Steve Watson

For other people named Steve Watson, see Steve Watson (disambiguation).

Steve Watson

Watson as manager of York City in 2021
Personal information
Full name	Steven Craig Watson [1]
Date of birth	(1974-04-01) 1 April 1974 (age 50) [2]
Place of birth	North Shields, England
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) [3]
Position(s)	Right-back, midfielder [1]
Team information
Current team	Darlington (manager)
Youth career
	Wallsend Boys Club
0000–1990	Newcastle United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1990–1998	Newcastle United	208	(12)
1998–2000	Aston Villa	41	(0)
2000–2005	Everton	126	(14)
2005–2007	West Bromwich Albion	42	(1)
2007	→ Sheffield Wednesday (loan)	11	(0)
2007–2009	Sheffield Wednesday	45	(5)
Total		473	(32)
International career
1992–1995	England U21	12	(1)
1998	England B	1	(0)
Managerial career
2017–2019	Gateshead
2019–2021	York City
2021–2022	Chester
2023–	Darlington
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Steven Craig Watson (born 1 April 1974) is an English football manager and former professional player who is manager of National League North club Darlington.

As a player, he was a right-back or midfielder. He played in the Premier League and Football League for Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield Wednesday. He was capped once by the England national B team, having previously played twelve times and scored once for the under-21s.

Watson moved into coaching after retiring from playing and was appointed as an academy coach at Huddersfield Town under former teammate Lee Clark in 2010. He then followed Clark to Birmingham City before a spell as assistant manager of Macclesfield Town. He was given his first managerial role in 2017 when he joined Gateshead, before becoming York City manager in 2019. He left the club in 2021 and spent four months as manager of Chester before joining Darlington in December 2023.

Playing career

Newcastle United

Watson was born in North Shields, Tyne and Wear. ^[1] He began his career with Newcastle United, playing on a regular basis.^{[ citation needed ]} At the time of his first-team debut, as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 10 November 1990, he was the youngest person ever to play for Newcastle, ^[4] a record that still stands.^{[ citation needed ]} Watson appeared 24 times that season, firstly under Jim Smith and then under Ossie Ardiles as Newcastle struggled in the Second Division.^{[ citation needed ]}

Watson featured prominently during the 1991–92 season as Kevin Keegan returned to Newcastle and relegation to the Third Division was avoided.^{[ citation needed ]} During his seven years at the club, he wore a jersey with every shirt number 2–11 at least once, earning a reputation as a key all round capable footballer integral to The Entertainers style of play. ^[4] He came on as a 77th-minute substitute at Wembley Stadium in the 1998 FA Cup Final, in which Newcastle were beaten 2–0 by Arsenal. ^[5]

Aston Villa, Everton and West Bromwich Albion

Watson was transferred to Aston Villa for £4 million in October 1998.^{[ citation needed ]} He scored once for Villa, in a 4–0 home win over Southampton on 1 December 1999 in the League Cup. ^[6]

He moved to Everton on 4 July 2000 on a five-year contract for a £2.5 million transfer fee. ^[7] When boss Walter Smith found his squad decimated by injury, Watson was used a striker alongside Tomasz Radzinski, a role he had started to play at the beginning of his career before transferring to the defence.^{[ citation needed ]} His time with Everton was blighted with injury, although he did enjoy some time in the first team for the 2003–04 season,^{[ citation needed ]} which included three goals against Leeds United on 28 September 2003. ^{[8] [9]} This made him the first Everton player to score a hat-trick in any competition since Nick Barmby in February 2000. ^[10]

Watson signed for West Bromwich Albion on 5 July 2005 on a three-year contract on a free transfer, after rejecting the offer of a new one-year contract with Everton. ^[11] He made his debut as an 80th-minute substitute in a 0–0 draw away to Manchester City on 13 August. ^[12] His only goal for the club came on 2 January 2006, ^[12] with a shot that came after receiving the ball from Jonathan Greening in the 77th minute of a 2–1 home defeat to Aston Villa. ^[13]

Sheffield Wednesday

Watson playing for Sheffield Wednesday in 2008

Watson joined Sheffield Wednesday on 9 February 2007 on loan until the end of the 2006–07 season, with opportunities at West Brom limited. ^[14] He made his debut the following day, starting in a 1–1 draw away to Burnley. ^[15] Before he joined them, Wednesday had lost five matches in a row.^{[ citation needed ]} However, they won six, drew four and only lost once when Watson was in the team. ^[15] He was re-called by West Brom on 26 April with two matches remaining as cover for the injured Curtis Davies and the suspended Neil Clement. ^{[16] [17]} Watson signed for Wednesday permanently on 10 July 2007 on a free transfer. ^[18] His first goal for the club came on 6 November with an equaliser in the fifth minute of stoppage time as Wednesday drew 1–1 away to West Brom. ^{[19] [20]}

