Steve Jennings (footballer)

Steve Jennings

Personal information
Full name	Steven John Jennings
Date of birth	28 October 1984
Place of birth	Liverpool, England
Height	5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Playing position	Central midfielder
Club information
Current team	Tranmere Rovers
Number	4
Youth career
1993–1998	Everton
1998–2002	Tranmere Rovers
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2002–2009	Tranmere Rovers	140	(6)
2007	→ Hereford United (loan)	11	(0)
2009–2012	Motherwell	93	(2)
2012–2013	Coventry City	39	(0)
2013–2014	Tranmere Rovers	25	(1)
2014–2015	Port Vale	4	(0)
2014	→ Tranmere Rovers (loan)	8	(1)
2015–	Tranmere Rovers	72	(3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 00:00, 4 May 2016 (UTC). † Appearances (goals)

Steven "Steve" John Jennings (born 28 October 1984) is an English professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for National League club Tranmere Rovers.

He turned professional at Tranmere Rovers in October 2002 and made his first team debut 12 months later. He remained with Tranmere for six seasons, also playing on loan at Hereford United in the latter half of the 2006–07 season. He signed with Scottish Premier League club Motherwell in July 2009. He spent three seasons in Scotland, featuring on the losing side in the 2011 final of the Scottish Cup. He then spent one season each at Coventry City and Tranmere Rovers, before joining Port Vale in July 2014. He returned to Tranmere on loan later in the year before joining the club permanently in January 2015.

Playing career

Tranmere Rovers

Jennings was taken out of the Everton Academy by his father and instead joined the Tranmere Rovers Centre of Excellence in 1998.^[1] He was a key part of the Rovers youth team that reached the FA Youth Cup semi-finals in 2003. He signed a three-and-a-half-year professional contract with the club in October 2002.^[2]

He made his first team debut on 18 October 2003, coming on as a last minute substitute for Iain Hume in a 2–1 win over Oldham Athletic at Prenton Park.^[3] He made his first start on 13 December, in a 2–2 draw at Chesterfield.^[4] He played a total of four Second Division games during the 2003–04 campaign, and featured in 11 League One games during the 2004–05 season.

Jennings established himself in the Rovers first team under Brian Little's stewardship in the 2005–06 campaign, featuring 43 times and scoring two goals. He scored his first senior goal on 18 October in a 2–1 Football League Trophy victory over Lincoln City.^[5] He scored his first league goal 11 days later, in a 2–0 victory at Doncaster Rovers.^[6] He signed a new two-year contract in April 2006.^[7]

Having been limited to only five appearances in the first half of the 2006–07 season under new boss Ronnie Moore, Jennings joined Graham Turner's Hereford United on loan in January 2007.^[8] He impressed at Edgar Street, which led to his loan being extended to the end of the 2006–07 season, and he played a total of 11 League Two games for the "Bulls".

Jennings re-established his place at Tranmere during the 2007–08 season, appearing in all but five league matches, usually partnering Paul McLaren in the centre of midfield. He had an excellent season, winning praise for his high work rate and willingness to make challenges. He won the Players' Young Player of the Season award at the end of the season.

He was voted Tranmere Player's Player of the Year at the end of the 2008–09 season after missing only two league games due to suspension.^[9]

Motherwell

In July 2009, he became Jim Gannon's first signing as Motherwell manager when he joined the club on a one-year deal.^[10] He made his Scottish Premier League debut for the "Steelmen" at Fir Park on 22 August, in a 3–1 win over Kilmarnock.^[11] He scored his first goal for Motherwell in a 3–1 loss to St Johnstone on 26 December.^[12] He signed a new one-year contract in May 2010, leaving manager Craig Brown to say that the deal was a "massive boost" for the club and that "he's an excellent midfield player who has been at the heart of everything we did in the second half of the season".^[13]

The Association of British Bookmakers investigated "suspicious betting patterns" on a red card being shown to Jennings for dissent during a game in December 2010.^[14] Jennings was arrested, along with eight other men, on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud in October 2011.^[15] A week later, his club confirmed that he would continue to be available for first-team selection.^[16] Merseyside Police advised Jennings in April 2012 that their inquiries had ceased and that no further action would be taken.^[17] His solicitor said that Jennings felt vindicated in believing that there had been no criminal activity.^[17] After the police ended their investigation, Motherwell manager Stuart McCall criticised unnamed Scottish football officials who had suggested that Jennings should have been suspended while under suspicion.^[18]

He made 43 appearances in the 2010–11 campaign, including the Scottish Cup final defeat to Celtic at Hampden Park.^[19] He signed a one-year contract extension with Motherwell in July 2011.^[20] He played 37 games in the 2011–12 season, helping the club to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Coventry City

In August 2012, Jennings signed a two-year contract with Mark Robins's League One side Coventry City.^[21] He played 49 games in the 2012–13 campaign, with only two players playing more games for the "Sky Blues" that season. Despite this he was judged to be surplus to requirements at the Ricoh Arena by new boss Steven Pressley and his contract was terminated by mutual consent in September 2013.^[22][23]

Return to Tranmere Rovers

In October 2013, Jennings returned to Tranmere Rovers, still in League One and managed by Ronnie Moore, on non-contract terms.^[24] He impressed at Prenton Park and his short-term stay was extended into the summer.^[25] The club were relegated into League Two at the end of the 2013–14 season.

