Tony Ford won't ring too many bells unless you happen to be a Rochdale lad/lass or an anorak or an arranger of the Royal Honours' List.
On this day in 2001, Tony made his last appearance in the football league for his "beloved" Rochdale and steered them to a 2-0 win over Torquay United (a long way to travel for a defeat). Tony made his league debut at 16 years and 5 month old, in October 1975, making 931 appearances, a record for an outfield player in the English Football League and he did not make one appearance in the top flight!
Born in Grimsby on May 14th 1959, in 1975 he started his career at Grimsby Town, where he made 355 apps and scored 55 goals.
With England B he won two caps. He had a short spell at Barrow AFC before joining Steve Parkin, an old colleague, who was managing at Mansfield. In early 1999, Ford played his 825th league game beating Terry Paine's record and then coached at Rochdale, also playing into his early 40s.
His last goal came on October 9th 2001 for Rochdale v Swansea City in a 1-0 league win. His final game was against Torquay Utd. He then coached at Barnsley with Parkin, then went to Rochdale and was a "scout" at some of his old clubs, but eventually was "sacked" by Grimsby in 2001. Unfortunate for such a nice bloke.....btw, name the club shirt below.
Other top appearances:
Tommy Hutchinson played 863 apps /55 goals
Graham Alexander 844/110
Terry Paine 824/168
Peter Shilton 1005/1
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