Steve Guppy
Encyclopedia
Stephen Andrew "Steve" Guppy (born 29 March 1969) is a retired English
international
football winger, who now works as assistant coach at Colorado Rapids
.
Starting his senior career with Wycombe Wanderers
in 1989, over a five year period he made around 200 appearances for the club, helping Wycombe win promotion to the Football League. Earning a move to Newcastle United
in 1994, later in the year he transferred to Port Vale
. After three successful years at Vale he signed to Leicester City
in 1997. After a four year spell with the "Foxes" he moved to Scotland to play for Celtic
. In 2004 he returned to Leicester, before brief spells with Leeds United
, Stoke City
, and another return to Wycombe. In 2005 he joined American club D.C. United
, and after another year returned to the English non-league scene with Stevenage Borough. He then retired in 2008 following a spell back in the States with Rochester Rhinos.
As well as a successful nineteen year club career, he earned England caps at under-21
, semi-pro, 'B
', and finally at full senior level
.
and offered a chance with Southampton
in March 1989. He made a handful of appearances in the Saints reserves at the end of the 1988–89 season (but failed to break into the first team) before moving to Jim Kelman's Wycombe Wanderers
in September 1989. He turned professional with Wycombe in 1992, at the age of 23. Prior to turning pro he worked on building sites.
At Wycombe, he first teamed up with newly appointed Martin O'Neill
and helped take them into the Football League
as Conference
champions in 1992–93 as well as completing the non-league double by winning the FA Trophy
. He was a virtual ever-present in Wycombe's debut 1993–94 season in the Football League at the end of which they secured promotion to Second Division
via the play-offs.
In August 1994, he was snapped up by Kevin Keegan
's Newcastle United
for a fee of £150,000. He made one first team appearance as a substitute in the League Cup
in Newcastle's 2–0 defeat of Manchester United
. He subsequently moved on to Port Vale
in November 1994 for £225,000. Vale was a step down, but another top manager- in the form of John Rudge
, helped him focus on being a first team performer again. He played in the 1996 Anglo-Italian Cup Final
, as Vale lost 5–2 to Genoa
. In nearly three seasons at the then First Division
club he became a firm fan favourite and is now classed a club legend after his memorable performances on the left wing.
In February 1997 he was tracked down by his former boss Martin O'Neill, who paid £850,000 to take him to Premier League club Leicester City
for the first time. It was in his first spell with the Foxes that he was most successful, playing in over 140 matches under O'Neill. He gained League Cup
honours with Leicester City in 2000
, having also reached the final
in the previous season.
In August 2001, Guppy re-joined O'Neill at Celtic
for £700,000, where he spent 2 and half years. During his time at Celtic, they won the Scottish Premier League
. After being released by Celtic in January 2004 he temporarily re-joined Leicester City but left them in the summer of 2004, to try and get to the US to play. He then spent a brief spell at Leeds United
in August 2004, scoring once against Nottingham Forest, before gaining a short term deal at Stoke City
followed by a short spell back at Wycombe, scoring once against Swansea City. He moved to the United States
but his short stint in Major League Soccer
with Washington based D.C. United
was ended prematurely due to injury, and he was released by the club after playing in just five league games in which he was featured in a starting line-up alongside Freddy Adu
in midfield.
In August 2006 he signed for Stevenage Borough, scoring his first goal for them in a 1–1 draw at Exeter City
. With Jeff Kenna
, Guppy became the first player to play at both the new Wembley
and the old Wembley. This was achieved on 12 May 2007 when Kidderminster Harriers
played Borough in the FA Trophy
2007
at the new Wembley Stadium. Borough won 3–2 despite being 2–0 down at half time. Due to Stevenage winning, Guppy is the first ever person to win medals at both the old and new Wembley Stadium.
