Tony Battersby

Tony Battersby

Born 30 August 1975 (Age 27 at debut)

Position: Forward

(Diamonds player #166)

Total appearances 5 (5 League)

Debut: 8 February 2003 (Away Darlington)

Final game: 8 March 2003 (Away Wrexham)

Tony started his career with Sheffield United, making 10 League appearances for the Blades between 1993 and 1996. During his stay, he went on loan deals to Southend United and BK-IFK in Finland, where he scored 24 goals in 18 games. The striker was released by Sheffield United, and went on to play for Notts County and Bury, before joining Lincoln City on a three year contract for a £75,000 fee. Lincoln’s relegation led to Tony being out of favour with the new manager, and he went to Northampton Town on loan in September 1999, with a view to a permanent deal, but this never materialised. Another change of manager at Lincoln saw him given another chance, and he was given a further two year deal in the summer of 2001. Between August 1998 and October 2002, he had played exactly 150 games for the Imps, scoring 26 times. He was out of favour again in October 2002 however, and left the club with a severance deal, joining Boston United on a three month deal. Tony then played a couple of games for Hucknall Town and it was whilst he was there that Tony was training with Diamonds in the hope of earning a contract, initially offering to play “for free”. He dual signed for Diamonds on 6 February 2003, and made his debut two days later. He then played another game for Hucknall before being given a one month deal at Nene Park. He was unable to find the back of the net during his stay however, and was released on 20 March 2003.

He joined Stevenage Borough in March 2003, scoring on his debut and he spent a couple of years at Broadhall Way, before brief spells with Gravesend & Northfleet and Cambridge City. In May 2004, he joined Kings Lynn, before agreeing a deal with Grays Athletic, helping them to the Conference South title, but his time there was cut short by injury and he went to AFC Wimbledon in March 2006 in order to regain fitness. In the summer of 2006, he joined Chelmsford City, before moving to Welling United, but this time, it was illness which ended his time with the club. In 2007, he joined Stamford before transferring to Corby Town (with manager Graham Drury) in February 2008. After starting the next season on loan with Bourne Town, he joined Bedford Town in November 2008. He remained with the Eagles until 31 October 2009, when he returned to Northern Premier Division One South side Stamford. On 4 March 2011, Tony signed for Conference South side St.Albans City for the remainder of the season, but left at the end of the season and signed for UCL Premier side Deeping Rangers in early June 2011 as player/coach. He was later released and joined Northern Premier League Division One South side Grantham Townon 18 November 2011. After nearly a year with the Gingerbreads, Tony joined UCL Premier side Spalding United on 8 November 2012, before being released at the end of September 2013. On 5 October 2013, he joined fellow UCL Premier side Wisbech Town, before retiring at the end of the season.

Appearances

2002/2003 – squad number 25