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Steve Davis (footballer, born 1965)

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Steve Davis
Davis in 2012
Personal information
Full name Steven Peter Davis[1]
Date of birth (1965-07-26) 26 July 1965 (age 59)[1]
Place of birth Birmingham, England
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1982–1983 Stoke City 0 (0)
1983–1987 Crewe Alexandra 145 (1)
1987–1991 Burnley 147 (11)
1991–1998 Barnsley 107 (10)
1997 → York City (loan) 2 (1)
1998 → Oxford United (loan) 7 (1)
1998–2000 Oxford United 35 (2)
2000 Macclesfield Town 0 (0)
2000–2002 Northwich Victoria 21 (0)
2004–2009 Nantwich Town 68 (2)
Total 464 (26)
International career
England youth
Managerial career
2003 Northwich Victoria
2004–2009 Nantwich Town
2011–2017 Crewe Alexandra
2017 Leyton Orient
2019- Wolves Under-18s
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Steven Peter Davis (born 26 July 1965) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. After managing Cheshire-based non-league teams Northwich Victoria and Nantwich Town, he was manager of Crewe Alexandra (from November 2011 to January 2017, at which date he was the fourth longest serving manager in the top four divisions of English football) and then head coach at National League club Leyton Orient for just over four months up to 14 November 2017.

Club career

Born in Birmingham, Davis started his career with Stoke City as an apprentice[1] in 1982 but never made a senior appearance. However, he played more than 140 matches for both Crewe Alexandra and Burnley, making his Crewe debut at the age of 18, and captaining the team aged 19. He was also a key figure in the time he was at Burnley. He then played over 100 matches for Barnsley in Division 1, including 24 appearances in the season in which they were promoted to the Premier League.[2] He had loan spells at York City and Oxford United, eventually being signed by Division 1 outfit, Oxford United in 1998.

The final years of his playing career saw him in Cheshire with Macclesfield Town, and with Northwich Victoria and Nantwich Town – where he was player-manager of both clubs.

International career

Davis was capped by the England national youth team.[1]

Management career

Northwich Victoria

He was appointed as player-manager of Northwich Victoria in June 2003.[3] He resigned in September 2003, after the team were second bottom of the Conference National in the 2003–04 season.[4]

Nantwich Town

However, his managerial career at Nantwich Town was the most successful time in the club's long history, converting a club that had never achieved anything above the North West Counties League to one that was challenging for a Conference spot. He led Nantwich to two promotions in successive seasons[5] and a FA Vase victory, just missing out on promotion to the Conference North at the end of the 2008–09 season. His abilities attracted the attention of Crewe Alexandra, where he had spent four seasons as a player. On 17 May 2009, it was announced that he would become assistant manager to Gudjon Thordarson at Crewe.[6]

Crewe Alexandra

Davis remained as Thordarson's assistant through the Icelandic's short lived tenure at Gresty Road before the former Stoke City manager was relieved of his role in October 2009. Taking up the vacant manager's role was Dario Gradi, now in his third stint as Crewe manager kept Davis as his assistant manager. Gradi remained in the managerial position at the club until the autumn of 2011 his position was starting to become questioned by the Crewe fans, this was only galvanised further by a 3–0 home defeat to Torquay United which left the club near the relegation zone.[7] Although Gradi was still manager of the club, Davis took charge of the next match against Oldham Athletic in the Football League Trophy after the Crewe manager could not attend after feeling unwell.[8] Although Crewe lost the match 3–1, Davis was appointed the new Crewe manager a couple of days later with Gradi moving to his former role as Technical Director - a role he took following the appointment of Steve Holland as first team coach back in the summer of 2007.[9][10]

Promoting coach Neil Baker as his assistant manager,[11] Davis' first match, officially, as Crewe manager was a home FA Cup tie to Colchester United. Although the railwaymen lost the tie 4–1,[12] Davis' brief for the remainder season was specific: keep Crewe in the football league.[11] Davis was successful in his target keeping Crewe in the football league and, in a run that saw the club go 16 matches unbeaten, the English manager helped Crewe qualify for the League Two play-offs. Following a 3–2 win over two legs with Southend United and a 2–0 win over Cheltenham Town at Wembley, Davis' team were promoted to League One.[13]

