Anthony Gerrard ( wear 6 February 1986 ) is a former professional football player who played as a concentrate back. He made over 500 professional appearances in a career spent chiefly in the English Football League, notably at Walsall where he won the 2006-07 League Two style and at Cardiff City where he was on the lose side as he faced his cousin Steven Gerrard ‘s Liverpool side in the 2012 Football League Cup Final. He began his career at the Everton Academy but failed to break into their senior side. He qualified for the Republic of Ireland at external level through his grandparents and was capped at under-18 level. In July 2020 he announced his retirement .

Club career [edit ]

Everton [edit ]

Born in Huyton, Merseyside, [ 4 ] Gerrard joined the Everton Academy at long time eight [ 5 ] and appeared as captain for the young academy at one point. [ 6 ]

His performance in the academy led Gerrard to sign his first professional shrink in May 2004 [ 5 ] After signing a professional narrow with the baseball club, Gerrard went on trial with clubs based in the National League [ 7 ] and his impressive operation at the trial led him to be sent out on lend for a calendar month to Accrington Stanley on 6 September 2004. [ 8 ] Gerrard made an impressive display at Accrington Stanley and was keen on extending his loan spell for another month. however, this never happened and he returned to Everton. [ 9 ] After returning to Everton, his tax return was soon ephemeral when he suffered a stifle injury whilst bet in the reserve., [ 10 ] The injury was initially believed to be serious, but Gerrard managed to make a convalescence [ 11 ] late the like season, he was sent out on lend, this time to Paul Merson ‘s Walsall. [ 12 ] Gerrard made his Walsall debut two days subsequently on 26 March 2005, playing 90 minutes, in a 1–0 loss against Oldham Athletic. [ 13 ] Gerrard made a name for himself and impressed there, as he went on to make eight appearances. Gerrard was released by Everton at the goal of the 2004–05 season. [ 14 ]

Walsall [edit ]

Weeks after being released by Everton, Gerrard signed for Walsall alongside Everton young teammate Danny Fox. [ 15 ] Gerrard ‘s foremost appearance after signing for the club on a permanent basis came in the opening equal of the season, where he played 90 minutes, in a 2–1 succeed over Rotherham United. [ 16 ] After making a name for himself at Walsall, Gerrard signed a contract annex with the club, keeping him until 2008. [ 17 ] however, Gerrard ‘s first full season for the club was blend as, while his person performances earned him the Player of the Year award, the club suffered relegation to League Two. [ 18 ] In the 2006–07 season, Gerrard managed to remain in the first team and started for the first nine matches until he received a heterosexual red batting order for a high tackle, in a 5–0 succeed over Peterborough United on 9 September 2006. [ 19 ] After serving three equal as a resultant role following an unsuccessful appeal, [ 20 ] Gerrard soon scored his first Walsall goal on 30 September 2006, in a 4–0 winnings over Mansfield Town. [ 21 ] Injuries soon restricted him from the first base team [ 22 ] [ 23 ] and made 36 appearance in the 2006–07 season. however, under modern director Richard Money, Gerrard was part of the team which won the following temper ‘s League Two title in 2007. In the 2007–08 season, Gerrard said he determined to play well in try to earn a new contract following Walsall ‘s promotion to League One. [ 24 ] Gerrard then scored his Walsall goal of the season, in a 4–0 winnings over Huddersfield Town on 6 October 2007. [ 25 ] At the end of December, Gerrard signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2010. [ 26 ] Towards the end of the season, Gerrard formed a cardinal defense partnership with Scott Dann [ 27 ] and went on to score two more goals against Brighton & Hove Albion [ 28 ] and Cheltenham Town. [ 29 ] once again, Gerrard was voted for the Player of the Year award. [ 30 ] A series of impressive performances in Walsall ‘s first season bet on in League One led to a bid for Gerrard from Southampton in the summer of 2008. [ 31 ] After the command was rejected Gerrard made a transmit request. [ 32 ] After this, Gerrard stayed at the club, [ 33 ] though he was stripped of his captainship because of his action. [ 34 ] Despite this, Gerrard remained in the first team at Walsall then scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–1 winnings over Northampton Town on 1 November 2008. [ 35 ] Gerrard continued to be in the transfer speculation in January, but remained at the club for the rest of the season. [ 36 ] [ 37 ] Despite suffering injuries towards the end of the season, [ 38 ] [ 39 ] Gerrard scored two more goals against Brighton & Hove Albion [ 40 ] and Stockport County. [ 41 ] Gerrard went on to make 42 appearance in the 2008–09 season .

