 |
| Image copyright of bbc.co.uk |
In the football world he's probably not what you had in mind when someone talked of a top scorer, but further down the leagues Mooney was a typical striker with the strength, power and presence that every fan wanted in their team, and he was cocky to go with it too, so when we started a chant of "Mooney, score us a goal" and "you fat bastard" after we continued to get battered he enjoyed a bit of banter with us every time he came near the away end. And that's why I always admired him as a footballer.
Tommy Mooney has certainly notched up a fair few clubs in his time, 13 to be precise, and could probably also be a contender for my 'journeyman' series of blog posts. He started his career at Aston Villa, although he never made a first team appearance and headed off to Scarborough in 1990 for 3 years where he first made his mark as a goal scorer. He was sold for a reported £100,000 to Southend, but never made much of an impact and went on loan to Watford before making the move permanent in July 1994.
Mooney's time at Watford was an ever changing one, he struggle at first to find his place in the team and was dropped to the bench and the reserves. The 1998/99 season was when he started to make his mark, although in a more defensive role, which was short lived due to team tactics. His chance came when he was brought on as a sub and set up a goal which lead to him being chosen the following week where he scored the first goal and set up a second...this set in motion a fantastic run in the side which saw Mooney score in every game bar one in the run up to the end of the season. Unfortunately, despite scoring a couple at the start of the season, he succumbed to injury against Chelsea and only went onto make eight appearances in the Premiership. Back to full fitness in the First Division, Mooney found his scoring boots again and ended the season with 20 goals.
With a better offer at Birmingham City, out of contract Mooney chose to leave Watford in June 2001 and spent two years at the club making 29 league starts including the play offs that got the club into the Premier League before being sent out on loan to Stoke City, Sheffield United and Derby County. Mooney was then key in Swindon Town's play off push in the 2003/04 season, scoring 20 goals...unfortunately, they lost in the semi-final to Brighton after Mooney missed his spot kick in the penalty shootout.
Mooney went on to spend a season with Oxford, once again finding the net plenty of times ad ended the season as their top scorer. Continuing his journey through the lower leagues, in 2005 he signed for Wycombe Wanderers on a two year deal, making an impression straight away in his debuty as a burly forward with all the attributes for a striker in the lower leagues. But injury halted his progress again, limping off the pitch in the play off semi final against Cheltenham. Mooney decided against signing a new contract with Wycombe and opting to sign for new League One side Walsall in July 2007, although after just a year at the club he rejected their offer of an extension at the club and in June 2008 he joined UD Marbella playing in the Segunda Division B league before retiring.
My research suggests that Tommy Mooney stayed put and now lives in Marbella with his family and this fantastic interview by Watfordlegends.com with him is a must read for any football fans.
I love footballers like Mooney, a big beefy player not afraid to get themselves out there, and cocky to go with it as well. One of the best things about being a fan of a lower league club is the banter that players have with the away fans and he certainly always enjoyed that. He was certainly the type of player you hate having on the opposition but would love to have in your team. I do wonder what he's up to now, does anyone know?!
No comments:
Post a Comment