BLACK SOCIAL HISTORY Patrick Anthony Olazinka "Tony" Agana (born 2 October 1963) is an English former professional footballer who played as a striker.
Born in Bromley Agana started his career in non-league football, before turning fully professional with Watford. He later moved to Sheffield United where he enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career, making over 100 appearances for the Blades and playing in the top tier of English football. He subsequently moved to Notts County for whom he also played over 100 games before finishing his career playing for a number of non-league teams. He had a brief spell as manager of Leek Townbefore retiring from football in 2002.
Career
Non-league and a move to Watford
Agana started his football career with non-league side Welling United whilst working full-time for an insurance company.[1]When his employers moved their offices to Poole he became a part-time professional with Weymouth, signing for £4,500 in March 1984.[2] He went on to make over 100 appearances for the south coast club and represented the England national game XI during his time there.[2]
In August 1987 Agana moved into professional football with First Division club Watford,[2] making his league début at the relatively late age of 23.[1] Agana made 15 appearances the Hertfordshire side, scoring one goal, as he acclimatised to league football.
Sheffield United
After only six months at Vicarage Road Agana was on the move again, this time to South Yorkshire side Sheffield United.[1] Dave Bassett, the manager who had signed Agana for Watford, had been sacked in January 1987 and subsequently joined Sheffield United and within days had sold Martin Kuhl to his former employers for £40,000, with Agana andPeter Hetherston moving to Bramall Lane as part of the deal.[1][2][3]
He made his début for United on 20 February 1988, scoring in a 1–0 home win against Barnsley but despite this promising start the team were in decline and were relegated at the end of the season.[1] The following season proved a different matter however as Agana struck up an immediate striking partnership with new signing Brian Deane. During the1989–90 season he scored 24 goals in 46 appearances which, along with a similar tally from his striker partner Deane helped United win promotion from the Second Division at the first time of asking,[1] with Agana being named the fans player of the year. The following season proved to be more of the same, with United gaining back to back promotions to take them into the then Division One thanks in part once more to Agana's goals, including a brace in the 5–2 victory at Leicester City that clinched promotion.[1]
With united now playing top flight football Agana's role began to diminish as injuries and a loss of pace began to take their toll[1] and he was eventually made available for transfer. In three years with the club he had scored 52 goals in 154 matches.[1]
Notts County and back to non-league
In November 1991 Agana signed for Notts County for a fee of £685,000 – which was a club record transfer fee at the time.[1] He was loaned to Leeds United briefly in February 1992 and contributed to their 1992 First Division title with two league appearances.[4] He went on to play 145 times for Notts County, scoring 15 goals.
After leaving County he went on to play for Hereford United, Cliftonville, Leek Town (including a six-game spell as caretaker manager in 1999[5]) and Guiseley, where he wasplayer-manager.[6]
Career after football
Following his retirement from football he studied computer visualisation at Sheffield Hallam University, graduating in 2004. Following his graduation he worked for the University of Manchester as a distance learning technology officer, as well as working for Sheffield United's matchday hospitality team.[6]
Sheffield United career statistics
| Season | Division | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987–88 | Division Two | 12 | 2 |
| 1988–89 | Division Three | 46 | 24 |
| 1989–90 | Division Two | 31 | 10 |
| 1990–91 | Division One | 16 | 2 |
| 1991–92 | Division One | 13 | 4 |
| Total | 118 | 42                                                                                         |
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