Tony Villars
Encyclopedia
Anthony Keith "Tony" Villars (born 24 January 1952 in Pontypool
) is a Welsh
former international footballer.
but quit the job because the pay was so poor. Moving into the Welsh league he signed for Pontnewydd. His time at the club was short after the entire team was signed by Panteg after a number of impressive performances. He continued his climb up the ladder by moving to Cwmbran Town
. It was here that he was spotted by Cardiff City
who offered him a professional contract.
Villars soon established himself in the first team, makiing his debut in a 4-3 defeat to Fulham
in November 1971. Often an inconsistent player, Villars also scored several crucial goals for the club, including one against Crytsal Palace
to keep Cardiff in Division Two. It was during his time at Cardiff that Villars earned all of his three caps for Wales
. Persistent injury problems meant that he lost his place in the side and he moved to Newport County
in June 1976.
He failed to reproduce the form he showed in his days at Cardiff and just under two years into his spell at the club his contract was cancelled. Incredibly just two and a half years after winning his three caps for Wales, Villars left league football never to return at the age of just 25.
Pontypool
Pontypool is a town of approximately 36,000 people in the county borough of Torfaen, within the historic boundaries of Monmouthshire in South Wales....
) is a Welsh
Welsh people
The Welsh people are an ethnic group and nation associated with Wales and the Welsh language.John Davies argues that the origin of the "Welsh nation" can be traced to the late 4th and early 5th centuries, following the Roman departure from Britain, although Brythonic Celtic languages seem to have...
former international footballer.
Career
Tony Villars was a member of the youth set-up and groundstaff at Newport CountyNewport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
but quit the job because the pay was so poor. Moving into the Welsh league he signed for Pontnewydd. His time at the club was short after the entire team was signed by Panteg after a number of impressive performances. He continued his climb up the ladder by moving to Cwmbran Town
Cwmbran Town F.C.
Cwmbrân Town is a football team based in Cwmbrân, Wales and play in the Gwent County League Division 1, the fifth tier of Welsh Football.- History :...
. It was here that he was spotted by Cardiff City
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
who offered him a professional contract.
Villars soon established himself in the first team, makiing his debut in a 4-3 defeat to Fulham
Fulham F.C.
Fulham Football Club is a professional English Premier League club based in southwest London Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Founded in 1879, they play in the Premier League, their 11th current season...
in November 1971. Often an inconsistent player, Villars also scored several crucial goals for the club, including one against Crytsal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
to keep Cardiff in Division Two. It was during his time at Cardiff that Villars earned all of his three caps for Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
. Persistent injury problems meant that he lost his place in the side and he moved to Newport County
Newport County A.F.C.
Newport County Association Football Club are a professional football club based in the city of Newport, south Wales, who currently play in the Conference National, the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
in June 1976.
He failed to reproduce the form he showed in his days at Cardiff and just under two years into his spell at the club his contract was cancelled. Incredibly just two and a half years after winning his three caps for Wales, Villars left league football never to return at the age of just 25.