Tom Anderson (footballer)

Tom Anderson

Personal information
Full name	Thomas Robert Anderson [1]
Date of birth	(1993-09-02) 2 September 1993 (age 31) [2]
Place of birth	Burnley, England [3]
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) [4]
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Doncaster Rovers
Number	4
Youth career
2000–2012	Burnley
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012–2018	Burnley	0	(0)
2012–2013	→ Barrow (loan)	18	(0)
2013	→ Hyde (loan)	4	(0)
2013–2014	→ FC Halifax Town (loan)	1	(0)
2014	→ Lincoln City (loan)	6	(1)
2014–2015	→ Carlisle United (loan)	8	(0)
2016	→ Chesterfield (loan)	18	(0)
2016–2017	→ Chesterfield (loan)	35	(2)
2017–2018	→ Port Vale (loan)	20	(0)
2018	→ Doncaster Rovers (loan)	7	(2)
2018–	Doncaster Rovers	189	(8)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:30, 14 December 2024 (UTC)

Thomas Robert Anderson (born 2 September 1993) is an English footballer who plays as a defender for EFL League Two club Doncaster Rovers.

Having been associated with Burnley from age seven, he became professional at the club in May 2012. He spent the first half of the 2012–13 season on loan at Barrow and had a brief stay on loan at Hyde in the second half of the campaign. He joined FC Halifax Town and Lincoln City on loan in November 2013 and September 2014 respectively, before making his debut in the English Football League on loan at Carlisle United in November 2014. He spent the second half of the 2015–16 season and the 2016–17 campaign on loan at Chesterfield. He joined Port Vale on loan for the first half of the 2017–18 season and was then loaned to Doncaster Rovers for the second half of the season before he joined Doncaster Rovers permanently in May 2018.

Career

Burnley

Anderson started his career in the Centre of Excellence at Burnley, joining the club as a seven-year-old. ^[5] He progressed through the Centre of Excellence and went on to join the under-18 side, signing a two-year scholarship in the summer of 2010. ^[5] He was captain of the Burnley side that reached the semi-finals of the 2011–12 FA Youth Cup, however, he missed the tail end of the season due to a bout of Infectious mononucleosis. ^[6] In May 2012, on completion of his scholarship he signed his first professional contract on a one-year deal. ^[7]

Conference loans

In August 2012, he signed for Conference Premier side Barrow on loan until January 2013, along with fellow Burnley player Joe Jackson. ^[8] He made his first-team debut in a 0–0 draw with AFC Telford United at Holker Street on 11 August. ^[5] He established himself as a first-team regular as the "Bluebirds" struggled towards the bottom end of the table. Barrow manager David Bayliss looked into extending his loan deal but Anderson returned to Burnley in January, having made 21 appearances for the club. ^[9] In January 2013 upon his return to Turf Moor, he made first-team bench for the 2–0 away win at Millwall, remaining an unused substitute. ^[10]

A month later, he joined Conference Premier side Hyde on a one-month loan deal. ^[10] His debut came against Kidderminster Harriers in a 4–0 away defeat on 16 February, when he replaced Josh Brizell as a second-half substitute. ^[11] His first start for the club came three days later in a 1–0 defeat to Mansfield Town at Ewen Fields. ^[11] He returned to Burnley late in February, having only made four appearances for Scott McNiven's "Tigers", after his loan was cut short due to a knee ligament injury he picked up in a 5–1 defeat at Alfreton Town. ^[12] In April 2013, he signed a new one-year contract extension with Burnley despite having not recovered from his knee injury. ^[13]

In November 2013, after recovering from his injury, he signed up for Conference Premier side FC Halifax Town on loan until January 2014. ^[14] He played in a West Riding County Cup game defeat at Harrogate Town on 4 December, partnering 16-year-old Jack Bradle at centre-back, and after the game was praised by manager Neil Aspin. ^[15] He made his league debut for the club three days later in a 4–3 defeat to Woking at The Shay. ^[11] It proved to be his only league appearance for the "Shaymen" as he struggled to get into the team due to the good form of other players, and he returned to Burnley in January.

