Steve Arnold (footballer, born 1989)

Steve Arnold

Arnold playing for Stevenage
Personal information
Full name	Steven John William Arnold[1]
Date of birth	22 August 1989
Place of birth	Welham Green, England[2]
Height	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)[3]
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Club information
Current team	Forest Green Rovers
Number	1
Youth career
2004–2005	Boreham Wood
2005	Arsenal
2005–2007	Norwich City
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2007–2008	Norwich City	0	(0)
2008–2009	Grays Athletic	18	(0)
2009–2010	Eastleigh	3	(0)
2010–2012	Wycombe Wanderers	0	(0)
2011–2012	→ Hayes & Yeading United (loan)	31	(0)
2012–2014	Stevenage	31	(0)
2014–	Forest Green Rovers	38	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 22:24, 16 April 2016 (UTC). † Appearances (goals)

Steven John William "Steve" Arnold (born 22 August 1989) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Forest Green Rovers.

Arnold signed as an academy scholar at Norwich City's centre of excellence in 2005, following short spells at Boreham Wood and Arsenal respectively. He signed his first professional deal at Norwich in 2007, but ultimately made no first-team appearances for the club. He was released by Norwich in May 2008, and subsequently signed for Grays Athletic. He spent the 2008–09 season at Grays, before leaving in June 2009. Arnold then joined Conference South side Eastleigh, spending the first half of the 2009–10 season with the club, before signing for Wycombe Wanderers in January 2010. During his time at Wycombe, he was loaned out to Conference National team Hayes & Yeading United, and played regularly for the club during the 2011–12 campaign. He was released by Wycombe in May 2012, having made no first-team appearances. Shortly after, he signed for League One side Stevenage on a free transfer.

Career

Early career

Following brief spells at Boreham Wood and Arsenal,^[4][5] Arnold joined Norwich City's centre of excellence in the summer of 2005.^[4] He signed as an academy scholar after impressing in a trial match against Rushden & Diamonds' youth side.^[4] Following a number of strong performances for the U18 team, Arnold trained with the first-team squad and was as an unused substitute in Norwich's 4–2 League Cup victory over Rotherham United in September 2006.^[4][6] After impressing for both the club's youth and reserve side during the 2006–07 campaign, Arnold signed his first professional deal on 11 May 2007, a one-year contract with the option of a further year.^[4] Despite appearing on the substitute's bench eleven times during the 2007–08 season,^[7] Arnold ultimately made no first-team appearances for the club and was released in May 2008.^[4][8] Norwich manager Glenn Roeder stated Arnold's departure had a lot to do with the emerging talent of fellow goalkeepers Declan Rudd and Jed Steer.^[4]

A month after his release from Norwich, in June 2008, Arnold signed for Conference National side Grays Athletic on a one-year contract.^[9] He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2008–09 season, a 3–1 defeat away to Weymouth.^[10] Arnold started in the club's first three games of the season,^[11][12] but did not appear again until December 2008, keeping the first clean sheet of his career in a 1–0 away victory against Ebbsfleet United.^[13] He went on to make 18 appearances during the season as Grays finished just above the relegation places.^[14][15] He left the club when his contract expired in June 2009.^[16] Arnold spent a week on trial with Brentford in October 2009, playing 45 minutes in a reserve match against Queens Park Rangers.^[4][17] No move materialised at Brentford, and Arnold subsequently joined Conference South side Eastleigh on non-contract terms a month later.^[18] Both of Eastleigh's goalkeepers were missing through injury, and as a result, Arnold deputised in a 2–1 away victory at Dorchester Town on 10 November 2009.^[18] He made five appearances during his brief spell with the club.^{[18][19][20][21][22]}

Wycombe Wanderers

Arnold joined Wycombe Wanderers on a six-month contract in January 2010, following a successful two-week trial.^[23][24] Although he made no first-team appearances during the second half of the 2009–10 season, he did appear as an unused substitute on five separate occasions.^[24] In May 2010, it was announced that Arnold had signed a one-year contract extension with the club.^[24] Arnold featured regularly for the club's reserve side throughout the 2010–11 season, but, again, failed to make any first-team appearances.^[25] Despite this, he signed another one-year contract extension in May 2011.^[26]

