Tony Bird (footballer)

Football player infobox
playername = Tony Bird


fullname = Anthony Bird
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1974|09|1
cityofbirth = Cardiff
countryofbirth = Wales
height = 5'10
currentclub = Retired
clubnumber =
position = Striker / Midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1992–1996
1996–1997
1997–2000
1999–2000
2000–2002
2002–2004
2004–2005
2005
2005
2006–2007
clubs = Cardiff City
Barry Town
Swansea City
→ Merthyr Tydfil (loan)
Kidderminster Harriers
St. Patrick's Atheltic
Drogheda United
Cardiff Grange Quinns
Bath City
Haverfordwest County
caps(goals) = 75 (13)
54 (51)
86 (18)
0? 0(?)
51 0(3)
0? 0(?)
0? 0(?)
01 0(0)
33 0(8)
05 0(0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam = Wales U21
nationalcaps(goals) = 08 0(?)
pcupdate =
ntupdate =

Anthony "Tony" Bird (born 1 September, 1974 in Cardiff) is a former Welsh professional footballer.

Career

Bird began his career at Cardiff City coming through the clubs youth system, making his debut in August 1992 when he replaced Cohen Griffith during a 3-2 win over Walsall. He went on to make three starts during his first season and scored his first league goal in a 2-1 victory over Carlisle United as the Bluebirds won promotion to division two. Bird remained at Cardiff for the next three years, although never fully managing to hold down a first team place and was released at the start of the 1996-97 season, despite scoring twice in the opening three games, in an attempt to cut costs at Ninian Park.

He joined Barry Town midway through the 1995-96 season, scoring 9 goals in 16 league appearances. The following season he scored 42 goals in all competitions, his only full season. His form prompted Swansea City boss Jan Molby to bring him back into league football for a fee of £30,000 and Bird was a regular in his first season at the club before eventually following Molby to his next club, Kidderminster Harriers, on a free transfer. He was transfer listed in January 2001 but managed to force his way back into the side by switching to a right-midfield position. [ [http://archive.worcesternews.co.uk/2001/9/24/306945.html "Tony Bird"] Worcesternews.co.uk Retrieved on 12 March, 2008] He eventually spent three years in Ireland with St. Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United before moving back to Wales and playing for non-league sides Bath City and Haverfordwest County. [ [http://www.swanseacity.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Legends/ "Past players2] Swanseacity.co.uk Retrieved on 12 March, 2008]

After his departure from Ireland, Bird attended a seven-week training course to become a qualified dog-groomer. [ [http://www.givemefootball.com/pfa.html?newsID=909 "Bird has gone to the dogs in search of a grooming succsess"] PFA.com Retrieved on 12 March, 2008]

References

External links

* [http://www.welsh-premier.com/player_detail_solo.php?player_id=657 Tony Bird] at WelshPremier.com
*soccerbase|id=686|name=Tony Bird
* [http://www.harriers-online.co.uk/squad/bird.shtml Harriers Online profile]