In July 2014, he signed another one-year extension with Burnley following the club's promotion to the Premier League. ^[16] In September 2014, he was sent out on loan again, joining Conference Premier side Lincoln City on a one-month loan deal. ^[17] He went straight into Gary Simpson's first-team, making his debut in a 1–0 defeat at Aldershot Town on 20 September. ^[11] He scored his first senior goal ten days later in a 1–1 draw with Gateshead at Sincil Bank, scoring the opener with a header. ^[18] In October 2014, he returned to Burnley having made six appearances for the "Imps" after a loan extension could not be agreed between the two clubs. ^[18]

Carlisle United loan

Later in the month, he joined League Two club Carlisle United on an initial one-month loan deal. ^[19] He made his debut for the "Cumbrians" in a 3–0 defeat at Portsmouth on 1 November, and earned praise from boss Keith Curle despite the heavy defeat. ^[20] His loan was extended for a further month after he impressed in his first four appearances for the "Blues". ^[21] In January 2015, he returned to Burnley following the 2–1 defeat to Newport County, having made nine appearances during his stay at Brunton Park. ^[22]

Chesterfield loans

On 1 February 2016, he joined League One side Chesterfield on loan until the end of the 2015–16 season. ^[23] Speaking the following month, manager Danny Wilson said that "he has made a big, big difference to us at the back" and that "nobody notices him because it's just been so seamless with what he's been doing". ^[24] At the end of the season, he returned to Burnley having played 18 games for the "Spireites", who posted an 18th-place finish.

On 31 August 2016, Anderson re-signed for Chesterfield on loan until the end of the 2016–17 season. ^[25] He was named on the EFL Team of the Week for his performance in a 0–0 draw at Oldham Athletic on 10 September. ^[26] On 6 December, he was sent off for the first time in his career for a foul on Aaron Morley in a 2–0 EFL Trophy victory at Rochdale. ^[27] On 14 February, he scored an injury-time equaliser to secure a point in a 1–1 draw away at relegation rivals Gillingham. ^[28] However, four days later he received his second red card of the season in a 2–1 defeat by Bury at the Proact Stadium  ; after the match manager Gary Caldwell said that "you're a defender, it's going to happen". ^[29] On 17 April, he scored a late consolation goal in a 3–1 defeat at Scunthorpe United, a result which relegated Chesterfield into League Two. ^[30] He was a regular starter for Chesterfield, making 39 appearances in all competitions across the campaign. ^[11]

Port Vale loan

On 31 August 2017, Anderson joined newly relegated League Two side Port Vale on a season-long loan. ^[31] He said he was looking forward to linking up again with defensive coach Chris Morgan, who had previously coached at Chesterfield. ^[32] He made his debut for the "Valiants" on 12 September as captain Antony Kay was dropped, and Anderson was praised for his performance despite the team suffering a 2–0 defeat at Luton Town. ^[33] Despite being signed to the "Valiants" by Michael Brown, Anderson initially struggled for games and only actually went on to establish himself as an important part of the first-team under new manager Neil Aspin, forming an effective centre-back partnership with Nathan Smith. ^[34] However, he was recalled by Burnley on 29 January, much to Aspin's surprise and disappointment. ^{[35] [36]}

Doncaster Rovers

On 31 January 2018, Anderson joined League One side Doncaster Rovers on loan until the end of the 2017–18 season. ^[37] After scoring twice in Doncaster's 3–0 victory over Fleetwood Town at the Keepmoat Stadium on 17 February, he made the EFL Team of the Week. ^[38] However, he was sidelined for two months after fracturing his cheekbone in a 2–1 defeat at Rotherham United seven days later; "Donny" manager Darren Ferguson said that "It's a bad injury but it could've been worse in many ways. He's a tough boy, he'll get on with it". ^[39] He signed a two-year contract with Doncaster on 17 May 2018. ^[40] He scored two goals in 33 appearances during the 2018–19 season, having battled with Joe Wright and loanee Paul Downing to partner Andy Butler in central defence; manager Grant McCann had signed Downing in the January transfer window. ^{[41] [42]}

