Michael Tonge

Michael Tonge
Personal information
Full name Michael William Eric Tonge[1]
Date of birth (1983-04-07) 7 April 1983[2]
Place of birth Manchester, England
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Stevenage
Number 15
Youth career
Manchester United
1999–2001 Sheffield United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2008 Sheffield United 262 (21)
2008–2013 Stoke City 12 (0)
2009–2010 → Preston North End (loan) 7 (0)
2010 → Derby County (loan) 18 (2)
2010 → Preston North End (loan) 5 (1)
2012 → Barnsley (loan) 10 (0)
2012 → Leeds United (loan) 19 (4)
2013–2015 Leeds United 49 (0)
2015 → Millwall (loan) 6 (0)
2015– Stevenage 29 (2)
National team
2002 England U20 1 (0)
2003–2004 England U21 2 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:20, 8 May 2016 (UTC).


Michael William Eric Tonge (born 7 April 1983) is an English footballer who plays as a midfielder for Stevenage.

Tonge began his career in Manchester United's youth team before joining Sheffield United in 2001. He soon became a vital player for Neil Warnock's Blades, helping the Bramall Lane side achieve promotion to the Premier League in 2006. However, they were relegated after one season back in the top flight, and after an unsuccessful attempt to gain an instant return, Tonge signed for Stoke City in August 2008 for £2 million. Since joining Stoke, Tonge struggled to break into the first-team and had been sent out on loan to Preston North End (twice), Derby County, Barnsley and Leeds United. He joined Leeds on a permanent basis in January 2013. He left Leeds in May 2015 and then played for Millwall and Stevenage.

Career

Sheffield United

Born in Manchester,[2] Tonge was signed as a youth player by manager Steve Bruce when he was released by Manchester United. He was in the Sheffield United first team reckoning by April 2001. He made his first senior start in the last game of the 2000–01 season, a 1–1 draw away at Bolton.[4] Tonge scored his first competitive goal for the Blades in October of the following season, netting the winner in a 1–0 home victory over Crewe.[5]

Good performances led to an England youth international call-up and by the end of 2003 interest from clubs such as Liverpool, especially after scoring two goals to help the Blades to a 2–1 win in the first leg of the semi-final of the League Cup against the Merseyside team.[6] In total Tonge went on to spend seven years at the Blades and made more than 300 appearances for the club during that time.

Stoke City

On 1 September 2008, Tonge signed for Premier League side Stoke City for a fee believed to be in region of £2 million, which could eventually rise to £2.5 million. He made his City debut against Everton on 14 September 2008.[7] Tonge failed to establish himself in the Stoke squad and only made a further nine appearances in the 2008–09 season. Following loan spells with Preston and Derby, Tonge returned to Stoke for pre-season, where he scored in games against Newcastle Town and Burnley. Due to his pre-season form, he finally made a league appearance for Stoke against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.

He was recalled from his loan spell at Preston on 31 December by manager Tony Pulis.[8] Tonge completed a full pre-season prior to the 2011–12 season, playing in all but one of Stoke's games and scoring in the 3–1 friendly win against Austrian side SV Thal.[9] On 18 August 2011, he made his first start of the season in Stoke's 1–0 Europa League play-off win against FC Thun, making his European debut in the process.[10] On 2 September, Tonge was left out of the Stoke 25-man Premier League and 23-man Europa League squads for the first half of the season, which meant he was only eligible to play in domestic cup and reserve games.[11] He scored for the Stoke Reserves in their 2–1 win over Nottingham Forest Reserves on 28 September.[12] Tonge was again left out of Stoke's 25-man squad for the 2012–13 season.[13]

Loan spells

After failing to fully settle at Stoke, Tonge left on 19 November 2009 when he signed a loan deal with Preston North End and made his debut on 23 November against Newcastle United.[14] Tonge later signed for Derby County on transfer deadline day on loan until end of the season. Tonge scored his first goal for Derby in a 2–0 win over Watford on 6 March 2010.[15] After struggling for first team appearances for Stoke, Tonge returned to one of his old clubs Preston North End on a months loan on 17 November 2010 along with fellow Stoke team-mate Danny Pugh.[16] This was extended until 16 January 2011.[17] He scored his first goal for Preston in a 1–1 draw with Cardiff on 4 December 2010.[18] On 24 January 2012, Tonge joined Championship side Barnsley on loan until the end of the 2011–12 season.[19] He made his debut a week later, playing 66 minutes in the 3–2 league win against Derby County.[20]

Leeds United

On 13 September 2012, Tonge linked up with his former Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock and joined Leeds United on loan until December 2012.[21] Tonge made his Leeds United debut on 15 September against Cardiff City partnering Rodolph Austin in central midfield.[22] Tonge scored his first goal for Leeds, when he scored the winner against Bristol City in a 3–2 victory on 29 September.[23] Tonge scored his second Leeds goal with a long range strike against Sheffield Wednesday in a 1–1 draw.[24] He continued his goal scoring form for Leeds against Southampton in a 3–0 League Cup win.[25] After his loan deal expired on 23 December 2012, Leeds manager Neil Warnock revealed he wanted to sign Tonge permanently, Tonge also revealed that he wanted to join Leeds on a permanent deal.[26][27] New Leeds director, Salem Patel also revealed Leeds were in negotiations to sign Tonge on a permanent deal in January.[28]

He joined Leeds on a permanent two and a half-year contract in January 2013.[29][30] Tonge made his second debut for Leeds on 12 January in Leeds' Yorkshire derby against Barnsley.[31]

Millwall loan

On the deadline day of the January 2015 transfer window, 2 February, Tonge joined Millwall on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season. This loan would also take him to the end of his Leeds United contract.[32]

On 13 May 2015, upon the expiry of his contract, Leeds announced that they would not be renewing Tonge's contract at the club.[33]

Stevenage

Tonge joined League Two side Stevenage on 19 October 2015.[34]

International career

In 2002, Tonge made his debut for the England U20 national side. Between 2002–03, Tonge also received two caps for the England U21's.

