 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Anthony McNamee[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1984-07-13)13 July 1984 (age 40)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Kennington, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| ?–2002 | Watford | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2002–2008 | Watford | 91 | (2) |
| 2003–2004 | →Barnet (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2007 | →Crewe Alexandra (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2008–2010 | Swindon Town | 79 | (3) |
| 2009–2010 | →Norwich City (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | Norwich City | 32 | (1) |
| 2011–2012 | Milton Keynes Dons | 7 | (0) |
| 2011–2012 | →Wycombe Wanderers (loan) | 15 | (2) |
| 2012–2013 | Macclesfield Town | 4 | (0) |
| 2013 | Aldershot Town | 1 | (0) |
| 2013–2014 | Woking | 7 | (0) |
| Total | 248 | (8) | |
| International career | |||
| 2002–2003 | England U19 | 2 | (0) |
| 2003 | England U20 | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2021–2023 | Enfield Borough | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Anthony McNamee (born 13 July 1984) is an English former professionalfootballer who played as a left-sidedmidfielder, and current football manager.
Born inKennington, England, McNamee began his career atWatford. He quickly progressed through the ranks of Watford's youth system and then to the first team.[2] McNamee then progressed through the reserve side.[3] His performance in the reserve team led McNamee being called to the first team by ManagerGianluca Vialli.[4] At some point of early–April, he signed a contract with the club.[5] For the rest of the 2001–02 season, McNamee received a handful of first team football, resulting in him making seven appearances and scoring once for the side, which came againstGillingham in the last game of the season.[6] His progress in the reserve earned praised from Manager Vialli.[7] For his performance, McNamee was awarded 2001–02's Young Player of the Season.[8]
In the 2002–03 season, McNamee appeared in the first team, mostly coming on as a substitute.[9] He spent at the start of the season in and out at the first team.[10] The club's managerRay Lewington said about McNamee in September 2002, saying: "I would agree with that and they did quite well. He is going to be the worst-kept secret. They showed him inside, which I would do if I was playing against him and that makes the crosses a little bit flatter. We have to work with him so that if he does come inside, he knows what to do then. That is part of his education."[11] For the remaining 2002–03 season, McNamee continued to feature in and out of the first team.[12] At the end of the 2002–03 season, he went on to make twenty–two appearances in all competitions.
McNamee made two appearances for Watford at the start of the 2003–04 season, both coming on as a substitute.[13] After his loan spell at Barnet, McNamee spent the rest of the season, playing for the reserve side.[14]
In the first half of the 2004–05 season, McNamee continued to sit out of the first team, remaining at the reserve side.[15] It wasn't until on 28 December 2004 when he made his first appearance of the season, coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute, in a 0–0 draw againstCardiff City.[16] In a follow–up match againstMillwall, McNamee came on as a substitute in the 67th minute, and set up a goal forHeiðar Helguson eight minutes later, in a 1–0 win.[17] McNamee made a number of appearances towards the end of the2004–05 season, under both Lewington and new managerAidy Boothroyd.[18] After helping Watford avoid relegation, he signed a one–year contract extension with the club.[19] At the end of the 2004–05 season, McNamee went on to make sixteen appearances in all competitions.
In the 2005–06 season, McNamee continued to regain his first team place for the side.[20] For his performance, he extended his contract until 2008.[21] It wasn't until on 1 November 2005 when McNamee scored his first Watford in over three years, in a 3–1 win overQueens Park Rangers.[22] For the remaining 2005–06 season, McNamee continued to feature in and out of the first team, as Watford were promoted to thePremiership viaplay–offs.[23] At the end of the 2005–06 season, he went on to make thirty–eight appearances and scoring once in all competitions for the side.
In the2006–07 Premiership season, McNamee helped the side beatAccrington Stanley in the third round of the League Cup in a penalty-shootout after a tie 0–0 in the regular time and kept after extra-time.[24] It wasn't until on 28 November 2006 when McNamee made his Premier League debut, making a start before being substituted in the 72nd minute, in a 1–0 loss againstSheffield United.[25] He made seven appearances for Watford in the middle of, and also scored the only goal in their fourth roundFA Cup victory atWest Ham United.[26] Watford would go on to reach the semi-finals of the competition, but McNamee played no further part, as the club was relegated back to the Championship.
Watford returned to the Championship for the2007–08 season, but McNamee only featured in twoLeague Cup games and once in the league.[27] His first team opportunities at Watford this season has become more limited.[28]
McNamee was loaned out toBarnet on a month loan in December 2003.[29] He went on to make five appearances for the side before returning to Watford in mid–January 2004.
McNamee was sent on loan toLeague One sideCrewe Alexandra in March 2007 for the remainder of the season.[30] He made his Crewe Alexandra debut on 24 March 2007, starting the match before coming off in the 82nd minute, in a 1–0 loss againstRotherham United.[31] He played five times for the Railwaymen.