He was sent off for a foul on Matt Bloomfield in a 1–0 defeat at Wycombe Wanderers on 23 November 2019. ^[43] He signed a new contract on New Year's Day to keep him at the club until summer 2022, and was described as a "tower of strength" by manager Darren Moore. ^[44] The 2019–20 campaign was described as a "breakout season" for Anderson by Doncaster Free Press reporter Liam Hoden, who wrote that he had "rarely been unduly troubled by an opposition forward" and was unmatched in aerial duels whilst his positioning skills had greatly improved. ^[45]

Anderson performed excellently throughout the 2020–21 campaign, improving his distribution skills whilst maintaining his tackling and positional ability. ^[46] Speaking in March, he said that he wanted the team to get interim manager Andy Butler's career off to a good start as he was well-liked and respected in the dressing room. ^[47] He scored two goals in 51 games as Doncaster posted a 14th-place finish, though admitted that veteran midfielder James Coppinger was right to question the squad's desire after a late play-off push was ended with a run of just two wins in 14 games. ^[48]

Speaking in July 2021, manager Richie Wellens confirmed that Anderson and Ro-Shaun Williams would be Doncaster's starting centre-back pairing for the new season, hailing Anderson as the "best centre half in the league". ^[49] He went on to tell his squad to emulate Anderson in his determination to stick to the basics. ^[50] However, Anderson missed the second half of the 2021–22 season, with new manager Gary McSheffrey confirming that a plantar fascia injury in his foot kept causing him to break down. ^{[51] [52]} Nevertheless, the club activated an option to extend his expiring contract for a further year as they adjusted to life in League Two following relegation. ^[53]

Following the departure of Adam Clayton in January 2023, Anderson was made first-team captain. ^[54] Manager Danny Schofield said that he wanted to build the squad around Anderson, who signed a new two-and-a-half-year contract the following month. ^[55] He made 26 appearances in the 2022–23 campaign. ^[11] In September 2023, Anderson spoke about the mental struggle he suffered over the previous two years as he battled with various injury problems. ^[56] Speaking again two months later, with the club 19th in League Two, he said that he was confident the team would begin to pick up results. ^[57] Manager Grant McCann called him a "tremendous servant to the club" after Anderson made his 200th club appearance. ^[58] He missed eight matches mid-season with a back injury. ^[59] He played 34 league games in the 2023–24 season as Doncaster secured a play-off place. ^{[11] [60]} He was the only centre-half to score for Rovers in the campaign. ^[61]

Style of play

The Sheffield Star described Anderson as a "straightforward 'kick it and head it' defender". ^[62] Speaking in March 2017, Burnley manager Sean Dyche praised his mentality, will and desire. ^[63]

