Alf Steward
Encyclopedia
Alfred Steward was an English
football goalkeeper and football manager. He also played cricket for Lancashire
.
Alf Steward played football in the army between 1915 and 1918, before joining Stalybridge Celtic
. In 1919 he joined Manchester United
as an amateur, as cover for United first choice keeper Jack Mew
. While an amateur he also played for Heaton Park before turning professional with United in January 1920. His United debut came in October that year, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win at home to Preston North End
. He finally became a regular in the United side in the 1923-24 season, and was an ever-present the following season as United won promotion, as runners-up, to the First Division
. Between April 1924 and September 1927 Steward missed only 7 league games out of a possible 139 for United, before losing his place to Lance Robinson. He regained his first-team place in April 1928 and went on to play a further 149 games before leaving Old Trafford in June 1932, joining Manchester North End
as player-manager.
He led North End to the final of the Cheshire County League Cup against Altrincham
at the end of the 1932-33 season, a final in which he managed to play for both sides. The final finished in a 3-3 draw, but the replay was held over until the following season, by which time Steward had joined Altrincham
as player-manager. Altrincham won the replay 4-1, and later that season made the 1st Round of the FA Cup
for the first time, losing to Gainsborough Trinity
. They also won the Cheshire Senior Cup.
He finally retired as a player during the 1937-38 season, making just two appearances that season. In May 1938 he took over as secretary-manager at Division Three (South) side Torquay United
. Torquay finished 19th in his only full season with the club, the war
intervening. He remained at Torquay until the club closed for the war in May 1940.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
football goalkeeper and football manager. He also played cricket for Lancashire
Lancashire County Cricket Club
Lancashire County Cricket Club represents the historic county of Lancashire in cricket's County Championship. The club was founded in 1864 as a successor to Manchester Cricket Club and has played at Old Trafford since then...
.
Alf Steward played football in the army between 1915 and 1918, before joining Stalybridge Celtic
Stalybridge Celtic F.C.
Stalybridge Celtic are an English full time professional football club from Stalybridge, Greater Manchester in North West England. The club, which plays its home matches at Bower Fold, is currently in the Conference North in the sixth tier of the English football league system...
. In 1919 he joined Manchester United
Manchester 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...
as an amateur, as cover for United first choice keeper Jack Mew
Jack Mew
John William "Jack" Mew , was an English football goalkeeper. Born in Sunderland, he attended Marley Hill Council School where he first played football. In July 1912, he was signed by Manchester United. He won a Central League Championship medal in 1913. He stayed with United until 1926 when he...
. While an amateur he also played for Heaton Park before turning professional with United in January 1920. His United debut came in October that year, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win at home to Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
. He finally became a regular in the United side in the 1923-24 season, and was an ever-present the following season as United won promotion, as runners-up, to 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....
. Between April 1924 and September 1927 Steward missed only 7 league games out of a possible 139 for United, before losing his place to Lance Robinson. He regained his first-team place in April 1928 and went on to play a further 149 games before leaving Old Trafford in June 1932, joining Manchester North End
Manchester North End F.C.
Manchester North End F.C. was an association football club based in Manchester, England. The club was founded in 1922 as New Cross F.C. and joined the Lancashire Combination, before changing its name the following year...
as player-manager.
He led North End to the final of the Cheshire County League Cup against Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
at the end of the 1932-33 season, a final in which he managed to play for both sides. The final finished in a 3-3 draw, but the replay was held over until the following season, by which time Steward had joined Altrincham
Altrincham F.C.
Altrincham Football Club is an English association football club from Altrincham, Greater Manchester. They currently play in the Conference North, having been relegated from the Conference National at the end of the 2010–11 season.-History:...
as player-manager. Altrincham won the replay 4-1, and later that season made the 1st Round of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
for the first time, losing to Gainsborough Trinity
Gainsborough Trinity F.C.
Gainsborough Trinity Football Club are an English football club based in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire.Between 1896 and 1912 they were members of the Football League. They are currently in the Conference North, and play their home matches at The Northolme, which has a capacity of 4,304...
. They also won the Cheshire Senior Cup.
He finally retired as a player during the 1937-38 season, making just two appearances that season. In May 1938 he took over as secretary-manager at Division Three (South) side Torquay United
Torquay United F.C.
Torquay United Football Club, nicknamed the Gulls, are an English association football club based in the tourist resort town of Torquay, Devon. They played in the Conference National in 2008–09, but were promoted to Football League Two after a 2–0 win over Cambridge United on 17 May 2009 at Wembley...
. Torquay finished 19th in his only full season with the club, the war
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
intervening. He remained at Torquay until the club closed for the war in May 1940.