Antony Kay
{{short description|English footballer}}
{{for-multi|the footballer of the 1960s|Tony Kay|the baseball player|Anthony Kay}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Antony Kay
| image = Antony Kay playing for Tranmere.jpg
| caption = Kay playing for Tranmere Rovers in 2009
| fullname = Antony Roland Kay{{cite web |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/june/efl-club-retained-and-released-lists-published/ |title=EFL: Club retained and released lists published |publisher=English Football League |date=23 June 2016 |access-date=10 January 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|10|21|df=y}}{{cite book |editor-first=Barry J. |editor-last=Hugman |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 |year=2010 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |location=Edinburgh |isbn=978-1-84596-601-0 |page=232}}
| birth_place = Barnsley, England{{cite web |title=FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2018/2019 |url=http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2018-2019/fltwo/portv.htm |website=www.footballsquads.co.uk |access-date=1 February 2021}}
| height = {{convert|1.80|m|order=flip}}{{cite web |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/antony-kay2/ |title=Antony Kay |publisher=Port Vale F.C. |access-date=30 June 2018 |archive-date=1 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701002029/https://www.port-vale.co.uk/teams/first-team/defender/antony-kay2/ |url-status=dead }}
| position = Defender; midfielder
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–1999
| youthclubs1 = Barnsley
| years1 = 1999–2007| clubs1 = Barnsley | caps1 = 174| goals1 = 11
| years2 = 2007–2009| clubs2 = Tranmere Rovers | caps2 = 82| goals2 = 17
| years3 = 2009–2012| clubs3 = Huddersfield Town| caps3 = 95| goals3 = 10
| years4 = 2012–2016| clubs4 = Milton Keynes Dons| caps4 = 142| goals4 = 6
| years5 = 2016–2017| clubs5 = Bury | caps5 = 42| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2017–2019| clubs6 = Port Vale | caps6 = 60| goals6 = 5
| years7 = 2020 | clubs7 = Chorley | caps7 = 4| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2020–2023| clubs8 = Bala Town | caps8 = 75| goals8 = 8
| years9 = 2023–2024| clubs9 = Runcorn Linnets | caps9 = 32| goals9 = 4
| nationalyears1 = 2001
| nationalteam1 = England U18
| nationalcaps1 = 1
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| totalcaps = 706| totalgoals = 61
| manageryears1 = 2024–2025
| managerclubs1 = Runcorn Linnets
}}
Antony Roland Kay (born 21 October 1982) is an English former footballer and manager who most recently managed Runcorn Linnets. He 70 goals in 829 appearances during a 24-year playing career.
Kay could play as a defender or as a midfielder. He began his career with hometown club Barnsley and made his first-team debut in August 2000. Established as a first-team regular by the age of 20, he was voted as the club's Player of the Season in 2003–04, and helped Barnsley to win promotion out of League One via the play-offs in 2006 after scoring the winning penalty in the shoot-out victory over Swansea City. He signed with Tranmere Rovers in June 2007 and was voted the club's Player of the Season for 2008–09 before moving on to Huddersfield Town in May 2009. He was again promoted into the Championship after victory in the 2012 League One play-off final. However, he stayed in League One after joining Milton Keynes Dons in August 2012 and won his third promotion out of the division after helping the club to secure a runners-up spot in 2014–15.
He signed with Bury in June 2016 and played 47 matches as a club captain before moving on to Port Vale a year later. Released after two years in the Vale first-team, he went on to join non-League Chorley in January 2020. He joined Cymru Premier side Bala Town eight months later and went on to play in the 2023 Welsh Cup final before joining Runcorn Linnets in May 2023. He was appointed Runcorn's manager in May 2024.