Career statistics

As of 8 May 2016[35]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Sheffield United 2000–01 First Division 2000000020
2001–02 First Division 30320000033
2002–03 First Division 446407230588
2003–04 First Division 464302000514
2004–05 Championship 342502100413
2005–06 Championship 303102000333
2006–07 Premier League 272100000282
2007–08 Championship 451304000521
2008–09 Championship 4000100050
Total 262211901833030224
Stoke City 2008–09 Premier League 1001000–110
2009–10 Premier League 000030–30
2010–11 Premier League 201010–40
2011–12 Premier League 0000001010
2012–13 Premier League 000000–00
Total 120204010190
Preston North End (loan) 2009–10 Championship 7000000070
Total 7000000070
Derby County (loan) 2009–10 Championship 182100000192
Total 182100000192
Preston North End (loan) 2010–11 Championship 510000–51
Total 5100000051
Barnsley (loan) 2011–12 Championship 1000000–100
Total 100000000100
Leeds United 2012–13 Championship 3541031–395
2013–14 Championship 2300020–250
2014–15 Championship 700010–30
Total 604106100675
Millwall (loan) 2014–15 Championship 600000–60
Stevenage 2015–16 League Two 2921000–302
Career total 410302402844046534
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the Football League play-offs and UEFA Europa League.

References

  1. ↑ "Statistics" (PDF). Premier League. Retrieved 9 March 2010.
  2. 1 2 Hugman, Barry J. (2005). The PFA Premier & Football League Players' Records 1946–2005. Queen Anne Press. p. 616. ISBN 1-85291-665-6.
  3. ↑ "BBC Sport Football: Squad profiles, Michael Tonge". BBC. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "Bolton strike late to deny Blades". BBC Sport. 6 May 2001. Retrieved 3 December 2007.
  5. ↑ "Sheff Utd 1–0 Crewe". BBC Sport. 27 October 2001. Retrieved 3 December 2007.
  6. ↑ "Blades cut down Liverpool". BBC Sport. 8 January 2003. Retrieved 3 December 2007.
  7. ↑ Sanghera, Mandeep (14 September 2008). "Stoke 2–3 Everton". BBC.
  8. ↑ "Pugh And Tonge Return". stokecityfc.com. 31 December 2010.
  9. ↑ "SV Thal 1 Stoke City 3". stokecityfc.com. 15 July 2011.
  10. ↑ "FC Thun 0 – 1 Stoke". BBC Sport. 18 August 2011. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  11. ↑ "Shocks As Potters Announce Premier League and Europa League Squads". stokecity-mad.co.uk. 2 September 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  12. ↑ "Mama's Return Sparks Victory". stokecityfc.com. 28 September 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.
  13. ↑ "25-Man Squad Announced". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  14. ↑ "Tonge seals Preston loan switch". BBC Sport. 19 November 2009. Retrieved 19 November 2009.
  15. ↑ "Derby 2–0 Watford". BBC. 6 March 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  16. ↑ "City Pair Head North". stokecityfc.com. 17 February 2010.
  17. ↑ "Preston extend Danny Pugh and Michael Tonge loan deals". BBC Sport. 18 December 2010.
  18. ↑ "Cardiff 1 – 1 Preston". BBC Sport. 4 December 2010. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  19. ↑ "Tykes Tie Up Tonge". Stoke City F.C. Retrieved 24 January 2012.
  20. ↑ "Barnsley 3–2 Derby". BBC Sport. 31 January 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  21. ↑ "MIDFIELDER SIGNS UP IN LOAN DEAL". Leeds United F.C. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  22. ↑ "Leeds leave Cardiff empty handed..". Leeds United F.C. Retrieved 15 September 2012.
  23. ↑ "Diouf double and stunning Tonge strike secure win...". Leeds United F.C. Retrieved 29 September 2012.
  24. ↑ "TONGE SECURES HILLSBOROUGH DRAW". Leeds United F.C. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
  25. ↑ "Leeds 3 – Southampton 0". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  26. ↑ "Tonge desperate to return to Leeds". Vital Leeds. 23 December 2012.
  27. ↑ "Leeds United: Tonge wants to return to Elland Road permanently". Yorkshire Evening Post. 21 December 2012.
  28. ↑ "Leeds United: New director Patel keen to keep hold of 'key' loan duo". Yorkshire Evening Post. 22 December 2012.
  29. ↑ "Midfielder signs up for long term". Leeds United F.C. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  30. ↑ "Leeds United sign Stoke City midfielder Michael Tonge". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  31. ↑ "Barnsley vs Leeds". Leeds United Official Website. 12 January 2013. Retrieved 12 January 2013.
  32. ↑ "Leeds United: Tonge gone but Cani in as Austin stays". Yorkshire Evening Post. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  33. ↑ "Austin Released by Leeds United". Leeds United. 13 May 2015. Retrieved 12 May 2015.
  34. ↑ "Former Sheffield United, Leeds and Stoke midfielder signs for Stevenage". Hertfordshire Mercury. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  35. ↑ "Michael Tonge". SoccerBase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
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