Steve Davis (footballer born 1965)
Encyclopedia
Steven Peter "Steve" Davis (born 26 July 1965 in Birmingham
, England) is an English footballer and is the manager at Crewe Alexandra
.
as an apprentice in 1982 but never made a senior appearance. However, he played more than 140 matches for both Crewe Alexandra
and Burnley
. Making his Crewe Alex debut at the age of 18, and captaining the side at the age of 19. His move to Burnley was clearly a highlight of his career as he established himself in the Burnley side, and was a key figure in the time he was there. He then played over 100 games for Barnsley
in Division 1, in which they won promotion to the Premier League. He had loan spells at York City
and Oxford United
, eventually being signed by Division 1 outfit, Oxford United in 1998.
The final years of his playing career saw him in Cheshire for Macclesfield Town
, Northwich Victoria
and Nantwich Town
- where he was player-manager. In fact, his managerial career at Nantwich Town was the most successful time in the clubs long history. Converting a club that had never achieved anything above The North west Counties league, to one that was challenging for a conference spot, but losing out in a play off final. Certainly making a name for himself at Nantwich, he moved on to his previous club Crewe Alexandra.
in June 2003. He resigned in September, after the side were second bottom of the Conference National
in the 2003–04
season.
After leading Nantwich Town
to two promotions in three seasons and guiding them to a FA Vase victory, and just missing out on promotion to the Conference North at the end of the 2008–09 season, he returned to the attention of Crewe Alexandra
, where he had spent four seasons as a player. On 17 May 2009, it was announced that he would become assistant manager to Gudjon Thordarson at Crewe. On 10 Nov 2011, it was announced that Dario Gradi had stepped down and Steve Davis would be appointed as manager. As manager of Crewe, Davis's first game in charge in a FA Cup was a 4-1 loss to Colchester United
on 12 November 2011, giving Davis his first loss as Crewe manager. Davis's first league game in charge was 2-1 win away to Morecambe
. Also as manager of Crewe, Davis introduce his squad to yoga sessions for training.
, is currently playing at Crewe Alexandra, and is also a centre-back. He made his debut at the end of the 2009/2010 campaign, against Bradford City.
Another son, Joe
, is a defender at Port Vale
. His debut came in April 2011.
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, England) is an English footballer and is the manager at Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
.
Playing career
Davis started his career with Stoke CityStoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
as an apprentice in 1982 but never made a senior appearance. However, he played more than 140 matches for both Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
and 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...
. Making his Crewe Alex debut at the age of 18, and captaining the side at the age of 19. His move to Burnley was clearly a highlight of his career as he established himself in the Burnley side, and was a key figure in the time he was there. He then played over 100 games for Barnsley
Barnsley F.C.
Barnsley Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Nicknamed the Tykes, they were founded in 1887 under the name Barnsley St. Peter's...
in Division 1, in which they won promotion to the Premier League. He had loan spells at 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...
and Oxford United
Oxford United F.C.
Oxford United Football Club is an English association football club based in Oxford, Oxfordshire. The club play in League Two, following promotion from the Conference National in May 2010. The club had been a non-League side since their relegation from the Football League in the 2005–06 season. The...
, eventually being signed by Division 1 outfit, Oxford United in 1998.
The final years of his playing career saw him in Cheshire for Macclesfield Town
Macclesfield Town F.C.
Macclesfield Town Football Club is an English football team. The club was formed in 1874 and is based in the town of Macclesfield in Cheshire. The team play its home games at the 6,355 capacity Moss Rose stadium...
, Northwich Victoria
Northwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
and Nantwich Town
Nantwich Town F.C.
Nantwich Town Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Nantwich, Cheshire, England. The club was founded in 1884 and is nicknamed The Dabbers. The club is currently a member of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, with home matches played at the Weaver Stadium.Nantwich...
- where he was player-manager. In fact, his managerial career at Nantwich Town was the most successful time in the clubs long history. Converting a club that had never achieved anything above The North west Counties league, to one that was challenging for a conference spot, but losing out in a play off final. Certainly making a name for himself at Nantwich, he moved on to his previous club Crewe Alexandra.
