Tony Currie (footballer)

Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography Anthony William Currie (born 1 January 1950) 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.<ref>Clarebrough, Denis. (1989) Sheffield United F.C., The First 100 years, page 108. Template:ISBN</ref> His nephew, Darren Currie, was also a midfielder.

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 26 February but missed the next game on 2 March as it was his wedding day. 'TC' or 'Top Cat' as he was nicknamed by Sheffield United fans, was idolised in his time at Bramall Lane.<ref name="currie1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He went on to score 54 goals in 313 appearances and was also made captain by manager Ken Furphy in March 1974. In September 2014, as part of the club's 125th Anniversary celebrations, he was named Sheffield United's Greatest Ever Player<ref name="currie2">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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, where he played a total of 124 games, scoring 16 goals. His curling shot during United's November 1978 4–0 home win against Southampton F.C. won<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> ITV's The Big Match Goal of the Season that year. Currie's form helped Leeds reach the League Cup semi–finals in 1978 and 1979, and in the 1978–79 season Leeds finished fifth to qualify for the UEFA Cup. As his wife was homesick for London this resulted in his sale to Queens Park Rangers in August 1979.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Currie captained Rangers in the 1982 FA Cup final replay, though he conceded the penalty from which Glenn Hoddle scored the winning goal.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His career was badly affected by injuries and, after five goals in 81 games, he dropped out of league football and into semi-retirement from the game. He moved to Canada and spent two months playing for the Toronto Nationals, joining Chesham United on his return to Britain. 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.Template:Citation needed

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 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.

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref name="ENFA">Template:ENFA</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Watford	1967–68	Third Division	18	9	2	0	1	0	—		21	9
Sheffield United	1967–68	First Division	13	4	0	0	0	0	2Template:Efn	0	15	4
	1968–69	Second Division	35	4	1	0	1	0	3Template:Efn	0	40	4
	1969–70	Second Division	42	12	2	0	2	0	2Template:Efn	0	48	12
	1970–71	Second Division	42	9	1	0	2	1	3Template:Efn	2	48	12
	1971–72	First Division	38	10	1	0	5	1	—		44	11
	1972–73	First Division	39	1	2	0	5	1	6Template:Efn	3	52	5
	1973–74	First Division	29	6	1	1	1	0	4Template:Efn	1	35	8
	1974–75	First Division	42	7	2	1	4	0	3Template:Efn	2	51	10
	1975–76	First Division	33	1	1	0	2	0	7Template:Efn	1	43	2
	Total		313	54	11	2	22	3	30	9	376	68
Leeds United	1976–77	First Division	35	1	5	0	1	1	—		41	2
	1977–78	First Division	35	3	1	0	5	1	—		41	4
	1978–79	First Division	32	7	3	0	7	3	—		42	10
	Total		102	11	9	0	13	5	—		124	16
Queens Park Rangers	1979–80	Second Division	28	3	1	0	4	1	—		33	4
	1980–81	Second Division	31	1	1	0	3	0	—		35	1
	1981–82	Second Division	20	1	7	0	1	0	—		28	1
	1982–83	Second Division	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		2	0
	Total		81	5	9	0	8	1	—		98	6
Career total			514	79	31	2	44	9	30	9	619	99

References

• Huntley, E.J. (2007). A Quality Player: The Life and Career of Tony Currie. Pickard Communications. Template:ISBN.

External links

• Profile of Tony Currie