Anthony Gerrard

Anthony Gerrard (born 6 February 1986) is a former professional footballer who played as a centre back.

His performance in the academy led Gerrard to sign his first professional contract in May 2004 After signing a professional contract with the club, Gerrard went on trial with clubs based in the National League and his impressive performance at the trial led him to be sent out on loan for a month to Accrington Stanley on 6 September 2004.

Gerrard made an impressive display at Accrington Stanley and was keen on extending his loan spell for another month.

However, this never happened and he returned to Everton.

After returning to Everton, his return was soon short-lived when he suffered a knee injury whilst playing in the reserve., The injury was initially believed to be serious, but Gerrard managed to make a recovery

Later the same season, he was sent out on loan, this time to Paul Merson's Walsall.

Gerrard was released by Everton at the end of the 2004–05 season.

Weeks after being released by Everton, Gerrard signed for Walsall alongside Everton youth teammate Danny Fox.

Gerrard 's first appearance after signing for the club on a permanent basis came in the opening match of the season, where he played 90 minutes, in a 2–1 win over Rotherham United.

Gerrard made his Walsall debut two days later on 26 March 2005, playing 90 minutes, in a 1–0 loss against Oldham Athletic.

Gerrard made a name for himself and impressed there, as he went on to make eight appearances.

He made over 500 professional appearances in a career spent mainly in the English Football League, notably at Walsall where he won the 2006-07 League Two title and at Cardiff City where he was on the losing side as he faced his cousin Steven Gerrard's Liverpool side in the 2012 Football League Cup Final.

He began his career at the Everton Academy but failed to break into their senior side.

He qualified for the Republic of Ireland at international level through his grandparents and was capped at under-18 level.

In the 2006–07 season, Gerrard managed to remain in the first team and started for the first nine matches until he received a straight red card for a high tackle, in a 5–0 win over Peterborough United on 9 September 2006.

After serving three match as a result following an unsuccessful appeal, Gerrard soon scored his first Walsall goal on 30 September 2006, in a 4–0 win over Mansfield Town.

Injuries soon restricted him from the first team and made 36 appearances in the 2006–07 season.

However, under new manager Richard Money, Gerrard was part of the team which won the following season's League Two title in 2007.

In the 2007–08 season, Gerrard said he determined to play well in attempt to earn a new contract following Walsall's promotion to League One.

Gerrard then scored his Walsall goal of the season, in a 4–0 win over Huddersfield Town on 6 October 2007.

After making a name for himself at Walsall, Gerrard signed a contract extension with the club, keeping him until 2008.

However, Gerrard's first full season for the club was mixed as, while his individual performances earned him the Player of the Year award, the club suffered relegation to League Two.

A series of impressive performances in Walsall's first season back in League One led to a bid for Gerrard from Southampton in the summer of 2008.

After the bid was rejected Gerrard made a transfer request.

After this, Gerrard stayed at the club, though he was stripped of his captaincy because of his action.

Despite this, Gerrard remained in the first team at Walsall then scored his first goal of the season, in a 3–1 win over Northampton Town on 1 November 2008.

Gerrard continued to be in the transfer speculation in January, but remained at the club for the rest of the season.

Despite suffering injuries towards the end of the season, Gerrard scored two more goals against Brighton & Hove Albion and Stockport County.

Gerrard went on to make 42 appearances in the 2008–09 season.

On 2 July 2009, Gerrard signed for Championship club Cardiff City, a week after an offer of £200,000 was rejected from Scunthorpe United.

At the start of the season, Gerrard was chosen as first choice centre-back, alongside club captain Mark Hudson and went on to make his League debut for the Bluebirds against Scunthorpe United in the first League match at the Cardiff City Stadium, as Cardiff went on to win 4–0.

His first goal came on 20 October 2009 against Coventry City during a 2–0 victory.

Gerrard made his 200th club appearance in a 1–1 draw with Nottingham Forest on 1 November 2009 and scored his second goal for the club on 9 February 2010, in a 2–0 win over Peterborough United.

At the end of December, Gerrard signed a contract with the club, keeping him until 2010.

Towards the end of the season, Gerrard formed a central defence partnership with Scott Dann and went on to score two more goals against Brighton & Hove Albion and Cheltenham Town.

Once again, Gerrard was voted for the Player of the Year award.

After suffering a calf injury that kept him sidelined for four matches, Gerrard made his return to the team and set up one of Michael Chopra's goals, in a 2–1 win over rivals, Swansea City on 3 April 2010.

In his first season at Cardiff City, Gerrard finished the season, making 39 appearances and scoring two times.

In July 2020 he announced his retirement from football.

Born in Huyton, Merseyside, Gerrard joined his boyhood club, Everton Academy at age eight and appeared as captain for the youth academy at one point.