Anthony Grant (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Anthony Paul Shaun Andrew Daure Grant (born 4 June 1987) is an English footballer who plays for Southend United
. He previously played in the Premier League for Chelsea
and in the Football League
for Oldham Athletic
, Wycombe Wanderers
and Luton Town
.
, Greater London
, Grant made his professional debut for Chelsea
against Manchester United
in May 2005, coming on as a last-minute substitute for Joe Cole in the 3–1 win. Grant impressed in the reserves to earn a place in the 2004–05 English Champions' first team squad during the 2005–06 season, for which he had been allocated the squad number 42.
In January 2006, Grant was loaned to League One
club Oldham Athletic
. Grant came on as a late substitute in Chelsea's first-team friendly against Brøndby
in July 2007, this time wearing the number 31 shirt.
Grant joined Wycombe Wanderers
on loan for the 2006–07 season; manager Paul Lambert
had previously tried to sign him during his stint at Livingston
a year earlier. He was sent off
for the first time in his senior career in the 1–0 defeat to Notts County
in August 2006. He helped Wycombe reach the semi-final of the League Cup
, but was unable to take part: Wycombe were drawn to play Chelsea, and his owning club refused him permission to play against them. In March 2007, Chelsea offered Grant a new contract.
In November 2007, Grant was loaned to Luton Town
until January 2008. He made his debut coming on as a second half substitute in a 1–0 victory over Southend United. On 26 December, Grant was one of three players to be sent off for Luton in the game that saw them hold Bristol Rovers
to a 1–1 draw. Grant was given an immediate three-game ban, which put an abrupt end to his loan spell; the club were in administration and under a transfer embargo, so were unable to renew the loan.
of League One, returning at the end of the season having made ten appearances, all as substitute.
On 7 August 2008, Grant joined Southend United permanently on a free transfer. Grant came off the bench to score his first goal for Southend United, an 88th-minute match-winner in the 4–3 defeat of Crewe Alexandra
on 20 September 2008.
Grant scored his first goal at Roots Hall in a friendly match against West Ham United. On 27 August 2010.
On 27 August 2010 Grant ended his 80 league game goal drought with a screaming 25 yard strike against Bradford City in a 2-0 win.
Grant was back on the score sheet with his first league goal at Roots Hall in a 2-1 victory over Torquay United on 4 September 2010.
On September 11, 2010 Grant continued to find the net, this time the opener against Northampton Town
in a 2-1 defeat. Grant scored his fourth goal in as many league games on 18 September 2010 against Morecambe
. Grant's remarkable turn in fortune in front of goal saw him score four goals in as many league matches.
Grant found the back of the net again in away games against Chesterfield
on 9 October 2010 and Shrewsbury Town
on 20 November 2010.
Grant's fine form in the first half of the season was reportedly attracting interest from clubs at a higher level, on 21 January 2011 Grant issued a statement on the clubs official website stating that he was enjoying his football at Southend and wanted to stay at the club. He then finished in the top 3 for Southend's player of the year award or the second year running, finishing 3rd after losing to Simon Francis
the previous season.
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
. He previously played in the Premier League for Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
and in the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
, Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
and Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
.
Chelsea
Born in LambethLambeth
Lambeth is a district of south London, England, and part of the London Borough of Lambeth. It is situated southeast of Charing Cross.-Toponymy:...
, Greater London
Greater London
Greater London is the top-level administrative division of England covering London. It was created in 1965 and spans the City of London, including Middle Temple and Inner Temple, and the 32 London boroughs. This territory is coterminate with the London Government Office Region and the London...
, Grant made his professional debut for Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
in May 2005, coming on as a last-minute substitute for Joe Cole in the 3–1 win. Grant impressed in the reserves to earn a place in the 2004–05 English Champions' first team squad during the 2005–06 season, for which he had been allocated the squad number 42.
