Anthony Rougier departs Brentford.

Brentford FC Website.
25-Mar-2004 - Bees wing-man Tony Rougier is expected to join Bristol City with minutes to spare before today's transfer deadline expires. The 32-year-old Trinidad & Tobago international is due to sign non-contract forms with the Ashton Gate club as Brentford have received official confirmation from the Football League and Football Association of his departure.
Tony made 34 apprearances for Brentford, scoring 5 goals since his arrival from Reading in August last year. The Club wishes to place on record its thanks and appreciation for Tony’s services and wish him well in the future.  Danny Wilson has talked about the attacking qualities that persuaded him to sign Tony Rougier on a short-term contract. And the manager admits that the Trinidad and Tobago striker's all-action display against City at Ashton Gate last month was an important factor in making him a target. In an exclusive interview, Danny told bcfc.co.uk: "Tony showed that day what pace and power he can display going forward. We haven't been getting enough goals and he will help in that respect. "Brentford have been forced to reduce their wage bill by parting with a number of players and Tony was told he wouldn't be playing much first team football there.
"Had we let the deadline go by without bringing people in we would always have wondered what might have been." "He can play wide as well as up front so he increases the competition for places in more than one area." Rougier is expected to meet his new team-mates at training tomorrow morning and will go straight into the squad for Saturday's game at Port Vale. Reflecting on his hat-trick of deadline day signings, Danny said: "Had we let the deadline go by without bringing people in we would always have wondered what might have been. "Now we have all been given a boost and I would think our rivals will look at the signings we have made and see that we are having a real go."

Anthony Rougier reflects on his pro career and the cost of not having a selfish streak.

