*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Tony Gallego
Appearances: 1 Goals: 0
Clean Sheets: 1
Date / Year of birth: 2nd June 1924
Position: Goalkeeper
Season of first appearance: 1947/48
Season of last appearance: 1947/48
Also played for: Abbey United, Cambridge Town, Norwich City (1,0), Canterbury City, Cambridge United and Biggleswade Town
Goalkeeper who was unusually short for the position who hailed from San Sebastian, Spain. Tony moved to England in May 1937 to escape the Spanish Civil War and arrived in the UK on a refugee boat with his elder brother Jose and their three younger sisters. The brothers ended up in Cambridge where they worked on a farm and learnt how to play football in their spare time. They soon came to the attention of local clubs.
Tony was signed by Abbey United (later known as Cambridge United) during World War II before joining Cambridge Town (later to be called Cambridge City) of the Spartan League where he played alongside Jose during the 1946/47 season.
On 15.3.47 Tony also made a one-off appearance for Norwich as they drew 3-3 with visitors Bristol Rovers in a Division 3 South game.
In October 1947 Tony had just had a short spell at Canterbury when he briefly joined Margate as an emergency measure when the club were short of a goalkeeper for a Kent Senior Shield match at home to Dartford. The match took place on 11.10.47 and it was only when a telegraph boy arrived at Hartsdown Park with a telegram ten minutes before kick- off that Tony was cleared to play. However he hardly had a save to make as Margate ran out 7-0 winners. It turned out to be Tony's only appearance and he then returned to Cambridge Town.
He later moved on to Cambridge United where he played alongside his brother Jose for several seasons. He was a left winger who also played in the Football League for Brentford, Southampton and Colchester United.
Tony finished his career at Biggleswade Town and was still living in the Cambridge area in 2009.
His full first name was Antonio but he was always known as Tony during his time in England.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
|
FAC |
KSC |
KLC |
KSS |
|
|
1947/48 (MFC) |
1 (47) |
N/A |
0 |
KENT LEAGUE DIVISION ONE (1ST OF 18) |
1QR |
1R |
W |
W |
|
Margate
won Kent League
title. | |||||||||