Product of Newcastle's youth set-up who struggled to win a regular place in the first team as Bobby Robson brought in the likes of Jon Woodgate and Titus Bramble and promoted others ahead of him. Nevertheless he's looked to be a good solid stopper, operating mainly at centreback but also at right back when the occasion demanded it. Signed by Leeds on loan on deadline day 2004 in an attempt to shore up the leaky defence.
With Leeds in freefall, he was always going to have a tough job at Leeds, and the constant chopping and changing at the back with the fitness or otherwise of Michael Duberry, Lucas Radebe and Dominic Matteo ensuring we almost never managed two games in a row with the same defence. In the end, the balance of opinion on his spell with Leeds was split between those who admired his ability to pull off a goal-saving tackle with those who despaired at the fact that his positional sense had made such a tackle a necessity, and "Don't let it bounce!" was a shout heard all too frequently. When relegation became a certainty for Leeds, he returned to Newcastle and appeared in a couple of their final games with similar results to his time at Leeds. Out of contract, he switched from the Tyne to the Wear in the close season.
Nat the Leeds Girl! says: Stephen is well fit! Am i the only one who likes Stephen!!!! he has really good abilities on the pitch and, i really hope he stays at Leeds on a permanent basis!!!!!
Catherine says: I really hoped we could keep him but I don't think that is going to happen. Great goal against Blackburn. I met him after the Everton match & he was really nice. All smiles & everything.