By Lasana Liburd.
11-Sept-2003 - “If I’d scored more goals, I’d probably be playing in the Premiership by now,” said Brentford and Trinidad and Tobago footballer Anthony Rougier. “I can score goals. That is a fact. But I’ve never had that hunger, that knack, to go into games wanting to score goals.
“I probably gained more pleasure from creating and stopping goals as compared to Dwight (Yorke) or Stern (John) who love to score.”
It was a poignant but, most of all, extremely honest statement by Rougier as he sat down with the Express Sports to reflect on his sporting career.
At 32, the versatile utility player has played professionally for nine years in the United Kingdom, which is an accomplishment in itself.
He shares a nice home in Reading and fairly comfortable lifestyle with his wife and childhood sweetheart, Trisha, and two daughters, Alisha-Kae and Maya-Kia.
But there are times when he believes that he could have had more.
Surely Saturday afternoon was one of those days. His day at the office began with an award from his employers at the Brentford Football Club who named him their Player of the Month for August—although he only joined the club in the middle of last month.
But it all went downhill from there as the “Bees” were whipped and outplayed 3-1 by visitors Plymouth Argyle to remain one place off the bottom of the English Second Division table.
It was not where Rougier had expected to be when he left ambitious Division One team, Reading, in the summer or after his first professional deal with Raith Rovers in 1994.
Rougier admitted as much to the Express Sports at the weekend.
At present, he is paid by Brentford on a match-to-match basis that he said he requested from the club so he would be free to move when a bigger team showed interest.
“There was interest from other clubs but for whatever reason it didn’t happen in the summer,” said Rougier. “I am just waiting for a club to come in and say they want me. I thought I wasn’t playing enough games (at Reading) and I didn’t feel I was given a fair chance although the manager didn’t think so.
“At the moment, it doesn’t seem like the right thing because I’m in the Second Division and Reading in the top two in Division One and I may have been playing regularly by now.”
It is usually unfair to compare players but there was a huge difference between the utility player and the summer’s big transfer deal.
David Beckham uprooted his wife and two children and headed for Real Madrid to face colossal expectations as well as a different language and lifestyle.
Granted, Real Madrid offers an extraordinary pull to any player.
Beckham said that he and his family would make the sacrifice for his experience as a player.
Rougier is not nearly as selfish, though.
His wife, Trisha, is studying for an accounting degree at the Thames Valley University in London and Rougier is unwilling to move his family in any case.
“It would be nice to have a club in London but the clubs who are interested, at least the major ones, are not in London,” he explained. “I love my family and I believe it is always important to have close relationships with your family.”
Rougier does not have a selfish bone in his body.
It is a great attribute for a person to have but a tragic flaw when discovered in a professional athlete.
He has nearly everything else.
Dundee manager Jim Duffy still heaped praise on his former charge at Hibernian when Express Sports met him two weeks ago in Scotland.
Brighton manager Steve Coppell declared that “he’s a little bit of ‘something else’ “when he brought him on loan last season while Reading manager Alan Pardew was even more complimentary.
Pardew, who is on the wishlist of fallen giants West Ham, compared his influence at the “Royals” to that of former French star Eric Cantona at Manchester United.
And yet, it has never quite worked for “Tony”.
At Griffin Park on Saturday, Rougier’s poise and skill stood out in a game that would have given any South American coach nightmares.
The ball barely touched the ground for much of the first half and, for long periods, Brentford appeared to be using a 4-1-5 system based on five attackers chasing long punts upfield.
The complexion of the game changed whenever Rougier was in possession.
Blessed with a central defender’s physique, a midfielder’s brain and a striker’s change of direction, his crosses from either foot always warranted attention while his feint and hook backs were well received by both sets of supporters.
Yet, it is also worth mentioning that Rougier did not get a shot off for the duration of the match nor could he directly coax a goal from his strikers.
Not surprisingly then, he lamented the poor guidance he received early in his professional life while he also accepted that certain decisions he made were not helpful to his career.
One such decision was his astounding rejection of a possible move to Scottish Premier League giants, Celtic.
Rougier was 23 when he landed in England for an unsuccessful trial with Bradford City.
Not put off, he sought lodging from former national teammate Jerren Nixon, who was then at Scottish top flight club Dundee United, in a bid to break into the professional arena there.
In just two weeks time, he had signed on the dotted line for Division Two club Raith Rovers who he helped push to promotion within his first season.
If the Scottish lords were unsure about his abilities, Rougier announced his presence emphatically in a Scottish Cup match against Celtic with a thunderous 30-yard drive into the top corner at Parkhead.
Celtic were interested but Rougier was not.
In retrospect, Rougier blamed his then agent Majeed Mohammed for not properly guiding his young and somewhat naïve player.
“I depended on Majeed for guidance and I don’t think he did a good job at all,” he said. “I had offers from clubs like Bolton and Queen’s Park Rangers when they were in the top league and Celtic too. I didn’t know better.
“They were telling me it was better for me to stay at Raith when Celtic wanted me. And, nice man that I am, I felt that they had given me my break so I stayed.
“But I should not have turned down Celtic.”
One can only speculate about how Rougier’s career would have he changed had he joined one of Britain’s biggest clubs at just 24.
And the contrast to Yorke, who drove to Villa chairman “Deadly” Doug Ellis on the eve of the transfer deadline and begged to be sold to Manchester United, is immense.
“In football, you have to be cocky and greedy sometimes,” he said. “You must believe you can do something everytime you get the ball and demand the ball. I think I’ve always been confident but I am not really one to demand the ball.
“I am more of a nice, team person.”
At 33, the lights have hardly gone out in Rougier’s career and he is expecting and praying for two more years in the First Division.
He would then enjoy a spell in the United States and Trinidad.
“If even for half a season to hear those drums in the stands again,” he said, “like (when I played for) Trintoc and to give local people a glimpse of a pro player in the local league. Hopefully, it would be something they would treasure as well as me.”
Before then, he must find the hunger and ambition required to take him back to the relative heights he enjoyed.
A selfish streak would do nicely.
“I know some strikers who are happy if they lost the game 3-1 but they scored,” he said. “But I always put team first. In the world of sport that has been my biggest problem.”
“It is probably why it has taken so long for me to get in another club. If I was scoring 10 goals a season, I’d probably be in a good Division One club by now.
“I need to get it in my head to go out and score goals and aim for double figures every season.”

Anothony Rougier joins Bees on 3 months loan.

14-Aug-2003 - Brentford haved completed the signing of Anthony Rougier. The Trinidad & Tobago International has signed a three-month contract. He played for Reading plus Brighton & Hove Albion last season, and has won over seventy caps for his country. Tony will wear squad number 25 for Brentford.

Anthony Rougier keen on switch to Brighton.

