Stevens Sammy Image 3 Hull City 1912

Description

Netherton, Dudley, Worcestershire born centre forward Sammy Stevens joined Cradley Heath St Luke’s in 1911 before signing for Second Division club Hull City later in January 1912, making his Football League debut against Fulham in February 1912. He soon established himself in the Hull first eleven scoring 16 goals in 1912-13, including 4 goals in a win over Leeds City in November 1912 and then he went goal crazy, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 26 and 30 goals in 1913-14 and 1914-15. His totals included all three goals in a 3-0 win over Stockport County in November 1913, and Stevens’ celebrity was such that he was picked for England, but he was a non playing reserve for England’s match against Scotland in April 1915.

The following month peacetime football was suspended due to the onset of the First World War and during the War Stevens guested for Cradley Heath. After the War he returned to Hull City, being once again the club’s top scorer in 1919-20 with 20 goals which included a hat-trick in a heavy win over Wolverhampton Wanderers in December 1919 before he was signed by Notts County for £1,750 in July 1920 after 93 goals in 161 appearances for The Tigers.

He had less than a season at Meadow Lane scoring 11 goals in 25 appearances before joining Coventry City for £1,300 in March 1921 for whom he was an ever present and the club’s leading scorer in 1921-22 with 21 goals. In 1923 he joined non league club Dudley Bean after 25 goals in 62 appearances for Coventry City, playing later for Lichfield City in 1924 re-joining Dudley Bean in 1925 before his eventual retirement.