John Stevenson (soccer) explained

John Stevenson
Birth Date:17 June 1953
Position:Midfielder
Youthclubs1:Coventry City
Years1:1973–1975
Clubs1:Heart of Midlothian
Caps1:51
Goals1:9
Years2:1975–1976
Clubs2:St Johnstone
Years3:1977–1980
Clubs3:Sydney City
Caps3:101+
Goals3:23+
Years4:1981–1982
Clubs4:South Melbourne
Caps4:49
Goals4:4
Years6:1983–1984
Clubs6:Sunshine George Cross
Caps6:9+
Goals6:0+
Nationalyears1:1978
Nationalteam1:Australia
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0

John Stevenson is a former soccer player who played in the Scottish and Australian leagues. He played one match for the Australia national soccer team.

Early life and family

Stevenson was raised near Glasgow, before moving to England as a teenager. His brother Jimmy Stevenson played professional football in Scotland and England. His sister Anne married Gerry Baker. Anne and Gerry's grandson Ryan Strain made his debut for Australia in 2022.[1] [2]

Playing career

Club career

At the age of 15, Stevenson joined Coventry City.[1] In 1973, he joined Heart of Midlothian.[3] He made 51 league appearances for Hearts before being released on a free transfer in October 1975.[4] [5] He joined St Johnstone on a short-term contract and was released by St Johnstone in early 1976 when he emigrated to Australia.[6] In Australia, he joined Sydney Hakoah (later Sydney City), in the New South Wales State League. He remained at Hakoah once they joined the National Soccer League in 1977, playing over 100 times at the now-Sydney City. In late 1980, he was signed by South Melbourne in a transfer deal.[7] In 1983, Stevenson joined Sunshine George Cross in the Victorian State League.[8] He continued with George Cross the following year where they played in the National Soccer League.[9]

International career

He played one match for the Australia national soccer team in 1978.[10] [11] [12] [13]

Notes and References

  1. News: 12 February 1972 . Stevenson knows: I must be patient . 6 May 2024 . Coventry Evening Telegraph . 52.
  2. News: Hill . Simon . 2018-11-02 . Reds winger Ryan Strain lifted the FFA Cup 60 years after his grandfather won the Scottish Cup . 2024-05-06 . Fox Sports . en.
  3. News: 17 February 1973 . Stevenson moves to Hearts . 6 May 2024 . Coventry Evening Telegraph . 20.
  4. Web site: John Stevenson - Hearts Career . 6 May 2024 . London Hearts Supporter Club.
  5. News: Nicol . Alister . 20 October 1975 . Transfer . 6 May 2024 . Daily Record . 54.
  6. News: 7 January 1976 . St Johnstone free midfield man Stevenson . 6 May 2024 . Daily Record . 46.
  7. News: Schwab . Laurie . 20 November 1980 . Hellas spends $17,000 . 6 May 2024 . The Age . 30.
  8. News: Schwab . Laurie . 4 April 1983 . Heidelberg-Hellas great drawcards . 6 May 2024 . The Age . 16.
  9. Web site: Aussie Footballers - John Stevenson . 7 March 2022 . OzFootball.
  10. News: Curran . Brian . 23 August 1980 . Stevenson in soccer squad . 68 . The Sydney Morning Herald . 7 March 2022.
  11. News: John Stevenson joins squad . . 54. 16,403 . Australian Capital Territory . 23 August 1980 . 8 March 2022 . 42 . National Library of Australia.
  12. News: Australian Player Database - John Stevenson . OzFootball. 7 March 2022.
  13. News: Australia tries new players . . 52 . 15,602 . Australian Capital Territory . 10 June 1978 . 8 March 2022 . 45 . National Library of Australia.