Tony Cottee
Prolific striker who scored 226 league goals across a 19-year career.
Antony Richard Cottee (born 11 July 1965) is an English former professional footballer and manager who now works as a television football commentator. As a player, he was a striker from 1982 until 2001, notably playing in the top flight of English football for West Ham United, Everton and Leicester City. He was capped seven times by England, and played in the Football League for Birmingham City, Norwich City and Millwall. He also had a spell in Malaysia with Selangor and spent a season as player-manager of Barnet.
Quick Facts
- Full name
- Antony Richard Cottee
- Born
- 11 July 1965
- Birthplace
- Forest Gate, London, England
- Position
- Striker
Lore & Background
Cottee played in Everton's 1989 FA Cup final defeat to Liverpool, and won the League Cup with Leicester City in 2000. His final career tally was 579 league games and 226 goals. In all competitions, he played 712 games and 293 goals. He exceeded his ambition to score 200 league goals in his career, but fell just short of his target of 300 goals in all competitions.
Reader's Guide
Cottee made his Everton debut on 27 August 1988, the opening day of the 1988–89 First Division campaign, in a 4–0 home win over Newcastle United in which he scored a hat-trick. He scored 13 league goals in 1989–90. In the 1990–91 season, he scored a late equaliser in the first replay of the FA Cup fifth-round against Liverpool on 21 February, forcing a 4–4 draw. He scored 12 league goals in 1992–93 and 16 league goals in 1993–94, including two hat-tricks. He returned to West Ham on 7 September 1994 in a part-exchange deal for David Burrows plus cash.
Did You Know?
- Cottee was voted the PFA Young Player of the Year in 1986.
- He briefly became the most expensive player to be signed by a British club when he joined Everton for £2.2 million in August 1988.
- Cottee scored Everton's first two hat-tricks in the Premier League.
- He won the Malaysian FA Cup with Selangor in 1996–97.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Tony Cottee?
Tony Cottee was a prolific English striker who joined Everton in 1988 for a then-record British transfer fee of £2.2 million. He became an iconic figure at Goodison Park despite his relatively short six-year tenure with the club.
How did Tony Cottee perform on his Everton debut?
On August 27, 1988, just days after signing, Cottee made an immediate impact by scoring a hat-trick in a 4–0 victory over Newcastle United. This historic performance set high expectations for his time at the club.
What were Tony Cottee's total statistics with Everton?
During his six seasons with the Toffees, Cottee appeared in 184 league matches and netted an impressive 76 goals. His goal-scoring rate remains one of the most significant individual achievements in the club's recent history.
Why is Tony Cottee considered a legendary player if he never won a trophy?
Although Cottee left without securing any major silverware or finishing higher than sixth in the league, his status stems from being the most expensive British signing at the time and his prolific scoring record. Fans revere him for his sheer talent and instant impact upon arrival.
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