Tony Daley

Football player infobox
playername = Tony Daley


fullname = Anthony Mark Daley
height = height|ft=5|in=8
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1967|10|18
cityofbirth = Birmingham
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Wolverhampton Wanderers (fitness coach)
clubnumber =
position = Winger
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1985-1994
1994-1998
1998-1999
1999
1999-2002
clubs = Aston Villa
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Watford
Walsall
Forest Green Rovers
Total
caps(goals) = 233 (31)
021 0(3)
012 0(1)
007 0(0)
067 0(6)
340 (41)
nationalyears = 1990
1991-1992
nationalteam = England B
England
nationalcaps(goals) = 001 0(0)
007 0(0)

Anthony Mark ("Tony") Daley (born October 18 1967 in Birmingham) is an English former footballer, who made the vast majority of his appearances for Aston Villa, playing mainly as an out-and-out winger, known for his pace.

Playing career

Daley joined hometown club Aston Villa as an apprentice and quickly made his senior debut aged 17 on April 20, 1985 in a 2-0 defeat at Southampton. He played for the Midlands club for ten seasons, nine at the highest level, and finished a runner-up in both the 1989/90 and 1992/93 league championships. He also played in their 1994 League Cup final triumph where they defeated Manchester United at Wembley.

During this period, Daley played 7 times for England between 1991 and 1992 under former club manager Graham Taylor. He made his full debut as a substitute in a vital 1-1 draw in Poland on November 13 1991 that saw England qualify for 1992 European Championships in Sweden. He was subsequently chosen for the squad at the tournament and played in 2 of England's 3 games there, but after the tournament he never played for England again.

Daley linked up with Graham Taylor again as he finally left Aston Villa for Wolves in July 1994 for £1.25 million, but he was plagued with injuries and was only able to manage 21 appearances for the club in four seasons.

He was signed once more by Graham Taylor, now at Watford, in July 1998 on a free transfer. His injury woes continued though and he struggled to get fit, missing the final months as the club won promotion to the Premier League. He was given a free transfer to newly-promoted Division 1 side Walsall in June 1999, and after a six month spell there, he finished his playing career with Conference side Forest Green Rovers, hanging up his boots in July 2002.

Daley's perhaps best known goal came in a First Division game against Everton at Villa Park on 22nd October 1988. A spectacular flying volley in a 2-0 win for Villa, the goal quickly - thanks in no small part to the popular football video series 'Goals Galore' - became known as 'Daley's Dazzler' and is also remembered for full-back Chris Price (who supplied the cross) having a little celebration all of his own.

Fitness coaching

Upon finishing his career in professional football due to persistent injury, Daley completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports and Exercise Science at Coventry University. During this time, he also remained at Forest Green Rovers as their fitness coach and worked with youth players at Aston Villa's Academy.

Following his studies, he joined Sheffield United as a fitness and conditioning coach in June 2003 but later quit his post following a row with new manager Bryan Robson on August 30, 2007. He was not out of work for long as he joined former club Wolves in the same role the following month.

Trivia

In 1995 Daley was the subject of a half hour documentary. The series 'Respect' was produced and directed by Pogus Caesar for Carlton TV, and featured the likes of Dwight Yorke, John Barnes and Ron Atkinson all paying tribute to the winger.

External links

*soccerbase|1883|Tony Daley
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football-heroes/displayhero_club.asp?HeroID=531 Tony Daley Football Heroes.net]
* [http://www.englandfootballonline.com/TeamBlack/PlyrsBlckMtchManagers/PlyrsBlackMtchTaylorG.html Black Players selected by Graham Taylor]