Steve Livingstone
Encyclopedia
Stephen "Steve" Livingstone (born 8 September 1969 in Middlesbrough
) is an English
former footballer who played between 1986 and 2004 notably for Grimsby Town
. He played as a forward, but was sometimes used as a make-shift defender and also appeared for Coventry City
, Blackburn Rovers
, Chelsea
, Port Vale
and Carlisle United
.
in 1986, he went on to make just under 50 appearances for the Sky Blues in all competitions between 1986 and 1991.
for £450,000. After two years at Ewood Park
, with a record of one goal every three league games, he moved to Stamford Bridge
and signed with Chelsea
for £350,000 in March 1993.
at Old Trafford
. He replaced Neil Shipperley
in the 55th minute of the game, giving him 35 minutes against players such as Eric Cantona
, Ryan Giggs
and Peter Schmeichel
. His next port of call was Port Vale
where he signed on loan in September 1993 and made four appearances, scoring once. In October 1993 he left the newly formed Premier league as Chelsea offloaded Livingstone to Grimsby Town
for £140,000.
and his performances earned him respect amongst the Mariners fans, he formed notable impressive strike partnerships with Clive Mendonca
, Jack Lester
and Lee Nogan
. "Livvo" as he was known to Grimsby supporters, was able to use his frame and weight to make himself a handy target man, and was a frequent goalscorer in his ten years with the club. His last four years with Grimsby were hampered with injury, and he only made a cameo role in each season. In 2002, he collided badly with Derby County
defender Danny Higginbotham
and was knocked unconscious. This left Livingstone with a head injury that would see him out of action for a couple of months. His old target man status returned briefly that season, as he helped Grimsby edge a thrilling 6–5 win over Burnley
in an impressive performance alongside fellow striker Steve Kabba
. By the end of the season, Grimsby's resistance had faded, and the club were relegated from the First Division
, and with a growing number of young forwards at the club, this paved the way for Livingstone's exit from Blundell Park
.
came in for the veteran forward and initially signed him on a one month loan in April 2003, before making the deal permanent in July, signing him on a free transfer. However, Livvo struggled with his fitness, and made a total of nine appearances for the club, with two red cards, one of them on his debut against York City
, the other against Lincoln City
. He also collected three yellow cards in this time, and all this without scoring a goal. He was placed on the transfer list four months after signing with the club but due to a persistent back problem, Livingstone retired in January 2004.
Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough is a large town situated on the south bank of the River Tees in north east England, that sits within the ceremonial county of North Yorkshire...
) is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
former footballer who played between 1986 and 2004 notably for Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
. He played as a forward, but was sometimes used as a make-shift defender and also appeared for Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
, Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
, Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
, Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
and Carlisle United
Carlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
.
Coventry City
Livingstone was promoted to the first team squad at Coventry CityCoventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
in 1986, he went on to make just under 50 appearances for the Sky Blues in all competitions between 1986 and 1991.
Blackburn Rovers
In January 1991 Livingstone was signed by Blackburn RoversBlackburn Rovers F.C.
Blackburn Rovers Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Blackburn, Lancashire. The team currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football....
for £450,000. After two years at Ewood Park
Ewood Park
Ewood Park is a football stadium in the English town of Blackburn, Lancashire, and is the home of Blackburn Rovers Football Club — one of the founder members of the Football League and Premier League. Rovers have played there since they moved from Leamington Street in the summer of 1890. The...
, with a record of one goal every three league games, he moved to Stamford Bridge
Stamford Bridge (stadium)
Stamford Bridge is a football stadium in Fulham, in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, West London, and is the home of Chelsea Football Club. The stadium is located within the Moore Park Estate also known as Walham Green and is often referred to as simply The Bridge...
and signed with Chelsea
Chelsea F.C.
Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four...
for £350,000 in March 1993.
Chelsea
While with the Blues, Livingstone went on to only make one substitute appearance, playing in the clubs 3–0 defeat against Manchester UnitedManchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
at Old Trafford
Old Trafford
Old Trafford commonly refers to two sporting arenas:* Old Trafford, home of Manchester United F.C.* Old Trafford Cricket Ground, home of Lancashire County Cricket ClubOld Trafford can also refer to:...
