Steve Guppy

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For the Canadian writer, see Stephen Guppy.

Steve Guppy
Personal information
Full name Stephen Andrew Guppy[1]
Date of birth (1969-03-29) 29 March 1969 (age 55)[2]
Place of birth Winchester, Hampshire, England[2]
Height 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[3]
Position(s) Winger
Youth career
1987–1989 Colden Common
1989 Southampton
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–1994 Wycombe Wanderers 178 (26)
1994 Newcastle United 0 (0)
1994–1997 Port Vale 105 (12)
1997–2001 Leicester City 146 (9)
2001–2004 Celtic 33 (0)
2004 Leicester City 15 (0)
2004 Leeds United 3 (1)
2004 Stoke City 4 (0)
2004–2005 Wycombe Wanderers 14 (1)
2005–2006 D.C. United 5 (0)
2006–2007 Stevenage Borough 27 (1)
2008 Rochester Rhinos 22 (0)
Total 552 (50)
International career
1990 England under-21 1 (0)
1993 England semi-pro 1 (0)
1998 England B 1 (0)
1999 England 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Stephen Andrew Guppy (born 29 March 1969) is an English football coach and former professional footballer who now coaches at Nashville SC.

A winger, he started 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.

Playing career[edit]

Club career[edit]

Guppy was spotted playing for his local team, Colden Common 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)[4] before moving to Jim Kelman's Wycombe Wanderers in September 1989.[5] He turned professional with Wycombe in 1992, at the age of 23.[6] Prior to turning professional he worked on building sites.[7]

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 signed by Kevin Keegan's Newcastle United for a fee of £150,000.[5] He made one first-team appearance as a substitute in the League Cup in Newcastle's 2–0 defeat of Manchester United.[6] He subsequently moved on to Port Vale in November 1994 for £225,000.[8] He later recalled seeing a local newspaper headline "'Vale sign Premiership star' and I thought 'Great! Who else have they signed?’ but of course the headline was about me. I thought – but I’ve only played a handful of games in the Premiership I'm hardly a star!"[9] 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.[6] 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.[5] He was cup-tied for their victory in the 1997 League Cup final.[10] 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. However, he was dropped by new manager Peter Taylor in the 2000–01 campaign.[11]

In August 2001, Guppy re-joined O'Neill at Celtic for £700,000,[12] where he spent two-and-a-half-years.[5] During his time at Celtic, they won the Scottish Premier League in his first season at the club.[13] The following season, 2002–03, Guppy had a number of injury problems, meaning he missed the 2003 UEFA Cup final.[14] In 2003-04 Guppy only made one appearance for Celtic, in a Scottish League Cup tie against Partick Thistle,[15][16] before leaving Celtic to re-join Leicester City in January 2004.[17] However, he found that he did not suit manager Micky Adams's style of play.[11] Guppy left Leicester in the summer of 2004, to try to get to the US to play.[18] He then spent a brief spell at Leeds United in August 2004,[19] scoring once against Nottingham Forest,[20] before gaining a short-term deal at Stoke City, where former Vale manager John Rudge was director of football.[11][21] This was followed by a short spell back at Wycombe,[5][22] scoring once against Swansea City.[23] He moved to the United States[24] 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,[25] scoring his first goal for them in a 1–1 draw at Exeter City.[26] With Jeff Kenna, Guppy became the first player to play at both the new Wembley and the old Wembley.[6] This was achieved on 12 May 2007 when Kidderminster Harriers played Borough in the 2007 final of the FA Trophy at the new Wembley Stadium. Borough won 3–2 despite being 2–0 down at half-time; Craig Dobson, who replaced Guppy on 63 minutes, scored the equalizing goal.[27] Due to Stevenage winning, Guppy became the first ever person to win medals at both the old and new Wembley Stadium.[6]

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 two 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.

International career[edit]

It was whilst at Leicester that he gained his only England cap, playing against Belgium on 10 October 1999.[5][28] Manager Kevin Keegan described him as "a little bit like a left-sided David Beckham".[29] Guppy remains the only footballer to have played for England under-21, England semi-pro, England B and the full England teams.