Cardiff City [edit ]

On 2 July 2009, Gerrard signed for Championship cabaret Cardiff City, a week after an offer of £200,000 was rejected from Scunthorpe United. [ 42 ] [ 43 ] At the startle of the season, Gerrard was chosen as first choice centre-back, aboard cabaret captain Mark Hudson and went on to make his League debut for the Bluebirds against Scunthorpe United in the first League match at the Cardiff City Stadium, as Cardiff went on to win 4–0. [ 44 ] His first goal came on 20 October 2009 against Coventry City during a 2–0 victory. [ 45 ] Gerrard made his two-hundredth clubhouse appearance in a 1–1 draw with Nottingham Forest on 1 November 2009 [ 46 ] and scored his moment finish for the baseball club on 9 February 2010, in a 2–0 win over Peterborough United. [ 47 ] After suffering a calf injury that kept him sidelined for four matches, [ 48 ] Gerrard made his return to the team and set up one of Michael Chopra ‘s goals, in a 2–1 win over rivals, Swansea City on 3 April 2010. [ 49 ] In his first temper at Cardiff City, Gerrard finished the season, making 39 appearance and scoring two times .
Upon his return to Cardiff, Dave Jones had been sacked and Malky Mackay had been put in set. [ 50 ] Gerrard started two pre-season matches against Celtic and AFC Bournemouth before receiving a concussion within four minutes against Bournemouth. Gerrard returned to Cardiff City starting production line up on the opening day of the season. [ 51 ] His first base goal of the temper came in as the opener in a 2–0 victory over Doncaster Rovers on 10 September 2011. [ 52 ] New signing Ben Turner managed to keep Gerrard out of the squad but an wound to captain Mark Hudson meant he was reinstated in the team. A second goal came against Blackburn Rovers in the League Cup, on 29 November 2011, which was besides his first base ever finish in the competition [ 53 ] and scored his second league goal of the season on 14 February 2012, in a 3–1 win over Peterborough United. [ 54 ] The 2012 League Cup Final marked the first base time Gerrard played against his cousin Steven Gerrard in a competitive football equal. Anthony ‘s club Cardiff City took on Steven ‘s Liverpool. Liverpool won the trophy after a penalty shoot-out, during which both Gerrards missed penalty kicks. [ 55 ] Following his punishment miss which handed the League Cup to Liverpool, Gerrard apologises on Twitter, his pinch saying :

“ Sorry to everyone ! “ “ I ca n’t close my eyes wid out seeing that penalty ! ! It ‘s goin to haunt me for the rest of my days ! head is mashed ! ” [ 56 ]

Four years on, Gerrard said missing the penalty in the League Cup final examination still haunted him. [ citation needed ] After the match, Gerrard never played again for the 2011–12, as his relationship with Malky MacKay was deteriorated. [ 57 ] cardiff decided to leave Gerrard behind from their pre-season trip to Switzerland [ 58 ] and then by and by rejected a offer from an nameless championship cabaret. [ 59 ] On 3 August 2012, Cardiff rejected bids from Bristol City and Leicester City believed to be around £200,000. [ 60 ]

Hull City ( loan ) [edit ]

