Manchester City defender Tony Vaughan joined Norwich on trial on 24th January 2000. Tony, who can play as a centre-back or left-back, began his career with Ipswich and made 67 league appearances for them before a £1.35million move to Maine Road in 1997. Tony fell out of Joe Royle's plans for Man City and spent 3 months in 1999 on loan to Cardiff. A £150,000 move was agreed but Tony could not agree personal terms.

Bruce Rioch was keen on signing Vaughan but his £350,000 fee put Norwich off as they would prefer to spend that money on a number of cheaper signings in the summer. On 7th February 2000, it was announced that Tony was joining Nottingham Forest on loan prior to a potential permanent move. Injuries and a sending off against Wolves (an incident involving Ade Akinbiyi) saw Tony return to Manchester City in early March 2000. He made the journey back to the City ground on 23rd March 2000 signing for Forest for £350,000 on transfer deadline day.

New Forest boss Paul Hart transfer-listed his entire first team in August 2001 in a search for revenue. Tony left Forest at the end of March 2002, signing for Scunthorpe on loan until the end of the 2001/02 season. Another loan spell came in October 2002 when Vaughan joined Second Division strugglers Mansfield. Injuries saw him return early to the City Ground in November 2002. He embarked on a trial with Scottish side Motherwell in mid January 2003.

On his return to Nottingham at the end of the season, he was released from his contract. In July 2003, he rejoined Mansfield albeit on a two week trial in the hope of winning a contract with the Keith Curle's Nottinghamshire side. This approach worked and Tony played a key role as Mansfield reached the Division Three play-off finals. However their defeat to Huddersfield meant that Curle needed to reduce and revamp his playing squad and Vaughan was one of nine players released.

On June 11th, he signed for Barnsley, re-uniting with his former Notts Forest manager Paul Hart.

On 26th August 2005 Tony joined Stockport County on a three-month loan with view to a permanent move. Returning to Barnsley, he was released at the end of the 2005/6 season. During the summer of 2006, he was linked with a move to Swindon but instead joined Rochdale on trial in July 2006. Unfortunately he was injured in a pre-season friendly against Oldham.

Retired from the professional game due to injury, Tony signed for Conference North side Hucknall Town in January 2007.

Now retired from football, Tony now works for Audi in the company's sale room in Lincoln.