Tony Elliott was born in Nuneaton on the 30th of November 1969. He signed for Birmingham as an apprentice on the 3rd of December 1986 but was unable to break through to the first team, despite being an England youth and schoolboy international. He got one start in the League Cup. On the 22nd of December 1988 he moved on to Hereford United where he stayed for nearly four years making 95 appearances for them. Then on to Huddersfield on the 29th of July 1992, making 23 appearances for the second division terriers.
On the 28th of June 1993 he moved to Carlisle on a free, making 27 appearances and one sub. From Carlisle he moved to Cardiff on the 4th of July 1996 with a further 43 +1 appearances there before moving to his final club Scarborough, on the 12th of February 1998, for a further 43 games. He finally hung up his boots on the 1st of July 1999 after a total of 232 games and 2 sub appearances.
Tony claims his place between the sticks came about when at the age of seven or eight the regular keeper in his junior side wasn't available and as the older boys didn't fancy the job he got it because he was the youngest! For the Brunton Park faithful Elliott's stay at United coincided with the good times in the nineties. Mervyn Day was at the club as coach and still registered as a player and Tony Caig was staking his claim as number 1. Bearing in mind the terrible keeper shortages to come we didn't know how lucky we were! Elliott was a popular choice in goal, although not getting that many appearances. He was troubled with a back injury through most of his career. As a keeper he took no prisoners, brave against strikers and could be heard waking up his defence from all sides of the ground!
Tony lists his best game for Carlisle United as the game against Chesterfield away on the 2nd of May 1995. The game ended with a 2-1 win for the Cumbrians. Chesterfield scored from a penalty, David Reeves scoring both Carlisle's goals. Tony Had a superb match, making a string of saves described here. "Just before they got the penalty I made a double save, first of all at the players feet, then tipping the ball over the bar as I tracked back, all in quick succession. It was one of those games where everything goes right. You make your own luck to a certain extent, that day I just seemed to be in the right place at the right time." Another notable game that year was Tony's only substitute appearance for the blues. Caig was sent off at Scarborough on Dec 17th, Elliot was called off the bench and Carlisle won 2-1 despite being down to10 men.
Now working as a goalkeeping coach at Brunton Park, his experience and iron will is just what is needed.
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