Steve Davies (footballer, born 1987)

Steve Davies

Davies in 2008
Personal information
Full nameSteven Gary Davies[1]
Date of birth29 December 1987[1]
Place of birthLiverpool, England
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Playing positionStriker
Club information
Current team
Sheffield United
(on loan from Blackpool)
Number32
Youth career
–2005Tranmere Rovers
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2005–2008Tranmere Rovers60(5)
2008–2012Derby County83(21)
2012–2013Bristol City37(13)
2013–Blackpool45(8)
2015–→ Sheffield United (loan)11(2)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:20, 22 April 2015 (UTC).
† Appearances (Goals).

Steven Gary "Steve" Davies (born 29 December 1987) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Sheffield United, on loan from Blackpool.

Career

Tranmere Rovers

Born in Liverpool, Merseyside,[1] Davies came through the youth ranks at Tranmere Rovers, making his first team debut at the age of 17 on 12 August 2005 in a 4–0 victory against Oldham Athletic. He went on to make another 25 appearances in all competitions (the majority as substitute) during the 2005–06 season, scoring twice.

Though initially established as a striker, lack of starting opportunities due to the form of Chris Greenacre saw him switch to the left wing from which he scored his first goal of the 2006–07 season in Tranmere's victory over Blackpool. Davies impressed on the wing and made 33 appearances, though he only scored once.

Following an impressive performance against them on the opening day of the 2007–08 season, Leeds United unsuccessfully attempted to sign the winger on three separate occasions, though a statement on the Tranmere website on 29 August 2007 saw manager Ronnie Moore refuse to rule out that a deal might eventually be made, though nothing eventually came of Leeds interest. Davies was involved in all 10 of Tranmere's opening fixtures but missed the majority of the rest of the campaign through injury, only returning to the side in April 2008 for the 2–0 home defeat against Forest. Davies finished the season with 12 appearances and two goals.

Davies contract with Tranmere expired at the close of the 2007–08 season season and he attracted the interest of Championship side Derby, with Rams manager Paul Jewell willing to go to a tribunal to secure his services.[2]

Derby County

Davies signed a three-year deal with Derby on 12 June 2008.[3] As the two clubs could not agree a fee for Davies, on 26 August 2008 a tribunal ordered Derby to pay Tranmere up to £725,000 in compensation. This figure comprises an initial fee of £275,000, an extra £250,000 based on appearances and an additional £200,000 if Derby win promotion to the Premiership within 3 years.

Davies scored his first goal for Derby County on 16 July 2008 in a pre season friendly against Burton Albion, taking on 3 players before driving it into the bottom corner with his right foot. He made his competitive first team debut against Doncaster Rovers on 9 August 2008 replacing Andrejs Perepļotkins in the 64th minute, before making his first start against Lincoln City on 12 August 2008 in the 3–1 League Cup victory. He scored his first goal against Birmingham City on 30 September 2008, equalising in the closing minutes by getting on the end of a Nacer Barazite free kick to earn a 1–1 draw. He scored the winning goal in the F.A. Cup tie against Forest Green Rovers from the penalty spot to seal a 4–3 win before again scoring from the penalty spot against local rivals Nottingham Forest in a game which Derby won 3–1. Davies' fourth goal for the club came in the 84th minute away at Southampton where he salvaged a 1–1 draw for the Rams. At the end of March 2009, he suffered a hairline fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his right foot and was ruled out for the rest of the season.[4]

Davies enjoyed a successful 2009–10 pre season for Derby, scoring four goals in as many games, prompting manager Nigel Clough to challenge to maintain the form and claim a first team spot heading into the new season. Despite starting in the first team, a succession of injuries meant that Davies only played in two matches between the end of August 2009 and January 2010. After returning to the side in a 1–1 draw away to Millwall in the FA Cup third round on 2 January 2010, Davies embarked on a run of five consecutive appearances, though four were as substitute, his best run of matches since March 2009, and netted twice – the equaliser in the Third Round replay against Millwall and a penalty in a 3–0 win at Peterborough United. Following this run, however, his fitness problems returned and he made four starts in the next seventeen fixtures and, after a late substitute appearance against Crystal Palace in the penultimate home fixture of the campaign, the club announced Davies was to undergo ankle surgery which ruled him out until 1 June. Davies finished the season with just 8 starts and 13 substitute appearances from Derby's 51 league and cup game programme, scoring twice.

