Stephen Elliott (footballer)

Template:Short description Template:About Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox football biography Stephen William Elliott (born 6 January 1984) is an Irish football manager. He is currently the manager of League of Ireland First Division club Wexford. During his playing career he played for Manchester City, Sunderland, Wolves, Preston North End, Heart of Midlothian, Coventry City, Carlisle United, Shelbourne, Drogheda United and Morpeth Town, and also had a loan spell at Norwich City.

He represented the Republic of Ireland, scoring an important winner in a World Cup qualifier away to Cyprus in 2005.

Club career

Elliott began his career as a youth player with Belvedere.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and Stella Maris.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Manchester City

Elliott began his professional career as a youth player at Manchester City after impressing in a trial match with Stella Maris in which he scored five goals in the space of half an hour.<ref name="25el">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> His league debut came on 21 February 2004 when Kevin Keegan used him as a late substitute in a 3–1 win at Bolton Wanderers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He failed to establish himself in the first team, making only one further appearances as a substitute,<ref name="Grad">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> with his development at City hampered by a serious back injury that ruled him out for a season.<ref name = "25el"/>

Sunderland

Sunderland manager Mick McCarthy signed him from Manchester City on 1 June 2004<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> for an initial fee of £125,000, set by a tribunal,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with well over £250,000 of additional payments linked to his subsequent performance at the Black Cats of around £100,000 if Sunderland were promoted to the Premier League; £50,000 if he played in a competitive game for the Republic of Ireland; five instalments of £20,000 for each set of ten appearances he made for Sunderland up to a maximum of 50 games; and 25% of any sell-on transfer fees.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> McCarthy later admitted that he had bought him outrageously cheaply, although that was before all of the above add-ons were ultimately realised.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his debut on 7 August against Coventry in their 2–0 defeat,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with his first goal for the club coming on 10 August against Crewe Alexandra, scoring the winner in their 3–1 win.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He quickly established himself as first-team regular, making 47 appearances scoring 16 goals in his debut season<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> as the team finished as champions in 2005, helping him win the clubs young player of the season award.<ref name = "Grad"/> And in July 2005 he signed a contract extension extending his stay until 2008.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

However, his first Premiership season was largely disrupted by injury,<ref name = "25el"/> only managing 15 appearances<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref> although prior to his injuries he scored two long-range goals against Manchester United<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Newcastle United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On Sunderland's return to the Championship the following season, he showed good form when fit, but again was disrupted by an ankle injury which kept him out for two months.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In all he made 88 appearances for Sunderland scoring 23 goals.<ref name="SOC">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Elliott moved to Wolves in July 2007 for an undisclosed fee signing a three-year contract,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> linking up with Mick McCarthy, his former manager at Sunderland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his debut on 11 August 2007 in their 2–1 defeat to Watford,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> going on to score his first goal for the club on 15 September scoring the opening goal against Sheffield United.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> However, he failed to make a strong impact at Molineux, and was transfer-listed at the season's end after the club missed out on the play-offs on goal difference.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

He made one more appearance for Wolves the following season in the League Cup against Rotherham.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In all he made 32 appearances for Wolves scoring six times.<ref name = "SOC"/>

Preston North End

On 1 September 2008, Elliot signed for Championship side Preston North End on a three-year deal for an undisclosed fee.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He made his debut as a substitute on 16 September against Nottingham Forest,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and scored his first goal for the club on 18 October 2008 against Reading, with the winning goal in their 2–1 win.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored a brace against his former team Wolves at Molineux in their 3–1 win in January.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He was to form a partnership with Jon Parkin in Preston's attack.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In his debut season he made 39 appearances scoring six times.<ref>Template:Soccerbase season</ref>

The following season he made 13 appearances scoring twice<ref name="910 stats">Template:Soccerbase season</ref> before falling out of favour and in March 2010 he joined Norwich on loan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On his return on 7 August<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> he negotiated an early release from his Preston contract.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Norwich City

On 6 March 2010, Elliot signed on an emergency loan deal with Norwich City until the end of the season and was given the number 11 shirt.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his debut on 6 March 2010 against Yeovil in League One,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> scoring his first goals for the club the following week, scoring a brace against Huddersfield in their 3–1 win.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In all he made ten appearances scoring twice.<ref name = "910 stats"/>

Heart of Midlothian

On 9 August 2010 Elliott joined Scottish Premier League side Heart of Midlothian on a two-year deal,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> reuniting him with former strike partner at Sunderland Kevin Kyle.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He made his debut as a 66th-minute substitute on 14 August against St Johnstone at Tynecastle,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> going on to make his first start on 7 November against rivals Hibernian in the first Edinburgh Derby of the season scoring the second goal in a 2–0 victory for Hearts.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored his first home goal for the club on 10 December to make the score 3–0 in a 5–0 victory against Aberdeen.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Despite a hamstring injury that put him out for a month,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> he made 31 appearances scoring eight goals in his debut season.<ref name="seven">Template:Soccerbase season</ref>

Elliott become renowned for his crucial goals away from home. Of his eight goals for Hearts in his debut season, seven came away from home<ref name = "seven"/> including doubles at Hamilton in a 2–0 win,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and at Kilmarnock in a 2–1 victory, the latter coming after Elliott had come off the substitutes bench for the second half to reverse a 1–0 deficit.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Elliott scored an equalising goal in the 83rd minute of the third Edinburgh derby of the season, earning Hearts a 2–2 draw despite having played for over an hour with ten men.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

He made his European debut on 28 July 2011 in a Europa League qualifier against Paksi.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Elliott helped Hearts win the 2011–12 Scottish Cup; he started in the 2012 Scottish Cup Final, which Hearts won 5–1 against Hibernian. Days later, Hearts announced that Elliott's contract would not be renewed due to financial problems within the club.

