Ryan Stevenson (footballer)

Personal life

Stevenson was born in Irvine, Ayrshire, and was a boyhood Ayr United fan. He was a pupil at Drongan Primary School and Kyle Academy in Ayr before leaving to join Chelsea's youth academy staying in the same apartment block as John Terry. In April 2013, Stevenson was banned from driving for a period of 20 months, following being arrested for drink driving. He later apologised for the incident, stating that "I accept the consequences of my actions. I acknowledge that I am a role model for younger supporters and team-mates and as such, my serious error of judgement was not befitting of such a position."

St Johnstone

Having failed to break into the Chelsea first team he was given a free transfer in 2002 and signed for St Johnstone. Stevenson made 74 league appearances for Saints, before eventually falling out of favour during 2006.

Ayr United

Stevenson initially joined Ayr United on a 28-day loan in October 2006. This loan was later extended until the end of the year. He then joined the club on a permanent basis during January 2007, for a five-figure sum. Just two weeks later, Stevenson scored an equaliser for Ayr United against his former club, St Johnstone, in the third round of the Scottish Cup in a 2–1 defeat. Stevenson scored the goal which promoted Ayr United to the First Division in 2009, in a 1–0 win over Airdrie United in the second leg of the First Division Play-off Final at New Broomfield.

Hearts

Stevenson signed for Hearts on 1 February 2010 for an undisclosed five-figure sum, with Rocky Visconte going the other way on loan. He made his debut for Hearts on 10 February playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat to Celtic at Celtic Park. He went on to score his first competitive goal for Hearts against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in a Scottish Premier League fixture on 18 September 2010. In the absence of Kevin Kyle, Stevenson was predominantly used as a makeshift striker and scored several notable goals, such as in wins over both halves of the Old Firm and two against Edinburgh rivals Hibernian. In June 2011 Stevenson signed a one-year contract extension to extend his stay at the club.

On 22 December 2011 with Hearts in financial difficulty and having problems paying wages Stevenson requested his contract be terminated; this was refused and Stevenson advised the club he would not play or train again until his salary was paid in full. Stevenson cited stress on his unborn baby as one of the reasons behind his decision. Despite being paid Stevenson did not return to training. Several clubs including Ayr United, Crawley Town and Dundee United were interested however Hearts were seeking £100,000 for their exiled player. Hearts pledged to open a disciplinary hearing if he did not leave during the transfer window.

Ipswich Town

On 28 January 2012, Championship side Ipswich Town announced that he was set to join them in a deal worth £50,000 which was concluded on 30 January. He was given the number 16 shirt, and had signed an 18-month contract.

Stevenson scored his first goal for Ipswich on 28 April 2012 against Doncaster Rovers on the final day of the 2011–12 Football League Championship with a long-range effort which was later voted as Ipswich Town fans Goal of the Year.

Hearts return

On 31 August 2012, after just eight months at Ipswich Town, Hearts re-signed Stevenson on a three-year contract, despite interest from Motherwell. Stevenson scored both Hearts goals in the 2013 Scottish League Cup Final, but ultimately the club lost 3–2 to St Mirren. Stevenson was released by Hearts after the club was relegated to the Scottish Championship in 2014.

Partick Thistle

Stevenson signed for Partick Thistle in June 2014 on a two-year contract, with an option for a third year. He scored his first two goals for Thistle in a 2–0 Scottish Cup win over Hamilton Academical on 29 November 2014. He scored his first and second league goals in a Scottish Premiership 4–0 away win against Inverness On 31 October 2015, Stevenson had to play as a goalkeeper for the last five-minutes of a 4–0 defeat to Hearts because Thistle 'keeper Ryan Scully had been sent-off and Thistle had already used all of their substitutions. Stevenson scored his first Thistle goal of the 2015–16 season scoring a 90th-minute winner in a 2–1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Stevenson was released by the club in January 2016.

Ayr United return

In December 2015, Stevenson signed a short term loan deal with his former club Ayr United. He made three appearances for Ayr before returning to Partick Thistle. However, subsequent to his release by the Firhill side, Stevenson signed again with Ayr in January 2016, his fourth separate spell with the side. After achieving promotion to the Scottish Championship via the play-offs, Stevenson chose not to renew his contact at Somerset Park.

Dumbarton

Shortly after leaving Ayr United, Stevenson signed for Scottish Championship side Dumbarton. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–3 draw with Peterhead in July 2016. He left the club in December 2016

Raith Rovers

He joined Raith Rovers in January 2017 Stevenson hit the headlines after being forced to play a full 90 minutes in goal, after injuries to Raith's three first team goalkeepers. Rovers lost the match 1–0 to Ayr United

Just over a week after playing in goals Stevenson announced his shock retirement from professional football at the age of 32

International call-up

On 6 November 2011, Stevenson was called up to the Scotland squad for the first time as a late inclusion for a friendly match against Cyprus.

Career statistics