Antony Sweeney
Encyclopedia
Antony Thomas Sweeney is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Hartlepool United
in League One
.
fan and his favourite player was Robbie Fowler
. After developing into a good footballer, he joined Hartlepool’s Youth Development programme, the same programme that developed players such as Adam Boyd
and Jim Provett
into first team regulars. He established himself as a hot prospect whilst in the youth team and was offered a permanent contract under Chris Turner to stop him going elsewhere.
In the 2001–02
season, Sweeney made his debut in the 3–0 win over York City
after coming on as a substitute. On the first day of the following season, Sweeney made his first Hartlepool start in the 3–1 win over Carlisle United
. However despite his potential Sweeney found it difficult to establish himself as permanent fixture in the team and spent the majority of the following two seasons in the reserves.
However towards the end of the 2003–04
season, Sweeney was given a chance to cement his place in the first team due to injuries. Soon after, Sweeney quickly scored his first goal against former manager Mike Newell
's Luton Town
. Sweeney's second goal for the club gained him even more recognition as it was in front of Sky TV
cameras in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Bristol City
.
Sweeney's next season would prove to be even more action-packed as he played in 44 of Hartlepool's 46 league matches. He received his first red card against Milton Keynes Dons
after a tussle with Izale McLeod
but he more than made up for it when he scored his first hattrick against Chesterfield
in his next appearance. Sweeney's deceiving runs from midfield enabled him to get in behind opposition defences and this helped him to notch up 12 goals for the season, making him Hartlepool's highest scoring midfield player. This made him one of the front-runners for both Hartlepool's Fans' and Players' Player of the Year, but he missed out to Joel Porter
and Adam Boyd
respectively.
Sweeney started the 2007–2008 season a bit inconsistently but has now formed a formidable partnerside in midfield with Gary Liddle
. He scored five goals in the first half of the season from midfield.
This season however Sweeney has been one of only a few Pools players to perform to a high standard consistently, despite playing in an unfamiliar right back berth. But recently he returned to his attacking Midfield role and showed what he can do with a brace against Millwall, including a 20 yard rocket. But his goals wasn't enough for Pools, because diabolical. shambolic defence misakes left the Lions the chance to return to London with 3 points.
Hartlepool United F.C.
Hartlepool United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Hartlepool that currently play in League One. The team won promotion to League One in the 2006–07 season...
in League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
.
Career
Antony Sweeney grew up as a LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
fan and his favourite player was Robbie Fowler
Robbie Fowler
Robert Bernard Fowler is an English footballer who is currently player/manager for Thai Premier League club Muangthong United....
. After developing into a good footballer, he joined Hartlepool’s Youth Development programme, the same programme that developed players such as Adam Boyd
Adam Boyd
Adam Mark Boyd is an English footballer, who plays for Hartlepool United in the English Football League One. Boyd plays as a striker and started off playing in school while attending Grange Primary School, in his hometown of Hartlepool....
and Jim Provett
Jim Provett
James "Jim" Provett is a football goalkeeper, who currently plays for Norton & Stockton Ancients.-Playing career:...
into first team regulars. He established himself as a hot prospect whilst in the youth team and was offered a permanent contract under Chris Turner to stop him going elsewhere.
In the 2001–02
2001-02 in English football
The 2001-02 season was the 122nd season of competitive football in England.-Arsenal cruise to title glory:In what had earlier been one of the most closely fought Premiership title races for years, Arsenal won the championship by seven points. Their crown was won in the penultimate game of the...
season, Sweeney made his debut in the 3–0 win over York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
after coming on as a substitute. On the first day of the following season, Sweeney made his first Hartlepool start in the 3–1 win over Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
. However despite his potential Sweeney found it difficult to establish himself as permanent fixture in the team and spent the majority of the following two seasons in the reserves.
However towards the end of the 2003–04
2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
season, Sweeney was given a chance to cement his place in the first team due to injuries. Soon after, Sweeney quickly scored his first goal against former manager Mike Newell
Mike Newell (footballer)
Michael Colin "Mike" Newell is an English football manager and former professional footballer. As a player he notably was a member of the Blackburn Rovers team which won the Premier League in 1995, as well also playing for Crewe Alexandra, Wigan Athletic, Luton Town, Leicester City, Everton,...
's Luton Town
Luton Town F.C.
Luton Town Football Club is an English professional football club based since 1905 at Kenilworth Road, Luton, Bedfordshire. The club currently competes in the fifth tier of English football, the Conference National, for the third consecutive season during the 2011–12 season.Formed in 1885, it was...
. Sweeney's second goal for the club gained him even more recognition as it was in front of Sky TV
British Sky Broadcasting
British Sky Broadcasting Group plc is a satellite broadcasting, broadband and telephony services company headquartered in London, United Kingdom, with operations in the United Kingdom and the Ireland....
cameras in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Bristol City
Bristol City F.C.
Bristol City Football Club is one of two football league clubs in Bristol, England . They play at Ashton Gate, located in the south-west of the City...
.
Sweeney's next season would prove to be even more action-packed as he played in 44 of Hartlepool's 46 league matches. He received his first red card against Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes Dons F.C.
.Milton Keynes Dons Football Club is an English professional football club founded in 2004 and based since 2007 at Stadium mk, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire...
after a tussle with Izale McLeod
Izale McLeod
Izale Michael McLeod is an English footballer who plays for Barnet.-Club career:Born in Birmingham, McLeod began his career at Derby County in 2002 and scored four goals in 41 appearances...
but he more than made up for it when he scored his first hattrick against Chesterfield
Chesterfield F.C.
Chesterfield Football Club is an English football club based in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. The club currently plays in Football League One, the third tier of English football. Despite being the fourth oldest Football League club in England, they have spent most of their existence in the lower...
in his next appearance. Sweeney's deceiving runs from midfield enabled him to get in behind opposition defences and this helped him to notch up 12 goals for the season, making him Hartlepool's highest scoring midfield player. This made him one of the front-runners for both Hartlepool's Fans' and Players' Player of the Year, but he missed out to Joel Porter
Joel Porter
Joel William Porter is an Australian football player who plays as a striker for the Hyundai A-League team Gold Coast United...
and Adam Boyd
Adam Boyd
Adam Mark Boyd is an English footballer, who plays for Hartlepool United in the English Football League One. Boyd plays as a striker and started off playing in school while attending Grange Primary School, in his hometown of Hartlepool....
respectively.
Sweeney started the 2007–2008 season a bit inconsistently but has now formed a formidable partnerside in midfield with Gary Liddle
Gary Liddle
Gary Daniel Liddle is an English footballer, currently playing for Hartlepool United. He is a player of great versatility, able to play across midfield and defence.-Career:Liddle began his career with hometown side Middlesbrough...
. He scored five goals in the first half of the season from midfield.
This season however Sweeney has been one of only a few Pools players to perform to a high standard consistently, despite playing in an unfamiliar right back berth. But recently he returned to his attacking Midfield role and showed what he can do with a brace against Millwall, including a 20 yard rocket. But his goals wasn't enough for Pools, because diabolical. shambolic defence misakes left the Lions the chance to return to London with 3 points.