Byron Anthony

Cardiff City

Anthony, a product of Cardiff City's youth system, was capped eight times by Wales at Under-21 level. In May 2004, Anthony signed his first professional contract at the club. 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 on 21 September 2004. Following this, Anthony signed a contract with the club in late-October 2004.

In February 2006, Anthony joined Football Conference side Forest Green Rovers on a month's loan. Following his loan spell at Forest Green Rovers came to an end, Anthony was released by the club.

Bristol Rovers

After being released by Cardiff, he joined Bristol Rovers on 1 July 2006, linking up with former Cardiff manager Lennie Lawrence.

After being on the bench for the first three matches, Anthony made his Bristol Rovers debut against Grimsby Town in a League Two on 12 August 2006, making his first start, but was booked in the 43rd minutes. On 17 October 2006, he scored his first goal for Bristol Rovers against Torquay United in the first round of Johnstone's Paint Trophy. Several weeks later on 11 November 2006, Anthony scored his second goal of the season, in the first round of FA Cup, in a 3-2 win over Barrow. Despite being restricted to twenty-three appearance, due to a knee injury, Anthony signed a contract with Bristol Rovers, keeping him until 2009. Anthony featured in the Bristol Rovers victory at Wembley Stadium against Shrewsbury Town, which saw Bristol Rovers promoted to League One for 2007–08 season.

Anthony featured in Bristol Rovers first game of the 2007–08 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. However, Anthony 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. After months on the sidelined, even making it back on the substitution, Anthony made his return from injury on 12 March 2008, in a 1-1 draw against Northampton Town. Following this, Anthony went on to make twenty appearance for the club in the 2007-08 season.

In the 2008-09 season, Anthony remained in the first team spotlight until he received his first red card for Bristol Rovers in the 2008–09 season, in a 3–1 home loss against Walsall. After serving a suspension, Anthony was in the first team until he was once again sent-off in the first round, in a 1-0 loss against Bournemouth, which saw him serve a two match suspension. After serving a suspension for the second time this season, Anthony returns to the starting eleven after months on the substitution bench and 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. Then on 13 April 2009, Anthony was at fault when "he was caught in possession when he tried to dribble the ball away from his own penalty area", allowing Ali Gerba to capitalized, as Bristol Rovers lose 2-1 to Milton Keynes Dons. On 25 April 2009 in a match against Swindon Town, Anthony suffered severe concussion, resulting in his inability to remember his name. Despite this, Anthony made thirty appearance for the club in the 2008-09 season.

In the 2009-10 season saw Anthony played the first game of the season in 2–1 loss at home to Leyton Orient playing the full 90 minutes. Unlike the first three seasons at Bristol Rovers, Anthony failed to score a goal for Bristol Rovers this season. Despite this, Anthony remained in the first team, as he helped the club gain four clean sheets in the first three months to the start of the season. In early-February, Anthony signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2012. All went well for Anthony until on 13 March 2010 against Tranmere Rovers, Anthony was involved in a challenge with Bas Savage, resulting Anthony substituted just before half time. Following an X-ray scan, it was later confirmed that Anthony did not suffered a serious injury. Towards at the end of the season, however, saw Anthony served a two match suspension and suffered a hip problem, but despite this, Anthony made thirty-seven appearance for the club in the 2009-10 season.

In the 2010-11 season saw Anthony scored his first goal of the season against local rivals Yeovil Town, in a 2–1 victory on 27 August 2010. The goal was scored in the 90th minute of the match, which ultimately won the match for Bristol Rovers. Two months later on 23 October 2010, Anthony scored his second goal of this season, where scored a late equaliser in a 2-2 draw against Hartlepool United, in the 90th minute. Anthony's third goal of the season came on 20 November 2010, in a 2-2 draw against Brighton. Anthony suffered ankle injury in late-February that kept him out for weeks. Anthony made his first team return on 25 March 2011 against Peterborough United, which set up a goal for Jo Kuffour, but scored an own goal, in a 2-2 draw. Despite the injury, Anthony went on to make thirty-seven appearance for the club in the 2010-11 season, which saw the season relegated to League Two.

In the 2011-12 season, Anthony started the season well in the first half when on 13 August 2011, Byron scored his first goal in 2011–12 season at home to local rivals Torquay United, which saw Bristol Rovers lost 2–1 and on 4 December 2011, he scored his second goal of the season in the 6–1 rout against AFC Totton, this goal was the last goal he scored for Bristol Rovers. He remained in the first team until Manager Paul Buckle was sacked and was succeeded by Mark McGhee. Under the management of McGhee, Anthony struggled to regain his first team place and was loaned out to Hereford United. Even after his return, Anthony's future at Bristol Rovers looks slim, as he was not offered a new contract by the club. This was later confirmed by the club on 18 May 2012, as Anthony was among players to be released by the club, ending his six years association at the club. Since his release by Bristol Rovers, Anthony later criticised McGhee for not giving him a chance under his regain.

During his time at Bristol Rovers, Anthony earned a reputation by the club's supporters as Mr Versatile.

Hereford United

On 17 February 2012, Anthony joined fellow Football League Two side Hereford United on a month-long loan deal. He made his debut for Hereford United in a 2–1 loss against Swindon Town the next day, and scored his first goal for Hereford United seven days later, in a 2-2 draw against Bradford City at Valley Parade. With first team opportunity given at Hereford United, Anthony's loan spell with Hereford United was extended until the end of the season.

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 a match Dartford, which saw Hereford United lost 4–0. However, in the next game against Cambridge United, Anthony received a red card, which saw Hereford United won 4-2. Four days later after the game, on 26 September 2012, he was released from the club.

Newport County

On 16 November 2012 Anthony joined his home town club Newport County. He made his debut for Newport on 22 September 2012, against Forest Green Rovers.

Anthony scored his first goal for the club on 9 February 2013, in a 2–2 draw at home against Tamworth. Anthony later scored two goal later in the season against Woking on 16 February 2013 and Alfreton Town on 13 April 2013. 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. Following the end of the season, Anthony was offered a new contract by the club and signed a contract a few days later.

On 6 August 2013, Anthony suffered a double ankle break in Newport's 3–1 League Cup victory at Brighton. After five months on the sidelined, Anthony made his return to training in late-January. Weeks later, Anthony played his first match in seven months, where he played for the club's reserve against Bristol Rovers. 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.

Coaching

Upon announcing his retirement from playing, Anthony took up a role coaching the Newport County under 16's and under 18's.

In March 2016 the Newport County announced that Grant Kalahar would leave the role of Academy Manager at the end of the 2015-16 season with Anthony being appointed interim Academy Manager until the end of the 2015-16 season. In May 2016 Newport County AFC appointed Byron Anthony as Academy Manager on a full time basis after a successful period as interim manager

Personal life

Growing up in Newport, Wales, Anthony attended St Joseph’s School.

Honours