Tony Ford

Date of birth14 May 1959
Place of birthGrimsby
NationalityEnglish
Weight82 kg
Height1.78 m
PositionMidfielder

Rochdale's 41-year-old assistant manager continued to defy his years and was again a regular in the midfield in the 2000-01 campaign.

Although perhaps lacking some pace in his advanced years, his pinpoint crosses nevertheless set up numerous goals for colleagues.

Already holder of the record number of senior appearances for an outfield player, he established two new landmarks.

He became Rochdale's oldest-ever Football League player, succeeding 1950's player Jack Warner, and played his 900th Football League game against Scunthorpe United in February, a milestone only previously reached by Peter Shilton.

Tony became the first outfield player to make 1,000 senior appearances in British football in Rochdale's Auto Windscreens Shield tie at Carlisle United on 7 March 2000.

Including his two England B international appearances but excluding the games he played for Northern Premier League Barrow in the first three months of the 1986-87, his career total ended at 1,074 appearances when he joined Barnsley as assistant manager in November 2001.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Grimsby Town 01 May 1977 08 Jul 1986
Sunderland 27 Mar 1986 03 May 1986 L
Stoke City 08 Jul 1986 24 Mar 1989
West Bromwich Albion 24 Mar 1989 21 Nov 1991
Grimsby Town 21 Nov 1991 02 Aug 1994
Bradford City 16 Sep 1993 16 Oct 1993 L
Scunthorpe United 02 Aug 1994 22 Aug 1996
Barrow 22 Aug 1996 25 Oct 1996
Mansfield Town 25 Oct 1996 06 Jul 1999
Rochdale 06 Jul 1999 08 Nov 2001

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
2000-01 Rochdale FA Cup 1
1
2000-01 Rochdale League Cup 2
2000-01 Rochdale League Division 3 36
2
2
1
2001-02 Rochdale LDV Vans Trophy 1
2001-02 Rochdale League Cup 2
1
2001-02 Rochdale League Division 3 17
2
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1988-89 England B International 1
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
16 May 1989 Switzerland v England W 0-2 B International
22 May 1989 Norway v England W 0-1 B International


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.