Club career
=Barnsley=
Born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, Kay began his career in the youth system at his hometown club Barnsley, signing a professional contract in October 1999. He made his first-team debut under Dave Bassett on 12 August 2000, in a 1–0 victory over Norwich City at Oakwell.{{cite news |title=Barnsley 1–0 Norwich City |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/876139.stm |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2000}} He ended the 2000–01 season with seven First Division appearances to his name, and featured just once in the 2001–02 relegation campaign. Initially a midfielder, he was moved to centre back after Glyn Hodges took over from Nigel Spackman as manager in October 2002.{{cite news |last=Thomson |first=Doug |title=Antony Kay keen to keep his Huddersfield Town place – whatever the position |url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/antony-kay-keen-keep-huddersfield-4989258 |access-date=29 June 2017 |newspaper=Huddersfield Daily Examiner |date=23 October 2010}} He played 16 Second Division matches in the 2002–03 season.
He established himself as the club's utility player following the appointment of manager Guðjón Þórðarson in June 2003, and in addition to operating across the defence and midfield was also utilised as a target man striker in January, picking up a man-of-the-match award in that role against AFC Bournemouth.{{cite news |title=A kick up the backside |url=http://www.officialplayersites.com/players/kay/article.php?id=517 |access-date=29 June 2017 |website=officialplayersites.com |date=19 January 2004}} He scored four goals in 51 appearances across the 2003–04 campaign and was voted the club's Player of the Season.{{cite news |title=Kay facing two-game ban |url=http://www.officialplayersites.com/players/kay/article.php?id=629 |access-date=29 June 2017 |website=officialplayersites.com |date=5 May 2004}} He signed a new one-year contract in June 2004.{{cite news |title=Contract signed |url=http://www.officialplayersites.com/players/kay/article.php?id=656 |access-date=29 June 2017 |website=officialplayersites.com |date=11 June 2004}}
Speaking in December 2004, manager Paul Hart said that "it's slightly too early to say whether he'll stay as a centre-half or return to midfield in his career". Still, he was able to say that Kay had "shown that when he is concentrating he is as good as anybody" in both defence and midfield.{{cite news |title=Kay a key man as Reds go for treble |url=http://www.officialplayersites.com/players/kay/article.php?id=719 |access-date=29 June 2017 |website=officialplayersites.com |date=10 December 2004}} He scored six goals from 43 appearances in the 2004–05 campaign as Barnsley posted a 13th-place finish. He played 45 times in the 2005–06 season and scored the fourth and final Barnsley penalty in the play-off final penalty shoot-out victory over Swansea City at the Millennium Stadium, in which Andy Ritchie's "Tykes" gained promotion to the Championship.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/5010240.stm |title=Swansea 2–2 Barnsley (aet) |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 May 2006 |access-date=15 December 2018}} He played 33 matches in the 2006–07 season as Barnsley retained their second tier status with a 20th-place finish, but was rumoured to have had a bust-up with manager Simon Davey in February. His future with the club was put into doubt three months later after he allegedly broke club rules.{{cite news |title=Doubts over Kay's future |url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/barnsley-fc/doubts-over-kay-s-future-1-350273 |access-date=29 June 2017 |newspaper=The Star |location=Sheffield |date=2 May 2007}}
=Tranmere Rovers=
Kay signed a two-year contract with League One club Tranmere Rovers in June 2007.{{cite news |title=Tranmere net ex-Barnsley man Kay |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tranmere_rovers/6252538.stm |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 June 2007}} He scored seven goals from 43 matches in the 2007–08 season, playing mainly in his natural position of centre-back, which led manager Ronnie Moore to consider playing him as a goalscoring midfielder.{{cite news |last=Hilton |first=Nick |title=Goals adding a new dimension for Ronnie Moore's plans |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/goals-adding-new-dimension-ronnie-3484951 |access-date=29 June 2017 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |date=1 May 2008}} Moore shifted him forward into midfield during the 2008–09 season, and Kay went on to score 12 goals in 53 appearances as Tranmere narrowly missed out on the play-offs after conceding a late equaliser at Scunthorpe United on the final day of the season.{{cite news |title=Scunthorpe 1–1 Tranmere |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8014943.stm |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 May 2009}} Kay was voted as the club's Player of the Season for 2008–09.{{cite news |last=Ley |first=John |title=League One players of the season: club by club |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/competitions/league-one/5453228/League-One-players-of-the-season-club-by-club.html |access-date=29 June 2017 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=7 June 2009}}
