Tony Cascarino, born 1 September 1962 in the Republic of Ireland, is a retired footballer of notable repute. Known for his adept Centre Forward position and imposing figure, standing at 6ft 2in (1.9m) and a weight of 12st 3lb (78kg), Cascarino often sported the number 9 jersey on his back.
His career started in earnest in July 1981 when he signed for Gillingham, then playing in England's League Two. Over the subsequent six seasons, he made an overwhelming 219 first team appearances and netted a solid 78 goals in league matches.
Cascarino moved up the ladder in July 1987 when he joined Millwall, competing in the Championship. He spent three impactful seasons with the club, making 105 first team appearances and scoring 42 goals.
He then stepped onto the biggest stage of English football, joining Aston Villa in the Premier League in July 1989. Over the course of two seasons, Cascarino graced the pitch in Villa colours 46 times, scoring a respectable total of 11 goals.
In July 1991, Cascarino left England for Scotland to join the evergreen Celtic FC in the Scottish Premiership. His Celtic career, however, was a brief one, with 24 first team appearances and 4 goals being his only contribution in the 1991-1992 season. For reasons remaining opaque, his career at the club was cut short, lending an air of tantalising 'what-ifs' to Cascarino's time in green and white hoops.
A swift return to English football came about when Chelsea secured his services in February 1992. He had three seasons with the Blues where he made 40 first team appearances and notched up 8 goals.
In July 1994, Cascarino ventured outside of the confines of British football, jetting off to France to play for Ligue 1 side, Marseille. He impressed significantly during his time with the French club, scoring a whopping 61 goals in 84 appearances over three campaigns.
He subsequently joined AS Nancy Lorraine in the Championnat National in France in July 1996. Over the course of four seasons, Cascarino made 109 first team appearances and scored 44 goals.
Throughout his career, Cascarino displayed the qualities of a tireless striker and remarkable capability in front of goal, ensuring his place in the annals of football history.
