Anthony James (born 9 October 1978) is a Welsh former footballer who last played as a centre-back for English club Hereford.
Career Born in Cwmbran, James started his professional career at West Bromwich Albion where he played in the reserves. He then moved to Hereford United.
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.Dagenham and Redbridge 0 Hereford United 9 Ledbury Reporter, 27 February 2004. Retrieved on 3 January 2014.
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.Tony James Hereford Times, 14 July 2005. Retrieved on 3 January 2014.Hereford dominate as James tops list Worcester News, 18 May 2004. Retrieved on 3 January 2014. James also represented his country at semi-pro international level.Wales lose semi-pro crown BBC Sport, 22 May 2003. 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 WeymouthFormer 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.Meet the Terras BBC Dorset, 26 January 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007. When financial troubles hit the Terras, James moved to Burton Albion.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 limited his appearances but he returned to first team action against Altrincham. Burton Mail, 12 October 2007. Retrieved on 3 November 2007. He was part of the 2008–09 Conference National winning side and signed a new contract with Burton in May 2009. James rejoined Hereford United on a month's loan in October 2010.Bulls snap up James on loan Sky Sports, 1 October 2010. Retrieved on 1 October 2010.
James was released by Burton at the end of the 2011–12 season and in June 2012 he signed for Conference National team Newport County. In the 2012–13 season he was part of the Newport team that finished 3rd in the league, reaching the Conference National playoffs. Newport County won the playoff final versus Wrexham at Wembley Stadium 2–0 to return to the Football League after a 25-year absence with promotion to Football League Two. James was selected as Newport County's Player of the Year for the 2012–13 season.
James retired from playing in May 2014 and was appointed strength and conditioning coach at Newport County.
On 2 June 2015, it was confirmed that James had agreed terms with Hereford United's phoenix club, Hereford.
Personal Tony James is the father of Wales international footballer Jordan James.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHereford United1998–99Football Conference 1 0 0 0 — 0 0 101999–2000Football Conference 36 2 4 0 — 1 0 4122000–01Football Conference33000—403702001–02Football Conference41120—004312002–03Football Conference39110—104112003–04Football Conference42910—404792004–05Conference National30110—303412005–06Conference National23120—20271Total 245 15 11 0 15 0 27115Weymouth2006–07Conference National 32 3 1 0 — 0 0 333Burton Albion2007–08Conference Premier 30 0 3 0 — 3 0 3602008–09Conference Premier 28 0 0 0 — 1 0 2902009–10League Two 42 1 2 0 0 0 1 0 4512010–11League Two2702010003002011–12League Two300101000320Total15718020501721Hereford United (loan)2010–11League Two60——1070Newport County2012–13Conference Premier41200—304422013–14League Two6000101080Total472001040522Hereford2015–16Midland League Premier Division60———60Career total 493 21 20 0 3 0 25 0 54121
Honours Hereford United Conference National play-offs: 2005–06
Burton Albion Conference National: 2008–09
Newport County Conference National play-off winners: 2012–13
References
External links Burton Albion Squad Profile