Tony Cottee
Prolific striker who scored 293 goals in all competitions 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.
- Role
- Striker
- Total Appearances
- 184 league games for Everton
- Goals Scored
- 76 league goals for Everton
Verified Timeline
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.
In Their Own Story
The 1993–94 season nearly ended in disaster for Everton, who only narrowly avoided relegation just seven years after being league champions. Cottee managed 16 league goals that season, including those two Premier League hat-tricks. But new manager Mike Walker, who arrived in January 1994, promised an overhaul of the squad. On 7 September 1994, Cottee returned to West Ham United in a part-exchange deal for defender David Burrows plus cash. Everton manager Mike Walker had signed Nigerian Daniel Amokachi fresh from World Cup duty and financed the move by selling Cottee, much to Everton fans' disapproval.
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 a late equaliser in the first replay of the FA Cup fifth-round tie against Liverpool on 21 February 1991, forcing a 4–4 draw.
Did You Know?
- Cottee briefly became the most expensive player to be signed by a British club when he joined Everton in a £2.2 million deal on 2 August 1988.
- He scored Everton's first two hat-tricks in the Premier League, both in home wins: 4–2 against Sheffield United and 6–2 against Swindon Town.
- Cottee scored three goals across two legs in the 1998–99 Football League Cup semi-final against Sunderland to help Leicester win 3–2 on aggregate.
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.
When did Tony Cottee's story with Everton end?
Cottee concluded his chapter at Goodison Park after six years, having failed to secure a league title or cup victory despite his individual brilliance. His departure marked the end of an era defined by high expectations and memorable goals rather than silverware.
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