In 2008 he headed for America again, signing with the Rochester Rhinos as Player and Assistant Coach. Guppy logged 1,520 minutes of playing time in 21 league matches, starting in most of his appearances. He tallied 2 assists, both of which came off of his trademark crosses from the left wing. Guppy's first goal for the Rhinos came off of a header on 26 September in the final 10 minutes of the first-round, first leg play-off tie against the Charleston Battery
.
cap
, playing against Belgium on 10 October 1999. Guppy remains the only footballer to have played for England under-21
, England semi-pro, England B
and the full England
teams.
team Colorado Rapids
. Having had one more year on his coaching contract with the Rochester Rhinos, Rochester released Guppy from his duties, allowing him to move onto a higher level of coaching. He now is assistant coach at the Colorado Rapids, MLS team, 2009-to present day. During his time at the club the Rapids lifted the MLS Cup
in 2010
.
with Wycombe Wanderers
with Port Vale
with Leicester City
with Celtic
with Stevenage Borough
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
international
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
football winger, who now works as assistant coach at Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
.
Starting his senior career with Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
in 1989, over a five year period he made around 200 appearances for the club, helping Wycombe win promotion to the Football League. Earning a move to Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
in 1994, later in the year he transferred to 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...
. After three successful years at Vale he signed to Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
in 1997. After a four year spell with the "Foxes" he moved to Scotland to play for Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. In 2004 he returned to Leicester, before brief spells with Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
, Stoke City
Stoke 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...
, and another return to Wycombe. In 2005 he joined American club D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
, and after another year returned to the English non-league scene with Stevenage Borough. He then retired in 2008 following a spell back in the States with Rochester Rhinos.
As well as a successful nineteen year club career, he earned England caps at under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
, semi-pro, 'B
England B national football team
England B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the England national football team. At times they have played other nations' full teams; they have also played matches against 'B' teams from other football associations...
', and finally at full senior level
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.
Club career
Guppy was spotted playing for his local team, Colden CommonColden Common F.C.
Colden Common Football Club is a football club based in Colden Common, near Winchester, Hampshire, England. The club are playing in the Hampshire Premier League in the 2011–12 season. In the 1990s, they twice won the Hampshire League title.-History:...
and offered a chance with Southampton
Southampton F.C.
Southampton Football Club is an English football team, nicknamed The Saints, based in the city of Southampton, Hampshire. The club gained promotion to the Championship from League One in the 2010–2011 season after being relegated in 2009. Their home ground is the St Mary's Stadium, where the club...
in March 1989. He made a handful of appearances in the Saints reserves at the end of the 1988–89 season (but failed to break into the first team) before moving to Jim Kelman's Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe Wanderers F.C.
Wycombe Wanderers Football Club is an English professional football team from High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, which has been promoted to Football League One after finishing third in Football League Two in the season 2010–11. The club's nicknames are "The Chairboys" and "The Blues", and they play...
in September 1989. He turned professional with Wycombe in 1992, at the age of 23. Prior to turning pro he worked on building sites.
At Wycombe, he first teamed up with newly appointed Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
and helped take them into the Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
as Conference
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...
champions in 1992–93 as well as completing the non-league double by winning the FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
. He was a virtual ever-present in Wycombe's debut 1993–94 season in the Football League at the end of which they secured promotion to Second Division
Football League Second Division
From 1892 until 1992, the Football League Second Division was the second highest division overall in English football.This ended with the creation of the FA Premier League, prior to the start of the 1992–93 season, which caused an administrative split between The Football League and the teams...
via the play-offs.
In August 1994, he was snapped up by Kevin Keegan
Kevin Keegan
Joseph Kevin Keegan, OBE is a former international footballer and former manager of the England national football team and several English clubs, most notably Newcastle United....
's Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
for a fee of £150,000. He made one first team appearance as a substitute in the League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
in Newcastle's 2–0 defeat of 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...
. He subsequently moved on to 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...
in November 1994 for £225,000. Vale was a step down, but another top manager- in the form of John Rudge
John Rudge
John Robert Rudge is an English former football player and football manager. He is currently working as the director of football at Stoke City....
, helped him focus on being a first team performer again. He played in the 1996 Anglo-Italian Cup Final
1995–96 Anglo-Italian Cup
The 1995–96 Anglo-Italian Cup was the last ever Anglo-Italian Cup competition. The European football competition was played between eight clubs from England and eight clubs from Italy. Italian side Genoa lifted the trophy after beating English side Port Vale 5-2.-Format:For the competition there...
