Antony Waiters
1 November 1937 – November 2020
Loughborough Hall of Fame member Tony Waiters has died. Waiters played football in goal for Blackpool and England. He was inducted into the Loughborough Sport Hall of Fame in 2013 and studied PE with Geography, graduating in 1959.
He was called up to England as backup to Gordon Banks in 1964. He won five England caps.
Waiters started his professional career at Macclesfield Town in 1958 before moving to Blackpool where he spent eight years and played more than 250 times. His playing career finished at Burnley before the experienced keeper went into management.
He managed Plymouth Argyle from 1972 to 197. Under his leadership the team reached the League Cup semi-final and were promoted to the Second Division.
He then moved to Canada where he managed the Whitecaps for two years from 1977 before taking over the Canadian national team from 1981. The national side played in the World Cup in Mexico in 1986, the only time in their history.
Waiters was inducted into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame in 2001.
Former Arsenal and Scotland goalkeeper and fellow Loughborough alumnus and Arsenal goalkeeping stalwart, Bob Wilson has paid tribute to Tony. He said:
“Tony’s death has come as a real shock to me. The football world remembers him as an outstanding goalkeeper for club and country. In acknowledging this myself I also have a special insight into the man himself. Tony preceded me as the keeper for Loughborough Colleges, as it was known then. As he left in 1959, I arrived in 1960 and naturally tried my best to fill the goal which he had defended so spectacularly. It was a huge challenge.
“Only a few days ago in trying to refile my life and career books I came across the programme for an Olympic Trial match on April 22, 1959. He was in goal for the “probables” and I was in goal for the “possibles”. We both then attended the GB Olympic Team training week at Bisham Abbey.
“Naturally, I closely followed Tony’s football career hoping that one day I might become a professional and play at International level.
“I am privileged to have known Tony, albeit briefly, and Loughborough University should also be proud of the part it played in shaping a great goalkeeper and lovely human being. I know we all send love and sympathy to his family.”