Gary Stevens (footballer, born 1963)
Stevens played his part in Everton's opening goal at Wembley against Watford – his pace enabling him to reach a loose ball from a half-cleared cross first and set up Graeme Sharp for a clinical finish.Stevens shouldered some of the blame – he played a loose pass which was intercepted by Liverpool's Ronnie Whelan and led to an equaliser for the men in red, who went on to win 3–1.Rangers were in the midst of a revolution when Stevens joined, with manager Graeme Souness buying non-Scottish players (including many Englishmen) to bolster his side.Having started the 1994–95 out of favour at Ibrox as manager Walter Smith selected Alex Cleland at right back in the Rangers team, Stevens accepted an offer to move to English Division One promotion challengers Tranmere Rovers on 22 September 1994 for a fee of £350,000.He featured regularly at right back for the Prenton Park club over the next four seasons, making 127 league appearances and helping them qualify for the playoffs (where they lost to Reading in the semi-finals) before managing three successive mid table finishes.Stevens was, however, instrumental in the defeat which followed, losing the ball to Ruud Gullit down the flank, which led to the opening goal of a famous hat-trick by Marco van Basten.Stevens had come close to blocking Van Basten's shot when he'd been caught napping wide on the flank seconds earlier by Gullit, showing his speed and determination, but it was tough to accept as England wimped out of the tournament without a point.Stevens was replaced by Paul Parker, who played so well (despite being more usually a central defender for Queens Park Rangers) that he kept his place up to and including England's dramatic semi-final exit on penalties against West Germany, the eventual winners.
Gary StevensBarrow-in-FurnessLancashireRight-backEvertonRangersTranmere RoversEngland U21England BEnglandScottish League XIphysiotherapistfootballerEnglish League ChampionshipFA CupEuropean Cup Winners' CupScottish Premier DivisionScottish CupEngland national teamWorld CupUniversity of SalfordBolton WanderersChester CityHoward KendallLiverpoolWest Ham United1981–82 season1984 FA CupLeague CupWembleyWatfordGraeme SharpLeague ChampionshipManchester UnitedKevin MoranRapid ViennaHeysel Stadium disasterEuropean CupMerseysidedoubleRonnie WhelanJim Beglinnorth of the borderGraeme SounessScottish CupsScottish League CupsDundee United1994–95Walter SmithAlex ClelandPrenton ParkReading1997–98 seasonUEFA Euro 1988NetherlandsMarco van BastenBobby Robson1986 FIFA World CupTottenham HotspurGary A. StevenschantedArgentinaRepublic of Irelandthe NetherlandsRuud Gullithat-trick1990 FIFA World CupPaul ParkerQueens Park Rangerson penaltiesWest Germanythe host nationArsenalLee DixonGraham TaylorUEFA Euro 1992Football League First Division1984–851986–871983–84FA Charity Shield1988–891989–901990–911991–921992–931993–94Scottish League CupPFA Team of the YearWayback MachineShiltonLawrensonRatcliffeSansomRobsonSheedyWaddleMcGrathHoddleB. RobsonS. RobsonLinekerHughesSouthallHansenGillespiePearceMcMahonGascoigneBarnesBeardsleyGwladys Street's Hall of FameAbbottBalmerBaxterBenthamBinghamBracewellBrettellBrittonCarterCatterickChadwickChedgzoyClennellCollins