, as Vale lost 5–2 to Genoa
Genoa C.F.C.
Genoa Cricket and Football Club, commonly referred to simply as Genoa , is a professional Italian football club based in the city of Genoa, Liguria...
. In nearly three seasons at the then 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....
club he became a firm fan favourite and is now classed a club legend after his memorable performances on the left wing.
In February 1997 he was tracked down by his former boss Martin O'Neill, who paid £850,000 to take him to Premier League club Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
for the first time. It was in his first spell with the Foxes that he was most successful, playing in over 140 matches under O'Neill. He gained League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
honours with Leicester City in 2000
2000 Football League Cup Final
The 2000 Worthington Cup Final was played between Leicester City, in their third final appearance in four years, and First Division side Tranmere Rovers at Wembley on 27 February 2000...
, having also reached the final
1999 Football League Cup Final
The 1999 Worthington Cup Final was played between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City, at Wembley on Sunday 21 March 1999. Tottenham won the game, and their third League Cup, with an injury-time diving header from Allan Nielsen...
in the previous season.
In August 2001, Guppy re-joined O'Neill at Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
for £700,000, where he spent 2 and half years. During his time at Celtic, they won the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
. After being released by Celtic in January 2004 he temporarily re-joined Leicester City but left them in the summer of 2004, to try and get to the US to play. He then spent a brief spell at Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
in August 2004, scoring once against Nottingham Forest, before gaining a short term deal at Stoke City
Stoke 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...
followed by a short spell back at Wycombe, scoring once against Swansea City. He moved to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
but his short stint in Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
with Washington based D.C. United
D.C. United
D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996.Over the...
was ended prematurely due to injury, and he was released by the club after playing in just five league games in which he was featured in a starting line-up alongside Freddy Adu
Freddy Adu
Fredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu is a Ghanaian-born American soccer player who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in Major League Soccer. He plays primarily as an attacking midfielder, but he is also used as a winger or forward....
in midfield.
In August 2006 he signed for Stevenage Borough, scoring his first goal for them in a 1–1 draw at Exeter City
Exeter City F.C.
Exeter City Football Club is an English football club, based in Exeter, which is owned by its fans through the Exeter City Supporters Trust.The club was a member of the Football League from 1920 to 2003...
. With Jeff Kenna
Jeff Kenna
Jeffrey Jude Kenna is an Irish football manager and former player who played the largest part of his career as a defender with Southampton and Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League. He has managed Galway United and St Patrick's Athletic...
, Guppy became the first player to play at both the new Wembley
Wembley Stadium
The original Wembley Stadium, officially known as the Empire Stadium, was a football stadium in Wembley, a suburb of north-west London, standing on the site now occupied by the new Wembley Stadium that opened in 2007...
and the old Wembley. This was achieved on 12 May 2007 when Kidderminster Harriers
Kidderminster Harriers F.C.
Kidderminster Harriers F.C. are an English football club based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire formed in 1886 They currently play in the Conference National and have played at Aggborough Stadium since they were formed...
played Borough in the FA Trophy
FA Trophy
The Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
2007
2006–07 FA Trophy
The FA Trophy 2006–07 was the 37th season of the FA's cup competition for teams at levels 5-8 of the English football league system. 246 teams were entered for the competition.-First round:...
at the new Wembley Stadium. Borough won 3–2 despite being 2–0 down at half time. Due to Stevenage winning, Guppy is the first ever person to win medals at both the old and new Wembley Stadium.
In 2008 he headed for America again, signing with the Rochester Rhinos as Player and Assistant Coach. Guppy logged 1,520 minutes of playing time in 21 league matches, starting in most of his appearances. He tallied 2 assists, both of which came off of his trademark crosses from the left wing. Guppy's first goal for the Rhinos came off of a header on 26 September in the final 10 minutes of the first-round, first leg play-off tie against the Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery
Charleston Battery is an American professional soccer team based in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. Founded in 1993, the team plays in the American Division of the new USL Professional Division, the third tier of the American Soccer Pyramid....
