Tony Daws
Encyclopedia
Anthony "Tony" Daws is an English
former professional footballer, who played as a striker
. He has been the academy manager at Scunthorpe United
since 2005, and was appointed Caretaker Manager for just over 2 weeks in March 2011.
In his playing career he played for Notts County
, Sheffield United
, Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town
, Lincoln City
, Halifax Town, Scarborough
and Altrincham
. A recurring back injury that first occurred during his spell at Scunthorpe United forced him to retire from playing at a relatively early age.
He then took up junior coaching positions at Sheffield United
and Sheffield Wednesday
before assuming his present role at Scunthorpe.
. He represented his country at U15 and U18 level at football. His first appearance at Wembley was on 5 June 1982 in the Dentyne Trophy, which was contested against Scotland's U15s. Alongside him in that England U15 squad was his fellow Ashleigh school pupil John Beresford
. A third pupil from Sheffield was also in that England squad: Fraser Digby
of Jordanthorpe School. The trio were key members of the Sheffield Boys U15s team that won the ESFA Inter Association Trophy in that year, the boys also played for the Sheffield Sunday League team Throstles.
The England starting line up that day was: 1. Darren Heyes
; 2. Alan Spiers; 3. Michael Thomas; 4. Mark Seagraves
; 5. Simon Ratcliffe
(captain); 6. Ian Sankey; 7. Dale Gordon
; 8. Ian Fairbrother; 9. Darren Beckford
; 10. Kevin Keen
; 11. Tony Daws.
Daws also represented Yorkshire Boys in cricket, rugby and athletics and if he had not made it as a professional footballer he was tipped to have a promising future in athletics.
In those days, a boy could not sign a contract with a club until his 14th birthday, and the big clubs would "court" the best boys in the country in the years leading up to this landmark age. Daws' pace, strength and predatory scoring had alerted the big clubs and there were a number eager to sign him.
, Steve Coppell
, Andy Ritchie, Mickey Thomas and Gary Birtles. Then there were the Youth Team players Norman Whiteside
and Mark Hughes
and the "unknowns" in the U16 and U15 age groups. Daws and his father decided to ask for his release from the club.
In 1981 following persuasion from Jimmy Sirrel
(General Manager) and Howard Wilkinson
(Head Coach) of Notts County, Daws signed schoolboy forms for the Nottingham club. Sirrell had known of Daws from when he was the manager of Sheffield United in 1977, having watched him play for the Sheffield Boys team at United's training ground. Daws went on to play for Notts County's Youth (U18) team as a 15 and 16 year old.
. He made seven appearances (6 + 1sub) that season, scoring one goal. The following season Daws made just the one substitute appearance. He was released at the end of the 1985-86 season following Notts County's relegation to the old Third Division.
on a free transfer for the 1986-87
season. He made his debut for his hometown club on 8 November 1986, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers for Billy McEwan
's Blades team. Daws made eleven appearances for the club that season, scoring three goals. His contract was for only one year, and it was not renewed at the end of the season. Once again Daws was on the free-transfer list.
season saw Daws playing for Scunthorpe United in the Fourth Division. Daws made the short journey to North Lincolnshire to sign for new manager Mick Buxton
in the summer of 1987. He made his debut for The Iron in the opening game of the season, a 3-0 home league win over Tranmere Rovers on 15 August 2007. It was during his time at Scunthorpe that he incurred the back injury that was to bring his playing career to a relatively early end.
, then Lincoln City
, Halifax Town, Scarborough
and Altrincham
before his back problems forced him to retire from playing at a relatively early age.
as part-time Youth Development Officer (1996–2000), then Assistant Academy and U19 Coach (2001–2004) before becoming under-nine to under-18 Youth Development Officer at Sheffield Wednesday
(2004–05).
He has been the academy manager at Scunthorpe United
since 2005, and was appointed Caretaker Manager on 16 March 2011, following the sacking of manager Ian Baraclough
, until the appointment of Alan Knill
on 31 March 2011.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer, who played as a striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
. He has been the academy manager at Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
since 2005, and was appointed Caretaker Manager for just over 2 weeks in March 2011.
In his playing career he played for 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...
, Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
, Scunthorpe United, Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, Halifax Town, Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
and Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
. A recurring back injury that first occurred during his spell at Scunthorpe United forced him to retire from playing at a relatively early age.
