Tony Currie (footballer)
- This article is about the English footballer. For the rugby league player, see Tony Currie.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony William Currie | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Anthony William Currie commonly known as Tony Currie (born 1 January 1950 in Edgware, Middlesex) is an English former footballer who had significant spells for Sheffield United, Leeds United and Queens Park Rangers as well as representing England.
He was an effervescent and exuberant attacking midfield player with the vision and ability to strike long dangerous passes.[1] His nephew, Darren Currie, also a midfielder, currently plays for Chesterfield.
Career
Currie was a talented schoolboy footballer who represented Hendon Boys before joining Queens Park Rangers as an amateur, whilst working for a building firm. He joined Chelsea as an apprentice, but was released and moved to Watford to complete his apprenticeship, earning England Youth honours in the process. He turned professional in May 1967 and made his league debut the following season.
He was transferred to Sheffield United on 1 February 1968 for £26,500. He scored on his debut against Tottenham Hotspur with a header on the 26th but missed the next game on 2 March as it was his wedding day. 'TC' as he was nicknamed by Sheffield United fans, was idolised in his time at Bramall Lane.[2] He went on to score 54 goals in 313 appearances and was also made captain by manager Ken Furphy in March 1974.
In June 1976 he moved to Yorkshire rivals Leeds United for £250,000, making his Leeds debut in a 2–2 draw with West Bromwich Albion. His skills made him a firm favourite at Leeds and he played arguably the best football of his career during his 124 games and 16 goals at Elland Road.[citation needed] Currie's form helped Leeds reach the League Cup semi–finals in 1978 and 1979, and in the 1978–79 season Leeds finished 5th to qualify for the UEFA Cup. However, disputes with manager Jimmy Adamson resulted in his sale to Queens Park Rangers in August 1979.
Currie captained Rangers in the 1982 FA Cup Final replay, but his career was badly affected by injuries and, after 5 goals in 81 games, he dropped out of league football and into semi-retirement from the game. He moved to Canada and spent 2 months playing for the Toronto Nationals, joining Chesham United on his return to England. He subsequently joined Southend United on non-contract terms before being persuaded by David Webb to join Torquay United in February 1984. He scored once in 16 games for the Gulls.
He moved to Tranmere Rovers in October 1984, but left without appearing in their first team, leaving him with 81 goals in 528 league games. He moved into non–league football, playing for Dunstable Town, Hendon and Goole Town before being appointed Football in the Community co-ordinator at Sheffield United in February 1988, a post he still holds today.
International career
During his time at Sheffield United, he broke into the England team, winning the first of his 17 caps in 1972. He was capped 11 times whilst at Leeds.
He played in the dramatic World Cup qualifier against Poland, which was held at Wembley Stadium in 1973. England dominated the match, but could only draw 1–1 and failed to qualify.
Sheffield United Career
| Season | Division | League Apps (Sub) | League Goals | FA Cup Apps (Sub) | FA Cup Goals | FL Cup Apps (Sub) | FL Cup Goals | Other Apps | Other Goals | Total Apps (Sub) | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967–68 | One | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 15 | 4 |
| 1968–69 | Two | 35 | 4 | 0 (1) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 39 (1) | 4 |
| 1969–70 | Two | 42 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 48 | 12 |
| 1970–71 | Two | 42 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 10 |
| 1971–72 | One | 38 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 11 |
| 1972–73 | One | 39 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 52 | 5 |
| 1973–74 | One | 29 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 35 | 8 |
| 1974–75 | One | 42 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 51 | 10 |
| 1975–76 | One | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 43 | 2 |
| Total | 313 | 54 | 10 (1) | 2 | 22 | 3 | 30 | 7 | 375 (1) | 66 |
References
- ^ Clarebrough, Denis. (1989) Sheffield United F.C., The First 100 years, page 108. ISBN 0-950-8588-1-1
- ^ "Fantasy football". bbc.co.uk. 2007-11-21. Retrieved 2008-01-04.
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3. Huntley, E.J. (2007). A Quality Player: The Life and Career of Tony Currie. Pickard Communications. ISBN 9781905278183.
External links
- 1950 births
- Living people
- People from Edgware
- English footballers
- England international footballers
- England under-23 international footballers
- Sheffield United F.C. players
- Watford F.C. players
- Leeds United A.F.C. players
- Queens Park Rangers F.C. players
- Southend United F.C. players
- Torquay United F.C. players
- Goole A.F.C. players
- Football (soccer) midfielders
- The Football League players