Anthony Elding

Anthony Lee Elding (born 16 April 1982) is an English football coach and former professional player.

Having been a member of Nottingham Forest's Centre of Excellence and enjoying run-outs with the academy teams at Lincoln City and Grimsby Town, Elding joined hometown club Boston United's academy at the end of the 1998–99 season.

Elding had his first taste of first team football as an unused substitute in the 1–1 Southern Football League draw at Atherstone United on 11 December 1999 but his senior debut did not come until 16 September 2000 when he appeared as a substitute for the final three minutes of the 2–1 home Football Conference victory over Morecambe.

Four days later he marked his first start for the club with a goal after just 32 seconds in the 5–1 home defeat to Nuneaton Borough in the Conference League Cup, and he remained a regular presence around the first team squad for the remainder of the season.

Elding was a striker and played from 2001 until 2016.

the a host of different clubs at youth level before signing for his hometown team Boston United in 2001.

After two seasons with United that saw loan spells with Bedford Town and Gainsborough Trinity he moved on to Stevenage Borough where he scored 50 league goals in 106 league appearances.

In September 2001, to gain experience, he joined Bedford Town on loan making a goalscoring debut in the 1–1 away draw with Heybridge Swifts on 18 September 2001.

Returning to Boston, he scored his first Conference goal for the club in the 1–1 draw at Margate on 1 December 2001 and three further goals in his next two games saw him attract the attention of Premier League scouts.

In January 2002, he trialled with Tottenham Hotspur, appearing for the reserves in their 1–0 defeat at Nottingham Forest's reserves on 14 January 2002.

The following week he trialled with Bolton Wanderers scoring twice for the reserves in their 2–1 home victory over Aston Villa's reserves on 22 January 2002.

However, no move materialised and Elding remained with Boston, completing the season with six league goals from twelve starts at the Pilgrims secured the Football Conference title and promotion to the Football League.

Elding made his Football League debut in Boston's inaugural game at home to AFC Bournemouth on 10 August 2002 but was stretchered off with an ankle injury.

Between 2003 and 2005 Elding was capped 6 times by the England C team.

Since retiring he has moved into coaching and holds the UEFA 'A' Licence Qualification.

He now is the manager of the under 17s side of League Of Ireland club, Longford Town.

Elding was born in Boston, Lincolnshire.

Returning to fitness he made only sporadic appearances for the first team and in February 2003 he joined Gainsborough Trinity on loan, debuting in the 1–0 home defeat to Gateshead on 8 February 2003.

However, his loan was cut short as he returned to York Street to complete a permanent move to Stevenage Borough.

In 2006, he had a brief spell with Kettering Town before re-signing with Boston.

He rejoined Boston in 2006 for his second spell at the club signing from Kettering Town, who he had previously joined for a fee of £40,000.

He also had a successful spell at Stevenage Borough.

Elding was at his most prolific during his time with Stevenage and was a favourite of the fans.

He was put on the transfer list as a result of an argument with manager Graham Westley.

Elding signed for an undisclosed five figure sum for fellow League Two team Stockport County at the start of 2007.

Elding made his debut in Stockport County's 2–0 win over his former-team Boston United at Edgeley Park.

This was the first win of the famous Football League record, winning nine consecutive games without conceding a goal with Elding contributing by scoring seven goals during this.

By the end of the season he had scored 11 league goals in 20 league games, which put him top of the County goalscoring charts for the season, his efforts were also recognised by the club as he became the first player to win back to back player of the month awards during the season.

At the start of the 2007–08 season, Stockport were inconsistent and it took until the third game for Elding to open his account, but six more were to follow in league and cup.

However, on 16 October 2007, Elding was suspended by Stockport, for a potential breach of contract, and potential breach of Football League rule 66.4 which prevents a player from approaching another club with a view to instigating a move.

However, the suspension was lifted on 19 October, with Elding stating: "I know why the club took the action they did, and I'm now looking forward to proving to everyone that I'm committed to County".

Elding scored a few more before a lean spell left him on the sidelines, but he managed to score five goals in five league games between the end of December and the end of January, which put him fifth in the League Two goalscoring charts.

He later moved on to Stockport County before joining Leeds United in 2008.

His stay at Elland Road was brief and he moved on to Crewe Alexandra.

Whilst with Crewe he was vice captain.

He spent time on loan at Lincoln City and back with Kettering.

In the summer of 2010 he joined Hungarian Premier League side Ferencváros before returning to England to sign with Rochdale.

Whilst with Dale he spent time back on loan with Stockport County before joining Grimsby Town in July 2010.

Elding played one and a half seasons with The Mariners where he was vice captain but following a loan spell with Preston North End he left by mutual consent in February 2013.

He spent the next three years in Ireland playing with Sligo Rovers, Cork City, Ballinamallard United and Derry City..