Antony Sweeney
Sweeney coaching before a Hartlepool United game in 2023
Personal information
Full name Antony Thomas Sweeney
Date of birth (1983-09-05) 5 September 1983 (age 40)
Place of birth Stockton-on-Tees, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Midfielder
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2014 Hartlepool United 444 (52)
2014–2016 Carlisle United 48 (2)
2016 Gateshead 1 (0)
Total 493 (54)
Managerial career
2019 Hartlepool United (caretaker)
2021 Hartlepool United (interim)
2022 Hartlepool United (joint caretaker)
2022 Hartlepool United (caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Antony Thomas Sweeney (born 5 September 1983) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played in the Football League for Hartlepool United and Carlisle United. He is assistant head coach at Hartlepool United.

In thirteen seasons with Hartlepool, he made 444 appearances, making him the third highest appearance maker in the club's history. During his time there he won the player of the year award for the 2010–11 season and won two promotions out of the fourth tier. He left the club in 2014 for Carlisle United where he spent two seasons before joining National League side Gateshead. After retiring in 2016, he worked with Hartlepool's youth team before becoming a first team coach.

Career

Hartlepool United

Sweeney playing for Carlisle United in 2015

Antony Sweeney was born in Stockton-on-Tees.[1] 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.[2]

In the 2001–02 season, Sweeney made his debut in the 3–0 win over York City after coming on as a substitute.[3] On the first day of the following season, Sweeney made his first Hartlepool start in the 3–1 win over Carlisle United.[3] 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.[2]

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.[4] Sweeney's second goal for the club gained him even more recognition as it was in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Bristol City.[5]

Sweeney's next season would prove to be even more action-packed as he played in 44 of Hartlepool's 46 league matches.[6] 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 hat-trick against Chesterfield in his next appearance.[2] 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.[citation needed] 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.[citation needed] Sweeney would start in the 2005 Football League One play-off final as Hartlepool were defeated in extra-time to Sheffield Wednesday.[7]

Sweeney demonstrated his versatility by spending much of the 2009–10 season playing in an unfamiliar right-back role.[8] In both the 2010–11 and 2011–12 seasons he prospered in his regular position of central midfield, top scoring in both campaigns with nine and eight goals respectively.[citation needed] Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Sweeney was named as Hartlepool's new club captain but struggled for game time.[2] Sweeney left at the end of the 2013–14 season having made 444 appearances in his thirteen years at the club. This placed him third in the all time appearances rankings.[9]

Carlisle United

On 20 June 2014, Sweeney signed a two-year deal with League Two side Carlisle United following their relegation from League One.[10]

Sweeney was released at the end of his two years and signed for Gateshead.[11] He made 58 appearances in all competitions for The Cumbrians.

Gateshead

Sweeney made one appearance for Gateshead, as a substitute in a 0–1 defeat at Forest Green Rovers before leaving to join previous club Hartlepool United as a coach.[12]

Coaching career

Sweeney holds a UEFA A Licence qualification. In 2016, Sweeney began coaching Hartlepool United U16's part-time while playing for Gateshead. After retiring from professional football in September 2016, Sweeney took up a full-time role at Hartlepool as Youth Development Coach.[13]

In January 2019, Sweeney began coaching Hartlepool's first team as a part of Craig Hignett's backroom staff.[14] Following the departure of first team manager Craig Hignett, Sweeney was appointed caretaker manager at Hartlepool in October 2019. Sweeney returned to his previous role as First Team Coach when Dave Challinor was appointed Pools manager in November 2019.

Sweeney was appointed Interim Manager after Dave Challinor left the club to join Stockport County in November 2021.[15] He won his first game in charge, a 1–0 win against Everton U21s in the EFL Trophy.[16] He finished his second spell in charge with a 3–0 win against Sheffield Wednesday in the EFL Trophy.[17]

On 2 March 2022, Sweeney signed a long term contract with the club. The deal would see him to continue to work with the Hartlepool first team while also helping to re-develop the club's academy.[18] Following the appointment of Kevin Phillips in January 2024, Sweeney was announced as one of Phillips' assistant managers.[19]

Recognition

Sweeney after a Hartlepool United game in 2008

Sweeney won Hartlepool's Fan and Player's Player of the Year award for the 2010–11 season.[20] In March 2022, at the annual North East Football Writers Association Awards, Sweeney received the prestigious John Fotheringham Award which goes to someone who has made a significant contribution to football in the North East.[21]