Davis had lost two key figures in that season's promotion campaign in the summer with Nick Powell completing a three million pound transfer to Manchester United and captain Ashley Westwood for an undisclosed fee to Aston Villa but they were replaced by a number of summer signings such as forward Mathias Pogba, defender Mark Ellis and midfielder Abdul Osman. Davis successfully secured safety in League One in his first season and also guided his team to a second Wembley appearance this time in the final of the Football League Trophy against Southend. The Railwaymen won the tie 2–0 with goals from Luke Murphy and Max Clayton.[14]

As with the previous summer, Davis lost a key member of his midfield this time in the form of Luke Murphy who left the club for Championship club Leeds United in 2013 for a million pounds. Despite a brief period linking him with the vacant Wolves managerial position,[15] Davis remained at the Alex. The 2013–14 season was less successful than Davis' previous seasons, compacted even more after seven first team players were held by Devon and Cornwall Police for an alleged sexual assault during the team's pre-season training in Redruth.[16] The players were cleared of all charges in November,[17] a few months into the new campaign. Davis described the decision as a "noose being removed from our necks" citing the case as one of the reasons for the team's poor start to the campaign.[18] Further to the sex assault allegations, Davis was also having attitude issues with summer signing Anthony Grant and former Newcastle youngster Brad Inman - listing the pair on loan and isolating them from the rest of the squad in training labelling the pair as a "disruption."[19][20] The pair were later reinstated to the squad and first team duties following an improvement in their attitudes and helped Crewe avoid relegation on the last day of the season with a 2–1 victory over local rivals Preston North End.

The 2014–15 season was no better in terms of Crewe's performance. The team lost 10 of their first 12 matches, and eventually finished in 20th position - remaining in League One despite losing the final match of the season, against Bradford City, because of results in fixtures elsewhere.

The following season started in a similar pattern, with the team winning just two of their first 15 league matches, and crashing out of the FA Cup in the first round, defeated at Gresty Road by non-league Eastleigh,[21] forcing Davis to defend his position as the 'right man' for the job.[22] Crewe's relegation to League Two was confirmed following a 3–0 defeat at Port Vale on 9 April 2016, with five matches remaining.[23]

Davis was sacked as Crewe Alexandra manager on 8 January 2017.[24][25]

Leyton Orient

On 10 July 2017, Davis was appointed as head coach of newly relegated National League club Leyton Orient on a two-year contract.[26] After the club won just five of their 19 league matches, he was sacked on 14 November 2017.[27]

In September 2018, Davis was reported to be in the running to be appointed manager of Cheltenham Town.[28]

Personal life

His son, Harry, was at Crewe Alexandra but now plays for Morecambe, and is also a centre-back. He made his professional debut at the end of the 2009–10 season, playing for Crewe against Bradford City.[29]

Another son, Joe, is a defender at Nantwich Town, having made his professional debut at Port Vale during his first spell in April 2011.[30] On 22 February 2014, for 33 minutes of a match at Port Vale, Davis's sons played on opposite teams against each other.[31][32]

Career statistics

Source:[33]

Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Stoke City 1982–83 First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Crewe Alexandra 1983–84 Fourth Division 24 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 29 0
1984–85 Fourth Division 40 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 45 0
1985–86 Fourth Division 45 1 1 0 3 0 2 0 51 1
1986–87 Fourth Division 33 0 1 0 2 0 2 0 38 0
1987–88 Fourth Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Total 145 1 3 0 10 0 8 0 166 1
Burnley 1987–88 Fourth Division 33 5 0 0 1 0 7 0 41 5
1988–89 Fourth Division 37 0 1 0 3 0 3 1 44 1
1989–90 Fourth Division 31 1 5 0 0 0 2 0 38 1
1990–91 Fourth Division 46 5 3 0 3 0 7 0 59 5
Total 147 11 9 0 7 0 19 1 182 12
Barnsley 1991–92 Second Division 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 9 0
1992–93 First Division 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 11 0
1993–94 First Division 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
1994–95 First Division 36 2 1 0 2 0 0 0 39 2
1995–96 First Division 27 5 2 0 3 0 0 0 32 5
1996–97 First Division 24 3 0 0 4 0 0 0 28 3
Total 107 10 3 0 9 0 0 0 119 10
York City (loan) 1997–98 Second Division 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1
Oxford United 1997–98 First Division 15 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 2
1998–99 First Division 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
1999–2000 Second Division 24 1 1 0 4 0 1 0 30 1
Total 42 3 1 0 4 0 1 0 48 3
Career total 443 26 16 0 30 0 28 1 517 27

