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Tony James (Welsh footballer, born 1978)

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Tony James
James in action for Hereford United in 2006
Personal information
Full name Anthony James[1]
Date of birth (1978-10-09) 9 October 1978 (age 46)
Place of birth Abergavenny, Wales[2]
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Position(s) Centre back
Youth career
1996–1998 West Bromwich Albion
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2006 Hereford United 273 (16)
2006–2007 Weymouth 32 (3)
2007–2012 Burton Albion 159 (1)
2010 → Hereford United (loan) 6 (0)
2012–2014 Newport County 47 (2)
2015 Hereford 4 (0)
Total 521 (22)
International career
Wales Semi-Pro
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Anthony James (born 9 October 1978) is a retired Welsh footballer who last played as a centre-back for English club Hereford.

Career

Born in Cwmbran, James 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.[3]

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.[4][5] James also represented his country at semi-pro international level.[6]

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[7] where he was to spend just one season at the promotion-chasing outfit, captaining the club and scoring three penalties.[8] When financial troubles hit the Terras, James moved to Burton Albion for the current season.[9] A knee injury sustained at the start of the season limited his appearances but he returned to first team action against Altrincham.[10] He was part of the 2008–09 Conference National winning side and signed a new contract with Burton in May 2009. James rejoined Hereford United on a month's loan in October 2010.[11]

James was released by Burton at the end of the 2011–12 season and in June 2012 he signed for Conference National team Newport County. In the 2012–13 season he was part of the Newport team that finished 3rd in the league, reaching the Conference National playoffs. Newport County won the playoff final versus Wrexham at Wembley Stadium 2–0 to return to the Football League after a 25-year absence with promotion to Football League Two.[12]

James retired from playing in May 2014 and was appointed strength and conditioning coach at Newport County.

On 2 June 2015, it was confirmed that James had agreed terms with the phoenix club, Hereford FC.[13]

Honours

Hereford United
Burton Albion
Newport County

References

  1. ^ "English National Football Archive". English National Football Archive. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
  2. ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 442. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ^ Dagenham and Redbridge 0 Hereford United 9 Ledbury Reporter, 27 February 2004. Retrieved on 3 January 2014.
  4. ^ Tony James Hereford Times, 14 July 2005. Retrieved on 3 January 2014.
  5. ^ Hereford dominate as James tops list Worcester News, 18 May 2004. Retrieved on 3 January 2014.
  6. ^ Wales lose semi-pro crown BBC Sport, 22 May 2003. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  7. ^ Former Bulls captain James joins Terras Dorset Echo, 24 May 2006. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  8. ^ Meet the Terras BBC Dorset, 26 January 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  9. ^ Burton snap up Weymouth's James BBC Sport, 10 May 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  10. ^ Birthday cheer as Tony returns Burton Mail, 12 October 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.
  11. ^ Bulls snap up James on loan Sky Sports, 1 October 2010. Retrieved on 1 October 2010.
  12. ^ Hughes, Dewi (5 May 2013). "Wrexham 0–2 Newport". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  13. ^ http://www.herefordfc.co.uk/2015/06/02/four-players-agree-terms-at-edgar-street/
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