Arriving from Northwich Victoria on a non-contract basis, Tony Coyle made a solitary league appearance during Exeter City’s 1989/90 Division Four championship season before returning to Cheshire. He had previously made over 240 Football League appearances for Stockport County as well as featuring for Albion Rovers and Chesterfield. 

Moving from Albion Rovers to Stockport County in December 1979, Tony went on to feature in 219 Football League matches for the Edgeley Park side (scoring 28 goals) before a June 1986 transfer to Chesterfield. Remaining at Saltergate for two seasons, he then returned for a further spell at Stockport before dropping into non-league football with Northwich Victoria in the summer of 1989.

Just a few months later in November 1989, the 29-year-old Tony - a veteran of 364 league games in Scotland and England - signed for Exeter City on a non-contract basis. Making his debut against Wrexhan on 25 November 1989 Tony was substituted in what proved to be his only game for the Grecians.     

Returning to Northwich, Tony later spent two seasons with Hyde United before working for the Benefits Agency.