Managerial statistics

As of match played 11 November 2017
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record Ref
P W D L Win %
Northwich Victoria 4 June 2003 29 September 2003 11 1 3 7 009.1 [4][34][35]
Crewe Alexandra 10 November 2011 8 January 2017 272 84 71 117 030.9 [36][37]
Leyton Orient 10 July 2017 14 November 2017 22 6 5 11 027.3 [37]
Total 305 91 79 135 029.8 —

Honours

Crewe Alexandra

References

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c d e Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2000). The 2000–2001 Official PFA Footballers Factfile. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-1-85291-626-8.
  2. ^ "Games played by Steve Davis in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Retrieved 29 October 2018.
  3. ^ Oliver, Pete (16 June 2003). "Davis relishing Vics challenge". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 March 2008.
  4. ^ a b "Davis resigns at Northwich". BBC Sport. 29 September 2003. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  5. ^ CHATWIN, MICHAEL. (2020). ULTIMATE BOOK OF NANTWICH TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB. [S.l.]: EMPIRE. ISBN 0-9563068-2-9. OCLC 1199329275.
  6. ^ "Davis Becomes Alex Assistant". Crewe Chronicle. 17 June 2009. Retrieved 16 June 2009.
  7. ^ Hornbrook (2014), Pg. 22
  8. ^ Hornbrook (2014), Pg. 23
  9. ^ "Dario Gradi steps down as Crewe Alexandra manager". BBC Sport. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
  10. ^ "Davis To Take Over As First Team Manager". Crewe Alexandra F.C. 10 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  11. ^ a b Hornbrook (2014), Pg. 30
  12. ^ "Crewe 1–4 Colchester". BBC Sport. 12 November 2011.
  13. ^ a b Begley, Emlyn (27 May 2012). "Cheltenham 0–2 Crewe". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 29 March 2014. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  14. ^ a b Osborne, Chris (7 April 2013). "Crewe 2–0 Southend". BBC Sport. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  15. ^ "Steve Davis: Crewe boss favourite for Wolves job". BBC Sport. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  16. ^ "Seven Crewe Alexandra footballers held over sex attack claims". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  17. ^ "No charge for Crewe Alexandra rape suspect footballers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  18. ^ Ryan, Belinda. "Alex boss speaks out after rape allegation against players is dismissed". Crewe Chronicle. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  19. ^ "Brad Inman and Anthony Grant available for loan". BBC Sport. 25 November 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  20. ^ Morse, Peter (23 November 2013). "Grant and Inman labelled a 'disruption'". Crewe Chronicle. Retrieved 20 April 2015.
  21. ^ Crewe 0–1 Eastleigh, BBC Sport, 7 November 2015. Retrieved: 12 November 2015.
  22. ^ "Steve Davis: Crewe boss insists he is 'right man' for the job". BBC Sport. 10 November 2015. Retrieved 12 November 2015.
  23. ^ "Port Vale 3-0 Crewe Alexandra". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 April 2016. Retrieved 9 April 2016.
  24. ^ "Club Part Company With Steve Davis" (Press release). Crewe Alexandra F.C. 8 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  25. ^ "Crewe Alexandra: David Artell named manager after sacking of Steve Davis". BBC Sport. BBC. 8 January 2017. Retrieved 8 January 2017.
  26. ^ "Leyton Orient: Steve Davis named new head coach on two-year deal". BBC Sport. 10 July 2017. Retrieved 10 July 2017.
  27. ^ "Steve Davis: Leyton Orient sack head coach with club 19th in National League". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 November 2017. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  28. ^ Palmer, Jon (2 September 2018). "Former Crewe Alexandra boss in running for Cheltenham Town manager's job". Gloucestershire Live. Retrieved 4 September 2018.
  29. ^ Morse, Peter (12 May 2010). "Crewe Alex: Family ties no issue for debut boy Harry Davis". Crewe Chronicle. Retrieved 15 August 2010.
  30. ^ "Port Vale: Ede believes potential is there". The Sentinel. Stoke-on-Trent. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 3 November 2009.
  31. ^ "Port Vale v Crewe: Steve Davis plays down family pride". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  32. ^ "Port Vale 1 Crewe Alexandra 3". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
  33. ^ Steve Davis at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  34. ^ "Archived News and Information: 27 May to 6 June, 2003". Altrincham F.C. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  35. ^ "Results/matches: 2003/04". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  36. ^ "Results/matches: 2011/12". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 January 2016.
  37. ^ a b "Managers: Steve Davis". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 August 2017.

Bibliography

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