Anthony McNamee

Watford

McNamee started his career at Watford. He made his debut under manager Gianluca Vialli in a friendly at home to Mansfield, and his league debut against Coventry City in a 3–0 First Division win on 16 March 2002. He continued to make substitute appearances for the remainder of the season, making his first start against Gillingham on the final day of the season, scoring his first professional goal in the process. Despite only making seven appearances that season, it was enough to scoop him the 2001–02 Young Player of the Season award. McNamee continued to feature under new manager Ray Lewington, making 24 appearances in the 2002–03 season. However, concerns about his asthma meant that he was limited to a place on the bench, as it was feared he would not be able to last 90 minutes.

These fears, along with his physical stature, put pressure on his footballing career, and he only made two appearances for Watford in the 2003–04 season. McNamee was loaned to Conference side Barnet in December 2003, but failed to make much of an impression.

McNamee made a number of appearances towards the end of the 2004–05 season, under both Lewington and new manager Aidy Boothroyd. He extended his contract until 2008, and played more frequently as Watford finished third in the Championship. He was on the bench for the play-off semi-final legs against Crystal Palace, but did not play, and he was left out of the 16 for the final against Leeds United, where Watford clinched promotion to the Premiership. In February 2006, McNamee was selected for Peter Taylor's Under-21 Football League squad to face Italy's Serie B team, but did not make the final team.

McNamee made seven appearances for Watford in the middle of their 2006–07 Premiership season, and also scored the only goal in their fourth round FA Cup victory at West Ham United. Watford would go on to reach the semi-finals of the competition, but McNamee played no further part and was sent on loan to League One side Crewe Alexandra in March 2007 for the remainder of the season. He played five times for the Railwaymen.

Watford returned to the Championship for the 2007–08 season, but McNamee only featured in two League Cup games. On 18 January 2008, was sold to League One side Swindon Town for an undisclosed fee. In total he made 103 appearances for Watford, 60 of those from the bench.

Swindon Town

McNamee made his debut for Swindon in a 0–0 draw with Crewe Alexandra in January 2008. He scored his first goal for Swindon in April 2008 in a 6–0 win over Port Vale.

During a pre-season friendly with Portsmouth, he impressed Harry Redknapp, who praised him, saying "If he can produce that every week he won't be here long but can he do it regular?". His form continued into the start of the season, as rumours circulated that scouts across the country had their eyes on three Swindon Town players, Peter Brezovan, Simon Cox and Anthony McNamee.

In September 2009, Danny Wilson issued a "hands off" warning as rumours circulated that recently relegated Norwich City were tabling an offer for McNamee. He told the Swindon Advertiser "Macca’s going nowhere. If we wanted him to go he would have gone already, so that answers everything. He’s going nowhere at all".

Norwich City

He later signed on an emergency loan to Norwich City with a view to a permanent transfer from Swindon Town to the formerly mentioned football club in the January transfer window. He made his debut on 5 December 2009 against Oldham Athletic as a substitute on the 82nd minute in a 2–0 win for Norwich City at Carrow Road. McNamee made a further appearance later in the month against Millwall in another 2–0 win for Norwich City at Carrow Road as a substitute in the 85th minute in his last game as a loan player for the club.

On 4 January 2010, McNamee signed for Norwich City making his loan move to the club permanent. McNamee scored his debut goal for Norwich City to take the lead in a 2–1 home win against Stockport County on 5 April 2010. Following Norwich City's promotion to Premier League in 2011, McNamee found himself out of favour with manager Paul Lambert and was expected to leave the club.

Milton Keynes Dons

On 31 August 2011, McNamee left Norwich on a free transfer, signing a one-year contract at League One club Milton Keynes Dons with the option of a further year. He made his debut three days later, as a late substitute in a 3–1 win away at Carlisle United.

Wycombe Wanderers

On 24 November, McNamee joined Wycombe Wanderers in search of first team football. He signed on a loan deal until 7 January 2012. The signing was manager Gary Waddock's second loan signing of the day after completing the deal for Marcello Trotta. He made his debut for the 'Chairboys' on 10 December 2011, scoring a volley against relegation rivals Chesterfield in a 3–2 win. He was not offered a new deal by the club at the end of the season and was released.

Macclesfield Town

On 31 August 2012, he signed for Football Conference side Macclesfield Town.

Aldershot

McNamee signed for Aldershot after being unattached, on 11 January 2013. He was released 2 months later after only making one appearance.

Woking

Anthony signed for Woking on the 9 August 2013 for the 2013-14 season. He was released by Woking at the end of the 2013–14 season after failing to hold down a starting position.

Honours