Steve Jennings (footballer)

Steven John Jennings (born 28 October 1984) is an English former professional footballer who played as a central midfielder in the English Football League, Scottish Premier League and in English non-league football.

Steve Jennings
Personal information
Full name Steven John Jennings[1]
Date of birth (1984-10-28) 28 October 1984[2]
Place of birth Liverpool, England[2]
Height 1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)[2]
Position(s) Central midfielder
Youth career
1993–1998 Everton
1998–2002 Tranmere Rovers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2009 Tranmere Rovers 140 (6)
2007 → Hereford United (loan) 11 (0)
2009–2012 Motherwell 93 (2)
2012–2013 Coventry City 39 (0)
2013–2014 Tranmere Rovers 25 (1)
2014–2015 Port Vale 4 (0)
2014 → Tranmere Rovers (loan) 8 (1)
2015–2017 Tranmere Rovers 79 (3)
2017–2018 Southport 12 (1)
2017–2018 → Warrington Town (loan)
2018–2019 Barrow 14 (0)
2019–2020 Warrington Town
Total 425 (14)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

He turned professional at Tranmere Rovers in October 2002 and made his first team debut 12 months later. He remained with Tranmere for six seasons, also playing on loan at Hereford United in the latter half of the 2006–07 season. He signed with Scottish Premier League club Motherwell in July 2009. He spent three seasons in Scotland, featuring on the losing side in the 2011 final of the Scottish Cup. He then spent one season each at Coventry City and Tranmere Rovers, before joining Port Vale in July 2014. He returned to Tranmere on loan later in the year before joining the club permanently in January 2015. He switched to Southport in June 2017, and was loaned out to Warrington Town in November 2017. He joined Barrow in August 2018, before returning to Warrington Town the following year.

Playing career

Tranmere Rovers

Jennings was taken out of the Everton Academy by his father and instead joined the Tranmere Rovers Centre of Excellence in 1998.[3] He was a key part of the Rovers youth team that reached the FA Youth Cup semi-finals in 2003. He signed a three-and-a-half-year professional contract with the club in October 2002.[4] He made his first team debut on 18 October 2003, coming on as a last minute substitute for Iain Hume in a 2–1 win over Oldham Athletic at Prenton Park.[5] He made his first start on 13 December, in a 2–2 draw at Chesterfield.[6] He played a total of four Second Division games during the 2003–04 campaign, and featured in 11 League One games during the 2004–05 season.

Jennings established himself in the Rovers first team under Brian Little's stewardship in the 2005–06 campaign, featuring 43 times and scoring two goals. He scored his first senior goal on 18 October in a 2–1 League Trophy victory over Lincoln City.[7] He scored his first league goal 11 days later, in a 2–0 victory at Doncaster Rovers.[8] He signed a new two-year contract in April 2006.[9] Having been limited to only five appearances in the first half of the 2006–07 season under new boss Ronnie Moore, Jennings joined Graham Turner's Hereford United on loan in January 2007.[10] He impressed at Edgar Street, which led to his loan being extended to the end of the 2006–07 season, and he played a total of 11 League Two games for the "Bulls".

Jennings re-established his place at Tranmere during the 2007–08 season, appearing in all but five league matches, usually partnering Paul McLaren in the centre of midfield. He had an excellent season, winning praise for his high work rate and willingness to make challenges. He won the Players' Young Player of the Season award at the end of the season. He was voted Tranmere Player's Player of the Year at the end of the 2008–09 season after missing only two league games due to suspension.[11]

Motherwell

In July 2009, he became Jim Gannon's first signing as Motherwell manager when he joined the club on a one-year deal.[12] He made his Scottish Premier League debut for the "Steelmen" at Fir Park on 22 August, in a 3–1 win over Kilmarnock.[13] He scored his first goal for Motherwell in a 3–1 loss to St Johnstone on 26 December.[14] He signed a new one-year contract in May 2010, leaving manager Craig Brown to say that the deal was a "massive boost" for the club and that "he's an excellent midfield player who has been at the heart of everything we did in the second half of the season".[15]

The Association of British Bookmakers investigated "suspicious betting patterns" on a red card being shown to Jennings for dissent during a game in December 2010.[16] Jennings was arrested, along with eight other men, on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud in October 2011.[17] A week later, his club confirmed that he would continue to be available for first-team selection.[18] Merseyside Police advised Jennings in April 2012 that their inquiries had ceased and that no further action would be taken.[19] His solicitor said that Jennings felt vindicated in believing that there had been no criminal activity.[19] After the police ended their investigation, Motherwell manager Stuart McCall criticised unnamed Scottish football officials who had suggested that Jennings should have been suspended while under suspicion.[20]