On 18 January 2008, was sold to League One sideSwindon Town for an undisclosed fee.[32]
McNamee made his debut for Swindon Town, starting the match before being substituted in the 62nd minute, in a 0–0 draw withCrewe Alexandra on 26 January 2008.[33] Since making his debut for the club, he quickly became a first team regular for the side, establishing himself in the starting eleven for the side.[34][35] On 12 February 2008 againstCheltenham Town, McNamee then set up a goal forBilly Paynter, as Swindon Town won 3–0.[36] Then on 5 April 2008, he set up two goals, in a 3–0 win overOldham Athletic.[37] He scored his first goal for Swindon Town two weeks later on 19 April 2008 in a 6–0 win overPort Vale.[38] In the last game of the season, McNamee scored his second goal of the season, in a 2–1 win overMillwall.[39] At the end of the 2007–08 season, he went on to make nineteen appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.[35]
Ahead of the 2008–09 season, during a pre-season friendly withPortsmouth, he impressedHarry Redknapp, who praised him, saying "If he can produce that every week he won't be here long but can he do it regular?".[40] At the start of the 2008–09 season, McNamee continued to regain his first team place for the side.[41] But the club's results were struggling, as well as, his own form, which resulted in him being dropped to the substitute bench for the number of matches.[42] By mid–October, McNamee soon regained his place in the starting eleven.[43] Under the new management ofDanny Wilson, McNamee found himself on the substitute bench for several months.[44] Manager Wilson explained his decision to drop McNamme on the substitute bench, citing low confidence.[45] Towards the end of the season, McNamme returned to the starting eleven, playing in the left–wing position.[46][35] At the end of the 2008–09 season, McNamme went on to make forty–seven appearances in all competitions.[35]
At the start of the 2009–10 season, McNamee found himself competing with new signingTope Obadeyi over the left–wing position, which resulted in him in the substitute bench in number of matches.[35][47] But he soon regained his place in the starting eleven.[35][48] His form continued into the start of the season, as rumours circulated that scouts across the country had their eyes on threeSwindon Town players,Peter Brezovan,Simon Cox and Anthony McNamee.[49] Among interested wasNorwich City, but Manager Wilson refused to sell him, insisting that he's "going nowhere".[50] Amid the transfer speculation, McNamee scored his first goal in seventeen months, in a 4–3 win overExeter City in the Football League Trophy campaign on 6 October 2009.[51] Then on 31 October 2009, he scored again, in a 4–1 win overTranmere Rovers.[52] On 26 November 2009, local newspaperSwindon Advertiser reported that McNamee was absent from training amid a loan move to Norwich City.[53] By the time of his departure, he made twenty–two appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
He later signed on an emergency loan toNorwich City with a view to a permanent transfer in the January transfer window.[54] McNamee made his Norwich City debut on 5 December 2010, coming on as a late substitute, in a 2–0 win over Oldham Athletic.[55] Then on 4 January 2010, he signed forNorwich City making his loan move to the club permanent.[56] McNamee's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came on 26 January 2010, coming on as a substitute during the second–half, as Norwich City won 2–1 againstWalsall.[57] By February, McNamee soon regained his first team place for the side.[58] He played a role when he contributed three assists in three matches between 23 February 2010 and 6 March 2010, all the three matches were wins, as Norwich City were chasing promotion to theChampionship.[59] McNamee scored his debut goal forNorwich City to take the lead in a 2–1 home win againstStockport County on 5 April 2010.[60] After Norwich City were champions of League One, he then set up two goals, in a 3–0 win overBristol City.[61] At the end of the 2009–10 season, McNamee went on to make seventeen appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.
At the start of the 2010–11 season, McNamee started the season, coming on as a substitute in a number of matches.[62] He then set up two goals that contributed wins for Norwich City: the first assist occurred on 21 August 2010 againstSwansea City and the second assist occurred on 11 September 2010 againstBarnsley.[63] In mid–October, McNamee received a handful of first team football, which saw him make four starts.[64] During a 2–2 draw againstBurnley on 6 November 2010, he came on as a substitute and his performance in the full–back position throughout the match was praised by team-mateRussell Martin.[65] Later in the 2010–11 season, McNamee found his first team opportunities limited and spent the rest of the season on the substitute bench.[66] At the end of the 2010–11 season, he went on to make twenty appearances in all competitions.
