December that was undoubtedly a highlight in a dismal season at Warden Street.

Chances were limited for Tony under new boss Kenny Shiels, who replaced Best in January 2001, as seeing the Sky Blues were eventually relegated to the First Division. During the season, Tony did also appear for the Ballymena United Reserves team which lost in the final of the George Wilson Cup to Glentoran II in November 2000.

In the summer of 2001, Anderson took up an offer of a four year football scholarship at Vermont University in the United States. He remained registered at Ballymena United during his early years in America, and there was press speculation he would return to assist Ballymena United’s promotion push over Christmas, which never materialised.

It wasn't until December 2006 that he returned to the Irish League, signing a short-term deal with Larne under Paul Curran. It was a turbulent six months with the Invermen as they escaped relegation to the First Division by the skin of their teeth following the successful appeal of a twelve point deduction for playing an ineligible player, eventually ending the 2006/2007 season in 14th place, one point above the relegation zone.

His Larne spell was enough to impress Newry City manager Gerry Flynn, who signed the now 24-year-old to the border club in June 2007. He spent two seasons at the Newry Showgrounds as the club finished eighth in both the 2007/2008 and 2008/2009 league standings. Anderson made 51 appearances, scoring just two goals and was a second half substitute in the 2009 League Cup final defeat to Portadown at Mourneview Park.

Following his release from Newry in the summer of 2009, he turned out for Cliftonville in pre-season but eventually was snapped up by new Lisburn Distillery manager Jimmy Brown in August 2009. It proved to be a disastrous move for both parties as after major upheaval at the club, Anderson was released by new boss Tommy Wright in January 2010 with the club rooted to the bottom of the table.

Following a yearlong break from football Tony re-appeared in the league in January 2011, joining Carrick Rangers under manager Stephen Small to aid their promotion push from the Championship back to the top flight. It proved a memorable spell for the East Antrim side as they secured a memorable double trophy win on the same night! Tony started in the Intermediate Cup final win in May 2011, whilst at the same time results went in Carrick's favour to secure the league title and promotion back to the top division for the first time since 1995.

Life was a struggle for Rangers in the Premiership during their first season back, as without the use of their Taylors Avenue home, they played all ‘home’ games at Seaview and eventually finished bottom of the 2011/2012 IFA Premiership table. Tony struggled for consistency in the team, which endured massive turnover of players and also a change in manager as Small was sacked December 2011 and replaced with club owner Michael Hughes for the remainder of the season.

It would prove to be Tony’s last season in football, as recurring injuries took their toll on his playing career – he stayed on briefly as a scout for Carrick Rangers. His attempted comeback during the 2014/2015 back with Larne, then of the NIFL Championship, would not prove fruitful and would ultimately bring his career in the game to a close at the age of 33.

Honours
(Jul 1999) Ballymena United; (2001) Vermont University; (Dec 2006) Larne; (Jun 2007) Newry City; (Aug 2009) Lisburn Distillery; (Jan 2011) Carrick Rangers; (Jun 2014) Larne

Honours
(with Ballymena United)
George Wilson Cup: (finalist) 2000/2001
(with Newry City)
League Cup: (finalist) 2008/2009
(with Carrick Rangers)
Championship: (winner) 2010/2011
Intermediate Cup: (winner) 2010/2011