=Huddersfield Town=
Kay joined League One club Huddersfield Town on a two-year contract in May 2009; manager Lee Clark said that "he is a strong, physical player and we have identified that we need that presence in the side".{{cite news |title=Huddersfield sign Tranmere's Kay |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/huddersfield_town/8073628.stm |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2009}} He spent the 2009–10 season as a first-team regular in midfield, making 46 starts in league and cup competitions. Huddersfield qualified for the play-offs, and were knocked out by Millwall at the semi-final stage after losing 2–0 on aggregate.{{cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Paul |title=Millwall 2–0 Huddersfield (agg 2–0) |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/8682156.stm |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2010}} He was reduced to the role of substitute for parts of the 2010–11 campaign.{{cite news |last=Hilton |first=Nick |title=Antony Kay returns to frontline |url=http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/roverflow-antony-kay-returns-frontline-3396576 |access-date=29 June 2017 |newspaper=Liverpool Echo |date=17 September 2010}} He did though score both the extra time equaliser and the winning penalty in the subsequent shoot-out victory over Bournemouth in the play-off semi-final second leg at the Galpharm Stadium on 18 May.{{cite news |last=Mitchener |first=Mark |title=Hudd'field 3–3 B'mouth (agg 4–4) |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/13356811.stm |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 May 2011}} Eleven days later, Huddersfield went on to lose 3–0 to Peterborough United in the play-off final at Old Trafford.{{cite news |last=Begley |first=Emlyn |title=Huddersfield 0–3 Peterborough |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/13489373.stm |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 May 2011}}
Kay signed a new two-year contract in July 2011.{{cite news |url=http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/sport/football/huddersfield-town/cadamarteri_and_kay_agree_new_contracts_to_stay_at_huddersfield_1_3543931 |title=Cadamarteri and Kay agree new contracts to stay at Huddersfield |newspaper=The Yorkshire Post |location=Leeds |date=5 July 2011 |access-date=5 July 2011}} He was limited to 28 league matches in the 2011–12 season, and was not in the matchday squad as Town secured promotion with victory over Sheffield United in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18127853 |title=Huddersfield 0–0 Sheff Utd |first=Emlyn |last=Begley |publisher=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122123429/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18127853 |archive-date=22 January 2016}} Manager Simon Grayson signed centre-backs Joel Lynch and Anthony Gerrard in the summer 2012 transfer window, and subsequently looked to move Kay on to a new club.{{cite web |last=Nelson |first=Dan |title=Antony Kay leaves Town |url=https://www.htafc.com/news/2012/august/antony-kay-leaves-town/ |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=Huddersfield Town A.F.C. |date=10 August 2012}}
=Milton Keynes Dons=
Kay had his contract with Huddersfield cancelled by mutual consent and signed a two-year contract with League One club Milton Keynes Dons in August 2012.{{cite news |title=Antony Kay signs deal with MK Dons after leaving Huddersfield |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19178730 |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=10 August 2012}} He made 42 appearances across the 2012–13 campaign as the Dons missed out on the play-offs after finishing two places and four points behind sixth-placed Swindon Town. In September 2013, he underwent surgery to correct a persistent hip problem and was out of action for 12 weeks.{{cite news |title=MK Dons defender Antony Kay out for 12 weeks |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24331977 |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 September 2013}} He recovered to play a total of 34 matches by the end of the 2013–14 campaign. During this time, he also sent off three times.{{cite news |title=Crewe Alexandra 2–1 MK Dons: Pogba ends Dons' play-off dreams |url=http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/football/mk-dons/crewe-alexandra-2-1-mk-dons-pogba-ends-dons-play-off-dreams-1-4913764 |access-date=6 July 2017 |newspaper=Milton Keynes Citizen |date=19 March 2013}} He signed a new one-year contract in May 2014, having helped Karl Robinson's Dons to keep eight clean sheets in his 30 league matches on the way to a tenth-place finish.{{cite news |title=Antony Kay: MK Dons defender signs one-year contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27635324 |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2014}}
