Anton Rodgers (footballer)

Anton Michael Rodgers (born 26 January 1993) is a footballer who plays as a midfielder for Isthmian League South Central Division side Basingstoke Town. Born in England, he has represented Ireland at youth level.

Anton Rodgers
Personal information
Full nameAnton Michael Rodgers[1]
Date of birth (1993-01-26) 26 January 1993 (age 31)[1]
Place of birthReading,[1] England
Height5 ft 6+12 in (1.69 m)[2]
Position(s)Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Basingstoke Town
Youth career
2006–2011Chelsea
2011–2013Brighton & Hove Albion
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2012–2013Brighton & Hove Albion0(0)
2013Exeter City (loan)2(0)
2013–2014Oldham Athletic7(0)
2014–2017Swindon Town68(5)
2017–2018Hungerford Town19(1)
2018–2019Wealdstone0(0)
2019Bracknell Town
2019–2021Marlow11(0)
2021–Basingstoke Town31(3)
International career
2009Republic of Ireland U17
2010Republic of Ireland U192(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:37, 3 May 2023 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 11:55, 21 March 2018 (UTC)

Club career

After departing the youth setup at Chelsea in May 2011, Rodgers joined the academy of recently promoted Championship club Brighton & Hove Albion, signing an initial one-year contract with the option of a further year which was taken up by the club in the summer of 2012.[3] Rodgers made his professional debut and only appearance for Brighton in an FA Cup match against Wrexham on 7 January 2012.[4] On 20 March 2013, Rodgers joined League Two side Exeter City on an initial two-month loan deal.[5] Rodgers made his professional League début for Exeter on 9 April during a 4–1 defeat at Rotherham United, appearing as a 70th-minute substitute.[6] On 21 May 2013, Rodgers was released by Brighton, along with former Chelsea teammate Ben Sampayo.[7]

On 12 July 2013, Rodgers signed for League One side Oldham Athletic on a one-year contract.[8] On 10 August 2013, Rodgers made his Oldham debut in their 1–0 home defeat against Walsall, replacing James Dayton in the 74th minute.[9] On 3 September 2013, Rodgers was given his first Oldham start in their Football League Trophy away tie against Shrewsbury Town, featuring for 71 minutes before being replaced by David Mellor. The game resulted in a 4–1 victory for the visitors with Danny Philliskirk scoring a hat-trick.[10] Rodgers was released by Oldham at the end of the 2013–14 season after limited appearances in the first team.

On 17 July 2014, preceding his release from Oldham, Rodgers joined League One side Swindon Town.[11] On 23 September 2014, Rodgers made his Swindon debut in a Football League Trophy 2–1 victory over Newport County, in which he replaced Louis Thompson in the 58th minute.[12] A month later, Rodgers scored on his league debut for the club in their 3–2 home defeat against Rochdale, netting the game's opener in the 35th minute.[13]

In June 2017, Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers fielded his son, Anton, as a trialist during the Scottish champions' 1–0 friendly win over BW Linz in Austria.He was a free agent after leaving Swindon Town.[14]

On 3 November 2017, Rodgers joined National League South side Hungerford Town following his release from Swindon.[15] Following a lack of game time, Rodgers opted to leave Hungerford; however, just two months later he rejoined the club.[16]

In July 2018, Rodgers was fielded as a trialist for Peterborough United in their pre-season friendlies.[17]

In September 2018, he joined Falkirk on trial after leaving Hungerford at the end of the 2017/18 season.[18]

Rodgers featured for Wealdstone and Bracknell Town during the 2018–19 season.[19][20] On 19 August 2019, Rodgers joined Marlow.[21]

On 1 October 2021, Basingstoke Town announced the signing of Rodgers for the 2021-22 season.[22]

International career

Rodgers has been capped twice by the Republic of Ireland U19, making his debut against Luxembourg on 7 October 2010.[23] He is eligible to play for England through birth, and Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland through parentage.[24]

Personal life

Rodgers is the son of Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers.[25]

Career statistics

As of match played 28 April 2018.[26]
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Brighton & Hove Albion2011–12Championship00100010
Exeter City (loan)2012–13League Two2000000020
Oldham Athletic2013–14League One7040003[a]0140
Swindon Town2014–15League One10200003[b]0132
2015–16League One36210002[a]1393
2016–17League One22110103[c]0271
Total685201081796
Hungerford Town2017–18National League South191001[d]0201
Career total96670101211167

References