Stephen Jenkins (footballer)

Southampton

A left-sided centre back, Jenkins began his career in the Centre of Excellence at Premier League side Southampton and signed a professional contract in January 1998. He failed to make a first team appearance for the club and was released in the summer of 1999.

Brentford (loan and permanent signing)

Jenkins joined Division Three high fliers Brentford on loan on 26 March 1999. He went straight onto the substitutes' bench for the following game against Hartlepool United on 3 April. Jenkins made his professional debut when he came on as an 85th-minute substitute for Andy Scott during the 1–0 win. Late in April, Jenkins suffered an injury which left him in plaster. He failed to recover before the end of the 1998–99 season and returned to Southampton.

Jenkins joined newly promoted Brentford on a one-year contract in July 1999. He was named on the bench for the Bees' opening Division Two game of the 1999–00 season against Bristol Rovers. Defender Hermann Hreiðarsson saw red in the 88th minute of the 0–0 draw and Jenkins was brought on for forward Scott Partridge to fill in at the back for the last few minutes. Jenkins was called into the first team two games later, again replacing Scott Partridge in the dying minutes of a 2–2 draw at Bury. Throughout September and October, Jenkins vied with Gareth Graham for a place on the bench, before an injury to Ijah Anderson saw the left back spot become vacant. Jenkins made his first Brentford start in a 1–0 win at Notts County on 26 October, playing the full 90 minutes. He also started the following game against Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup first round, but was replaced by Martin Rowlands at half time during the 2–2 draw. Jenkins made what would be his final Brentford appearance in a 3–0 defeat in the return fixture against Bristol Rovers on 4 December, starting the match and being substituted for Derek Bryan through injury after 66 minutes. Jenkins was released in the summer of 2000, having made just seven appearances for the club.

Forest Green Rovers

After taking the 2000–01 season off from football to recover from his injury sustained while at Brentford, Jenkins signed for Conference side Forest Green Rovers in the summer of 2001. He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2001–02 season, playing the full 90 minutes in a 1–1 draw at Scarborough. He quickly established himself as the club's first choice left back and scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw at Northwich Victoria on 29 September. He scored his second goal with a late equaliser in a 2–2 draw with Barnet on 24 November. Jenkins was present during Rovers' run to the FA Cup first round proper, taking Division Three side Macclesfield Town to a replay which was lost on penalties. Jenkins made 38 appearances and scored two goals during the 2001–02 season (also collecting 14 yellow cards), a campaign which saw Rovers finish 19th in the league. Jenkins began the 2002–03 season as first choice, but was sent off for two bookable offences against Hereford United on 20 August 2002, his second appearance of the campaign. He again enjoyed a run in the FA Cup, this time going out 2–1 to Division Three side Exeter City in the first round proper. Jenkins made 38 appearances during an improved season for Rovers, finishing 9th in the league. Jenkins retained his first-choice status in the 2003–04 season, but his time with Rovers ended in October 2003, when financial concerns led to him being released by the club. Jenkins made 87 appearances and scored two goals during his two years with Rovers.

Bath City

Jenkins joined Southern League Premier Division side Bath City on 3 October 2003. He went straight into the starting lineup for the match the following day versus Hinckley United, playing the full 90 minutes of the 2–0 defeat. Jenkins was a virtual ever-present until the end of the 2003–04 season, making 38 appearances. Jenkins departed the club in the summer of 2004.

Weston-super-Mare

Jenkins signed for Conference South side Weston-super-Mare in the summer of 2004. He made his debut in a 0–0 draw with Hornchurch on 14 August, starting the match and playing the full 90 minutes. Jenkins scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Newport County on 1 January 2005, heading in to put the Seagulls 2–0 up. He followed up with another on 5 March, scoring Weston-super-Mare's first in a 2–1 victory over Thurrock. Jenkins made 35 appearances and scored two goals during the 2004–05 season and left the club in the summer of 2005.