Kay missed just one of the club's 46 league matches in the 2014–15 season as the Dons secured promotion out of League One with a second-place finish behind champions Bristol City. He signed a new one-year contract in June 2015.{{cite news |title=MK Dons: Antony Kay signs new one-year contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33110588 |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 June 2015}} He played 34 Championship matches in the 2015–16 season as the Dons were relegated in 23rd-place. On 5 April, Kay made a late challenge on Wolverhampton Wanderers striker Michał Żyro, which left Zyro suffering with multiple knee ligament damage and over a year-long recovery.{{cite news |title=Wolves: Michal Zyro faces more than year out with serious knee injury |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35987273 |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 April 2016}} In May 2016, Kay was one of four players released from the club following relegation back into League One.{{cite web |title=Dons make decisions on players |url=https://www.mkdons.com/news/2016/may/dons-make-decisions-on-players/ |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons F.C. |date=12 May 2016}}
=Bury=
On 19 June 2016, Kay joined League One club Bury on a two-year contract.{{cite news |title=Antony Kay: Bury sign MK Dons centre-back |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36571022 |access-date=29 June 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 June 2016}} Six weeks later he was appointed as club captain by manager David Flitcroft.{{cite news |title=Captain Kay is man for Bury |url=http://www.burytimes.co.uk/sport/football/14675842.Captain_Kay_is_man_for_Bury/ |access-date=29 June 2017 |newspaper=Bury Times |date=11 August 2016}} However, Bury endured a poor start to the season, leaving tensions high as Kay and teammate Tom Soares had to be separated from each other after exchanging heated words following a 5–1 defeat to AFC Wimbledon at the Kingsmeadow on 19 November.{{cite news |last=Nelson |first=Craig |title=Brass: Let's show the home fans what we can do |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14927866.Brass__Let__39_s_show_the_home_fans_what_we_can_do/ |access-date=29 June 2017 |newspaper=The Press |location=York |date=25 November 2016}} Bury's form did turn around over the new year though, and Kay praised manager Chris Brass for changing to a 5–3–2 formation and halting a club record 12-match losing streak and 17-match winless run.{{cite news |last=McKenzie |first=Mikael |title=Kay pays tribute to Brass factor in Bury revival |url=http://www.burytimes.co.uk/sport/15160347.Kay_pays_tribute_to_Brass_factor_in_Bury_revival/ |access-date=29 June 2017 |newspaper=Bury Times |date=16 March 2017}}
=Port Vale=
On 28 June 2017, Kay secured his release from Bury and signed a two-year contract with League Two club Port Vale, who had been relegated after finishing two places and one point behind Bury the previous season.{{cite news |title=Antony Kay: Port Vale sign ex-Barnsley, Tranmere, Huddersfield & MK Dons defender |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40435933 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 June 2017 |access-date=29 June 2017}} He was appointed as club captain by manager Michael Brown.{{cite news |last=Baggaley |first=Mike |title=Antony Kay praises Port Vale fans ahead of Leeds United tie |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/antony-kay-praises-port-vale-fans-ahead-of-leeds-united-tie/story-30474234-detail/story.html |access-date=9 August 2017 |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |date=9 August 2017}} He scored a headed goal on his debut for the "Valiants" in a 3–1 win at Crawley Town on 5 August.{{cite web |title=Crawley 1–3 Port Vale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40761071 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 August 2017 |access-date=5 August 2017}} However, he was dropped by new manager Neil Aspin in October, who also gave the captaincy to Danny Pugh.{{cite news |last=Baggaley |first=Michael |title=Neil Aspin explains Port Vale captaincy decision |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/neil-aspin-explains-port-vale-637614 |access-date=18 October 2017 |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |date=17 October 2017}} Kay did though make a quick return to the first-team playing out-of-position in midfield.{{cite news |last=Baggaley |first=Michael |title=Port Vale boss Neil Aspin impressed with Antony Kay in midfield |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/port-vale-boss-neil-aspin-664770 |access-date=22 October 2017 |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |date=22 October 2017}} On 12 December, he scored the "goal of his life" with a stunning long-range lob in a 3–2 defeat at Yeovil Town in the FA Cup.