He then took up junior coaching positions at Sheffield United
Sheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
and Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
before assuming his present role at Scunthorpe.
School years
Daws attended Gleadless Junior and Ashleigh Comprehensive School in SheffieldSheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
. He represented his country at U15 and U18 level at football. His first appearance at Wembley was on 5 June 1982 in the Dentyne Trophy, which was contested against Scotland's U15s. Alongside him in that England U15 squad was his fellow Ashleigh school pupil John Beresford
John Beresford (footballer)
John Beresford is a former English football player who played as a defender, who is currently a pundit for ITV Tyne Tees and ESPN.-Football career:...
. A third pupil from Sheffield was also in that England squad: Fraser Digby
Fraser Digby
Fraser Charles Digby is a retired goalkeeper who spent much of his career with Swindon Town, for whom he played in the Premier League...
of Jordanthorpe School. The trio were key members of the Sheffield Boys U15s team that won the ESFA Inter Association Trophy in that year, the boys also played for the Sheffield Sunday League team Throstles.
The England starting line up that day was: 1. Darren Heyes
Darren Heyes
Darren Heyes was an English football Goalkeeper and the son of former Leicester City and Swansea City Goalkeeper, George Heyes....
; 2. Alan Spiers; 3. Michael Thomas; 4. Mark Seagraves
Mark Seagraves
Mark Seagraves is a former professional footballer. He was a defender.Seagraves began his playing career with Liverpool F.C.. He came through their youth system and won England Youth caps, however he was unable to break into Liverpool's first team. He spent a short spell on loan at Norwich City F.C...
; 5. Simon Ratcliffe
Simon Ratcliffe
Simon Ratcliffe is an English former professional football player. His clubs included Norwich City, Brentford and Gillingham, where he made over 100 Football League appearances....
(captain); 6. Ian Sankey; 7. Dale Gordon
Dale Gordon
Dale Andrew Gordon is a former professional association football player who played for Norwich City, Rangers, West Ham United, Peterborough United, Millwall and AFC Bournemouth...
; 8. Ian Fairbrother; 9. Darren Beckford
Darren Beckford
Darren Richard Lorenzo Beckford is a former professional footballer. His younger brother Jason also played professional football. They both played as forwards....
; 10. Kevin Keen
Kevin Keen
Kevin Keen is a football coach, manager and former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for Wycombe Wanderers, West Ham United, Wolves, Stoke City and Macclesfield Town...
; 11. Tony Daws.
Daws also represented Yorkshire Boys in cricket, rugby and athletics and if he had not made it as a professional footballer he was tipped to have a promising future in athletics.
In those days, a boy could not sign a contract with a club until his 14th birthday, and the big clubs would "court" the best boys in the country in the years leading up to this landmark age. Daws' pace, strength and predatory scoring had alerted the big clubs and there were a number eager to sign him.
Schoolboy contracts
Daws was spotted by a Manchester United scout and subsequently signed for the club, with his registration filed on his 14th birthday. One year later it occurred to him and his father, James, that he would have to be a truly exceptional player to make the Manchester United first team. In front of him in the pecking order were established first-team players Joe JordanJoe Jordan (footballer)
Joseph "Joe" Jordan is a Scottish football coach and former player and manager. He is currently first team coach for English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, under manager Harry Redknapp....
, Steve Coppell
Steve Coppell
Stephen James "Steve" Coppell is an English former footballer and manager, currently without a club.As a player, he was a highly regarded right winger known for his speed and work rate. He won domestic honours with Manchester United and represented England at the World Cup...
, Andy Ritchie, Mickey Thomas and Gary Birtles. Then there were the Youth Team players Norman Whiteside
Norman Whiteside
Norman Whiteside is a former Northern Ireland international footballer who played in two World Cups.He appeared for Manchester United and Everton, before his career was ended by injury at the age of 26. He won the FA Cup twice during his time playing for Manchester United, in 1983 and 1985...
and Mark Hughes
Mark Hughes
Leslie Mark Hughes, OBE , is a former Welsh international footballer. As an international footballer, he made 72 appearances and scored 16 goals....
and the "unknowns" in the U16 and U15 age groups. Daws and his father decided to ask for his release from the club.
In 1981 following persuasion from Jimmy Sirrel
Jimmy Sirrel
James "Jimmy" Sirrel was a Scottish football player and manager best known for his management career....