Style of play[edit]

Port Vale player and lifelong fan Tom Pope described Guppy as "a very tricky winger, one who could go on the inside or the outside", and a player with good crossing ability.[30] In May 2019, he was voted into the "Ultimate Port Vale XI" by members of the OneValeFan supporter website.[31]

Coaching career[edit]

After a season as player-coach at Rochester, Guppy was recruited for the position of assistant coach to Gary Smith at Major League Soccer 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 was assistant coach at the Colorado Rapids for three years, from 2009 to 2012. During his time at the club the Rapids lifted the MLS Cup in 2010. He left the club when the Rapids parted company with Gary Smith in November 2011.[32] In March 2012, Guppy reunited with his old boss Martin O'Neill at Sunderland to work as a part-time coach, giving extra specialised sessions on technical work to "Black Cats" young players.[33] A few months later he settled into the role on a full-time basis.[34]

In April 2013, Guppy followed O'Neill out of Sunderland as incoming manager Paolo Di Canio appointed his own coaching staff.[35] In 2014, he joined O'Neill's coaching staff to specifically coach the wingers and strikers of the Republic of Ireland national side.[36] He helped former teammate Neil Aspin to coach Port Vale during 2018–19 pre-season.[37] O'Neill was sacked by Ireland in November 2018 following relegation out of the UEFA Nations League B Group 3, and Guppy also lost his position.[38] He went on to be reunited with Gary Smith at Nashville SC, where he worked as an assistant coach.[39]

Club statistics[edit]

Club[edit]

Source:[40]

Club Season Division League FA Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Wycombe Wanderers[41] 1989–90 Conference 30 4 30 4
1990–91 Conference 30 1 30 1
1991–92 Conference 39 7 39 7
1992–93 Conference 38 6 38 6
1993–94 Third Division 41 8 3 0 14 2 58 10
Total 178 26 3 0 14 2 195 28
Newcastle United 1994–95 Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Port Vale 1994–95 First Division 27 2 1 0 0 0 28 2
1995–96 First Division 44 4 6 0 10 1 60 5
1996–97 First Division 34 6 1 0 5 0 40 6
Total 105 12 8 0 15 1 128 13
Leicester City 1996–97 Premier League 13 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
1997–98 Premier League 37 2 2 0 3 0 42 2
1998–99 Premier League 38 4 2 1 8 0 48 5
1999–2000 Premier League 30 2 2 0 5 0 37 2
2000–01 Premier League 28 1 3 0 3 0 34 1
Total 146 9 9 1 19 0 174 10
Celtic 2001–02 Scottish Premier League 16 0 2 0 5 0 23 0
2002–03 Scottish Premier League 17 0 2 0 6 0 25 0
2003–04 Scottish Premier League 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0
Total 33 0 4 0 12 0 49 0
Leicester City 2003–04 Premier League 15 0 0 0 0 0 15 0
Leeds United 2004–05 Championship 3 1 0 0 1 0 4 1
Stoke City 2004–05 Championship 4 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Wycombe Wanderers 2004–05 League Two 14 1 1 0 1 0 16 1
D.C. United[41] 2005 Major League Soccer 5 0 5 0
Stevenage Borough[41] 2006–07 Conference National 27 1 27 1
Rochester Rhinos[41] 2008 USL First Division 22 0 22 0
Career total 552 50 25 1 63 3 640 54

International[edit]

Source:[41]

National team Year Apps Goals
England 1999 1 0
Total 1 0

Honours[edit]