Coventry City

On 2 July 2012, Elliott joined Football League One side Coventry City on a one-year deal after his Heart of Midlothian contract had expired.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He scored three goals up to the new year, against Sheffield United and scored two against MK Dons at Stadium MK which Coventry won 3–2 after going behind. Coventry manager Steven Pressley announced on 30 April 2013 that Elliott's contract would not be renewed having picked up a serious knee injury.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Carlisle United

On 7 August 2014, Elliott signed a one-year deal with recently relegated Football League Two side Carlisle United.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Return to Ireland

In April 2016, Elliott trained with League of Ireland Premier Division club Shamrock Rovers before signing for Dublin First Division side Shelbourne.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 11 August 2016, Shelbourne announced Stephen had left by mutual consent.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Elliott signed for newly promoted Premier Division side Drogheda United for the 2017 seasonTemplate:Citation needed but he really struggled to find any long term fitness due to injuries and he could not help them from finishing bottom of the league and being relegated.Template:Citation needed

Morpeth Town

Elliott signed for Northern League Division One outfit Morpeth Town in November 2017.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He retired at the end of the season.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

International career

Elliott has represented Ireland at U-17 level,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> U-19,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> the U-20 team at the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> where he was their top goalscorer, and the U-21 team where he made 10 appearances scoring six times.

Elliott's good start for Sunderland in 2004 led to a call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad, and he made his international debut against Croatia at Lansdowne Road on 16 November 2004.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He scored his first senior International goal to beat Cyprus 1–0 in a World Cup qualifier on 8 October 2005.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In all he made nine appearances for Ireland at full international level.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Post Playing Career

After retiring as a player, Elliott spent time working in the media as a football analyst for various outlets. He spent time as Head of Academy at Darlington, before he moved on to become Lead Coach of the Under-15 and Under-16 sides at Fleetwood Town. On 31 January 2024, Elliott was announced as Head of Academy Football at St Patrick's Athletic and also head coach of the club's Under-20 side.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

On 26 November 2024, Elliott was named as manager of League of Ireland First Division club Wexford.

During his first season as Wexford manager, he placed a strong emphasis on youth development and the integration of academy talent into the senior setup. He handed out sixteen senior debuts, including fifteen in the League of Ireland, eight of whom came through the Wexford academy. His approach was noted for providing opportunities to young players and strengthening the pathway between the club’s academy and first team. <ref>https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/former-irish-international-stephen-elliott-unveiled-as-new-wexford-fc-manager-as-he-looks-to-replicate-damien-duffs-energy/a1301139746.html</ref>

Personal life

Elliott was born in the North Inner City Dublin area in the Republic of Ireland.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He is often known by the nickname of Sleeves,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> which he picked up whilst playing for Sunderland from a phrase he said "Sleeves Up". He married his long-term partner, Alexa, in 2009, and they now reside on the Fylde Coast with their family.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>Template:Soccerbase</ref>

Club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		OtherTemplate:Efn		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Manchester City	2003–04	Premier League	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Sunderland	2004–05	Championship	42	15	2	0	2	1	0	0	46	16
	2005–06	Premier League	15	2	0	0	1	0	0	0	16	2
	2006–07	Championship	24	5	1	0	1	0	0	0	26	5
	Total		81	22	3	0	4	1	0	0	88	23
Wolverhampton Wanderers	2007–08	Championship	29	4	2	1	0	0	0	0	31	5
	2008–09	Championship	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	0
	Total		29	4	2	1	1	0	0	0	32	6
Preston North End	2008–09	Championship	37	6	1	0	0	0	1	0	39	6
	2009–10	Championship	9	1	1	0	3	1	0	0	13	2
	Total		46	7	2	0	3	1	1	0	52	9
Norwich City (loan)	2009–10	League One	10	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	10	2
Heart of Midlothian	2010–11	Scottish Premier League	30	8	1	0	0	0	0	0	31	8
	2011–12	Scottish Premier League	26	3	5	0	0	0	3	0	34	3
	Total		56	11	6	0	0	0	3	0	65	11
Coventry City	2012–13	League One	18	5	0	0	3	0	4	0	25	5
Carlisle United	2014–15	League Two	15	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	18	1
Shelbourne	2016	League of Ireland First Division	6	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	7	0
Drogheda United	2017	League of Ireland Premier Division	19	2	0	0	1	0	1	0	21	2
Morpeth Town	2017–18	Northern Football League Division One	21	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	21	6
Career total			303	58	13	1	14	2	11	0	341	65

Honours

Sunderland

Football League Championship : x 2

• 2004–05
• 2006–07

Norwich City

• Football League One: 2009–10

Heart of Midlothian

• Scottish Cup: 2011–12

Individual

• FAI Young International Player of the Year: 2005

External links

• Template:Soccerbase
• Ireland stats at 11v11