OTD: TONY TOWERS DEBUT

Making his debut on this day in 1974 was midfielder Tony Towers. Towers helped the club to the Second Division title in 1976.

Manchester-born in 1952, Tony joined City from Manchester Schools as an apprentice in 1967 and turned professional two years later. He made his debut just days after his 17th birthday. We first came across him in the FA Cup in 1973 when we played at Maine Road in the FA Cup fifth round. He had a pretty notable afternoon, opening the scoring

after quarter of an hour, with what we’d later recognise as a typical Towers blast, before seeing Micky Horswill equalise and getting booked early in the second half. To cap it off, and with the score at 2-2, he was sent off with seven minutes left after a bit of a tangle with our Micky. The rules regarding suspensions then allowed him to play in the replay three days later, no goal and no booking this time, but we won and you all know where the FA Cup ended up that year. 

We obviously remembered him, as a year later, as part of the demise of the cup-winning team, he was part of the deal that saw Dennis Tueart and Micky Horswill off to City and reports at the time indicated he wasn’t that happy to be coming to Wearside. However, we could see straight away that he had something about him and the appreciation he got from the stands was soon reciprocated and he grew as a player. He added a bit more urgency to the midfield, could open up opposing defences with incisive passing across the field and liked a shot from distance; scoring twice in his eight appearances as we finished in sixth (no play-offs then). We were close the following campaign, with Tony earning under-23 caps for England, as captain, to add to his 46 games for us. He took our penalties as well as bossing the centre of the team alongside Bobby Kerr as we finished fourth (still no play-offs). Despite having become integral to our performances, and having adopted a really professional attitude, (he lost over a stone in weight as part of his fitness regime) he asked for a transfer at the end of the season, probably because you didn’t get a game for England from the second tier unless you were Dave Watson. However, at a board meeting it was decided that the request be turned down. This made 1975/76 different, though, as he became the complete midfielder, taking over the captaincy when Bobby Moncur left in November, and added ten goals (six from the spot) in his 41 games to win us the title.

However, he did miss one penalty, against West Bromwich Albion at home, when he was tripped in the box. Their goalkeeper, John Osborne, gave the shirt and gloves to fullback Gordon Nisbet, who’d started his career between the sticks. Being from Wallsend, he was almost certainly a Newcastle supporter as well. Tony hit his shot against the post, then beat his teammates to the rebound to head over (see John McPhail at York City in 1988, League Cup, for something similar. At least he headed it in). Osborne then went back in goal. Funny old game, football.

Tony’s performances put him right in the spotlight and, as well as earning him England caps in the British Home Championship (ask yer dad) against Wales and Norn Iron, and a friendly against Italy. He featured in Frosties adverts, because he was Grrrreat.  Again, ask yer dad. Proper fame!

The following season was not a good one for SAFC, although Tony weighed in with another six goals in 29 appearances as we were dumped out of the First Division by Jimmy Hill. Tony left in the summer for three seasons at Birmingham City, then crossed the Atlantic at the age of 28 to join Montreal Manic for whom he played in the outdoor and indoor game. He stayed indoors to play for Tacoma Stars in Washington state in 1983-84, then headed for warmer climes with Tampa Bay Rowdies, presumably Florida was too warm to play indoors, coached by former teammate Rodney Marsh. After a handful of games, and probably tired of Marsh’s mouth, he headed back north to Vancouver Whitecaps but they folded soon after and Tony came home. Only for a couple of substitute appearances for Rochdale, mind, for his old mate Vic Halom, before giving it up.

Since football, Tony had a spell in the building industry before the more traditional (then, not now) ex-pro’s life running a pub and a couple of golf clubs in the Manchester area.

124 games, 22 goals including 12 penners.