TnT Guardian Reports.
27-May-2003 - Trinidad and Tobago’s footballer Anthony Rougier says he is considering a move to English Division Two club, Brighton, after being released by Reading.
At the end of the season, the 31 year-old T&T international had a temporary spell with the Seagulls before rejoining Reading for the end of the season.
Brighton was relegated at the end of the season after finishing second from bottom in the table. But Rougier, who cost Reading £325,000 from Port Vale in 2000, was one of five players released by Reading boss, Alan Pardew, and is available on a Bosman free.
Rougier, who scored two goals for Steve Coppell’s side, told the Brighton Telegraph & Argus: “I am searching for another club.
“There is always a possibility of coming back to Brighton but they have to show interest in me. “I did well and I enjoyed my time there but I haven’t spoken to them. I know Brighton is ambitious and I enjoyed playing with the players there.
“I felt comfortable. They are a great outfit and, because I’ve had the experience of being there, I know they are capable of getting back up into the First Division,” added Rougier.

Praise, then axe for Anthony Rougier.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
Reading FC manager Alan Pardew showered praises on utility player Anthony Rougier after announcing that he would not be offering the player a new contract on Monday.
Rougier’s contract has ended and his three-year stay with the club is over.
Pardew said: “Rougier has had a fantastic three years. Not only has he displayed great footballing qualities, but his personality and presence cannot be underestimated. His faith is so strong that it has spread around Reading FC.”
The manager said Rougier approaches his life super-positive. “Although I’m sure he is disappointed today, he will without doubt secure a club at this level. Personally I would like to thank him. I’m a better person for having met him,” Pardew ended.
Rougier, formerly of Scottish sides Raith Rovers and Hibernian, as well as Port Vale in England, scored three goals this season which saw him hampered with niggling ankle injuries. He made a positive return from injury in October when he netted a double in a 4-3 win over Oxford United.

Coppell sorry to see hot-shot Anthony Rougier leave.

24-Mar-2003 - Brighton manager Steve Coppell paid tribute to departing striker Tony Rougier following his brace in the 2-2 draw at Ipswich.
Rougier is returning to Reading following his month-long loan spell and Coppell admitted he will be missed as the Seagulls battle against the threat of relegation.
Coppell said: "We had a few wounded soldiers who perhaps should not have been playing. Tony Rougier was one of those and now that he is leaving we will be down to the bare bones.
"In an ideal world Tony would have been able to stay with us on an immediate recall but a month was agreed at the outset."

Anthony Rougier's prayers answered.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
26-Feb-2003 - Anthony Rougier had his prayers answered when he scored a winning goal on his debut for Brighton Albion last weekend.
Rougier moved to the club on a one-month loan deal from Reading FC, struck against Millwall.
"By the grace of God that is what my family and I have prayed for, a start like that. That's the reason I came here, to make a difference, and I'm hoping with the grace of God I will continue to do that. There were other clubs that wanted me. Only through prayer did I decide to come to Brighton.
"There might have been other clubs more attractive but in my heart I felt Brighton was the right place to be," said Rougier who has been invited to represent T&T at the Gold Cup qualifiers from March 26-30.
Rougier is currently at the same club of prolific striker Bobby Zamora who is eligible to represent the "Soca Warriors" as well as Republic of Ireland and England. Among the 24 teams, Brighton are in 21st spot with 29 points.

Anthony Rougier Joins Brighton in One-Month Loan Deal.

Brighton News.
19-Feb-2003 - Reading attacking-midfielder Anthony Rougier has become the latest player to join Albion on loan, having agreed to a one-month deal earlier today. The 31-year-old has appeared regularly for the Royals in the first half of the season, but his last match was the 3-1 defeat against Leicester at the end of January.
Trinidad-born Rougier signed for Reading before the start of the 2000/01 season from Port Vale for £325,00, having previously played in Scotland for Raith Rovers and Hibernian. Although not a prolific scorer for the Royals, his fluent attacking style soon made him a favourite at the Madejski Stadium and he has found the net twice this season so far.
Albion manager Steve Coppell today exclusively revealed to seagulls.co.uk his reasons for signing Rougier. "Tony's a player I've watched for a number of years and I've always had the feeling that he's a player who can influence a game. 
"He's a little bit of 'something else' - with the suspensions to Bobby Zamora and Gary Hart, and with the injury to Paul Kitson, there's not many options, so I'm pleased with what Tony will bring to us.
"It's been difficult finding someone, and I've been down a lot of blind alleys. Everything clicked with Tony though, especially because of my relationship with Alan Pardew, so I'm very greatful for that."
The Royals striker knows all about his new side - he figured in both of the top-of-table clashes between Brighton and Reading towards the end of last season. He will join up with his new team-mates on Friday, and is likely to make his debut alongside Zamora against Millwall on Saturday.