Career statistics

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
Hartlepool United 2001–02[22] Division Three 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
2002–03[23] Division Three 4 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 5 0
2003–04[24] Division Two 11 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 13 2
2004–05[25] League One 44 13 6 0 2 1 5 1 57 15
2005–06[26] League One 35 5 2 0 2 0 1 0 40 5
2006–07[27] League Two 35 4 1 0 2 0 0 0 38 4
2007–08[28] League One 36 4 2 0 1 0 2 0 41 4
2008–09[29] League One 44 5 5 0 3 0 1 0 53 5
2009–10[30] League One 42 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 45 2
2010–11[31] League One 40 9 4 4 2 0 2 1 48 14
2011–12[32] League One 39 8 1 0 1 1 1 0 42 9
2012–13[33] League One 34 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 37 2
2013–14[34] League Two 19 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 23 0
Total 385 52 25 5 17 2 17 3 444 62
Carlisle United 2014–15[35] League Two 29 1 1 0 1 0 1 1 32 2
2015–16[36] League Two 19 1 4 3 2 0 1 0 26 4
Total 48 2 5 3 3 0 2 1 58 6
Gateshead 2016–17[37] National League 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 434 54 30 8 20 2 19 4 503 68

Managerial statistics

As of match played 20 September 2022
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
P W D L Win %
Hartlepool United (caretaker) 10 October 2019 11 November 2019 5 3 1 1 060.0
Hartlepool United (interim manager) 1 November 2021 1 December 2021 8 3 1 4 037.5 [38]
Hartlepool United (joint caretaker) 5 May 2022 3 June 2022 1 0 0 1 000.0
Hartlepool United (caretaker) 18 September 2022 21 September 2022 1 0 1 0 000.0
Total 15 6 3 6 040.00 —

Honours

Hartlepool United

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b "Antony Sweeney". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "Antony Sweeney". In The Mad Crowd. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b "Antony Sweeney - Staff Profiles". Hartlepool United FC. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  4. ^ "Hartlepool 4–3 Luton". BBC Sport. 6 April 2004. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Bristol City 2–1 Hartlepool United". BBC Sport. 19 May 2004. Retrieved 4 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Antony Sweeney 2004/05". Soccerbase. Retrieved 24 April 2022.
  7. ^ "Hartlepool United 2–4 Sheffield Wednesday (AET)". BBC Sport. 29 May 2005. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  8. ^ Adam Steel (28 September 2010). "Sweeney revelling in freedom for Hartlepool". Gazette Live. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  9. ^ "Hartlepool Appearances". The Mad Crowd. Archived from the original on 1 September 2006. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  10. ^ "Antony Sweeney and Danny Grainger join Carlisle United". BBC Sport. 20 June 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  11. ^ "Antony Sweeney: Gateshead sign ex-Carlisle United midfielder". BBC Sport. 23 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  12. ^ "Sweeney Makes Pools Return". Gateshead FC. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 6 September 2016.
  13. ^ "Antony Sweeney rejoins Hartlepool United as youth coach after leaving Gateshead". BBC Sport. 1 September 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Club stalwart moves up to work with Pools first-team". The Northern Echo. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Club Statement: Dave Challinor". Hartlepool United. 1 November 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
  16. ^ "'A difficult 48 hours' – Sweeney reflects on Challinor departure and Papa John's Trophy progress". Hartlepool Mail. 2 November 2021. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  17. ^ Joe Ramage (1 December 2021). "Sheffield Wednesday v Hartlepool United RECAP: Papa John's Trophy team news and updates". Hartlepool Mail. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  18. ^ "Sweeney signs new contract". Hartlepool United FC. 9 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  19. ^ "Kevin Phillips: Hartlepool United appoint ex-England and Sunderland striker as head coach". BBC Sport. 20 January 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2024.
  20. ^ a b c Nick Loughlin (3 May 2011). "Sweeney praises teammates after double Pools accolade". The Northern Echo. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  21. ^ "Antony Sweeney scoops prestigious John Fotheringham Award at the North East Football Writers Association Awards ceremony with Hartlepool United recognised for their return to the Football League". Hartlepool Mail. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
  22. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  23. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  24. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  25. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  26. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  27. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  28. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  29. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  30. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  31. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  32. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  33. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  34. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  35. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  36. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  37. ^ "Games played by Antony Sweeney in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  38. ^ "Antony Sweeney". Soccerbase. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  39. ^ "Scunthorpe 4–0 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 19 April 2003. Retrieved 31 December 2022.
  40. ^ "Wycombe 0–1 Hartlepool". BBC Sport. 14 April 2007. Retrieved 31 December 2022.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Antony Sweeney.
Hartlepool United F.C. Player of the Year
Hartlepool United F.C. – managers
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