Player Profile

Anton RODGERS

Full name
Anton Michael RODGERS

Date of birth
January 26th, 1993 - Reading

First joined
July 17th, 2014 [unattached]

First team debut
September 23rd, 2014 vs. Newport County (Away)

Last match played
April 30th, 2017 vs. Charlton Athletic (Away)

Positions

AMC

DMC

CM
International career
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Under-19 international
2 apps.

Rodgers signed for Town in July 2014 after his release from Oldham Athletic. A midfielder who was at his best when lining up a free kick, Rodgers was the son of incumbent Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers - a link which may or may not have had anything to do with Town getting Brad Smith, Lawrence Vigouroux, Jordan Williams and Kevin Stewart on loan from the Anfield side over the following two seasons.

Rodgers’ appearances were limited in his first Town season with the midfield positions occupied primarily by the trio of Yaser Kasim, Massimo Luongo and Louis Thompson. His Town debut came as a substitute at Newport in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy, and he scored a goal on his league debut at home against Rochdale in October, but didn’t make another start before April, even with Kasim & Luongo away at the Asian Cup. A spell of five consecutive starts in April saw him gain more first team experience, and he scored a neat volleyed free kick on the final day of the regular season against Leyton Orient - a game which featured both Belford brothers in goal and Harry Agombar. The first choice midfield was restored for the playoffs though, and Rodgers’ involvement was restricted to a cameo substitute role in the second leg against Sheffield United.

Rodgers’ second season in Town colours saw him much more involved in the first team, making 39 appearances across all competitions as Town disappointed, following up the playoff final appearance with a 15th placed finish. Rogers’ elevation to regular first teamer owed much to the departure of Massimo Luongo, and it would be fair to say that he didn’t fill the Australian’s shoes in the eyes of the Town fans, with his spot in Town’s midfield three often coming under question. Rodgers generally had reasonable technical ability, but offered far less as an all round package than Town’s other midfield options.

The 2016/17 relegation season was to be Rodgers’ last for Swindon, playing fairly regularly over the first part of the season but largely confined to the bench for the second half. At the end of the season he was released, and despite playing a pre-season friendly for Celtic (managed by his dad) and a trial at Peterborough, he did not play league football again.

Playing Record


Senior

Season LEAGUE POST-SEASON FA CUP EFL CUP OTHER TOTAL
AppsGlsAppsGlsAppsGlsAppsGlsAppsGls Apps Gls
2016/17 19 (+3) 1 - - 0 (+1) - 1 - 3 - 23 (+4) 1
2015/16 29 (+7) 2 - - 1 - - - 2 1 32 (+7) 3
2014/15 7 (+3) 2 0 (+1) - - - - - 1 (+1) - 8 (+5) 2
TOTAL 55 (+13) 5 0 (+1) - 1 (+1) - 1 - 6 (+1) 1 63 (+16) 6

Reserve and Youth Team Appearances

Note that appearance data for reserve and youth teams may not be complete. Expand for more information.

Season RES. LGE TOTAL
AppsGls Apps Gls
2016/17 6 2 6 2
2015/16 - - - -
2014/15 - - - -
TOTAL 6 2 6 2

Career details


Club Details
Reading

Reading
 (schoolboy)
Chelsea

Chelsea
July 2009 (youth scholarship); released (May 2011)
Brighton and Hove Albion

Brighton
May 2011 (signed professional contract); released (rptd May 21st, 2013)
Exeter City

Exeter City
March 20th, 2013 (loan); expired (2012/3)
Oldham Athletic

Oldham Athletic
July 12th, 2013 ; released (2013/4)
Swindon Town

Swindon
July 17th, 2014 (unattached); released (2016/7)
Celtic

Celtic
June 26th, 2017 (trial)
Hungerford Town

Hungerford Town
November 3rd, 2017 (unattached); released (rptd January 15th, 2018)
March 2018 (unattached); released (2017/8)
Peterborough United

Peterborough United
July 2018 (trial)
Falkirk

Falkirk
rptd September 24th, 2018 (trial)
Wealdstone

Wealdstone
November 2018 
Bracknell Town

Bracknell
rptd March 29th, 2019 
Marlow

Marlow
rptd August 19th, 2019 
Basingstoke Town

Basingstoke
rptd October 1st, 2021 ; released (2022/3)