Tony Green 1972 - 1974

The Sheer Green Class of Tone

Born	Kinning Park	Glasgow	30/10/1946
Arrived	Blackpool	10/1971	£140,000
Debut	Everton A	Div 1	30/10/1971
Retired	Injured	12/1973
Apps/Goals	35
Ht/Wt	5' 7	11st

Tony Green played his first match for United at the end of October 1971 and played his 35th and last game only ten months later; yet he made such an impression during his short stay that he is rightly regarded as one of the best players to pull on a black and white shirt.

His brilliant individual skills and searing burst of pace would have been enough to make him a really good player but what made him exceptional was that he combined these qualities with tremendous work rate, heart and character.

Green had pace, agility and skill in abundance. He had superb ball control and his greatest asset was that in the congested central midfield areas he could shimmy past opponents at speed.

His burning pace off the mark meant that he could find space from nowhere and could create chances both for himself and others.

In some ways he was a throwback to the great inside forwards of the past; quick, clever and with a decent shot. Stan Mortenson (speaking in 1969) talked of him in glowing terms. "His greatest asset is that he moves quickly from defence into attack. He's never afraid to take on a man and beat him ... which allied to his enthusiasm, ability, guts, strength and temperament, makes him what he is - a great player.

When he joined the club United were in dire trouble; the 1-0 defeat at Goodison Park on his debut sending them into rock bottom place after 2 wins, 4 draws and 10 defeats in the first sixteen games.

His arrival kick started the season as Green linked up superbly with the other new recruits Hibbitt and Macdonald . His inspirational form helped United gradually climb out of trouble and earned him the Man of the Match in two thirds of the matches he played. Not surprisingly he also walked off with the Player of the Year award.

United coach Burkinshaw talked of his desire to succeed. "His attitude is his greatest asset. This is what makes him tick". And also states that "for taking a man on he's the best I know, anywhere".

Don Revie enthused (after he had performed brilliantly against Leeds) : "Green was superb. He is a man with skill, courage and pace".

The little scot was a quiet unassuming man who had a much appreciated wry sense of humour. Terry Hibbitt went as far as claiming he was "the joker in the pack". Despite his major impact on Tyneside Green retained his modesty refusing to accept that United's resurgence was down to his arrival and claiming that "with players like this and fans like this you can hardly help but play well can you"

However, despite his obvious credentials Green won only six caps for his home country with Tommy Docherty appearing unable to fit his mercurial talents into his struggling side.

Tragically at the beginning of the 1972/73 season he suffered a cartilage injury that would end his career. At 26 he had just been reaching his prime.

Newcastle's insurance repaid the transfer fee, but Joe Harvey regarded it as scant consolation. "After they made Tony Green they threw away the mould. I couldn't hope to buy a similar player not even for twice that amount".

"Tony was the best midfield man in the country and I mean that. His skills thrilled me in a way that no one else has been able to achieve. That lightning speed over the first five yards, the body swerve and that fabulous shot from such a little fellah ....... he was unique".

Season by Season

Pre United

Whilst at school he played for St Mungo's and made several appearences for Glasgow Schools. Whilst in short trousers he suffered a broken arm. He also played for The Scottish Boys against Wales.

He moved to Rob Roy Juniors and makes one appearance for Lochend Rovers in a friendly against Albion Rovers who are sufficiently impressed to offer him terms when he finishes at school.

At 18 he signs on at the beginning of the 1965/66 season and despite missing ten weeks after again breaking his arm he still bags 15 goals.

At the end of the following season twenty year old Green is signed by Blackpool manager Stan Mortenson for £8,000. He makes an instant impression and it is not long before he is being compared to old boy Alan Ball

In 1967/68 he is in brilliant form as Blackpool just fail to get promotion to the First. He signs a four year contract

Green is already attracting the attention of the so called "glamour clubs" when he suffers a serious achilles tendon injury during 1969. It was so bad that he had to have part of it removed and replaced by a synthetic one developed by ICI. It rules him out for 17 months including the whole of the 1969/70 season in which The Seasiders are promoted to Division 1 and there is some concern that his career might be finished.

The operation is successful but he has to wear a plaster cast on his left peg for so long that he has to learn how to walk again.

Tony finally returns to action in September 1970 and is soon attracting suitors again; including Leeds. He also makes his debut for Scotland. But Blackpool struggle in the top division and go straight back down to Division 2

1971/72 [29/0 - 2]

Speculation builds in May 1971 that Harvey is interested in both Tony Green a Blackpool team mate Tommy Hutchinson. Haggling starts with Leeds allegedly waiting in the wings. Luckily for Newcastle, Blackpool manager (and former United player) Bob Stokoe admits "I want Newcastle to have Tony Green".

Blackpool's continued involvement in the Anglo-Italian competition delays the deal and Stokoe's desire for Keith Dyson in part-exchange scuppers it with Harvey claiming that there was "no chance" of that happening. Just before the start of the season Green turns down a new contract.

With United struggling badly Harvey changes his mind and Green joins from Blackpool in a £140,000 deal which includes a move in the opposite direction for Keith Dyson.

He turns in a host of Man of the Match performances to help save United's season including a blistering display at Old Trafford which he regarded as his best ever performance for the club.

1972/73 [6/0 - 1]

Tony carries on where he left off from the previous campaign with some more sparkling cameos. Then, on September 2nd United travel to Selhurst Park. It's a rough game full of physical confrontation and when Green tangled with Mel Blyth he suffered a knee ligament injury.

The injury is bad enough to keep him out for months but just before the end of the season Green makes a "comeback" playing in a reserve match and a benefit match for former 'Pool team mate Glyn James.

1973/74 [4/0 - 0]

Tony trains hard throughout the summer and United announce that he is fully fit again . However once more the knee breaks down and is operated on for the third time in 9 months with the surgeon hopeful that he has finally solved the problem.

Devastatingly it proved to be a false hope and specialists advise him that his leg would not stand up to the strain of playing full-time football and just before Christmas Green announces his retirement .

He is awarded a testimonial against Middlesbrough and despite the fact that United had just slumped to the embarrassing 74 Cup Final defeat 28,000 turned up.