Tony Horseman

Tony 'Bodger' Horseman (born 1941) is a former amateur and semi-professional footballer who played for Wycombe Wanderers[1], and represented England[2] and Great Britain[3] at amateur level. He holds the club's all-time leading goalscorer and appearance records, with 416 goals in 749 appearances.[1] In addition he made approximately 200 non-first team appearances.[4] The Wycombe Wanderers club mascot 'Bodger' is named after him.[5]

Tony 'Bodger' Horseman
Personal information
Full name Anthony Horseman
Date of birth 1941 (age 78–79)
Place of birth High Wycombe, England
Playing position(s) Forward
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1961–1978 Wycombe Wanderers 749 (416)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Horseman began his career with East End United and Wallaby Sports[6] before joining Wycombe Wanderers as a twenty-year-old in 1961. He made his debut as a left winger in a 3–2 defeat at Oxford City and soon become a regular first team player at centre forward. He worked at the Healy WH Limited furniture factory at the time[7] and was associated with the furniture trade throughout his career — earning the nickname 'Bodger' after the local term for skilled wood turners.

His notable achievements include scoring 60 goals in just 51 first team appearances during the 1966/67 season.[1]

He played for Great Britain in November 1967 under Charles Hughes against West Germany in an Olympic games qualifier.[3]

He was part of the Wycombe side that dominated the Isthmian league in the early 1970s, winning in 1970–71, 1971–72, 1973–74, 1974–75.

In 1974/75 he was part of the Wycombe Wanderers team that reached the third round of the FA Cup for the first time, playing against first division Middlesbrough, then top of the table and managed by Jack Charlton. The game at Loakes Park was covered by London Weekend Television's Big Match cameras and Boro scraped a 0–0 draw. The side travelled up to Ayresome Park for the replay and a 30,128 crowd saw the semi-pros hold out until the last minute when David Armstrong slipped the ball past Wycombe goalkeeper John Maskell and into the bottom corner of the net.

In 1975/76 he played in both legs of the two-legged final tie in the Anglo-Italian Semi-Professional Trophy against A.C. Monza, which Wycombe won 2–1 on aggregate.[8]

He had opportunities to turn professional, including the offer of a trial at Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest, but was never interested in the professional game.[9] He was known throughout his career for a dislike of training and a fondness for Rothmans cigarettes.[10] His last match for Wycombe was against Sutton United in the 1977/78 season.

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References
  1. "Wycombe Wanderers Top Appearance Makers".
  2. "Centenary Brochure 1884-1984 A History Of Wycombe Wanderers Football Club" (PDF).
  3. "Tony Horseman : Wycombe Wanderers : Interview Part 3 of 4".
  4. "Tony Horseman : Wycombe Wanderers : Interview Part 4 of 4".
  5. "Mascots named in honour of footballers".
  6. "Tony Horseman : Wycombe Wanderers : Interview Part 1 of 4".
  7. "Tony Horseman : Wycombe Wanderers : Interview Part 1 of 4".
  8. "Wanderers lift European Trophy Wednesday 8th October 1975".
  9. "Tony Horseman : Wycombe Wanderers : Interview Part 4 of 4".
  10. Wycombe Wanderers vs. Wycombe Wanderers Past XI - Tony Horseman & John Maskell Testimonial Programme. Wycombe Wanderers. 15 November 1976.
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