Brian Tinnion

Birth Date: February 23 1968
Birth Place: Stanley, Durham
Height: 183cm
Weight: 68kg
Nationality: British
Position: Midfielder

Previous Clubs:
Newcastle United
Bradford City

Brian Tinnion started out as a hungry prospect at Newcastle United in 1983/84, washing boots for the likes of Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley and Chris Waddle. A key member of the 1985 FA Youth Cup winning side that included the likes of Paul Gascoigne, Tinnion pocessed a quality left foot that constructed most of the free-kicks and corners. Signing professional from apprentice in February 1986, his upright running, vision and craftsmanship earned him many admirers in reserve games and he went on to make his League debut away to Everton in 1986/87 on the left side of midfield. Failed to live upto his potential in 1987/88, probably due to being converted into a left-sided full-back, but his pin-point crosses assisted his call-up to the England U-21 squad in May 1988 with a view to breaking into the senior squad due to a lack of left-footed players in the country, so it was very unfortunate that he missed England U-21's tour of Toulon through injury when he was expected to play a big part

Failed to regain form in 1988/89 and as the Magpies slumped towards relegation it affected his confidence, he was sold to Bradford City in March 1989 for £150,000 where he spent most of his time on the left side of midield. 'Tinman' had scored two goals for the Magpies (vs Watford and vs Charlton), and had tasted plenty of topflight action, but in his four-year spell as a Bantam he scored 23 goals and most which were spectacular.

'Tins' was included in the PFA divisional team of the season for 1989/90 (old Division Two) before scoring the last-gasp penalty that pinched a point away to Leeds United in a heated local derby on Grand National day 1990. Other highlights during his Bradford days include a man-of-match display against Tottenham Hotspur in the Rumbelows Cup in 1990/91 where he mixed it with 'Gazza', a well-taken free-kick that assisted Phil Babb's first-touch debut goal in 1990/91 and the fine strike that sealed victory on the opening day of the 1991/92 season against Stoke City. 'Tins' was also widely regarded as one of the best distributors of the ball outside the topflight.

The under-achieving Geordie's contract was due to expire in the summer of 1993, but Division One outfit Bristol City snapped him up for a bargain £180,000 shortly before the transfer deadline in March 1993 and his first goal for his new club came just a few weeks later when he scored the last-gasp penalty to clinch a vital victory over bitter rivals Bristol Rovers.

Then in January 1994 his Anfield goal sent Liverpool crashing out of the FA Cup and ended the reign of Graeme Souness as manager. Bristol City will always think fondly of Tinnion because of his commitment and passion to that club over many loyal years, during which time he has made over 500 appearances, when he could of been playing for bigger clubs in higher divisions, especially following the Robins relegation in 1995, but he kept faith.

Converted into central midfield from the left flank at the end of his career to make the most of his ability to produce inch-perfect passes over any distance and recieved PFA recognision. A fully-qualified UEFA coach, he is now the Robins player-manager