Watson succeeded Lee Bullen as club captain for the 2008–09 season, taking charge of off-the-field matters, with Richard Wood retaining his role as team captain and being responsible for on-the-field affairs. ^[21] Watson scored the winner in the Steel City derby against Sheffield United on 19 October; his volleyed lob over Paddy Kenny in the 35th minute gave Wednesday a 1–0 win. ^[22] Sheffield Wednesday decided to release Watson on 14 May 2009 due to long-term injury problems.^{[ citation needed ]} He subsequently retired from playing. ^[23]

Coaching and managerial career

Watson was appointed as development coach at League One club Huddersfield Town on 13 November 2010, joining up with his former Newcastle teammate Lee Clark.^{[ citation needed ]} Watson was appointed as a coach at Birmingham City of the Championship on 24 August 2012.^{[ citation needed ]} He was dismissed along with Clark on 20 October 2014. ^[24] He was appointed as the assistant manager at National League club Macclesfield Town on 4 July 2016. ^[25]

Watson was appointed as the manager of National League club Gateshead on 10 October 2017. ^[26] He was appointed as the manager of National League North club York City on 10 January 2019, ^[27] succeeding Sam Collins who was dismissed with the team 15th in the table. ^[28] Watson was joined at the club by Micky Cummins, his assistant at Gateshead. ^[29] He was awarded the National League North Manager of the Month award for October 2021 after three wins from four in the league. ^[30] He left the club on 13 November. ^[31]

Watson was appointed manager of National League North club Chester on 23 December 2021, initially on a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season. ^[32] On 28 April 2022, the club confirmed that Watson would leave his role as manager at the end of the season by mutual consent. ^[33]

Watson joined another National League club, Darlington, as manager on 31 December 2023. His contract runs until the end of the season. ^[34] After successfully steering them clear of the relegation positions, he and assistant manager Terry Mitchell signed two-year contract extensions. ^[35] For his impressive end to the season, Watson was named National League North Manager of the Month for April 2024. ^[36]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Newcastle United	1990–91 [37]	Second Division	24	0	3	0	0	0	1 [lower-alpha 1]	0	28	0
	1991–92 [38]	Second Division	28	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	30	1
	1992–93 [39]	First Division	2	0	0	0	0	0	3 [lower-alpha 2]	0	5	0
	1993–94 [40]	Premier League	32	2	3	0	3	0	—		38	2
	1994–95 [41]	Premier League	27	4	1	0	4	0	3 [lower-alpha 3]	1	35	5
	1995–96 [42] [43]	Premier League	23	3	1	0	5	1	—		29	4
	1996–97 [44]	Premier League	36	1	3	0	1	0	6 [lower-alpha 4]	0	46	1
	1997–98 [45]	Premier League	29	1	4	0	3	0	8 [lower-alpha 5]	0	44	1
	1998–99 [46]	Premier League	7	0	—		—		1 [lower-alpha 6]	0	8	0
	Total		208	12	17	0	16	1	22	1	263	14
Aston Villa	1998–99 [47]	Premier League	27	0	2	0	1	0	—		30	0
	1999–2000 [6]	Premier League	14	0	2	0	8	1	—		24	1
	Total		41	0	4	0	9	1	0	0	54	1
Everton	2000–01 [48]	Premier League	34	0	2	1	2	0	—		38	1
	2001–02 [49]	Premier League	25	4	0	0	1	0	—		26	4
	2002–03 [50]	Premier League	18	5	0	0	1	1	—		19	6
	2003–04 [51]	Premier League	24	5	1	0	1	0	—		26	5
	2004–05 [52]	Premier League	25	0	0	0	3	0	—		28	0
	Total		126	14	3	1	8	1	0	0	137	16
West Bromwich Albion	2005–06 [12]	Premier League	30	1	0	0	1	0	—		31	1
	2006–07 [15]	Championship	12	0	0	0	1	0	—		13	0
	Total		42	1	0	0	2	0	0	0	44	1
Sheffield Wednesday (loan)	2006–07 [15]	Championship	11	0	—		—		—		11	0
Sheffield Wednesday	2007–08 [53]	Championship	23	2	1	1	1	0	—		25	3
	2008–09 [54]	Championship	22	3	0	0	1	0	—		23	3
	Total		56	5	1	1	2	0	0	0	59	6
Career total			473	32	25	2	37	3	22	1	557	38

1. Appearance in Full Members' Cup
2. Appearances in Anglo-Italian Cup
3. Appearances in UEFA Cup
4. One appearance in FA Charity Shield, five in UEFA Cup
5. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
6. Appearances in UEFA Cup Winners' Cup

Managerial statistics

As of match played 20 April 2024

Managerial record by team and tenure

Team	From	To	Record					Ref.
			P	W	D	L	Win %
Gateshead	10 October 2017	10 January 2019	75	29	20	26	038.7	[26] [27] [55]
York City	10 January 2019	13 November 2021	91	47	19	25	051.6	[27] [31] [56]
Chester	23 December 2021	7 May 2022	17	5	4	8	029.4	[32] [57]
Darlington	31 December 2023	present	22	12	1	9	054.5	[58]
Total			205	93	44	68	045.4

Honours

As a player

Newcastle United

• FA Cup runner-up: 1997–98 ^[5]

Individual

• Newcastle United Player of the Year: 1996–97 ^[59]

As a manager

Individual

• National League North Manager of the Month: October 2021, ^[30] April 2024 ^[36]

References

Infobox statistics

• England U21: "Match Results Under 21: 1990–2000". England Football Online. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
• England B: "Match Results The B Team". England Football Online. 31 July 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2021.