. He replaced Neil Shipperley
Neil Shipperley
Neil Jason Shipperley is a retired English professional footballer, who played as a centre-forward. He is the former manager of Walton Casuals of the Isthmian League Division One South....
in the 55th minute of the game, giving him 35 minutes against players such as Eric Cantona
Eric Cantona
Eric Daniel Pierre Cantona is a French actor and former French international footballer. He played for Auxerre, Martigues, Marseille, Bordeaux, Montpellier, Nîmes and Leeds United before ending his professional footballing career at Manchester United, where he won four Premier League titles in...
, Ryan Giggs
Ryan Giggs
Ryan Joseph Giggs OBE is a Welsh professional footballer who plays for Manchester United. Giggs made his first appearance for the club during the 1990–91 season and has been a regular player since the 1991–92 season...
and Peter Schmeichel
Peter Schmeichel
Peter Bolesław Schmeichel MBE is a retired Danish professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper, and was voted the "World's Best Goalkeeper" in 1992 and 1993...
. His next port of call was Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
where he signed on loan in September 1993 and made four appearances, scoring once. In October 1993 he left the newly formed Premier league as Chelsea offloaded Livingstone to Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
for £140,000.
Grimsby Town
He was an instant hit at Blundell ParkBlundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
and his performances earned him respect amongst the Mariners fans, he formed notable impressive strike partnerships with Clive Mendonca
Clive Mendonca
Clive Paul Mendonca is an English former professional footballer, who played as a striker between 1986 and 2002 notably for Grimsby Town and Charlton Athletic...
, Jack Lester
Jack Lester
Jack William Lester is an English professional footballer, currently playing for English Football League One side Chesterfield. He plays either as a striker or an attacking midfielder...
and Lee Nogan
Lee Nogan
Lee Martin Nogan is a Welsh footballer and football manager who plays as a forward for Conference North side F.C. Halifax Town, where he is also the clubs assistant manager....
. "Livvo" as he was known to Grimsby supporters, was able to use his frame and weight to make himself a handy target man, and was a frequent goalscorer in his ten years with the club. His last four years with Grimsby were hampered with injury, and he only made a cameo role in each season. In 2002, he collided badly with Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
defender Danny Higginbotham
Danny Higginbotham
Daniel John "Danny" Higginbotham is an English footballer who plays as a defender for Premier League club Stoke City.Higginbotham started his career at his local side Manchester United he made seven appearances at Old Trafford as well as a loan spell with Belgium side Royal Antwerp before joining...
and was knocked unconscious. This left Livingstone with a head injury that would see him out of action for a couple of months. His old target man status returned briefly that season, as he helped Grimsby edge a thrilling 6–5 win over Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
in an impressive performance alongside fellow striker Steve Kabba
Steve Kabba
Sorfitu Tejan "Steve" Kabba is an English professional footballer. He is of Sierra Leonean origin. He plays as a striker for Football League Two side Barnet...
. By the end of the season, Grimsby's resistance had faded, and the club were relegated from the First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
, and with a growing number of young forwards at the club, this paved the way for Livingstone's exit from Blundell Park
Blundell Park
Blundell Park is a football ground in Cleethorpes, North East Lincolnshire, England and home to Grimsby Town Football Club. The stadium was built in 1898, but only one of the original stands remain. The current capacity of the ground is 9546, though with the introduction of all seating in the late...
.
Carlisle United
Carlisle UnitedCarlisle United F.C.
Carlisle United F.C. is an English football club based in Carlisle, Cumbria, where they play at Brunton Park. Formed in 1904, the club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system....
came in for the veteran forward and initially signed him on a one month loan in April 2003, before making the deal permanent in July, signing him on a free transfer. However, Livvo struggled with his fitness, and made a total of nine appearances for the club, with two red cards, one of them on his debut against York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
, the other against Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
. He also collected three yellow cards in this time, and all this without scoring a goal. He was placed on the transfer list four months after signing with the club but due to a persistent back problem, Livingstone retired in January 2004.
Honours
with Grimsby Town- Football League Second DivisionFootball League Second DivisionFrom 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
play-off winner: 1998 - Football League TrophyFootball League TrophyThe Football League Trophy, currently known as the Johnstone's Paint Trophy for sponsorship reasons, is an annual English association football knock-out competition open to the 48 clubs in Football League One and Football League Two, the bottom two divisions in the four fully professional top...
winner: 1998