.
International career
It was whilst at Leicester that he gained his only EnglandEngland national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
cap
Cap (sport)
In sports, a cap is a metaphorical term for a player's appearance on a select team, such as a national team. The term dates from the practice in the United Kingdom of awarding a cap to every player in an international match of association football...
, playing against Belgium on 10 October 1999. Guppy remains the only footballer to have played for England under-21
England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
, England semi-pro, England B
England B national football team
England B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the England national football team. At times they have played other nations' full teams; they have also played matches against 'B' teams from other football associations...
and the full England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
teams.
Coaching career
After a season as player-coach at Rochester, Guppy was recruited for the position of assistant coach with Major League SoccerMajor League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
team Colorado Rapids
Colorado Rapids
The Colorado Rapids are an American professional soccer club based in the Denver suburb of Commerce City, Colorado which competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league...
. Having had one more year on his coaching contract with the Rochester Rhinos, Rochester released Guppy from his duties, allowing him to move onto a higher level of coaching. He now is assistant coach at the Colorado Rapids, MLS team, 2009-to present day. During his time at the club the Rapids lifted the MLS Cup
MLS Cup
The MLS Cup is the championship match of Major League Soccer, the highest tier of professional soccer in the United States and Canada. As the final match of the MLS Cup playoffs, the winner is crowned the season champion in the same manner as other North American sports leagues...
in 2010
MLS Cup 2010
The MLS Cup 2010 was the fifteenth edition of the MLS Cup championship game and the final match of the 2010 MLS season. The championship was played at BMO Field in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on Sunday, November 21, 2010...
.
Honours
Individual- PFA Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
Team of the YearPFA Team of the YearThe Professional Footballers' Association Team of the Year is an annual award given to a set of 44 footballers in the top four tiers of English football; the Premier League, the Championship, League One and League Two, whom are seen to be deserving of being named in a "Team of the Year".The award...
: 1993–94
with Wycombe Wanderers
- FA TrophyFA TrophyThe Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
winner: 1993 - Conference NationalConference NationalConference 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...
champion: 1992–93 - Football League Third DivisionFootball League Third DivisionThe Football League Third Division was the 3 tier of English Football from 1920 until 1992 when after the formation of the Football Association Premier League saw the league renamed The Football League Division Two...
play-off winner: 1994
with Port Vale
- Anglo-Italian CupAnglo-Italian CupThe Anglo-Italian Cup is a defunct European football competition that was played intermittently between 1970 and 1996 between clubs from England and Italy. Founded by Gigi Peronace in 1970, following the success of the Anglo-Italian League Cup, it was played as a professional tournament until 1973...
runner-up: 19961995–96 Anglo-Italian CupThe 1995–96 Anglo-Italian Cup was the last ever Anglo-Italian Cup competition. The European football competition was played between eight clubs from England and eight clubs from Italy. Italian side Genoa lifted the trophy after beating English side Port Vale 5-2.-Format:For the competition there...
with Leicester City
- Football League CupFootball League CupThe Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
winner: 20002000 Football League Cup FinalThe 2000 Worthington Cup Final was played between Leicester City, in their third final appearance in four years, and First Division side Tranmere Rovers at Wembley on 27 February 2000...
with Celtic
- Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
champion: 2001–02 - Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
runner-up: 20022002 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2002 Scottish Cup Final was played on 4 May 2002 at Hampden Park in Glasgow and was the final of the 117th Scottish Cup. Celtic and Rangers contested the match, Rangers won the match 3–2, thanks to Peter Løvenkrands's last minute goal.-Match details:...
with Stevenage Borough
- FA TrophyFA TrophyThe Football Association Challenge Trophy, commonly known as the FA Trophy, is a knockout cup competition in English football, run by and named after The Football Association and competed for primarily by semi-professional teams...
winner: 20072006–07 FA TrophyThe FA Trophy 2006–07 was the 37th season of the FA's cup competition for teams at levels 5-8 of the English football league system. 246 teams were entered for the competition.-First round:...