{{cite news |title=FA Cup: Antony Kay scores 'goal of his life' for Port Vale in FA Cup defeat by Yeovil |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42338226 |access-date=16 December 2017 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 December 2017}} He maintained his new position as a holding central midfield player until the end of February when he was both suspended for picking up ten yellow cards over the campaign and also ruled out of action for a month after undergoing a hernia operation.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale injury blow as Port Vale's Antony Kay faces operation |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/antony-kay-port-vale-injury-1249887 |access-date=22 February 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=22 February 2018}} He marked his return from injury on 2 April by scoring what would go on to win him the club's goal of the season award, his long-range strike helping to secure a 2–2 draw at local rivals Crewe Alexandra.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Catch us if you can, says Port Vale goal hero |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-kay-crewe-crawley-1415557 |access-date=4 April 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=4 April 2018}}{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Tom Pope makes history at Port Vale player of the year awards |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/tom-pope-makes-history-port-1512455 |access-date=30 April 2018 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=28 April 2018}} Two weeks later he was named on the EFL team of the week for scoring the only goal of a 1–0 win over Lincoln City.{{cite news |title=Team of the Week: Matchday 43 |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2018/april/team-of-the-week-matchday-43/ |access-date=8 October 2019 |work=www.efl.com |date=16 April 2018 |language=en-gb}} Kay featured 33 times during the 2018–19 season; however, manager John Askey confirmed that he would not be offering Kay a new contract on 16 May.{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Michael |title=Port Vale's retained list in full as nine players are released |url=https://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/port-vale-retained-list-released-2874111 |work=Stoke Sentinel |date=16 May 2019 |access-date=16 May 2019}}
=Non-League=
On 16 January 2020, Kay signed a deal to join National League club Chorley until the end of the 2019–20 season.{{cite news |last1=Salmon |first1=Craig |title=Magpies bolster squad with the addition of veteran defender Antony Kay |url=https://www.chorley-guardian.co.uk/sport/football/magpies-bolster-squad-with-the-addition-of-veteran-defender-antony-kay-1-10206059 |access-date=17 January 2020 |work=Chorley Guardian |date=16 January 2020 |language=en}} He made four appearances for the "Magpies" in the 2019–20 season, which was permanently suspended on 26 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with Chorley bottom of the table.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52381612 |title=National League clubs vote to end regular season immediately |work=BBC Sport |access-date=22 March 2020}}
On 24 August 2020, Kay joined Cymru Premier side Bala Town.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Jordan |title=Bala Town sign experienced defender Antony Kay following Chorley exit |url=https://clwbpeldroed.org/2020/08/24/bala-town-experienced-defender-antony-kay-chorley/ |access-date=25 August 2020 |work=Y Clwb Pêl-Droed |date=24 August 2020}} He scored five goals from 28 appearances in the 2020–21 season. He featured 26 times in the 2021–22 campaign and scored one goal in an 11–0 victory over Penybont at Maes Tegid on the final day of the season as Bala secured runners-up spot in the league.{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Shaun |title=Goal-den Bala Town end great season on a real high |url=https://www.denbighshirefreepress.co.uk/sport/20089893.goal-den-bala-town-end-great-season-real-high/ |access-date=26 May 2022 |work=The Free Press |date=24 April 2022}} He featured thirty times in the 2022–23 campaign, including in the 6–0 defeat to The New Saints in the final of the Welsh Cup.{{cite news |title=Saints hit Bala for six to win Welsh Cup |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65444471.amp |access-date=2 May 2023 |work=BBC Sport |date=30 April 2023}}
On 26 May 2023, at the age of 40, Kay signed with Northern Premier League Division One West club Runcorn Linnets; he was a former teammate of manager Billy Paynter.{{cite news |title=The Official Runcorn Linnets FC Web Site |url=https://www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk/NYoPC |access-date=9 June 2023 |work=www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk}} He made 41 appearances in the 2023–24 campaign, scoring four goals, as Runcorn reached the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten by City of Liverpool.
