Tony Anderson (rugby league)

Tony Anderson

Personal information
Born	(1961-07-23) 23 July 1961 (age 64) Australia
Playing information
Position	Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1984–90 Halifax 135 64 0 0 256 1990–91 Oldham 20 3 0 0 12 1991–93 Bradford Northern 55 12 0 0 48 Total 210 79 0 0 316
Coaching information
Club Years Team Gms W D L W% 2002–04 Halifax 28 8 0 20 29
Source: [1] [2]

Tony Anderson (born 23 July 1961) is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played as a centre for English clubs Halifax, Oldham (Heritage No 956) and Bradford Northern. He was also Halifax's head coach between 2002 and 2004.

Playing career

Born in Australia, Anderson began his rugby league career in his home country before moving to England in 1984, signing for Halifax. He was part of the Halifax team which won the 1985–86 League championship. Anderson also helped Halifax reach the 1988 Challenge Cup final, scoring the only try in a 4–3 win against Hull in their semi-final replay at Elland Road, Leeds. ^[3] He also scored in the final itself at Wembley, but Halifax lost the match 12–32 against Wigan.^{[ citation needed ]}

Anderson was transferred to Oldham in March 1990 for a fee of £70,000. ^[4] He finished his playing career at Bradford Northern.^{[ citation needed ]}

Coaching career

In 1993, Anderson ended his playing career and moved into coaching. His first appointment was on the coaching staff at Huddersfield, working as the club's Alliance team coach. ^[5] After spending time on the coaching staff at Halifax, Anderson accepted a position as assistant coach to Shaun McRae at newly formed club Gateshead Thunder in 1998. ^[6] Anderson was also McRae's assistant at Hull for several seasons. ^[7]

Anderson returned to Halifax as head coach in August 2002. ^[8] He helped the club remain in the Super League during the 2002 season, ^[9] but could not prevent relegation the following year, with Halifax only winning one game during the entire season. He was sacked in April 2004. ^[10]

References

1. "Tony Anderson - Playing Career". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
2. "Tony Anderson - Coaching Career". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
3. "30 Years Ago: 1988 Challenge Cup Final". Rugby Football League. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
4. "Sport in brief". The Guardian. London. 15 March 1990. p. 17. ProQuest   187037699.
5. Laybourn, Ian (19 May 1993). "Fartown appoint Anderson" . Huddersfield Daily Examiner. p. 20 – via British Newspaper Archive.
6. "Collins agrees to Gateshead switch" . Gateshead Post. 15 October 1998. p. 35 – via British Newspaper Archive.
7. Hadfield, Dave (17 January 2002). "McRae promoted after Hull reshuffle". The Independent. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
8. "Halifax hire Anderson". The Guardian. 26 August 2002. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
9. Wilson, Andy (9 September 2002). "Halifax clinch their spot". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 May 2023.
10. "Halifax sack Anderson". BBC Sport. 20 April 2004. Retrieved 3 May 2023.