(General Manager) and Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson
Howard Wilkinson is a former English football player and manager, and has recently stepped down as a Non-Executive Director at Sheffield Wednesday after formerly relinquishing the chairman role to Milan Mandaric...
(Head Coach) of Notts County, Daws signed schoolboy forms for the Nottingham club. Sirrell had known of Daws from when he was the manager of Sheffield United in 1977, having watched him play for the Sheffield Boys team at United's training ground. Daws went on to play for Notts County's Youth (U18) team as a 15 and 16 year old.
Apprenticeship and Notts County
Daws signed a two-year apprenticeship with Notts County upon leaving school in 1983. He made his reserve-team debut for County whilst still at school and went on to make his first-team debut whilst still an apprentice, aged 18. That first League appearance was on 9 March 1985 in a 1–2 loss at Birmingham City in the old Second Division. The following week Daws opened his goalscoring account in the second minute of a 4–1 away success against Cardiff CityCardiff city
Cardiff City may refer to:* Cardiff city centre* Cardiff City Council* Cardiff City F.C.* Cardiff City L.F.C.* Cardiff City Stadium...
. He made seven appearances (6 + 1sub) that season, scoring one goal. The following season Daws made just the one substitute appearance. He was released at the end of the 1985-86 season following Notts County's relegation to the old Third Division.
Sheffield United
Daws moved to Second Division club Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
on a free transfer for the 1986-87
1986-87 in English football
The 1986–87 season was the 107th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :The First Division championship went to Everton in their final season under the management of Howard Kendall before his departure to Athletic Bilbao. His side overcame a spate of injuries to fight off...
season. He made his debut for his hometown club on 8 November 1986, scoring both goals in a 2-0 win at Blackburn Rovers for Billy McEwan
Billy McEwan (footballer born 1951)
William Johnston McGowan "Billy" McEwan is a former Scottish football player and now manager. He had a 14 year playing career in the Scottish and English professional leagues, playing for seven different clubs. McEwan then undertook a coaching career; he has managed six different English league...
's Blades team. Daws made eleven appearances for the club that season, scoring three goals. His contract was for only one year, and it was not renewed at the end of the season. Once again Daws was on the free-transfer list.
Scunthorpe United
The 1987-881987-88 in English football
The 1987–88 season was the 120th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Liverpool won the league title with a comfortable nine-point margin and just two defeats all season....
season saw Daws playing for Scunthorpe United in the Fourth Division. Daws made the short journey to North Lincolnshire to sign for new manager Mick Buxton
Mick Buxton
Michael James "Mick" Buxton is a former footballer and football manager in England. He has managed Huddersfield Town, Scunthorpe United and Sunderland.-Playing career:...
in the summer of 1987. He made his debut for The Iron in the opening game of the season, a 3-0 home league win over Tranmere Rovers on 15 August 2007. It was during his time at Scunthorpe that he incurred the back injury that was to bring his playing career to a relatively early end.
After Scunthorpe
On leaving Scunthorpe Daws moved to Grimsby TownGrimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, then Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
, Halifax Town, Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
and Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
before his back problems forced him to retire from playing at a relatively early age.
Coaching career
After retiring he took up coaching positions at Sheffield UnitedSheffield United F.C.
Sheffield United Football Club is a professional English football club based in the city of Sheffield, South Yorkshire.They were the first sporting team to use the name 'United' and are nicknamed 'The Blades', thanks to Sheffield's worldwide reputation for steel production...
as part-time Youth Development Officer (1996–2000), then Assistant Academy and U19 Coach (2001–2004) before becoming under-nine to under-18 Youth Development Officer at Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
Sheffield Wednesday Football Club are a football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England, who are currently competing in the Football League One in the 2011-12 season, in England. Sheffield Wednesday are one of the oldest professional clubs in the world and the fourth oldest in the...
(2004–05).
He has been the academy manager at Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
since 2005, and was appointed Caretaker Manager on 16 March 2011, following the sacking of manager Ian Baraclough
Ian Baraclough
Ian Robert Baraclough is a former English professional footballer who was most recently the manager of Scunthorpe United, where he notably appeared as a player between 2004 and 2008...
, until the appointment of Alan Knill
Alan Knill
Alan Richard Knill is a former Wales international footballer who played as a central defender. He is presently manager of League One side Scunthorpe United.-Playing career:...
on 31 March 2011.