Tony Morley

Tony Morley

Personal information
Full name	William Anthony Morley
Date of birth	26 August 1954 (1954-08-26)
Place of birth	Ormskirk, England
Playing position	Winger
Youth career
1969–1972	Preston North End
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1972–1976	Preston North End	84	(15)
1976–1979	Burnley	91	(5)
1979–1983	Aston Villa	137	(25)
1983–1985	West Bromwich Albion	33	(4)
1984	→Birmingham City (loan)	4	(3)
1985–1986	Seiko
1986–1987	FC Den Haag	31	(13)
1987–1989	West Bromwich Albion	28	(7)
1988	→Burnley (loan)	5	(0)
1989	Tampa Bay Rowdies	?	(0)
1990	Ħamrun Spartans
National team
1980–1981	England B	2	(0)
1981–1982	England	6	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

William Anthony Morley (born 26 August 1954) is an English former football player who played in the Football League for Preston North End, Burnley, Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City, as well as playing for other teams abroad. He also won six caps for England.

Football career

Morley was born in Ormskirk and represented Ormskirk and District Schools. He signed as an apprentice with Preston North End in July 1969 before turning professional in August 1972. In February 1976 he moved across Lancashire to join Burnley for a £100,000 fee. He joined Aston Villa for £200,000 in June 1979.

A skilful, nippy winger^{[citation needed]}, Morley enjoyed the best days of his career at Villa Park. He was seen as a wayward genius but was moulded by manager Ron Saunders into one of the most dangerous players around. He was famed for scoring spectacular goals, in particular one against Everton at Goodison Park which won him the 'Goal of the Season' award for 1980–81.

He was a vital part of the Villa side that won the League Championship in 1980–81 and the European Cup the year after. His brilliant dribble and cross set up Peter Withe for the winning goal against Bayern Munich in the final. His full Villa record was 170(+10 as sub) appearances, 34 goals.

Morley won six caps for England, but his career fell into decline after not being picked for any of their games at the 1982 World Cup. This despite the fact that England boss Ron Greenwood supposedly favoured attacking football. After adding a European Super Cup Winners' medal to his collection, he was transferred from Villa to local rivals West Bromwich Albion.

Career honours

As a player

Aston Villa

Winner

• 1980/81 League Championship
• 1981/82 European Cup winner
• 1982/83 European Super Cup winner

He won a Dutch Cup runners-up medal in 1987 playing for FC Den Haag.

Morley is now a regular on the 'Villa Old Stars' circuit. He also provides colour commentary for radio broadcasts on Aston Villa's website.

Tony Morley was not selected for the England Squad for the 1982 World Cup in Spain. Ron Greenwood opted for Arsenal's Graham Rix instead.

Gallery

• 

References

• "Tony Morley". Post War English & Scottish Football League A - Z Player's Database. Neil Brown. http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/player/tonymorley.htm. Retrieved 2008-06-02. 
• "Tony Morley". The Football Association. http://www.thefa.com/England/MensSeniorTeam/Archive.aspx?p=336565. Retrieved 2008-06-02. 
• Barrie Courtney (2004-03-21). "England - International Results B-Team - Details". RSSSF. http://www.rsssf.com/tablese/eng-b-intres-det.html. Retrieved 2008-06-02.