He made 43 appearances in the 2010–11 campaign, including the Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic at Hampden Park.[21] He signed a one-year contract extension with Motherwell in July 2011.[22] He played 37 games in the 2011–12 season, helping the club to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Coventry City

In August 2012, Jennings signed a two-year contract with Mark Robins's League One side Coventry City.[23] He played 49 games in the 2012–13 campaign, with only two players playing more games for the "Sky Blues" that season. Despite this he was judged to be surplus to requirements at the Ricoh Arena by new boss Steven Pressley and his contract was terminated by mutual consent in September 2013.[24][25]

Return to Tranmere Rovers

In October 2013, Jennings returned to Tranmere Rovers, still in League One and managed by Ronnie Moore, on non-contract terms.[26] He impressed at Prenton Park and his short-term stay was extended into the summer.[27] The club were relegated into League Two at the end of the 2013–14 season.

In July 2014, Jennings signed a one-year deal at League One club Port Vale, following a short period on trial.[28] On 27 October 2014, after only six appearances for the "Valiants", Jennings returned to Tranmere Rovers for a third spell, signing on loan until January 2015; in doing so he was also reunited with manager Micky Adams, who had signed him for Port Vale three months earlier.[29] He made a scoring start to his third spell at Prenton Park, netting from long range in a 2–2 draw with Stevenage on 1 November.[30] He left Vale Park by mutual consent in January 2015,[31] and signed a permanent contract with Tranmere.[32] He ended the 2014–15 season with 36 appearances to his name, as Rovers were relegated out of the English Football League.

He signed a new one-year contract in May 2015, stating that "I want to make right the wrongs of the last couple of seasons".[33] He was later appointed as club captain.[34] He scored two goals in 45 appearances in the 2015–16 season, as Tranmere finished one place and two points outside the play-off zone.[35] He signed a new one-year contract in May 2016.[36] He played 20 games across the 2016–17 campaign after overcoming a knee injury which required surgery.[37]

Later career

Jennings signed with National League North club Southport in June 2017, and was described as a "massive coup" for the "Sandgrounders" by manager Alan Lewer.[38] On 3 November 2017, he joined Northern Premier League Premier Division side Warrington Town on a two-month loan deal; "Yellows" manager Paul Carden said that "Jenno is a player I know well and the opportunity to sign him was too good to turn down".[39] After settling in well at Warrington he said he was "more than happy" to extend his loan deal.[40] He helped Warrington to a third-place finish at the end of the 2017–18 season, which qualified them for the play-off semi-finals, where they were beaten 3–0 by Grantham Town.[41]

On 14 August 2018, Jennings signed with National League side Barrow.[42] He made his debut later that day, and was sent off in a 3–2 win over Chesterfield at Holker Street.[43] He featured a total of 14 times for the "Bluebirds" over the course of the 2018–19 campaign. In August 2019, he joined Warrington Town and played ten games for them before retiring from football in January 2020.[44][45]

Style of play

Speaking in February 2014, Tranmere Rovers coach John McMahon labelled Jennings a "fire blanket" for his ability to break up opposition play across the pitch.[46]

Career statistics
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total[47]
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tranmere Rovers 2003–04[48] Second Division4010000050
2004–05[49] League One110001020140
2005–06[50] League One381101031432
2006–07[51] League One2000102151
2007–08[52] League One412421010474
2008–09[53] League One443401040533
Total 14061025012216710
Hereford United (loan) 2006–07[51] League Two110000000110
Motherwell 2009–10[54] Scottish Premier League292001030332
2010–11[55] Scottish Premier League300513050431
2011–12[56] Scottish Premier League340201000370
Total 9327150801133
Coventry City 2012–13[57] League One390311061492
Tranmere Rovers 2013–14[58] League One251000000251
Port Vale 2014–15[59] League One4000200060
Tranmere Rovers 2014–15[59] League Two 301400020361
2015–16[60] National League 422200010452
2016–17[60] National League 151100040201
Total 8747000701014
Southport 2017–18[60] National League North 121000000121
2018–19[60] National League North 0000000000
Total 121000000121
Barrow 2018–19[60] National League 140000000140
2019–20[60] National League 0000000000
Total 140000000140
Career total[B] 4251427413033349821
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including substitutes) in the UEFA Europa League, FA Trophy, League Trophy, and play-offs.
B. ^ Statistics for Warrington Town not known.

