Byron Anthony

Byron Anthony

Personal information
Full name	Byron Joseph Anthony
Date of birth	(1984-09-20) 20 September 1984
Place of birth	Newport, Wales
Height
Position(s)	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2006	Cardiff City	0	(0)
2006	→ Forest Green Rovers (loan)	4	(0)
2006–2012	Bristol Rovers	163	(7)
2012	→ Hereford United (loan)	15	(1)
2012	Hereford United	2	(0)
2012–2014	Newport County	28	(3)
Total		212	(11)
International career
2004–2005	Wales U21	8	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Byron Joseph Anthony (born 20 September 1984 in Newport) is a former footballer who represented the Wales national under-21 football team. He is a graduate of the Cardiff City youth system and spent the majority of his professional football career at Bristol Rovers including promotion from League Two in the 2006–07 season.

Playing career

File:Phil Kite.jpg

A dazed Byron Anthony is given the once over by physio Phil Kite following a clash of heads

Anthony, a product of Cardiff City's youth system, was capped eight times by Wales at Under-21 level. His chances for the senior Cardiff City side were few and far between, however, with his only appearances coming in the League Cup. Unusually for a defender, he scored on his professional debut, in a game against Milton Keynes Dons.

In February 2006, Anthony joined Football Conference side Forest Green Rovers on a month's loan.

Bristol Rovers

2006–07 season

After being released by Cardiff, he joined Bristol Rovers on 1 July 2006, linking up with former Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence. On 12 August 2006, He made his Bristol Rovers debut against Grimsby in a League Two. On 17 October 2006, he scored his first goal for Bristol Rovers against Torquay United.

Byron featured in the Bristol Rovers victory at Wembley Stadium against Shrewsbury Town, which saw Bristol Rovers promoted to League One for 2007–08 season.

2007–08 season

Byron featured in Bristol Rovers first game of the 2007–07 season against Port Vale, on 11 August 2007. He scored his first and only goal of the 2007–08 season on 1 September 2007, at home in 2–2 draw with Nottingham Forest.

He suffered a setback at the start of Rovers 2007–08 campaign in League One in October when he sustained a broken metatarsal in the club's match against Bournemouth in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and was expected to be out for twelve weeks.

2008–09 season

Byron received his first red card for Bristol Rovers in the 2008–09 season, in a 3–1 home loss against walsall. He scored his third goal for Bristol Rovers and his first goal in the 2008–09 season on 24 February 2009, in a 2–0 home victory against Oldham Athletic. On 28 March 2009, He scored his second goal of the season, at home to Stockport County. This goal was scored in the 4th minute.

On 25 April 2009 in a match against Swindon Town he suffered severe concussion, resulting in his inability to remember his name.

2009–10 season

Byron failed to score a goal for Bristol Rovers in the 2009–10 season, he played the first game of the season in 2–1 loss at home to Leyton Orient playing the full 90 minutes.

2010–11 season

Byron scored his first goal of the season against local rivals Yeovil Town, in a 2–1 victory. The goal was scored in the 90th minute of the match, which ultimately won the match for rovers. He scored a late equaliser against Hartlepool United, in the 90th minute.

2011–12 season

On 13 August 2011, Byron scored his first goal in 2011–12 season at home to local rivals Torquay United, which rovers lost 2–1 and on 4 December 2011, he scored his second goal of the season in the 6–1 rout against totton, this goal was the last goal he scored for Bristol Rovers.

Hereford United loan

On 17 February 2012, Anthony joined fellow Football League Two side Hereford United on a month-long loan deal. On 25 February, He made his debut for Hereford United in a 2–1 loss against Swindon Town, and scored his first goal for Hereford against Bradford City at Valley Parade.

Hereford United

On 13 September 2012, Byron Anthony signed non-contract terms for Hereford United. On 15 September 2012, he made his début for Hereford United in an match Dartford, which Hereford United lost 4–0. On 26 September 2012, he was released from the club.

Newport County

In November 2012 Anthony joined his home town club Newport County. He made his debut for Newport on 22 September 2012, against Forest Green Rovers. He scored his first goal for the club on 9 February 2013, in a 2–2 draw at home against Tamworth. In the 2012–13 season he was part of the Newport County 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 League Two. On 6 August 2013, Anthony suffered a double ankle break in Newport's 3–1 League Cup victory at Brighton. Anthony returned to the team and played a number of games towards the end of the 2013-14 season. His contract renewal for the 2014-15 season was delayed whilst he underwent fitness tests which was ultimately unsuccessful. Anthony announced his retirement from playing on 1 December 2014.

Honours

Bristol Rovers

• Football League Trophy runner up 2007
• Football League Two play-off winner 2007

Newport County

• Football Conference play-off winner 2013

External links

• Byron Anthony player profile at bristolrovers.co.uk
• Byron Anthony player profile at cardiffcityfc.co.uk
• Byron Anthony career statistics at Soccerbase

• Anthony joins Newport
• Anthony retires