Out of party favor at the start of the 2010–11 season behind Gábor Gyepes and Hudson, Gerrard was linked with a lend move aside from Cardiff City [ 61 ] and joined Hull City on 31 August 2010 on a season long lend. One planning of the act allowed Gerrard to play against Cardiff in the approaching clang between the two teams, in exchange for Seyi Olofinjana, on loan from Hull to Cardiff, to be allowed to turn out for the Bluebirds. [ 62 ] Gerrard made his Hull City introduction against his parent club, Cardiff City, where he played 90 minutes and saw Hull City lose 2–0. [ 63 ] Gerrard then scored his first goal for the clubhouse in the 2–2 draw against Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium on 27 November 2010. [ 64 ] On 12 February 2011, he scored his second goal, a header from an Andy Dawson corner, in the 1–0 gain against Preston North end at the KC Stadium, [ 65 ] followed up his third gear finish of the season one week late against Derby County, which proved to be the winning finish of the match, with the match ending 1–0 to Hull City at Pride Park. [ 66 ] His fourth goal for the East Riding of Yorkshire club came in the 2–4 home defeat to Middlesbrough after a long range free-kick [ 67 ] and his fifth finish of the season at the KC Stadium came in a 1–1 draw against Crystal Palace on 7 May 2011. [ 68 ] On 9 May 2011, it was announced that Gerrard had been named by Hull City ‘s fans as their player of the season for the 2010–11 season. [ 69 ] The stick to day, Gerrard returned to Cardiff, but was unable to play in the Championship play-offs. [ 70 ]

Huddersfield Town [edit ]

On 7 August 2012, Gerrard signed a three-year sign at newly promoted Championship baseball club Huddersfield Town for an undisclosed tip. [ 71 ] He made his Huddersfield debut in the League Cup first round 2–0 away kill to Preston North End on 13 August 2012 playing 75 minutes. [ 72 ] He made his league début in the 1–0 kill by Cardiff City at the Cardiff City Stadium on 17 August, coming on as a late substitute against his early cabaret. [ 73 ] On 22 December 2012, Gerrard was sent-off in the 80th moment after a cruddy on Yannick Bolasie, in a 1–1 describe against Crystal Palace. [ 74 ] After having his red card rescinded following the club ‘s entreaty, [ 75 ] Gerrard started the match against Blackpool at the John Smith ‘s Stadium on 26 December 2012 and scored his first finish for the club, in the 1–1 attract. [ 76 ] then on 12 February 2013, Gerrard captained for the cabaret for the first time to cover for Peter Clarke, in a 2–1 gain over Leicester City in fourth round replay. [ 77 ] In his beginning season at Huddersfield Town, Gerrard made 38 appearance for the golf club. Gerrard suffered a calf injury during train in the 2013–14 pre-season. [ 78 ] After returning to aim, however, [ 79 ] Gerrard managed to regain his first team place for the 2013–14 season in the central defense. however, after missing out for two matches, due to Mark Robins ‘ decision, [ 80 ] [ 81 ] Gerrard scored on his reelect on 9 November 2013, in a 3–1 loss against Birmingham City. [ 82 ] During a match against Millwall that saw Huddersfield Town win 1–0 on 11 January 2014, Gerrard was involved that saw him resulted having a slash eye that he needed stitches. [ 83 ] Though he suffered an injury in mid-march, [ 84 ]

Gerrard fell out of prefer under the management to Chris Powell, ampere well as, his own wound concern. [ 85 ] After months on the sideline, Gerrard then made his first appearance of the 2014–15 season on 20 December 2014, where he played 90 minutes, in a 1–0 loss against Birmingham City. [ 86 ] [ 87 ] With increasingly miss of first team opportunities, Gerrard was told by the golf club ‘s management he can leave the club in the January transfer window. [ 88 ] Gerrard was placed on a loan list, as Powell previously stated in November he can be loaned to get more play time. [ 89 ] After falling out of favor at the John Smith ‘s Stadium, Gerrard was loaned to League One club Oldham Athletic on 19 March 2015. [ 90 ] Two days after signing for the club on lend, Gerrard made his Oldham Athletic debut, playing 90 minutes, in a 1–0 winnings over Crewe Alexandra. [ 91 ] Despite suffering from a brawn injury, [ 92 ] Gerrard went on to make six appearances for Oldham Athletic towards the end of the season. Gerrard besides spoke out a permanent move to Oldham Athletic, citing the club ‘s supporters and first team opportunities. [ 93 ] Upon returning to his parent club, Gerrard was released by the club. [ 94 ]

