Steve Watson

Football player infobox
playername = Steve Watson


fullname = Stephen Craig Watson
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1974|4|1
height = height|meters=1.85
cityofbirth = North Shields
countryofbirth = England
currentclub = Sheffield Wednesday
clubnumber = 6
position = Defender/midfielder
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1991–1998
1998–2000
2000–2005
2005–2007
2007
2007–
clubs = Newcastle United
Aston Villa
Everton
West Bromwich Albion
→ Sheffield Wednesday (loan)
Sheffield Wednesday
caps(goals) = 208 (12)
041 0(0)
125 (14)
042 0(1)
011 0(0)
024 0(2)
nationalyears = 1992–1995
1998
nationalteam = England U21
England B
nationalcaps(goals) = 012 0(1)
001 0(0)
pcupdate = 19:48, 12 May 2008 (UTC)
ntupdate = 19:48, 12 May 2008 (UTC)

Stephen Craig Watson (born April 1, 1974 in North Shields) is an English footballer, currently playing for Sheffield Wednesday, whom he joined on a 2 year deal on 10 July 2007.

Playing career

Watson began his career with Newcastle United, playing on a regular basis. At the time of his debut, he was the youngest person ever to play for Newcastle,cite web|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/archive/england/players/WatsonSteve.html|title=Steve Watson Soccernet profile|publisher=ESPN|date=2002-07-16|accessdate=2008-01-28] a record he holds to this day. 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 He was transferred to Aston Villa in October 1998 to the surprise of Newcastle fans.

He moved to Everton in the summer of 2000 in a £2.5m deal. [cite news
date=2000-07-04
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/e/everton/818680.stm
title= Everton sign Watson
publisher=BBC Sport
accessdate=2007-10-01] When boss Walter Smith found his squad decimated by injury, Watson found himself a regular striker alongside Tomasz Radzinski, a role he had started to play at the beginning of his career before transferring to the defence. His time with Everton was blighted with injury, although he did enjoy some time in the first team for the 2003–2004 season.

Watson was signed by West Bromwich Albion prior to the 2005–2006 season. [cite news
date=2005-07-05
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/west_bromwich_albion/4651985.stm
title= Watson makes switch to West Brom
publisher=BBC Sport
accessdate=2007-10-01] He made his Albion debut as a late substitute in a 0–0 draw away at Manchester City on 13 August, 2005. His only goal for the club was scored on January 2, 2006, in a 2–1 home defeat against his former club Aston Villa.

On February 9, 2007, he joined Sheffield Wednesday on loan until the end of the 2006–2007 season and made his debut away at Burnley in a 1–1 draw on February 10 at Turf Moor. Before he joined them, the Yorkshire side had lost five matches in a row. However, they won six, drew four and only lost once when Watson was in the side. He was primarily signed by Brian Laws due to his versatility to play in central midfield alongside playmaker Glenn Whelan, but also excelled when called upon at centre-back. Due to a clause in his contract, he missed Wednesday's 1–0 victory over his parent club West Brom and was then re-called with only two games remaining to avoid him helping The Owls into the play-offs at the expense of West Brom. [cite web|title=McShane boost for Baggies|work=home.skysports.com|url=http://home.skysports.com/list.aspx?hlid=463548&CPID=10&clid=19&lid=&title=McShane+boost+for+Baggies|accessdate=2007-04-27] Watson moved to Wednesday permanently in July 2007 on a free transfer. [cite news
date=2007-07-10
url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_wed/6278548.stm
title=Owls complete signing of Watson
publisher=BBC Sport
accessdate=2007-10-01] His first goal for the club came as a 90th minute equaliser against West Brom at The Hawthorns on 6 November 2007. [cite news
date=2007-11-06
url=http://www.swfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10304~37791,00.html
title= WBA vs Sheffield Wed
publisher= Sheffield Wednesday F.C.
accessdate=2008-02-22]

On 2 July 2008 it was announced that Watson would succeed Lee Bullen as club captain for the efs|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. [cite news
date=2008-07-02
url=http://www.thestar.co.uk/owls/New-Owls-club-captain-revealed.4248145.jp
title=New Owls club captain revealed
publisher=Sheffield Star
author=Paul Thomspon
accessdate=2008-07-02]

References

External links

* [http://www.swfc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10304~5680,00.html Steve Watson player profile] at swfc.co.uk
* [http://www.wbafc.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10366~5680,00.html Steve Watson player profile] at wbafc.co.uk
*soccerbase|id=8347|name=Steve Watson
*ESPNsoccernet|id=7723|name=Steve Watson