Full name Anthony Wagstaff 1969-1973 Reading Place of birth Wombwell, England Name Tony Wagstaff | Years Team Role Football player 1961-1969 Sheffield United | |
Date of birth (1944-02-19) 19 February 1944 (age 71) | ||
Reading v Man Utd Watney Cup 01081970
Anthony (Tony) Wagstaff (born 19 February 1944 in Wombwell) was an English football player who played for Reading and Sheffield United in the position of Midfielder.
Wagstaff became an apprentice at Bramall Lane in June 1960, turning professional in March 1961. Following promotion to Division One in April 1961, he debuted in a 4-1 home win against Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane on 29 April 1961, in the final match of 1960-61 season. Wagstaff was not a regular in the Sheffield United first team until the latter stages of season 1962-63 when he netted four goals in 15 league appearances, including the winner in a 1-0 victory at Birmingham City on 23 March 1963.
In 1963-64, he scored 9 times in 37 league matches, which was the best scoring spell of his career. Many believed that his apparent lack of pace and power reduced the effectiveness of such a skilled player.
When his brother Barry made the Blades first team, the pair were often in and out of the side. By the time United were relegated to Division Two in 1968, Tony's appearances had become very limited and the Wagstaffs were sold to Reading for a combined fee of £17,500. Tony had played 157 competitive games (138 league games) for Sheffield United scoring 21 (19 league) goals in all.
Tony stayed at Reading until 1973, making 185 competitive appearances (166 league games) and scoring 6 times (5 league goals) for the Royals.