Shrewsbury Town [edit ]

Following his handout from Huddersfield Gerrard had a brief while on trial with Southend United, [ 95 ] and then moved on to Shrewsbury Town. He was signed on an initial non-contract footing, [ 96 ] [ 97 ] and made his introduction as a stand-in in a 2–0 home victory over Bury on 25 October 2015. [ 98 ] Gerrard revealed to the press that having received no offers over the close season, he was playing for loose at Shrewsbury in a bid to get his professional football career going again. [ 99 ] This agreement was cancelled by reciprocal accept in January 2016. [ 100 ]

Oldham Athletic [edit ]

After being released by Shrewsbury Town, Gerrard re-joined Oldham Athletic on 26 January 2016 for the second base time until the goal of the season. [ 101 ] Gerrard made his Oldham Athletic on the same day, in a 1–0 winnings over Shrewsbury Town, the club he previously played for. [ 102 ] Gerrard immediately established himself in the first gear team at Oldham Athletic, playing in the central refutation position and helped the club retain their League matchless condition ahead of the newfangled season by helping the club debar relegation. [ 103 ] His operation against Walsall on 9 April 2016 earned him Team of the Week. [ 104 ] After the last match of the season against Millwall, Gerrard claimed that he was slapped by a Millwall supporter after Millwall ‘s supporters invaded the pitch at full-time. [ 105 ] This led to FA probe. [ 106 ] After making 17 appearance for Oldham Athletic, Gerrard was offered a new condense by the club. [ 107 ] however, Gerrard declined the crack and became a free agentive role. [ 108 ] After again spending the first half of the 2016–17 season without a club Gerrard began training with Oldham and signed a two-and-a-half-year sign on 20 January 2017. [ citation needed ]

Carlisle United [edit ]

After being dismissed by Oldham for gross wrongdoing, Gerrard signed for League Two club Carlisle United on 9 August 2018 on a contract until January 2019. [ 109 ] He was released by Carlisle at the end of the 2018–19 temper. [ 110 ]

chesterfield [edit ]

On 27 June 2019, Gerrard joined Chesterfield. [ 111 ] After making 11 appearances for the National League club, his condense was cancelled by reciprocal consent on 23 January 2020. [ 112 ]

International career [edit ]

Born in England, Gerrard qualifies for the Republic of Ireland, through his grandparents. He represented the Republic of Ireland ‘s under-18 team earlier in his career. On 4 March 2011, Gerrard pledged his allegiance to the Republic of Ireland and said “ I pledged my allegiance to the Republic and I would love the probability to play for the senior squad. ” [ 113 ] In April 2011, Gerrard received entire clearance to play for the Republic of Ireland. [ 114 ]

personal life [edit ]

Gerrard and his wife, Laura, have two sons and one daughter. [ 115 ] Gerrard is a cousin of former England captain Steven Gerrard. [ 116 ] Gerrard is besides a cousin of Jon-Paul Gilhooley, who was the youngest of the 97 victims of the Hillsborough calamity on 15 April 1989. Gerrard is besides good friends with Danny Fox, having played together at Walsall and Everton. [ 117 ] Despite progressing through the Everton Academy, Gerrard grew up supporting Liverpool. [ 118 ]

career statistics [edit ]

As of match played 29 February 2020

Honours [edit ]

Walsall
Cardiff City
Individual

References [edit ]