Career statistics

As of match played 14 December 2024

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Burnley	2012–13 [11]	Championship	0	0	—		—		—		0	0
	2013–14 [11]	Championship	0	0	—		0	0	—		0	0
	2014–15 [11]	Premier League	0	0	—		0	0	—		0	0
	2015–16 [11]	Championship	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
	2016–17 [11]	Premier League	0	0	—		0	0	—		0	0
	2017–18 [11]	Premier League	0	0	—		0	0	—		0	0
	Total		0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0
Barrow (loan)	2012–13 [11]	Conference Premier	18	0	2	0	—		1 [a]	0	21	0
Hyde (loan)	2012–13 [11]	Conference Premier	4	0	—		—		—		4	0
FC Halifax Town (loan)	2013–14 [11]	Conference Premier	1	0	—		—		1 [b]	0	2	0
Lincoln City (loan)	2014–15 [11]	Conference Premier	6	1	—		—		—		6	1
Carlisle United (loan)	2014–15 [11]	League Two	8	0	1	0	—		—		9	0
Chesterfield (loan)	2015–16 [11]	League One	18	0	—		—		—		18	0
	2016–17 [11]	League One	35	2	2	0	—		3 [c]	0	40	2
	Total		53	2	2	0	—		3	0	58	2
Port Vale (loan)	2017–18 [11]	League Two	20	0	3	0	—		1 [c]	0	24	0
Doncaster Rovers (loan)	2017–18 [11]	League One	7	2	—		—		—		7	2
Doncaster Rovers	2018–19 [11]	League One	23	1	6	1	1	0	3 [c]	0	33	2
	2019–20 [11]	League One	32	1	2	1	1	0	2 [c]	0	37	2
	2020–21 [11]	League One	44	2	4	0	1	0	2 [c]	0	51	2
	2021–22 [11]	League One	19	1	2	0	1	0	2 [c]	0	24	1
	2022–23 [11]	League Two	25	1	0	0	0	0	1 [c]	0	26	1
	2023–24 [11]	League Two	34	1	2	0	1	0	3 [d]	0	40	1
	2024–25 [11]	League Two	12	1	1	0	0	0	2 [c]	0	15	1
	Total		189	10	17	2	5	0	15	0	233	12
Career total			308	13	23	2	5	0	21	0	357	15

1. Appearance in FA Trophy
2. Appearance in West Riding County Cup
3. Appearance/s in EFL Trophy
4. 1 appearance in EFL Trophy and 2 appearances in play-offs