Anthony Rougier's time has come - boss.

TEAMtalk News.
20-Aug-2002 - Manager Alan Pardew is tipping striker Anthony Rougier to play a "big part" for Reading this season
Rougier did not feature in Royals' opening two games of the season and he only played 15 minutes of the match against Coventry.
However, Pardew is confident his powerful front man can come good and challenge Martin Butler, Nicky Forster, Martin Butler and Darius Henderson for a bigger role.
Last season Pardew's men chalked up seven successive wins with Rougier in the side and the boss said: "Rouge has not been involved too much so far but I feel he's got a big part to play this season.
"I look back at the seven games we won last season without conceding a goal and he was in the team up front and tomorrow against Luton he has a his chance to show what he can do and prove to me he should be in the side."
Rougier, who will play for Reading reserves against Luton on Wednesday, said: "I want to play every game and I'm obviously disappointed I'm not, especially against Derby when we were 3-0 down. It's up to the manager to pick the best team he thinks will win the game and I aim to show in training that I should be in there.
"If I'm not picked then I will be ready for the next one. I have played at this level and I know I can do well for Reading."

Anthony Rougier still wants to play for TnT.

By: Shaun Fuentes.
12-June-2002 - Trinidad and Tobago utility player Anthony Rougier has put to rest talks that he was considering retiring from playing for this country.
The English-based professional, now back home on holidays, said on Monday that he would still relish the opportunity of donning the red, white and black strip, once called upon.
The former national captain who led T&T to the 1999 Copa Caribe title, also expressed concern on the current state of the local game, hoping that the right approach be taken with a view of the persons being at the helm being able to overcome the obstacles which may stand in the way.
"Definitely I am looking forward to see what's in store for Trinidad and Tobago. There have been so many different times for us. There was one time when we were saying we didn't have the right players and the organisation was ready and right and then now we have taken a whole new turn where we are having problems with sponsorships and so on just when things we probably looking good again," Rougier told TTFF Media.
"It's always difficult in football. What we have to do is ensure that we are careful with our next step. We don't want to spoil things for the people to come. We have to be very careful because we need the sponsorships, the support of corporate Trinidad and Tobago and the support of the people. There are lot of players now evolving and our football should be very good but there are a lot of other things that comes with the game now and we have to put these things in place," said Rougier.
"I just want to see things go right. I was much involved as captain when Bertille was in charge of the team and we saw him lose his position, then we had Ian Porterfield here and he left us and now Rene Simoes came and again we have had to lose him under different circumstances. I'm just saying that we should do things properly, let's not do things personal. There have been so many silly things that have happened but we can make it right by not doing things based on personal issues and just do it in the best interest of Trinidad and Tobago football," added the 30-year-old player.
When asked about his international future, the former Hibernian player replied "At the moment I am still available to play for Trinidad and Tobago."
He will return to England soon to being preseason preparations with Reading FC as they get ready for the new English First Division season after earning promotion earlier this year.

Pressure mounting on Anthony Rougier.

By: fleX.
12-Feb-2002 - Pressure is mounting on manager Alan Pardew to drop Trinidadian striker Tony Rougier and recall the free-scoring Jamie Cureton, this was the news coming off the Team Talk website.
Royals fans in a capacity crowd of more than 6,700 at Brighton's cramped Withdean Stadium were disappointed when last season's leading scorer Cureton was again among the substitutes even after scoring the winner against Notts County on Saturday, again as a sub. Rougier is one of seven strikers now on Reading's books but the £240,000 signing from Port Vale is no nearer bagging his first goal of the season.
Once again it was late in the match that Cureton came on and almost immediately delivered the goods in the shape of his 11th goal of the season - something of a contrast to Rougier - but manager Pardew is unrepentant.
''No one was complaining when we were going eleven matches without losing and building up a seven point lead at the top of the table," he said. "Jamie is a great finisher as he proved again against Brighton and I understand that some of our fans want to see him in from the start.''