Clough stated his intent to improve Davies conditioning for the 2010–11 season, stating "He will be back in training on 1 June, four weeks before everybody else."[5] Davies subsequently damaged his cruciate ligaments in pre-season training and was ruled out for a further six months.[6] Davies returned to the side in the final game of 2010, making a substitute appearance in a 5–2 defeat at Nottingham Forest.[7] Two months later, Davies signed a one-year contract extension which kept him at the club until the summer of 2012.[8] He scored his third goal of the season as Derby beat Swansea 2–1 on 12 March 2011.[9] Davies finished the season of with 5 league goals, the joint second top scorer with Alberto Bueno & Jamie Ward, with the three being behind leading scorer Kris Commons who netted 13 times.[10]

After a full pre-season schedule, Davies started in Derby's starting line-up and netted five times in his first eight league games, including the winner over Birmingham City[11] and Watford[12] as Derby found themselves in the top four for the majority of the opening 12 games of the season. Davies was displaying his best form in his three years at Derby[13] before an innocuous looking clash of heads in the 1–1 home draw with league leaders Southampton left Davies ruled out for 12 weeks after it left him with 10 metal plates in his skull.[13] The injury meant that Davies had had six operation in his three years at Pride Park, following treatment for a fractured eye-socket and cheekbone, cruciate ligament damage in his knee, an ankle problem, a broken foot, hamstring, groin and hernia problems, and an infected big toe.[14] It meant Davies had played a role in just 78 of Derby's 169 games (46%) on 21 October 2011 during his time at the club, despite being considered a first-team player by most commentators.

Davies featured in several reserve matches wearing a protective mask and made his first team return as a half-time substitute in a 1–0 defeat against Reading on 14 February 2012,[15] after this game Davies declared himself fit to start for the first team.[16] Davies made two further substitute appearance before he was named in the starting line-up in the game against Birmingham City 3 March, Davies scored his first goal since his return and his 6th of the season.[17] On 6 March 2012, Davies scored both of Derby's goals in the 2–1 against Blackpool, Davies earned praise from both Derby coach Andy Garner[18] and Blackpool mananager Ian Holloway for his performance in the game, with Davies' family thanking Holloway for his comments with an e-mail.[19] Davies has scored further goals a loss against Watford[20] and wins against Crystal Palace,[21] at Leeds United[22] and a penalty at Portsmouth.[23] Davies finished the season as the club's top league scorer with 12 goals, Theo Robinson also scored 12 times in all competition but only 10 times in the league.

Davies had an option activated by the club to extend his contract until the summer of 2013, however Davies was transfer listed by the club on 22 May 2012 after he turned down an new three-year contract by the club.[24] Derby manager Nigel Clough said that Davies turned down the offer due to "family reasons" and fully respected his decision.[25] In July 2012, it was repored the Ipswich Town were interested in Davies.[26] Former Derby manager Paul Jewell keen to reunite with the player, however the two clubs were "a long way apart" in agreeing a fee for Davies with Jewell valuing the player at £500,000 and Clough at £1 million.[27] The clubs remained in talks to agree a fee.[28] In August 2012, it was reported that the transfer was on the verge of collapse.[29] Davies played his first game in Derby's pre-season campaign against Chesterfield on 11 August 2012, scoring in stoppage time in the 3–1 defeat.[30] On 20 August 2012, it was reported that Derby and Bristol City had agreed a transfer fee for Davies.[31]

Bristol City

On 20 August 2012, Davies signed for Bristol City on a 3-year contract for £750,000, despite interest from divisional rivals Ipswich Town.[32] He made his debut on 21 August, in a 4–1 win against Crystal Palace.[33] On 22 September he scored his first goal for the club, earning his side a 2–2 draw against Watford.[34] He scored again in the following game, this time in a 1–1 draw at home to Millwall on 2 October.[35] On 20 October he scored twice in a 3–2 defeat to Bolton Wanderers.[36] He scored again the following game, a 4–3 loss to Burnley[37] and continued his scoring run in the following game, scoring for the third game in a row in a 2–1 loss against Hull City.[38] In November he scored in back-to-back games, scoring a penalty in a 1–1 draw against Blackpool, and completing the scoring in a 3–1 win away to Middlesbrough.[39][40] On 26 January 2013, Davies scored 1 goal and set up the winning goal as Bristol City beat Ipswich Town 2–1 at Ashton Gate.[41] He scored his tenth goal for the club on 9 February, in a 2–0 win at home to Nottingham Forest.[42]

Blackpool

On 27 July 2013, Blackpool announced the signing of Davies from Bristol City on a two-year contract, for a fee believed to be £500,000.[43] Davies joined Sheffield United until the end of the 2014–15 season on 6 March 2015.[44]