References

1. "Barclays Premier League: notification of shirt numbers" (PDF). Premier League. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 10 November 2014.
2. "Tom Anderson Profile". Sky Sports News. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
3. "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2017/2018". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
4. "Tom Anderson". 11v11. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
5. "Tom Anderson – Longside profile". The Longside Reference. Archived from the original on 15 November 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
6. "Tom Anderson – Burnley profile". Burnley F.C. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
7. "Burnley hand pro deals to six youth stars". Lancashire Telegraph. 8 May 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
8. "Barrow AFC sign Burnley duo on loan – updated". North West Evening Mail. 6 August 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
9. "Barrow look to extend Anderson loan deal". North West Evening Mail. 25 October 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
10. "Anderson joins McCartan at Hyde". Football.co.uk. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
11. Tom Anderson at Soccerway. Retrieved 6 January 2020.
12. "Dem Loans, Dem Loans, Dem More Loans!". Vital football. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
13. "Burnley offer deals to six". Bury Times. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
14. "FC Halifax bring in Reece Gray and Tom Anderson on loan". BBC Sport. 28 November 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
15. "Town boss impressed by new faces in Harrogate defeat". Halifax Courier. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
16. "New deals for Clarets". Claretsmad. 19 July 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
17. "Anderson joins Lincoln". Claretsmad. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
18. "Burnley loanee Tom Anderson leaves Lincoln City". Lincolnshire Echo. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2014.
19. "Carlisle: Burnley's Tom Anderson joins on a month's loan". BBC Sport. 30 October 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
20. "Portsmouth 3 Carlisle 0". BBC Sport. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
21. "LOAN: Defender extends loan". Carlisle United F.C. 1 December 2014. Archived from the original on 26 December 2014. Retrieved 26 December 2014.
22. "Loanees Return To Burnley And Oldham". Vital football. 7 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
23. "Spireites Sign Trio on Deadline Day". Chesterfield F.C. 1 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
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25. "Loan Deals Completed". Chesterfield Official Site. 31 August 2016. Retrieved 1 September 2016.
26. "Sky Bet EFL: Team of the Week". www.efl.com. 12 September 2016. Retrieved 10 October 2019.
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29. Smyth, Graham (25 February 2017). "Anderson consoled over dismissal by a man who knows the feeling all too well". Derbyshire Times. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
30. "Scunthorpe United 3-1 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 17 April 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
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32. Spinks, Martin (1 September 2017). "No-nonsense Port Vale new boy aiming for first clean sheet already". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 1 September 2017.
33. Baggaley, Michael (12 September 2017). "Report as Port Vale's 2-0 defeat at Luton keeps them rock bottom". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
34. Baggaley, Michael (5 December 2017). "Tom Anderson loving life at Port Vale". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 16 December 2017.
35. Baggaley, Michael (29 January 2018). "Tom Anderson leaves Port Vale as he is recalled by Burnley". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
36. Baggaley, Michael (29 January 2018). "Neil Aspin says Port Vale need two defenders as Anderson is recalled by Burnley". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 29 January 2018.
37. "Tom Anderson: Burnley centre-back joins Doncaster Rovers on loan". BBC Sport. 31 January 2018. Retrieved 31 January 2018.
38. "Team of the Week: Matchday 32" . Retrieved 10 May 2018.
39. Goodwin, Paul (27 February 2018). "Doncaster Rovers: Darren Ferguson reveals extent of Alfie Beestin and Tom Anderson injuries". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 10 May 2018.
40. "Tom Anderson: Burnley defender to join Doncaster Rovers on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 17 May 2018. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
41. Goodwin, Paul (2 August 2018). "Grant McCann: 'I'm not here to listen to anyone's sob story'". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
42. Hoden, Liam (6 April 2019). "Doncaster Rovers: Grant McCann explains surprising defensive switch at Bradford City". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
43. "Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Doncaster Rovers". BBC Sport. 23 November 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
44. Hoden, Liam (1 January 2020). "Tom Anderson signs new contract at Doncaster Rovers". www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
45. Hoden, Liam (28 March 2020). "Which Doncaster Rovers players SHOULD have been in the club writers' team of the year". www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
46. Taylor, Andrew (23 March 2021). "In appreciation of Tom Anderson - Doncaster Rovers' 'spellbinding' defender". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
47. "Anderson wants good start under new manager". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 2 March 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
48. Hoden, Liam (9 April 2021). "Blunt Tom Anderson backs up doubts over desire at Doncaster Rovers in recent weeks". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 11 May 2021.
49. Hoden, Liam (2 July 2021). "Doncaster Rovers boss gives update on Andy Butler following defender's cryptic tweet". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
50. Hoden, Liam (16 October 2021). "Why Doncaster Rovers' players need to be more like skipper Tom Anderson according to the boss". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
51. Hoden, Liam (31 December 2021). "Doncaster Rovers boss on Tom Anderson injury blow and how it impacts January plans". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
52. Goodwin, Paul (17 March 2022). "Doncaster Rovers captain Tom Anderson ruled out for remainder of season". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
53. Goodwin, Paul (28 April 2022). "Doncaster Rovers plan contract extension for captain Tom Anderson". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 16 May 2022.
54. "Tom Anderson named new Rovers captain". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 25 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
55. "Schofield wants a Rovers squad built around captain Anderson". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 28 February 2023. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
56. Jones, Steve (8 September 2023). "Doncaster Rovers defender Tom Anderson opens up on mental struggles in battle for fitness". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
57. Jones, Steve (25 November 2023). "Why Doncaster Rovers star Tom Anderson is confident their fortunes will change". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
58. "McCann pays tribute to 'tremendous servant' Anderson". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. 15 December 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
59. Charlesworth, Ricky (5 February 2024). "Update given on long-serving Doncaster Rovers defender after extended absence". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
60. Raynor, Stuart (29 April 2024). "Doncaster Rovers get play-off reward for standing by manager Grant McCann". The Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
61. Charlesworth, Ricky (24 April 2024). "Long-serving Doncaster Rovers man praised after consigning strange anomaly to the bin". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
62. Smyth, Graham (19 November 2016). "Chesterfield: Nothing complicated for Tom Anderson". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
63. Smyth, Graham (23 March 2017). "Burnley boss Sean Dyche praises Chesterfield loan star". Sheffield Star. Retrieved 31 August 2017.

External links

• Tom Anderson at Soccerbase