International career
Kay was capped once by the England national under-18 team,{{cite web |title=Antony Kay |url=https://www.11v11.com/players/antony-kay-3875/ |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=18 July 2017}} coming on as a substitute in a 0–0 draw with Switzerland on 30 May 2001.{{cite web |title=Switzerland v England, 30 May 2001 |url=https://www.11v11.com/matches/switzerland-v-england-30-may-2001-271790/ |website=11v11.com |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=18 July 2017}}
Style of play
Kay plays as a centre-back but can also operate as a holding midfielder; early in his career, he was something of a utility player, having also filled in at full back and as a striker on occasion.{{cite news |title=Turning the corner |url=http://www.officialplayersites.com/players/kay/article.php?id=554 |access-date=29 June 2017 |website=officialplayersites.com |date=25 February 2004}} Bury Times journalist Mikael McKenzie stated that he is a solid all-round defender, is capable in the air and has good positional skills.{{cite news |last=Baggaley |first=Mike |title=Scouting report: Why Antony Kay is a good signing for Port Vale |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/scouting-report-why-antony-kay-is-a-good-signing-for-port-vale-from-bury/story-30414883-detail/story.html |access-date=29 June 2017 |newspaper=The Sentinel |location=Stoke-on-Trent |date=28 June 2017}}
Management career
Kay was appointed as Runcorn Linnets's new manager on 18 May 2024, when he retired as a player.{{cite news |last1=Cartledge |first1=Peter |title=Antony Kay is named Linnets manager |url=https://www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk/post/antony-kay-is-named-as-linnets-manager |access-date=18 May 2024 |work=Runcorn Linnets FC |date=17 May 2024 |language=en}} He was sacked on 30 January 2025 as the club's board felt there were a series of "disappointing results and performances".{{cite news |title=Runcorn Linnets part company with manager Antony Kay |url=https://www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk/post/runcorn-linnets-part-company-with-manager-antony-kay |access-date=31 January 2025 |work=Runcorn Linnets FC |date=30 January 2025 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Critchley |first1=Mike |title=Runcorn Linnets part company with manager Antony Kay after disappointing results |url=https://www.runcornandwidnesworld.co.uk/sport/24896695.runcorn-linnets-manager-antony-kay-relieved-duties/ |access-date=31 January 2025 |work=Runcorn and Widnes World |date=30 January 2025 |language=en}}
Career statistics
{{notelist}}
Honours
Barnsley
Milton Keynes Dons
- Football League One second-place promotion: 2014–15{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2015–2016 |year=2015 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-2416-3 |pages=238–239}}
Bala Town
Individual
- Barnsley Player of the Season: 2003–04
- Tranmere Rovers Player of the Season: 2008–09
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Barnsley F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kay, Antony}}
Category:Footballers from Barnsley
Category:English men's footballers
Category:England men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football utility players
Category:Barnsley F.C. players
Category:Tranmere Rovers F.C. players
Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players
Category:Milton Keynes Dons F.C. players
Category:Port Vale F.C. players
Category:Bala Town F.C. players
Category:Runcorn Linnets F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Cymru Premier players
Category:Northern Premier League players
Category:English football managers