In August 2011, Arnold was loaned out to Conference National club Hayes & Yeading United on a one-month loan deal to gain match experience.^[27] He made his debut in a 3–1 home victory over Alfreton Town on 13 August 2011, saving two first-half penalties during the match.^[28] His month at Hayes & Yeading was described as "hugely successful", having played in all six games during the loan agreement, as well as saving a further two penalties.^[29][30] His loan was subsequently extended until the end of the 2011–12 campaign,^[29] and Arnold was ever present for Hayes & Yeading during the first three months of his loan spell.^[31] However, he suffered a fractured metatarsal in Hayes' 3–3 draw against Stockport County on 5 November 2011, and, as a result of the injury, he had to return to his parent club to undergo surgery on his foot.^[32][33][34] He returned to Hayes & Yeading two months later, and played in their 1–0 away win against Bath City on 21 February 2012 – assisting Michael Thalassitis' goal with his long clearance.^[35] Arnold made 31 appearances for the club during the season.^[31] At the end of the season, he was voted as the Supporters' Player of the Year.^[36] On his return to Wycombe, he was released when his contract expired on 9 May 2012.^[37]

Stevenage

Shortly after leaving Wycombe, Arnold signed for League One side Stevenage on a free transfer.^[38] Stevenage manager Gary Smith stated that goalkeeping coach Gary Phillips had recommended him to sign Arnold, with Phillips working with the player during his time at Grays Athletic.^[5][39] Arnold made his debut for the club in a 3–2 defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge in a Football League Trophy tie on 4 September 2012.^[40] He earned the first league start of his Stevenage career in a 2–1 away victory over Notts County at Meadow Lane on 2 October,^[41] before keeping his first clean sheet of the season four days later in a 1–0 home win against Scunthorpe United.^[42] In March 2013, Arnold signed a two-year contract extension, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2015.^[43] He made 32 appearances in all competitions during his first season with the club.^[44]

On 17 May 2014, Arnold was released by Stevenage.^[45]

Forest Green Rovers

On 6 June 2014, he joined Forest Green Rovers.^[46] He made his debut for the club on 21 February 2015, keeping a clean sheet in a 3–0 win over AFC Telford United.^[47] He followed that performance with a second clean sheet in his next match three days later on 24 February 2015 in a 0–0 draw at the Racecourse Ground against Wrexham.^[48] At the end of the 2014–15 season he helped Forest Green to the Conference National play-offs only to be denied a place in the play-off final after a semi-final defeat against Bristol Rovers.^[49]

His first appearance of the 2015–16 season came in the 2–1 FA Cup victory over Football League side AFC Wimbledon on 7 November 2015.^[50]

Honours

Individual

• Hayes & Yeading United Player of the Year (1): 2011–12^[36]

Career statistics

As of 10 August 2013.

Club	Season	League^[A]		FA Cup		League Cup		Other^[B]		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Norwich City	2007–08[51]	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Grays Athletic	2008–09[52]	18	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	0
	Total	18	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	18	0
Eastleigh	2009–10[53]	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	Total	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
Wycombe Wanderers	2009–10[54]	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2010–11[55]	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2011–12[56]	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Hayes & Yeading United (loan)	2011–12[57]	31	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	31	0
	Total	31	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	31	0
Stevenage	2012–13[58]	30	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	32	0
	2013–14[59]	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	0
	Total	31	0	1	0	1	0	1	0	34	0
Career totals		83	0	3	0	1	0	1	0	88	0

A. ^ The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the Football League and Football Conference.

B. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the FA Trophy and Football League Trophy.