Management career
He was appointed as manager of Northwich VictoriaNorthwich Victoria F.C.
Northwich Victoria Football Club are an English football club who play at the Victoria Stadium in Wincham, Northwich, Cheshire in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, the seventh tier of the English football league system.Northwich are an old club, founded in 1874 and named in honour of...
in June 2003. He resigned in September, after the side were second bottom of the Conference National
Conference National
Conference National is the top division of the Football Conference in England. It is the highest level of the National League System and fifth highest of the overall English football league system...
in the 2003–04
2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
season.
After leading Nantwich Town
Nantwich Town F.C.
Nantwich Town Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Nantwich, Cheshire, England. The club was founded in 1884 and is nicknamed The Dabbers. The club is currently a member of the Northern Premier League Premier Division, with home matches played at the Weaver Stadium.Nantwich...
to two promotions in three seasons and guiding them to a FA Vase victory, and just missing out on promotion to the Conference North at the end of the 2008–09 season, he returned to the attention of Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
, where he had spent four seasons as a player. On 17 May 2009, it was announced that he would become assistant manager to Gudjon Thordarson at Crewe. On 10 Nov 2011, it was announced that Dario Gradi had stepped down and Steve Davis would be appointed as manager. As manager of Crewe, Davis's first game in charge in a FA Cup was a 4-1 loss to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
on 12 November 2011, giving Davis his first loss as Crewe manager. Davis's first league game in charge was 2-1 win away to Morecambe
Morecambe F.C.
Morecambe Football Club is an English football club based in Morecambe, Lancashire. It plays its football in League Two, the fourth division of English football, having been promoted in 2007 for the first time in their history to the Football League. They played their home matches at Christie Park...
. Also as manager of Crewe, Davis introduce his squad to yoga sessions for training.
Personal life
His son, HarryHarry Davis (footballer born 1991)
Harry Spencer Davis is an English footballer who plays for Crewe Alexandra of League Two.-Playing career:Davis, associated with Crewe Alexandra since the age of seven, making his first professional debut in a 1-0 League Two defeat to Bradford City at the Alexandra Stadium on 8 May 2010, having...
, is currently playing at Crewe Alexandra, and is also a centre-back. He made his debut at the end of the 2009/2010 campaign, against Bradford City.
Another son, Joe
Joe Davis (footballer born 1993)
Joe Davis is an English football defender who plays for Port Vale of League Two. He is son to former professional Steve Davis and brother to Harry Davis, another footballer.-Playing career:...
, is a defender at 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...
. His debut came in April 2011.
As a manager
Nantwich Town- FA VaseFA VaseThe Football Association Challenge Vase is an annual football competition for teams playing below Step 4 of the English National League System...
winner: 2005–06 - North West Counties League Division One third place (promotion to Northern Premier League Division One SouthNorthern Premier League Division One SouthDivision One South is one of the two second-tier divisions of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 4 of the National League System, placing it seven divisions below the Premier League...
): 2005–062005-06 in English footballThe 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether... - Cheshire Senior CupCheshire Senior CupThe Cheshire County Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the Cheshire Senior Cup, is a football knockout tournament founded in the 1879–80 season and involves teams from Cheshire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside, England. It is the County Cup competition of the Cheshire FA and...
winner: 2007–08 - Northern Premier League Division One SouthNorthern Premier League Division One SouthDivision One South is one of the two second-tier divisions of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 4 of the National League System, placing it seven divisions below the Premier League...
playoff winners (promotion to Northern PremierNorthern Premier League Premier DivisionThe Premier Division is the top division of the Northern Premier League. It is at Step 3 of the National League System, placing it six divisions below the Premier League...
): 2007–082007-08 in English footballThe 2007–08 season was the 128th season of competitive football in England.-European competitions:In October 2007 Arsenal equalled the UEFA Champions League record victory with a 7–0 win over Slavia Prague at the Emirates Stadium. The record was broken the following month when Liverpool...