In January 2006, Grant was loaned to League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
club Oldham Athletic
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
. Grant came on as a late substitute in Chelsea's first-team friendly against Brøndby
Brøndby IF
Brøndby IF is a Danish professional football club based in Brøndbyvester, Brøndby, on the western outskirts of Copenhagen and is the biggest football club in Denmark with almost 2000 members. The club is also known as Brøndbyernes Idrætsforening, or Brøndby and BIF for short...
in July 2007, this time wearing the number 31 shirt.
Grant joined Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
on loan for the 2006–07 season; manager Paul Lambert
Paul Lambert
Paul Christopher Lambert is a Scottish football manager and former player who is the manager of Norwich City. He won numerous trophies as a player, winning the Scottish Cup with St...
had previously tried to sign him during his stint at Livingston
Livingston F.C.
Livingston Football Club is a Scottish association football club based in Livingston, West Lothian. The club currently plays in the Scottish Football League First Division.The club was founded in 1943 as Ferranti Thistle, a works team...
a year earlier. He was sent off
Ejection (sports)
In sports, an ejection is one of several disqualifying actions assessed to a player or coach by a game official , usually for unsportsmanlike conduct....
for the first time in his senior career in the 1–0 defeat to Notts County
Notts County F.C.
Notts County Football Club are an English professional football club based in Nottingham. They are the oldest of all the clubs in the world that are now professional, having been formed in 1862. They currently play in League One of The Football League, the third tier of the English football system...
in August 2006. He helped Wycombe reach the semi-final of the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
, but was unable to take part: Wycombe were drawn to play Chelsea, and his owning club refused him permission to play against them. In March 2007, Chelsea offered Grant a new contract.
In November 2007, Grant was loaned to Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
until January 2008. He made his debut coming on as a second half substitute in a 1–0 victory over Southend United. On 26 December, Grant was one of three players to be sent off for Luton in the game that saw them hold Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers F.C.
Bristol Rovers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Bristol, that competes in Football League Two. The team plays its home matches at the Memorial Stadium, in the Horfield area of the city....
to a 1–1 draw. Grant was given an immediate three-game ban, which put an abrupt end to his loan spell; the club were in administration and under a transfer embargo, so were unable to renew the loan.
Southend United
In January 2008, Grant again went out on loan, this time to Southend UnitedSouthend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
of League One, returning at the end of the season having made ten appearances, all as substitute.
On 7 August 2008, Grant joined Southend United permanently on a free transfer. Grant came off the bench to score his first goal for Southend United, an 88th-minute match-winner in the 4–3 defeat of Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
on 20 September 2008.
Grant scored his first goal at Roots Hall in a friendly match against West Ham United. On 27 August 2010.
On 27 August 2010 Grant ended his 80 league game goal drought with a screaming 25 yard strike against Bradford City in a 2-0 win.
Grant was back on the score sheet with his first league goal at Roots Hall in a 2-1 victory over Torquay United on 4 September 2010.
On September 11, 2010 Grant continued to find the net, this time the opener against Northampton Town
Northampton Town F.C.
Northampton Town Football Club are an English professional football club based in Northampton, Northamptonshire. They currently play in Football League Two, the lowest league division, after being relegated from League One on the last day of the 2008–09 season...
in a 2-1 defeat. Grant scored his fourth goal in as many league games on 18 September 2010 against Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
. Grant's remarkable turn in fortune in front of goal saw him score four goals in as many league matches.
Grant found the back of the net again in away games against Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
on 9 October 2010 and Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
on 20 November 2010.
Grant's fine form in the first half of the season was reportedly attracting interest from clubs at a higher level, on 21 January 2011 Grant issued a statement on the clubs official website stating that he was enjoying his football at Southend and wanted to stay at the club. He then finished in the top 3 for Southend's player of the year award or the second year running, finishing 3rd after losing to Simon Francis
Simon Francis (footballer)
Simon Charles Francis is an English footballer who plays for Charlton Athletic as a defender.-Career:Born in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Francis was rejected as a youngster by both hometown clubs Notts County and Nottingham Forest. Instead he joined Bradford City as a trainee in 2002 after being...
the previous season.
External links
- Player profile at Southend United F.C.
- Profile at BBC