Background
Antony Sweeney was born in Stockton-on-Tees and grew up as a Liverpool fan and his favourite player was Robbie Fowler.
Antony Sweeney was born in Stockton-on-Tees and grew up as a Liverpool fan and his favourite player was Robbie Fowler.
Hartlepool United
After developing into a good football player, he joined Hartlepool’s Youth Development programme, the same programme that developed players such as Adam Boyd and Jim Provett into first team regulars. He established himself as a hot prospect whilst in the youth team and was offered a permanent contract under Chris Turner to stop him going elsewhere. However, despite his potential Sweeney found it difficult to establish himself as permanent fixture in the team and spent the majority of the following two seasons in the reserves.
However towards the end of the 2003-2004 season, Sweeney was given a chance to cement his place in the first team due to injuries.
Soon after, Sweeney quickly scored his first goal against former manager Mike Newell"s Luton Town. Sweeney"s second goal for the club gained him even more recognition as it was in front of Sky television cameras in the second leg of the play-off semi-final against Bristol City.
Sweeney"s next season would prove to be even more action-packed as he played in 44 of Hartlepool"s 46 league matches. He received his first red card against Milton Keynes Dons after a tussle with Izale McLeod but he more than made up for it when he scored his first hattrick against Chesterfield in his next appearance.
Sweeney"s deceiving runs from midfield enabled him to get in behind opposition defences and this helped him to notch up 12 goals for the season, making him Hartlepool"s highest scoring midfield player.
Sweeney demonstrated his versatility by spending much of the 2009-2010 season playing in an unfamiliar right-back role. In both the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons he prospered in his regular position of central midfield, top scoring in both campaigns with nine and eight goals respectively. At the end of the 2011–2012 season Sweeney had played for Hartlepool 384 times, making him sixth in Hartlepool United"s all-time appearance list.
Carlisle United
On 20 June 2014, Sweeney signed a two-year deal with League Two side Carlisle United following their relegation from League One.