Jamie Cureton blast Anthony Rougier.

By fleX.
08-Feb-2002 - Jamie Cureton has prompted more speculation about his future after admitting he feels he has been harshly treated by Royals boss Alan Pardew.
Cureton, who has not started a match since December, has launched a scathing attack on his manager after spending the last nine games on the bench.
Last season's top scorer admitted he has been left baffled by Pardew's decision to select Trinidad striker Tony Rougier ahead of him for the past eight weeks.
Rougier is still waiting for his first goal of the season and while Cureton admits the 30-year-old frontman is playing well, he insists strikers should be judged on the number of times they find the net.
The former Bristol Rovers hot-shot added: "The way I see it Tony has started the last nine games and not scored and strikers should live and die by how many goals they get.
"I admit he has been playing well and I know the team have been winning but nobody can expect me to be happy about this situation."
Cureton became an instant hit with Royals fans last season when he bagged 31 league and cup goals following a £250,000 move from Bristol Rovers.
He has scored nine times this term including a second-half double during last month's win over Port Vale but even that was not enough to persuade Pardew to hand the 26-year-old a starting spot.

Anthony Rougier Wins December Award.

12-Jan-2002 - Anthony Rougier has won the Reading FC Official December, Player of the Month award.
Following some very impressive performances, Anthony has made sure that he is one of the first names that Manager Alan Pardew puts on his team sheet, leaving last years second division's golden boot winner, Jamie Cureton on the bench.
When past the news Anthony was thrilled, saying Its amazing, looking back to the beginning of the season I was looking to be loaned out to a lower league club for experience, and I am glad that I have been given the chance to prove myself.
The club has some fine players here, and to actually win the award is a real boost. However I could not do it without the backing of the whole team. We have a wonderful team spirit going, and I truly feel that we are going places. I'd also like to thank the manager for sticking with me, and giving me the opportunity to prove my worth.
Most of all I would like the fans. They have been amazing, sending best wishes to me via the web site and in person. I appreciate all the support they give me and the team. It's amazing to hear the fans singing your name, its gives you that extra boost on the field.

Rene Simoes slams Anthony Rougier.

09-Jan-2002 - Trinidad & Tobago boss Rene Simoes has hit out at Tony Rougier after the star opted against playing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup tournament. 
Rougier is considered to be a vital component of The Soca Warriors outfit and was due to fly out to America this week to meet up with his compatriots ahead of the Gold Cup. 
However, the former Port Vale winger has instead decided to stay with The Royals after recently winning back a first-team place. 
He said: "I would have been away for most of the month if I had gone with Trinidad. It would have been different if I had not been playing regularly but I'm enjoying being back in the team and things have gone very well for me lately." 
Simoes has slammed the 30-year-old's decision and insisted yesterday that the move would bear repercussions. 
"He (Rougier) asked for an excuse and that's fine," said Simoes. "But next time when I have to pick my team I think I might ask him to excuse me. It is not as if this is a friendly - this is an official tournament."
“I don’t like this when I call and the player does not come,” he said. “I have to double check in the future... If there are two players for a position he would not be my preference.”

Anthony Rougier's Royals pledge.

08-Jan-2002 - Reading have received a major boost after Tony Rougier pledged to put club before country and make himself available for The Royals this month.
Rougier was due to fly out to America this week and join up with his Trinidad and Tobago team-mates to play in the Gold Cup.
The tournament would have ruled the former Port Vale winger, a £325,000 signing in August 2000, out of the games against Huddersfield and Blackpool, as well as possibly missing the matches against Wigan and Colchester later this month.
However, Rougier's recent run in the first team has persuaded him to stay and assist his side's bid to finish in the top two.
Rougier was man of the match in the 1-0 win against QPR at the weekend and feels that it would be wrong for him to go and play for his country just when he has won his place back.
Rougier said: "It was a difficult decision to make and I only made it after talking it over with my family.
"I would have been away for most of the month if I had gone with Trinidad. It would have been different if I had not been playing regularly but I'm enjoying being back in the team and things have gone very well for me lately."

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