| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony Mark Daley[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1967-10-18)18 October 1967 (age 58)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Birmingham,[1] England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Winger | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1985–1994 | Aston Villa | 233 | (31) |
| 1994–1998 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 21 | (3) |
| 1998–1999 | Watford | 12 | (1) |
| 1999 | Walsall | 7 | (0) |
| 1999–2002 | Forest Green Rovers | 67 | (6) |
| Total | 340 | (41) | |
| International career | |||
| 1985–1986 | England Youth | 6 | (2) |
| 1990 | England B | 1 | (0) |
| 1991–1992 | England | 7 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Anthony Mark Daley (born 18 October 1967) is an English formerfootballer, who made the vast majority of his appearances forAston Villa, playing mainly as awinger, well known for his pace.
Daley joined hometown clubAston Villa as an apprentice and made his senior debut, aged 17, on 20 April 1985 in a 2–0 defeat atSouthampton. He played for the Midlands club for ten seasons, nine at the highest level, and finished a runner-up in both the1989–90 and1992–93 league championships. He also played in their1994 League Cup final triumph where they defeatedManchester United atWembley.
During this period, Daley wascapped seven times forEngland between 1991 and 1992 under former club managerGraham Taylor. He made his full debut as a substitute in a vital 1–1 draw inPoland on 13 November 1991 that saw England qualify for1992 European Championships in Sweden. He was subsequently chosen for the squad at the tournament and played in two of England's three games there, but after the tournament he never played for England again.
He nearly got onto the scoresheet in the1994 Football League Cup final againstManchester United, but his shot hit the post and was rebounded byDalian Atkinson, only forAndrei Kanchelskis to block it with a handball for which he was sent off.Dean Saunders converted the penalty and put Villa 3–1 ahead, a scoreline which formed the final result and gave Villa a record fifth League Cup win. Daley collected what would be the only major trophy of his career.[1]
Daley linked up with Graham Taylor again as he finally leftAston Villa forWolverhampton Wanderers in July 1994 for £1.25 million, but he was plagued with injuries and was only able to manage 21 appearances for the club in four seasons.
He was signed once more by Graham Taylor, now atWatford, in July 1998, on a free transfer. His injury woes continued though and he struggled to get fit, missing the final months as the club won promotion to thePremier League, Daley scoring once in the process against Birmingham City.[3] He was given a free transfer to newly promotedDivision 1 sideWalsall in June 1999, and after a six-month spell there, he finished his playing career withConference sideForest Green Rovers, hanging up his boots in July 2002.
Daley's perhaps best known goal came in a First Division game against Everton at Villa Park on 22 October 1988. A spectacular flying volley in a 2–0 win for Villa, the goal quickly – thanks in no small part to the popular football video series 'Goals Galore' – became known as 'Daley's Dazzler' and is also remembered for full-backChris Price (who supplied the cross) having a little celebration all of his own.[citation needed]
The 24-year-old Daley debuted forEngland v Poland inEuro 1992 qualifying Group 7.[4]
Upon finishing his career in professional football due to persistent injury, Daley completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports and Exercise Science atCoventry University. During this time, he also remained atForest Green Rovers as their fitness coach and worked with youth players at Aston Villa's academy.
Following his studies, he joinedSheffield United as a fitness and conditioning coach in June 2003 but later quit his post following a row with new managerBryan Robson on 30 August 2007. He was not out of work for long as he joined former clubWolves in the same role the following month. He remained at Wolves in this role for almost ten years before leaving in May 2017.[5]
In 1995, Daley was the subject of a half-hour documentary. The seriesRespect was produced and directed byPogus Caesar forCarlton TV, and featured the likes ofDwight Yorke,John Barnes andRon Atkinson all paying tribute to the winger.
In March 2020, Daley joined the Lion's Den Gym, Bassett's Pole, as a personal trainer.
Aston Villa
