Andrew Warshaw speaks to former Ipswich and Wimbledon midfielder Anthony Wordsworth

In recent years more and more professional footballers have made the switch to television and radio in their retirement from playing.

Now Enfield Town has its own would-be Gary Lineker in the form of new signing Anthony Wordsworth. Anthony recently graduated with a first in sports journalism from Staffordshire University after a three-year course which he combined with playing in the lower leagues.

He began his career at Colchester United, before playing for the likes of Ipswich Town, Southend United, and AFC Wimbledon. Anthony also brings a wealth of experience to Enfield as the club embarks on a busy December schedule.

Anthony was able to complete his degree thanks to financial assistance from the Professional Footballers Association, which funded a large chunk of the course. “I’ve always been interested in journalism,” Anthony told the Dispatch. “It’s something I’d really like to do after football.

“When I was at Wimbledon, I became really friendly with the media team there. I probably spent more time in their office than I did hanging around with the lads. I used to come up with ideas and they encouraged me to get into it when I stopped playing. I’d ultimately like to be a presenter.”

To keep his hand in, Anthony co-commentates for Wimbledon whenever he can, provided it doesn’t clash with his commitments for Enfield.

Despite having represented a plethora of league teams, Anthony – who counts England and Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale as among his best friends — was pleasantly surprised at what he found when he arrived at Enfield, on-and-off the pitch.

“I’m not just saying this but I can tell you that Enfield Town is a very well-run football club,” he says. “I noticed that from the first second I walked into the club. Things like having their own kit man and a physio. Everything is done properly, it’s like a professional club.”

It helps that Anthony was already friends with fellow Town midfielder Sam Youngs and former club favourite Lee Chappell. He also knew first-team coach Ian Hart from when both were at Southend, although he had no intention of joining Enfield until he actually saw the set-up.

“Basically, I just wanted to get fit and asked if I could come in and train. Initially I had no interest in signing but I was so impressed with how things were done that when it was mentioned, I said yes straight away.”

At 33, Anthony can play both as an attacking and defensive midfielder and brings invaluable know-how to the club, having worked with a string of established coaches such as Mick McCarthy, Paul Lambert and Aidy Boothroyd.

“We’ve got such a good squad at Enfield. The boys are such a good bunch and the coaching staff are superb. To be honest, I don’t see that much difference with the professional game in terms of the level of detail. At this level, I don’t think you can get a better coaching set-up.”

And his hopes for the season? “That I can bring the experience I had at a higher level. But I also want to win the league. I’m not here for a jolly-up.”

No news is bad news 

Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts. 

The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less. 

If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation. 

Choose the news. Don’t lose the news.

Monthly direct debit 

Annual direct debit

£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.  

More information on supporting us monthly or yearly 

More Information about donations