Following Norwich City's promotion toPremier League in 2011, McNamee found himself out of favour with managerPaul Lambert and was expected to leave the club.[67]
On 31 August 2011, McNamee left Norwich on a free transfer, signing a one-year contract atLeague One clubMilton Keynes Dons with the option of a further year.[68]
He made his debut three days later, as a late substitute in a 3–1 win away atCarlisle United.[69] However, he found his first team opportunities limited and was loaned out; then leading to an announcement on 31 January 2012 that McNamee left Milton Keynes Dons by mutual consent.[70]
On 24 November 2011, in search of first team football, McNamee joinedWycombe Wanderers on a loan deal until 7 January 2012. The signing was managerGary Waddock's second loan signing of the day after completing the deal forMarcello Trotta.[71]
He made his debut for the 'Chairboys' on 10 December 2011, scoring a volley against relegation rivalsChesterfield in a 3–2 win.[72] For his performance, McNamee was named League Two's Team of the Week.[73] In a follow–up match, McNamee scored his second goal for the club, in a 2–2 draw againstCarlisle United.[74] He became a regular for the side in the first team until his loan spell at Wycombe Wanderers ended in January.[75]
After being released by Milton Keynes Dons, McNamee re–joined Wycombe Wanderers on a free transfer for the rest of the season.[76] McNamee's first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came on 4 February 2012, coming on as a substitute in the 68th minute, in a 2–1 win over Tranmere Rovers.[77] Having spent the rest of the 2011–12 season on the substitute bench,[78] McNamee made fifteen appearances and scoring two times in all competitions. He was not offered a new deal by the club at the end of the season and was released.[79]
On 31 August 2012, he signed forFootball Conference sideMacclesfield Town on a free transfer.[80]
McNamee made his Macclesfield Town debut, coming on as a substitute forChris Holroyd, who scored a hat–trick earlier in the game, and two minutes later, assisted a goal thatJames Tunnicliffe scoring an own goal, in a 4–3 win overStockport County on 4 September 2012.[81] Two weeks later, on 22 September 2012, he set up another goal to score the club's only goal of the game, as Macclesfield Town lost 2–1 againstForest Green Rovers.[82] By the time of his Macclesfield United's departure, McNamee went on to make five appearances for the side.
On 10 January 2013, it was announced that McNamee joinedAldershot Town on a short–term contract.[83]
He made his Aldershot Town debut on 22 January 2013, coming on as a substitute in the 75th minute, in a 2–1 loss againstNorthampton Town.[84] This turns out to be his only appearance for the club, as the club were relegated from League Two.
After leaving Macclesfield Town, McNamee went on trial atWoking.[85] After spending three weeks with the club at the trial, he signed for Woking on a free transfer.[86]
McNamee made his Woking debut, coming on as a substitute in the 72nd minute, in a 0–0 draw againstLincoln City in the opening game of the season.[87] He then assisted a goal forJoe McNerney to score the club's second goal of the game, in a 4–2 loss againstWelling United on 24 August 2013.[88] It wasn't until on 17 September 2013 when McNamee assisted a goal forKevin Betsy, who scored twice, in a 2–0 win overHyde.[89] However, McNamee's first team was soon reduced, as he found himself on the substitute bench or dropped from the squad for the rest of the season.[90] At the end of the 2013–14 season, McNamee went on to make nineteen appearances for the side and was released by the club afterwards.[91]
McNamee was eligible to play forEngland andJamaica.
In October 2002, McNamee was called up to theEngland U19 for the first time.[92] He went on to make two appearances for England U19 side.
In July 2021, McNamee was appointed manager ofCombined Counties League Division One sideEnfield Borough, with formerQueens Park Rangers defenderPatrick Kanyuka named his assistant.[93]
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | League Cup | Other[A] | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Watford | 2001–02 | Division One | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 1 |
| 2002–03 | Division One | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | |
| 2003–04 | Division One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 | Championship | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2005–06 | Championship | 38 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 42 | 1 | |
| 2006–07 | Premier League | 7 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2007–08 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Barnet (loan) | 2003–04 | Conference | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Crewe Alexandra (loan) | 2006–07 | League One | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Watford Total | 91 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 103 | 3 | ||
| Swindon Town | 2007–08 | League One | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 2 |
| 2008–09 | League One | 43 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 47 | 0 | |
| 2009–10 | League One | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 2 | |
| Norwich City (loan) | 2009–10 | League One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Swindon Town Total | 79 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 88 | 4 | ||
| Norwich City | 2009–10 | League One | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 |
| 2010–11 | Championship | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| Total | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 | ||
| Milton Keynes Dons | 2011–12 | League One | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Wycombe Wanderers (loan) | 2011–12 | League One | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 2 |
| Milton Keynes Dons Total | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| Macclesfield Town | 2012–13 | Conference | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Macclesfield Town Total | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| Aldershot Town | 2012–13 | League Two | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Aldershot Town Total | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Woking | 2013–14 | Conference | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Woking Total | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 0 | ||
| Career totals | 258 | 8 | 9 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 287 | 10 | ||
McNamee is of Jamaican descent through his parents, making him eligible to play forthe national side.[95] McNamee is cousin toBobby Decordova-Reid, a fellow footballer whose clubs includeBristol City.[96]
The club's manager Ray Lewington mentioned that McNamee has asthma in his questions and answers with theBBC.[97] In October 2010, McNamee was in court, charged with a motoring offence.[98] The following month, it was announced he had been found not guilty.[99] In August 2011, McNamee provided bail to a teenager accused of taking part in theLondon riots.[100]
After retiring from football, McNamee joinedChelsea's Futsal team and owns a football school.[101]
