Michael Tonge

Raised in Leigh, Tonge began his football career at Manchester United F.C. but moved to Sheffield United F.C. at the age of sixteen after being released by the Premiership club and now plays for Stoke City F.C..

Playing career

Sheffield United

Tonge was signed as a youth player by manager Steve Bruce when he was released by Manchester United F.C.. His talent quickly emerged and 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 Wanderers F.C.. Tonge scored his first competitive goal for the Blades in October the following season, netting the winner in a 1-0 home victory over Crewe Alexandra F.C..

Good performances led to an England national football team youth international call-up and by the end of 2003 interest from clubs such as Liverpool F.C., especially after scoring two goals to help the Blades to a 2-1 win in the first leg of the Semi-Final of the Football League Cup against the Merseyside team.

Stoke City

On 1 September 2008 Tonge signed for Premier League side Stoke City F.C. for a fee believed to be in region of £2m, which could eventually rise to £2.5m.

Biography

A highly rated midfielder during the 2002/2003 season who has since never really lived up to the form shown in that season. During the 2002/03 season Sheffield United reached both English cup semi finals and the league play-off final, and Tonge was a key man throughout. Playing on the left wing Tonge had many outstanding moments, including mesmeric performances against Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, Norwich City, Wolves, Reading, Derby, Liverpool in the league cup and in particular the home game 3-1 win against Millwall, where Tonge single handedly tore the Millwall defence to shreds with his dribbling ability. This performance is still thought of by Blades fans as one of the best individual performances by a Sheffield United player in recent years. He ended the season with the young player of the year award and speculation on his future at the club, with Liverpool reportedly interested after his two goals against them earlier in the season.

The following season much was again expected of Tonge, with a newly improved contract Blades fans were delighted to still have him at the club following the clubs failure to reach the premiership. 2003/04 saw Tonge impressively notch up over 15 assists but only 4 league goals. With the loss of Michael Brown much of the expectation lay solely on Tonge's still young shoulders, and the pressure at times showed. Still, the season saw him show some excellent individual performances, with the West Brom away 2-0 win being a highlight. Tonge ended the season coming 2nd in the player of the year award, and speculation on his future was again rife.

Season 04-05 was a disappointing one for Michael, poor form and critism from sections of the crowd hinded his progress, however his performance live on the BBC against Aston Villa in the F.A cup was a reminder of the great talent he possessed. The following season, he played in 33 games during the 2005-06 promotion campaign and his goal against Sheffield Wednesday on February 18, 2006 was selected as the Capital One Goal of the Season. Tonge was in outstanding form from December onwards and his new permanent position in central midfield looked like being the breakthrough Tonge had needed for a few years. In July 2006, Tonge signed a two-year extension to his contract which would take him through to the end of the 2007-08 season. He ended the 2005-06 campaign with 3 goals and 3 assists.

During the season 2006-07 in the premiership Tonge made some telling contributions including a spectacular free kick against West Ham United but whilst his technical play is praised, he has also been accused of poor consistency and a lack of confidence in the midfield for the Blades. He scored his first Premiership goal against Fulham F.C. on January 30, 2007. Tonge ended the Premiership season with some excellent individual performances, particularly against West Ham United F.C., Watford F.C. and Charlton Athletic F.C.. Overall though, Tonge looked comfortable at Premiership level.

During the summer there were rumours of possible moves to Birmingham City F.C. and Derby County F.C., Tonge has however always stayed loyal to his Sheffield United roots.

The 2007/08 season has so far been a bitter disappointment for Sheffield United and the players, with manager Brian Robson ending up getting fired. Tonge has suffered along with the rest of the side, many poor and inconsistent performances have once again troubled him. However, since new manager Kevin Blackwell took control of the side Tonge has been in excellent form, showing the ability all Sheffield United fans know he is capable of. He has so far scored only once this season.

During the summer there were again rumours of a possible move away from Bramall lane, with West Brom and Derby County reportedly both interested in Tonge's services.

After 9 years at the club, Tonge signed for Stoke city as a last minute deal on the 1 September 2008, for a reported £2million transfer fee.

Tonge will be remembered by Sheffield United fans as an frustrating player of undoubted natural ability, who never quite fufilled the huge potential he had. Although many great memories will remain of his time in a Blades shirt, with some indivdual performances of class only he was capable of producing in the squad at the time.