Wycombe Wanderers

Port Vale

Leicester City

Celtic

Stevenage Borough

Individual

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Steve Guppy". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b "leeds-fans.org.uk: Leeds United Player Profile: Steve Guppy". leeds-fans.org.uk. Retrieved 29 October 2022.
  3. ^ Steve Guppy at Soccerbase Edit this at Wikidata
  4. ^ Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (2003). In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. Hagiology Publishing. p. 612. ISBN 0-9534474-3-X.
  5. ^ a b c d e f "Steve Guppy – Player File". Chairboys on the Net. Archived from the original on 5 February 2012. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d e f "Steve Guppy: final odyssey of a one-cap wonder". The Independent. Independent Digital News & Media Ltd. 6 May 2007. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  7. ^ "Guppy love". BBC Sport. 25 November 2000. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  8. ^ Kent, Jeff (1996). Port Vale Personalities. Witan Books. p. 121. ISBN 0-9529152-0-0.
  9. ^ "Guppy: I loved beating Stoke!". onevalefan.co.uk. 27 January 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  10. ^ "Guppy the Left Flank Artist". The Independent. 24 January 1999. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 7 February 2017.
  11. ^ a b c "The Steve Guppy Interview Part 2". The Vale Park Beano. 57.
  12. ^ "Sylla and Guppy for Celtic". BBC Sport. 1 August 2001. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  13. ^ "Five-star Celtic claim title". BBC. 6 April 2002. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  14. ^ "Guppy out for season". BBC. 18 April 2003. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  15. ^ "Celtic's young guns too strong for Jags". The Guardian. 5 December 2003. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  16. ^ "Games played by Steve Guppy in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  17. ^ "Guppy returns to Leicester". UEFA. 15 January 2004. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  18. ^ "Foxes release 13 players". BBC Sport. 17 May 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  19. ^ "Leeds release midfield duo". BBC Sport. 8 September 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  20. ^ "Leeds 1–1 Nottm Forest". BBC. 21 August 2004. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  21. ^ "Guppy signs for Stoke". BBC Sport. 13 September 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  22. ^ "Guppy rejoins Wycombe Wanderers". BBC Sport. 26 November 2004. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  23. ^ "Swansea 2–2 Wycombe". BBC. 15 January 2005. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  24. ^ "Guppy leaves Wycombe for US move". BBC Sport. 1 March 2005. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  25. ^ "Stevenage sign Guppy and Morison". BBC Sport. 18 August 2006. Retrieved 23 May 2009.
  26. ^ "Exeter 1–1 Stevenage". BBC. 23 September 2006. Retrieved 13 November 2009.
  27. ^ Hughes, Ian (12 May 2007). "Kidderminster 2–3 Stevenage". BBC Sport. Retrieved 24 April 2012.
  28. ^ "England v Belgium 199". England Stats. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  29. ^ Moore, Glenn (21 September 2011). "Guppy a 'left-sided Beckham' says Keegan". The Independent. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  30. ^ Pope, Tom (28 July 2017). "We're are almost ready for big kick off says Port Vale star". Stoke Sentinel. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
  31. ^ Fielding, Rob (26 May 2019). "This is the OVF viewers all-time Port Vale XI". onevalefan.co.uk. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
  32. ^ "Coaching fallout in Colorado could lead to assistants". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved 22 March 2012.
  33. ^ "SAFC boss Martin O'Neill brings in Steve Guppy". Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  34. ^ Anderson, Graeme (18 July 2012). "Steve Guppy joins Sunderland full-time". Jarrow and Hebburn Gazette. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
  35. ^ Wardle, John (2 April 2013). "'I am unique one' says Paolo Di Canio on arrival as Sunderland manager". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 April 2013.
  36. ^ "O'Neill's backroom team – The men behind the duo". Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  37. ^ Baggaley, Michael (28 June 2018). "Port Vale legend Steve Guppy coaching Valiants' wingers". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  38. ^ Baggaley, Michael (21 November 2018). "Port Vale hero Steve Guppy loses job with Republic of Ireland". Stoke Sentinel. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  39. ^ "Nashville SC Assistant Coach Steve Guppy to Serve as Manager for Tonight's Match". Nashville SC. 12 August 2020. Retrieved 31 May 2022.
  40. ^ Steve Guppy at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  41. ^ a b c d e "Steve Guppy". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  42. ^ a b c d e "England Players - Steve Guppy". www.englandfootballonline.com. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  43. ^ "Anglo-Italian Cup 1995/96". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 12 July 2010.
  44. ^ "Leicester triumph at Wembley". BBC Sport. 27 February 2000. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  45. ^ "Nielsen nicks it for Spurs". BBC Sport. 22 March 1999. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
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