References

1. "List of Temporary Transfers of Players under Written Contract Between 01/08/2011 and 31/08/2011" (PDF). The Football Association. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
2. Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2010). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011 (41st ed.). London: Headline. ISBN 9-780755-361076.
3. "Steve Arnold – ESPN". ESPN Soccernet. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
4. "Flown From The Nest – Steve Arnold". Flown From The Nest. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
5. "Stevenage – Steve Arnold". Stevenage F.C. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
6. "Rotherham 2–4 Norwich". BBC Sport. 19 September 2006. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
7. "Steve Arnold – Game Log – 2007/2008". ESPN Soccernet. 26 December 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
8. "Huckerby shown the door". Sky Sports. 6 May 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
9. "Grays net teenage Norwich keeper". BBC Sport. 12 June 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
10. "Weymouth 3–1 Grays Athletic". BBC Sport. 9 August 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
11. "Grays Athletic 1–1 Kettering". BBC Sport. 12 August 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
12. "Grays Athletic 2–1 Northwich". BBC Sport. 16 August 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
13. "Ebbsfleet United 0–1 Grays Athletic". ESPN Soccernet. 26 December 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
14. "Games played by Steve Arnold in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
15. "English Conference Premier 2008–2009 : Table". Statto.com. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
16. "Steve Arnold – Soccerbase". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
17. "Reserves beaten by Hoops". Brentford Vital. 13 October 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
18. "Dorchester Town vs Eastleigh". Eastleigh F.C. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
19. "Eastleigh vs Lewes". Eastleigh F.C. 14 November 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
20. "Eastleigh vs Lewes (FA Cup)". Eastleigh F.C. 21 November 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
21. "Lewes vs Eastleigh (FA Cup)". Eastleigh F.C. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
22. "Braintree Town vs Eastleigh". Eastleigh F.C. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
23. "Wycombe Wanderers sign up trio". BBC Sport. 22 January 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
24. "Arnold earns Wycombe deal". Sky Sports. 21 May 2010. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
25. "Steve Arnold – Game Log – 2010/2011". ESPN Soccernet. 26 December 2008. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
26. "Ainsworth signs extension". Sky Sports. 11 May 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
27. "Arnold makes non-league move". Sky Sports. 5 August 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
28. "Hayes & Yeading 3–1 Alfreton". BBC Sport. 13 August 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
29. "Arnold extends loan at Hayes". Sky Sports. 31 August 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
30. "Hayes & Yeading 2–2 Luton". BBC Sport. 30 August 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
31. "Games played by Steve Arnold in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
32. "Stockport 3–3 Hayes & Yeading". BBC Sport. 5 November 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
33. "Arnold loan spell cut short". Sky Sports. 8 November 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
34. "Hayes & Yeading sign Colchester United keeper Carl Pentney". BBC Sport. 16 November 2011. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
35. "Bath 0–1 Hayes & Yeading". BBC Sport. 21 February 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
36. "Keeper makes shock Stevenage move". Uxbridge Gazette. 24 May 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
37. "Relegated Wycombe Wanderers release six players". BBC Sport. 9 May 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
38. "Stevenage sign James Dunne and Steve Arnold". BBC Sport. 25 May 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
39. "Gary Smith excited for new season". Stevenage F.C. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
40. "Dag & Red 3–2 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 4 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
41. "Notts County 1–2 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 2 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
42. "Stevenage 1–0 Scunthorpe". BBC Sport. 6 October 2012. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
43. "Arnold pens Boro extension". Stevenage F.C. 1 March 2013. Retrieved 1 March 2013.
44. "Games played by Steve Arnold in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
45. "NINE DEPART AS STEVENAGE REBUILD CONTINUES". Stevenage FC. 17 May 2014.
46. "Andy Mangan back at Forest Green Rovers after appeal". BBC Sport. 6 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
47. "Forest Green 3–0 AFC Telford United". BBC Sport. 21 February 2015.
48. "Wrexham 0–0 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 24 February 2015. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
49. "Bristol Rovers 2–0 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 3 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2015.
50. "AFC Wimbledon 1–2 Forest Green". BBC Sport. 7 November 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
51. "Norwich 2007/2008 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
52. "Grays Athletic 2008/2009 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
53. "Eastleigh – First-team match reports". Eastleigh F.C. 28 November 2009. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
54. "Wycombe 2009/2010 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
55. "Wycombe 2010/2011 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
56. "Wycombe 2011/2012 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
57. "Hayes & Yeading 2011/2012 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
58. "Stevenage 2012/2013 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
59. "Stevenage 2013/2014 player appearances". Soccerbase. Retrieved 6 August 2013.

External links

• Steve Arnold career statistics at Soccerbase