18 Aug 2011

Phoenix sign on back up keeper for Paston

12:38 pm on 18 August 2011

The Wellington Phoenix football club have signed a back up goal keeper to All Whites international Mark Paston.

He's 37 year old Liverpudlian Tony Warner.

Warner joined Liverpool as a 16-year-old and spent nine years at the club but never made a first team appearance earning the nickname Tony Bonus due to him receiving many win bonuses as a non-playing substitute.

While with Liverpool, Warner had loan spells at Swindon, Celtic and Aberdeen before signing for Millwall in 1999 and making 200 first team appearances for the club but was unable to play in the 2004 FA Cup final because of injury.

Since leaving Millwall in 2004 Warner has played at Cardiff City and Fulham as well as having loan spells at Leeds United, Norwich City and Barnsley.

Last season he made 25 appearances for Tranmere Rovers.

Phoenix coach Ricki Herbert says he's pleased to have signed such an experienced keeper that will provide competition for Paston.