Honours
Motherwell

References
  1. "Steve Jennings". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 9 March 2017.
  2. "FootballSquads - Port Vale - 2014/2015". www.footballsquads.co.uk. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  3. Berry, Gavin (19 July 2009). "Motherwell newboy Steve Jennings scrubbing up alright after Tranmere apprenticeship". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  4. "Tranmere release duo". BBC Sport. 30 October 2002. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  5. "Tranmere 2-1 Oldham". BBC Sport. 18 October 2003. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  6. "Chesterfield 2-2 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 13 December 2003. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  7. "Tranmere 2-1 Lincoln". BBC Sport. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  8. "Doncaster 0-2 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 29 October 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  9. "Tranmere pair agree new contracts". BBC Sport. 21 April 2006. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  10. "Jennings joins Hereford on loan". BBC Sport. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  11. "Jennings sure of Rovers chances". BBC Sport. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  12. McLauchlin, Brian (1 July 2009). "Well secure Tranmere's Jennings". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  13. "Motherwell 3–1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  14. McLauchlin, Brian (1 July 2009). "Well secure Tranmere's Jennings". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
  15. "Steve Jennings agrees Motherwell contract extension". BBC Sport. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  16. "Bookmakers probe Motherwell red card". BBC Sport. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
  17. "Motherwell player Steve Jennings held in betting probe". BBC Sport. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
  18. "Steve Jennings available for Motherwell". BBC Sport. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
  19. Barnes, John (20 April 2012). "Motherwell's Steve Jennings cleared in betting probe". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  20. "Stuart McCall chides football "hierarchy" over Steve Jennings". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
  21. "Celtic lift the 2011 Scottish Cup". scottishfa.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  22. "Jennings signs one-year extension at Motherwell". BBC Sport. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  23. "Coventry City sign Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
  24. "Jennings departs Sky Blues". Coventry City F.C. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
  25. Turner, Andy (22 February 2014). "Steven Pressley expects backlash from Tranmere Rovers star rejected by City boss". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  26. "Steve Jennings: Tranmere Rovers return for midfielder". BBC Sport. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
  27. Hilton, Nick (7 January 2014). "Moore keen for Jennings to stay at Rovers". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  28. "Michael Brown, Steve Jennings & Michael O'Connor join Port Vale". BBC Sport. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  29. "Tranmere Rovers: Steve Jennings returns for third spell". BBC Sport. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
  30. "Tranmere 2–2 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
  31. Sharpe, Rich (6 January 2015). "Midfielder Steven Jennings released". The Sentinel. Archived from the original on 8 January 2015. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
  32. "Steve Jennings and Rory Donnelly join as two exit". BBC Sport. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
  33. "Steve Jennings: Tranmere midfielder agrees new contract". BBC Sport. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
  34. Hilton, Nick (26 February 2016). "Steve Jennings: Suspension blues over for captain". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  35. Hilton, Nick (1 May 2016). "Tranmere boss Gary Brabin says Rovers can learn from where they fell short this season". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  36. Hilton, Nick (31 May 2016). "Tranmere: Steve Jennings pens new Rovers deal". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  37. Beesley, Chris (7 November 2016). "Tranmere lose Jennings for at least a month as Mellon closes in on new signing". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 16 May 2017.
  38. "Midfielder Steve Jennings Signs For Southport FC". On The Spot News Southport. 22 June 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2017.
  39. Turner, Matt (3 November 2017). "One in, two out at Warrington Town". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 7 January 2018.
  40. Turner, Matt (29 December 2017). "Jennings keen to extend Yellows stay". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  41. Turner, Matt (3 May 2018). "Yellows midfielder Williams 'playing with a smile again'". Warrington Guardian. Retrieved 12 May 2018.
  42. Barrow complete signing of Steve Jennings, thenonleaguefootballpaper.com, 14 August 2018
  43. "Jennings sent off on debut but Barrow beat Chesterfield". nonleaguedaily.com. 14 August 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  44. "Warrington snap up Jennings - The BetVictor Northern Premier". betvictornorthernpremier.co.uk. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 29 November 2019.
  45. Gordon, James (2 January 2020). "Steve Jennings announces retirement - The BetVictor Northern Premier". betvictornorthernpremier.co.uk. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
  46. "Tranmere Rovers assistant boss full of praise for Steven Jennings after win over Sky Blues". Coventry Telegraph. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
  47. "Steven Jennings profile". Soccerway.
  48. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  49. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  50. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  51. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  52. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  53. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  54. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  55. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  56. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  57. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  58. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  59. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  60. Steve Jennings at Soccerway
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