Gary M. Stevens
Gary Michael Stevens ( born March 27, 1963 in Barrow-in- Furness, England ) is an English former football player and was inter alia part of the successful team of Everton FC of the 1980s.
Sports career
Stevens, a right-back with strengths in the battle emphasized play, went through the youth teams of FC Everton until then manager Howard Kendall appointed him in the first team. At this time, Kendall built a new team on young players, which should be equal to the dominant in the 1970s in English football rivals Liverpool again. The last English title for Everton in 1970 was at that time already been back a long time.
Stevens gave his debut in 1982 and was in his first season, unlike many aging longtime teammates, both on the team and also in the British Elite League to the service providers. After further obligations and corroborating youth players Everton could then reach the final of the FA Cup, where they faced the Watford FC, having previously defeated Liverpool in the League Cup final in 1984.
Stevens was instrumental in the goal to make it 1-0 at Wembley stadium as he takes quick ersprintete a clarified from the defensive ball and Graeme Sharp was able to put its results in scene. Everton won the game at the end of 2-0.
The following year, Stevens was an integral part of the team that played for the triplet from the English Championship, FA Cup and European Cup Winners' Cup. After winning the Cup Everton defeated then the first team of Manchester United, only ten men acted a long time in the game. This was followed by an eventful and successful competition history the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup competition, in which Everton could overcome with Stevens Rapid Wien 3-1. The disillusionment followed a short time later, after the disaster at Heysel Stadium and the resulting ban on all English clubs in relation to European club competitions, Everton should be denied the opportunity to defend their title the following year.
The sporty and successful season was rounded off Stevens with his debut for the England national team, as he was used by coach Bobby Robson on June 6, 1985 game against Italy. There he established himself henceforth, as in the club as a regular player at the position of right-back.
Stevens was also in the following season 1985/86 starting players in a team that good odds in defense of the English league title had to last, but was then replaced by a young Liverpool team from the top. The two teams then faced each other in the final of the FA Cup and Liverpool won 3-1, which enabled them to double. Stevens has been heavily criticized after the finale, after he played a decisive bad pass that was intercepted by the opposing Ronnie Whelan and led to the temporary 1-1 draw by Ian Rush.
He was then, as well as, curiously, the same Gary Stevens of the Tottenham Hotspurs, will join the squad for the 1986 World Cup in Mexico and completed all the matches of the tournament, where England reached the quarter- finals and then in a memorable game to the eventual champions from Argentina subject. He did not count it to the players that were umdribbelte of Diego Maradona at his spectacular World Cup goal of the century, however, tried in vain to fend off the goal on your own post.
Back arrived in Everton, Stevens was in 1987 again the English championship win. However, negative peak of the season was his momentous challenge to Jim Beglin, then left-back for Liverpool. Although he was regarded as a mostly fair playing soccer players throughout his career, he was injured in this Beglin Tackling so hard on the knees, that these later it could never fully recover.
That same year, England qualified with Stevens for the European Championships in Germany in 1988. In the meantime, there were increasing criticisms of the performance of Stevens, which dealt mainly with the positional play and the ball distribution. Nevertheless, his position as a regular player in both the club and for England was not asked by the coaches in question.
The year 1988 was not very successful for Everton, with Stevens, however, an extraordinary goal came in a 1-0 victory against Liverpool in the League Cup, at a time when Liverpool remained unbeaten in the championship. Everton could not win titles and Stevens then took part in the European Championship.
The tournament was very unhappy both for England and for Stevens. After the surprising defeat against Ireland, England needed a win in the heavy second match against the Netherlands. Stevens acted very weak in the game and lost the ball on the sidelines Momentous against Ruud Gullit, who prepared the first hit Marco van Basten to Hattrick. Also the speed of Stevens, which would have almost led to would have been the shot of van Basten still blocked, could not avoid the hit and the eventual resignation of England out of the tournament without winning point.
After the tournament, Stevens moved for a transfer fee of 1.25 million pounds to Scotland to Glasgow Rangers. His place he could claim in the national team continued, especially after the completion of the national career of longtime rival Viv Anderson in 1988. Additionally, however, appeared with Paul Parker of Queens Park Rangers, a new competitor for the right-back position.
The Rangers were at the time of commitment of Stevens midst of a sporting revolution after the coach there Graeme Souness for the first time began to strengthen its team with non -Scottish players ( including many English footballer ). In his first season, Stevens has already won the championship in the Scottish Premier Division and later had five more league titles, two Scottish Cups and three League Cup trophies follow.
After England had qualified for the World Cup in Italy in 1990, Stevens was again, despite strong public criticism for its activities during the European Championship two years earlier, in the squad. The first game with Stevens in the England series, which ended in a 1-1 draw against Ireland, then showed that the English team had problems in the tactical and personnel matters. Therefore, Robson decided for some changes in the team and replaced by Stevens Parker, who should henceforth make for themselves with good performances, although he held the position of center-back at his club as a rule. Parker then played any other game up to the dramatic defeat on penalties in the semi-final against the eventual champions from Germany. Stevens returned to the game for third place against hosts Italy in the team back, which England lost 1-2.
After the good performance of Parker and the additional competitors Lee Dixon on Arsenal 's future Stevens after the World Cup in the national team seemed doubtful what was multiplied since his longtime coach Robson joined the English club football field. However, he also came under Graham Taylor sporadic, both from the outset as well as a substitute, for use.
England failed to qualify for the European Championships in Sweden in 1992, where Taylor usually Dixon preferred against Stevens. After Dixon was injured and moved the nomination date closer, Stevens was appointed to the squad. As this, however, even then also injured, Stevens had to cancel his participation for the European Championship. England completed the tournament then no real right-back and already retired from after the first round. Stevens should then no longer accrue after 46 international matches, where he managed no goals for England.
Stevens played for the Rangers until 1994 and then returned to the Merseyside back, to join the Tranmere Rovers for pounds 350,000.
He finished in 1998 his career as a football player and was manager at fourth division club Chester City. In a vote among supporters of Everton FC Stevens was chosen of all time on the right back position in the best Everton team. In the team next to Stevens also stood six other players from the team of the 1980s.
Others
- Due to the fact that in the meantime two players had been named " Gary Stevens" in the England squad, was a popular fan chant for the national team: "Two Gary Stevens! There's only two Gary Stevens! "
Achievements
- European Cup Winners' Cup: 1985
- English Champion: 1985, 1987
- FA Cup Winners: 1984
- Charity Shield Winner: 1985, 1986 *, 1987 ( * shared items)
- Scottish champion: 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994
- Scottish Cup Winners: 1992, 1993
- Scottish League Cup Winners: 1990, 1992, 1993