Tony James (footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = Tony James
fullname =


height =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1978|10|9
cityofbirth = Cwmbran
countryofbirth = Wales
currentclub = Burton Albion
clubnumber = 5
position = Centre back
height = 5"10
youthyears = 199?–1998
youthclubs = West Bromwich Albion
years = 1998–2006
2006–2007
2007–
clubs = Hereford United
Weymouth
Burton Albion
caps(goals) = 273 (16)
033 0(3)
030 0(0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam = Wales Semi-Pro
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 12:23, 24 May 2008 (UTC)

Tony James (born 9 October 1978 in Cwmbran) is a Welsh footballer currently playing for Burton Albion as a central defender. 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. [ [http://archive.herefordtimes.com/2005/7/14/68004.html Tony James] Hereford Times, 14 July 2005. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.] [ [http://archive.worcesternews.co.uk/2004/5/18/102843.html Hereford dominate as James tops list] Worcester News, 18 May 2004. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.] James has also represented his country at international level. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/wales/3044723.stm Wales lose semi-pro crown] BBC Sport, 22 May 2003. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.]

He 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. [ [http://archive.ledburyreporter.co.uk/2004/7/30/15034.html Dagenham and Redbridge 0 Hereford United 9] Ledbury Reporter, 28 February 2004. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.]

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 [ [http://www.theterras.co.uk/website/news%202006/05%20May/Former%20Bulls%20captain%20James%20joins%20Terras.htm Former Bulls captain James joins Terras] Dorset Echo, 24 May 2006. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.] where he was to spend just one season at the promotion-chasing outfit, captaining the club and scoring three penalties. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/dorset/content/articles/2006/08/04/meet_the_terras_feature.shtml Meet the Terras] BBC Dorset, 26 January 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.] When financial troubles hit the Terras, James moved to Burton Albion for the current season. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/burton_albion/6642197.stm Burton snap up Weymouth's James] BBC Sport, 10 May 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.] A knee injury sustained at the start of the season has so far limited his appearances but he recently returned to first team action against Altrincham. [ [http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/burtonmail-sport/DisplayArticle.asp?id=141445 Birthday cheer as Tony returns] Burton Mail, 12 October 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007.]

He was part of the team that reached the semi-finals of the play-offs.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.burtonalbionfc.co.uk/squad_detail.asp?sUID=39 Burton Albion Squad Profile]
*soccerbase|id=10746|name=Tony James