Career statistics

As of match played 18 April 2015.
Club statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tranmere Rovers 2005–06[45] League One 22210102[lower-alpha 1]0262
2006–07[46] League One 28120102[lower-alpha 1]0331
2007–08[47] League One 10200101[lower-alpha 1]0122
Total 605303050715
Derby County 2008–09[48] Championship 1931140—244
2009–10[49] Championship 1813110—222
2010–11[50] Championship 2051000—215
2011–12[51] Championship 26120010—2712
Total 83215260—9423
Bristol City 2012–13[52] Championship 37131000—3813
Blackpool 2013–14[53] Championship 2830010—293
2014–15[54] Championship 1751000—185
Total 4581010—478
Sheffield United (loan) 2014–15[54] League One 112———112
Career total 236491021005026151
  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 109. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ "Rams sign Davies and wait on fee". BBC Sport. 12 June 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
  3. ↑ "Davies Joins Jewell Revolution". dcfc.co.uk. Retrieved 12 June 2008.
  4. ↑ BBC Sport (26 March 2009). "Derby's Davies out for the season". BBC News.
  5. ↑ BBC Sport (19 April 2010). "Derby County without striker Steven Davies for run-in". BBC News.
  6. ↑ dcfc.co.uk (15 July 2010). "Davies undergoes op for cruciate injury".
  7. ↑ "Striker Steve is hoping to play a bigger part this year after his injury blues". thisisderbyshire. 1 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "Davies signs new Derby contract". BBC News. 9 February 2011.
  9. ↑ "Derby 2–1 Swansea". BBC News. 12 March 2011.
  10. ↑ "Top Scorers 2010/11". Football League. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  11. ↑ "Derby 2–1 Birmingham". BBC News. 6 August 2011.
  12. ↑ "Watford 0–1 Derby". BBC News. 13 August 2011.
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 "Steve: How skull injury almost ended my career". thisisderbyshire. 21 October 2011.
  14. ↑ "Steve Davies: `I'll come back a stronger person'". thisisderbyshire. 21 October 2011.
  15. ↑ BBC Sport (14 February 2012). "Derby 0 – 1 Reading". BBC News.
  16. ↑ "Steve: I'm fit and ready for a return to start line-up". thisisderbyshire. 18 February 2012.
  17. ↑ BBC Sport (3 March 2012). "Birmingham 2 – 2 Derby". BBC News.
  18. ↑ BBC Sport (6 March 2012). "Derby 2 – 2 Blackpool". BBC News.
  19. ↑ Daily Mirror (10 March 2012). "The truth about Blackpool? Oyston has safeguarded our future". Trinity Mirror.
  20. ↑ BBC Sport (10 March 2012). "Derby 1 – 2 Watford". BBC News.
  21. ↑ BBC Sport (24 March 2012). "Derby 3 – 2 Crystal Palace". BBC News.
  22. ↑ BBC Sport (9 April 2012). "Leeds 0 – 2 Derby". BBC News.
  23. ↑ BBC Sport (21 April 2012). "Portsmouth 1 – 2 Derby". BBC News.
  24. ↑ dcfc.co.uk (22 May 2012). "Clough Confirms Davies Could Leave". Derby County.
  25. ↑ dcfc.co.uk (22 May 2012). "Nigel 'Respects' Davies Decision". Derby County.
  26. ↑ www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk (7 July 2012). "Ipswich in pole position for Derby County striker Steve Davies". Derby Evening Telegraph.
  27. ↑ eadt.co.uk (16 July 2012). "Ipswich Town and Derby County remain a long way apart on Steve Davies valuation". East Anglian Daily Times.
  28. ↑ www.burtonmail.co.uk (17 July 2012). "Ipswich in talks with Rams over deal for Davies". Burton Mail.
  29. ↑ www.ipswichstar.co.uk (7 August 2012). "TRANSFER RUMOUR: Is Paul Jewell about to call time on Steve Davies summer hunt?". Ipswich Star.
  30. ↑ www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk (13 August 2012). "No excuses as Derby County round off programme of friendlies with dismal display at Chesterfield". Derby Evening Telegraph.
  31. ↑ www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk (20 August 2012). "Davies deal step nearer as Robins' bid is accepted". Derby Evening Telegraph.
  32. ↑ www.bcfc.co.uk (20 August 2012). "DAVIES AGREES CITY SWITCH". Bristol City Official Website.
  33. ↑ "Bristol City 4–1 Crystal Palace" BBC Sport. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  34. ↑ "Watford 2–2 Bristol City" BBC Sport. 22 September 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  35. ↑ "Bristol City 1–1 Millwall" BBC Sport. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  36. ↑ "Bolton 3–2 Bristol City" BBC Sport. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  37. ↑ "Bristol City 3–4 Burnley" BBC Sport. 23 October 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  38. ↑ "Bristol City 1–2 Hull" BBC Sport. 27 October 2012. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  39. ↑ "Bristol City 1–1 Blackpool" BBC Sport. 17 November 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  40. ↑ "Middlesbrough 1–3 Bristol City" BBC Sport. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 24 November 2012.
  41. ↑ "Bristol City 2–1 Ipswich" BBC Sport. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  42. ↑ "Bristol City 2–0 Nottm Forest" BBC Sport. 9 February 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.
  43. ↑ "Steven Davies: Blackpool sign Bristol City striker". BBC Sport. 27 July 2013. Retrieved 27 July 2013.
  44. ↑ "Steven Davies: Sheffield United sign Blackpool striker on loan". BBC Sport. 6 March 2015. Retrieved 6 March 2015.
  45. ↑ "Games played by Steve Davies in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  46. ↑ "Games played by Steve Davies in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  47. ↑ "Games played by Steve Davies in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  48. ↑ "Games played by Steve Davies in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  49. ↑ "Games played by Steve Davies in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  50. ↑ "Games played by Steve Davies in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Steve Davies in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  52. ↑ "Games played by Steve Davies in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  53. ↑ "Games played by Steve Davies in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 "Games played by Steve Davies in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 22 April 2015.

External links

Awards and achievements
Preceded by
Kris Commons		 Derby County Top Goalscorer
2011–12
With: Theo Robinson		 Succeeded by
Jamie Ward