Anthony McNamee

In a follow–up match against Millwall, McNamee came on as a substitute in the 67th minute, and set up a goal for Heiðar Helguson eight minutes later, in a 1–0 win.

Anthony McNamee (born 13 July 1984) is an English former professional footballer who played as a left-sided midfielder, and current football manager.

Born in Kensington, England, McNamee began his career at Watford.

He quickly progressed through the ranks of Watford's youth system and then to the first team.

McNamee then progressed through the reserve side.

His performance in the reserve team led McNamee being called to the first team by Manager Gianluca Vialli.

At some point of early–April, he signed a contract with the club.

For the rest of the 2001–02 season, McNamee received a handful of first team football, resulting in him making seven appearances and scoring once for the side, which came against Gillingham in the last game of the season.

His progress in the reserve earned praised from Manager Vialli.

For his performance, McNamee was awarded 2001–02's Young Player of the Season.

In the 2002–03 season, McNamee appeared in the first team, mostly coming on as a substitute.

He spent at the start of the season in and out at the first team.

The club's manager Ray Lewington said about McNamee in September 2002, saying: "I would agree with that and they did quite well. He is going to be the worst-kept secret. They showed him inside, which I would do if I was playing against him and that makes the crosses a little bit flatter. We have to work with him so that if he does come inside, he knows what to do then. That is part of his education."

For the remaining 2002–03 season, McNamee continued to feature in and out of the first team.

At the end of the 2002–03 season, he went on to make twenty–two appearances in all competitions.

McNamee made two appearances for Watford at the start of the 2003–04 season, both coming on as a substitute.

After his loan spell at Barnet, McNamee spent the rest of the season, playing for the reserve side.

McNamee was loaned out to Barnet on a month loan in December 2003.

In the first half of the 2004–05 season, McNamee continued to sit out of the first team, remaining at the reserve side.

It wasn't until on 28 December 2004 when he made his first appearance of the season, coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute, in a 0–0 draw against Cardiff City.

McNamee made a number of appearances towards the end of the 2004–05 season, under both Lewington and new manager Aidy Boothroyd.

After helping Watford avoid relegation, he signed a one–year contract extension with the club.

At the end of the 2004–05 season, McNamee went on to make sixteen appearances in all competitions.

He went on to make five appearances for the side before returning to Watford in mid–January 2004.

In the 2005–06 season, McNamee continued to regain his first team place for the side.

It wasn't until on 1 November 2005 when McNamee scored his first Watford in over three years, in a 3–1 win over Queens Park Rangers.

For the remaining 2005–06 season, McNamee continued to feature in and out of the first team, as Watford were promoted to the Premiership via play–offs.

At the end of the 2005–06 season, he went on to make thirty–eight appearances and scoring once in all competitions for the side.

In the 2006–07 Premiership season, McNamee helped the side beat Accrington Stanley in the third round of the League Cup in a penalty-shootout after a tie 0–0 in the regular time and kept after extra-time.

It wasn't until on 28 November 2006 when McNamee made his Premier League debut, making a start before being substituted in the 72nd minute, in a 1–0 loss against Sheffield United.

He made seven appearances for Watford in the middle of, and also scored the only goal in their fourth round FA Cup victory at West Ham United.

Watford would go on to reach the semi-finals of the competition, but McNamee played no further part, as the club was relegated back to the Championship.

Watford returned to the Championship for the 2007–08 season, but McNamee only featured in two League Cup games and once in the league.

His first team opportunities at Watford this season has become more limited.

McNamee was sent on loan to League One side Crewe Alexandra in March 2007 for the remainder of the season.

He made his Crewe Alexandra debut on 24 March 2007, starting the match before coming off in the 82nd minute, in a 1–0 loss against Rotherham United.

He played five times for the Railwaymen.

For his performance, he extended his contract until 2008.

On 18 January 2008, was sold to League One side Swindon Town for an undisclosed fee.

McNamee made his debut for Swindon Town, starting the match before being substituted in the 62nd minute, in a 0–0 draw with Crewe Alexandra on 26 January 2008.