Specific

1. "Steve Watson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
2. "Steve Watson". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
3. "Steve Watson: Overview". Premier League. Retrieved 12 July 2021.
4. "Steve Watson". ESPN Soccernet. 16 July 2002. Archived from the original on 22 June 2011.
5. Moore, Glenn (18 May 1998). "Football: Gunners train sights on European glory" . The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
6. "Games played by Steve Watson in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
7. "Everton sign Watson". BBC Sport. 4 July 2000. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
8. "Everton rout sad Leeds". BBC Sport. 28 September 2003. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
9. "Watson's hat-trick humiliates Leeds". The Independent. 28 September 2003. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
10. "Everton Hat-tricks". ToffeeWeb. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
11. "Watson makes switch to West Brom". BBC Sport. 5 July 2005. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
12. "Games played by Steve Watson in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
13. "West Brom 1–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 2 January 2006. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
14. Lepkowski, Chris (9 February 2007). "Watson leaves Albion in loan switch". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 10 January 2018.
15. "Games played by Steve Watson in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
16. "West Brom recall Watson from Owls". BBC Sport. 26 April 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
17. O'Rourke, Peter. "McShane boost for Baggies". Sky Sports. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
18. "Owls complete signing of Watson". BBC Sport. 10 July 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
19. "WBA vs Sheffield Wed". Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012.
20. "West Brom 1–1 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 6 November 2007. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
21. "New Owls club captain revealed". The Star. Sheffield. 2 July 2008. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
22. "Sheff Wed 1–0 Sheff Utd". BBC Sport. 19 October 2008. Retrieved 26 October 2008.
23. "England's last side to reach a World Under-20s semi-final: where are they now?". The Daily Telegraph. London. 8 June 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
24. "Lee Clark sacked as Birmingham City manager". Sky Sports. 20 October 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
25. "Steve Watson joins Macclesfield Town coaching team". Macclesfield Town F.C. 4 July 2016. Archived from the original on 22 August 2016.
26. "Steve Watson: Gateshead appoint ex-Newcastle defender as manager". BBC Sport. 10 October 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
27. Appleyard, Ian (10 January 2019). "Steve Watson appointed manager". York City F.C. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
28. Flett, Dave (6 January 2019). "Caretaker Dave Penney not in running to be new York City manager". The Press. York. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
29. Flett, Dave (10 January 2019). "Confirmed: Steve Watson named as York City's new manager". The Press. York. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
30. Elliott, Sam (8 November 2021). "Trio Celebrate October National League North Accolades". National League. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
31. "Club Statement: Steve Watson". York City F.C. 13 November 2021. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
32. "Breaking: Steve Watson appointed First Team Manager". Chester F.C. 23 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
33. "Club statement: Steve Watson". Chester F.C. 28 April 2022. Archived from the original on 28 April 2022. Retrieved 1 May 2022.
34. Simpson, Ray (31 December 2023). "Quakers appoint Steve Watson as new manager". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
35. Simpson, Ray (19 April 2024). "Steve Signs a New Contract". Darlington F.C. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
36. "North's Leading Lights Are Getting Rewards Aplenty!". www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 30 April 2024. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
37. "Season: 1990–91 – Appearances". Toon1892. Kenneth H. Scott. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
38. "Season: 1991–92 – Appearances". Toon1892. Kenneth H. Scott. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
39. "Season: 1992–93 – Appearances". Toon1892. Kenneth H. Scott. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
40. "Season: 1993–94 – Appearances". Toon1892. Kenneth H. Scott. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
41. "Season: 1994–95 – Appearances". Toon1892. Kenneth H. Scott. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
42. "Season: 1995–96 – Appearances". Toon1892. Kenneth H. Scott. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
43. "Stoke City v Newcastle United, 25 October 1995". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
44. "Season: 1996–97 – Appearances". Toon1892. Kenneth H. Scott. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
45. "Season: 1997–98 – Appearances". Toon1892. Kenneth H. Scott. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
46. "Season: 1998–99 – Appearances". Toon1892. Kenneth H. Scott. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
47. "Games played by Steve Watson in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
48. "Games played by Steve Watson in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
49. "Games played by Steve Watson in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
50. "Games played by Steve Watson in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
51. "Games played by Steve Watson in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
52. "Games played by Steve Watson in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
53. "Games played by Steve Watson in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
54. "Games played by Steve Watson in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
55. "Gateshead FC: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 10 January 2019.
56. "York City FC: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
57. "Chester FC: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 29 December 2021.
58. https://darlingtonfc.co.uk/fixtures
59. Mitchinson, Rory (16 May 2022). "Joelinton scoops Newcastle United Player of the Year award". Newcastle United F.C. Retrieved 19 October 2023.

External links

• Profile at the Chester F.C. website