Runcorn Linnets sign ex-Barnsley, Tranmere, Huddersfield, MK Dons, Bury, Port Vale player Antony Kay, wowing their supporters.
The 40-year-old can play either as a midfielder or a defender, and most recently played for Cymru Premier side Bala Town.
His career began with his hometown club Barnsley. He made his debut in the first team in August 2000. He was already a regular in the first team by the time he turned 20. In 2003-04 he won the Player of the Year award for the club.
In June 2007, he signed for Tranmere, and in 2008-09 he was named the club’s player of the season. He then moved to Huddersfield Town in May 2009 and won promotion to the Championship after securing victory from the 2012 League One playoff final.
He stayed in League One, however, after joining Milton Keynes Dons back in August 2012. In 2014-15 he won his third promotion after helping the team to finish runners-up.
He joined Bury in 2016 and played 47 matches, including as captain. A year later he moved to Port Vale.
After two years with the Vale’s first team, he joined non-league Chorley.
Eight months later, he joined Cymru premier side Bala Town and played in the 2023 Welsh Cup Final.
✍🏻🚨 | NEW SIGNING ALERT
We are pleased to confirm the signing of former Barnsley, MK Dons and Huddersfield defender Antony Kay.
Antony brings a wealth of experience with over 500 appearances in the EFL and last season featured 35 times for Bala Town in Wales. pic.twitter.com/7diEwbnUmG
— Runcorn Linnets FC (@RuncornLinnets) May 26, 2023
CLUB STATEMENT:
Vastly-experienced defender Antony Kay has signed for Runcorn Linnets from JD Cymru Premier League club Bala Town.
He is one of football’s most enduring characters and a triple promotion-winning veteran of 595 English Football League games with 49 goals to his credit.
Antony, who will be 41 years old in October, starred in the EFL until the age of 36, operating in midfield as well as defence.
He is a contemporary of our manager Billy Paynter and while they were never team-mates, their paths crossed in opposition.
Anthony played regularly for Bala last season, making 30 appearances and reaching the Welsh Cup final.
In each of his three campaigns with the Gwynedd club, they have played in UEFA competitions – either the Europa League or Europa Conference League.
Antony began his long professional career with hometown club Barnsley, making his senior debut, aged 17, in August 2000.
He accumulated 174 League aearances for the South Yorkshire outfit.
Winning an England Under 18s cap in 2001, Anthony was the Tykes’ Player of the Season in 2003-04, scoring the winning penalty of a shootout in the Play-off Final as his hometown club were promoted from League One.
In June 2007, Antony moved to Tranmere Rovers, being named Player of the Year in his second season before a transfer to Huddersfield Town in May 2009 culminated in Antony securing a second-time promotion to the Championship, again through the Play-offs.
A third such feat was achieved as he stayed in the third tier for the following season on joining Milton Keynes Dons, who were promoted as League One runners-up in 2014-15. Antony had 142 League outings for the Buckinghamshire club.
Moving to Bury in June 2016, Antony was Shakers’ club skipper before the following year signing for Port Vale.
Again awarded a club csptaincy, he stayed at Vale Park for two years, his next port of call being then Vanarama National League Premier club Chorley in January 2020.
Antony’s time in Lancashire was curtailed by Covid and eight months later, he was heading to Bala where league finishes of third, second and fifth were achieved.
We welcome Antony to APEC Taxis Stadium and hope he enjoys his time at Linnets.
KAY’S CAREER:
Youth
–1999 – Barnsley
Senior
1999–2007 – Barnsley – 197 games (12 goals)
2007–2009 – Tranmere Rovers – 96 games (19 goals)
2009–2012 – Huddersfield Town – 119 games (12 goals)
2012–2016 – Milton Keynes Dons – 161 games (6 goals)
2016–2017 – Bury – 47 games (1 goal)
2017–2019 – Port Vale – 70 games (6 goals)
2020 – Chorley – 4 games (0 goals)
2020–2023 – Bala Town – 84 games (10 goals)
International career
2001 – England U18
This is what Twitter users are saying as Runcorn Linnets sign the ex-Barnsley, Tranmere, Huddersfield, MK Dons, Bury, Port Vale player…
@lovejoy_77: What a signing that is, was class when he played for Tranmere
@LinnetsUnder15s: Class in his days at Tranmere, great signing 🟡🟢
@GazWiIIiams: Tenner on bala to get relegated then
@BrianMyler: Welcome to the Linnets! 🔰🔰
@kc2310: 😮😮😮😮 Now that’s a signing.
@NonLeagueSign: Very good signing for Runcorn Linnets
@linnetsraider1: Welcome to the movement Tony, you are now one of us 🟡🟢
@joannej1970: Brilliant signing welcome 💛💚
@_jacksb_: Welcome Antony 🟢🟡
@davis887: Great player in his day 👍
@JoshMcCluskey8: Signing of intent this!! What a signing 😍🔰
@JackHud372727: Some Signing that
@Tina76866520: Welcome to our amazing club x
Played with him for 2 seasons. Quality signing. Still fit as a fiddle & proper knowledge of the game. Not only improve the team but also the lads around him. Shrewd business 👌🏽👍🏼
— Lee Molyneux – S&C Coach (@dixie2107) May 26, 2023
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