Port Vale

In July 2014, Jennings signed a one-year deal at League One club Port Vale, following a short period on trial.^[26]

Third spell at Tranmere

On 27 October 2014, after only six appearances for the "Valiants", Jennings returned to Tranmere Rovers for a third spell, signing on loan until January 2015; in doing so he was also reunited with manager Micky Adams, who had signed him for Port Vale three months earlier.^[27] He made a scoring start to his third spell at Prenton Park, netting from long range in a 2–2 draw with Stevenage on 1 November.^[28] He left Vale Park by mutual consent in January 2015,^[29] and signed a permanent contract with Tranmere.^[30] He ended the 2014–15 season with 36 appearances to his name, as Rovers were relegated out of the Football League.

He signed a new one-year contract in May 2015, stating that "I want to make right the wrongs of the last couple of seasons".^[31] He scored two goals in 45 appearances in the 2015–16 season, as Tranmere finished one place and two points outside the relegation zone.^[32]

Style of play

Speaking in February 2014, Tranmere Rovers coach John McMahon labelled Jennings a "fire blanket" for his ability to break up opposition play across the pitch.^[33]

Career statistics

As of 30 April 2016.

Club	Season	League			FA Cup		League Cup		Other^[A]		Total[34]
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Tranmere Rovers	2003–04[35]	Second Division	4	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	5	0
	2004–05[36]	League One	11	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	14	0
	2005–06[37]		38	1	1	0	1	0	3	1	43	2
	2006–07[38]		2	0	0	0	1	0	2	1	5	1
	2007–08[39]		41	2	4	2	1	0	1	0	47	4
	2008–09[40]		44	3	4	0	1	0	4	0	53	3
	Total		140	6	10	2	5	0	12	2	167	10
Hereford United (loan)	2006–07[38]	League Two	11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	11	0
Motherwell	2009–10[41]	Scottish Premier League	29	2	0	0	1	0	3	0	33	2
	2010–11[42]		30	0	5	1	3	0	5	0	43	1
	2011–12[43]		34	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	37	0
	Total		93	2	7	1	5	0	8	0	113	3
Coventry City	2012–13[44]	League One	39	0	3	1	1	0	6	1	49	2
Tranmere Rovers	2013–14[45]		25	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	25	1
Port Vale	2014–15[46]		4	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	6	0
Tranmere Rovers	2014–15[46]	League Two	30	1	4	0	0	0	2	0	36	1
	2015–16[47]	National League	42	2	2	0	0	0	1	0	45	2
	Total		72	3	6	0	0	0	3	0	81	3
Career total			384	12	26	4	13	0	29	3	452	19

A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including substitutes) in the UEFA Europa League, FA Trophy, and Football League Trophy.

Honours

with Motherwell

• Scottish Cup runner-up: 2011

References

1. Berry, Gavin (19 July 2009). "Motherwell newboy Steve Jennings scrubbing up alright after Tranmere apprenticeship". Daily Record. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
2. "Tranmere release duo". BBC Sport. 30 October 2002. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
3. "Tranmere 2-1 Oldham". BBC Sport. 18 October 2003. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
4. "Chesterfield 2-2 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 13 December 2003. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
5. "Tranmere 2-1 Lincoln". BBC Sport. 18 October 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
6. "Doncaster 0-2 Tranmere". BBC Sport. 29 October 2005. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
7. "Tranmere pair agree new contracts". BBC Sport. 21 April 2006. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
8. "Jennings joins Hereford on loan". BBC Sport. 18 January 2007. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
9. "Jennings sure of Rovers chances". BBC Sport. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
10. McLauchlin, Brian (1 July 2009). "Well secure Tranmere's Jennings". BBC Sport. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
11. "Motherwell 3 - 1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 22 August 2009. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
12. McLauchlin, Brian (1 July 2009). "Well secure Tranmere's Jennings". BBC Sport. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
13. "Steve Jennings agrees Motherwell contract extension". BBC Sport. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
14. "Bookmakers probe Motherwell red card". BBC Sport. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 15 December 2010.
15. "Motherwell player Steve Jennings held in betting probe". BBC Sport. 6 October 2011. Retrieved 6 October 2011.
16. "Steve Jennings available for Motherwell". BBC Sport. 13 October 2011. Retrieved 13 October 2011.
17. Barnes, John (20 April 2012). "Motherwell's Steve Jennings cleared in betting probe". BBC Sport (BBC). Retrieved 20 April 2012.
18. "Stuart McCall chides football "hierarchy" over Steve Jennings". BBC Sport (BBC). 22 April 2012. Retrieved 22 April 2012.
19. "Celtic lift the 2011 Scottish Cup". scottishfa.co.uk. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
20. "Jennings signs one-year extension at Motherwell". BBC Sport. 2 July 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
21. "Coventry City sign Motherwell midfielder Steve Jennings". BBC Sport (BBC). 16 August 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
22. "Jennings departs Sky Blues". Coventry City F.C. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2013.
23. Turner, Andy (22 February 2014). "Steven Pressley expects backlash from Tranmere Rovers star rejected by City boss". Coventry Telegraph. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
24. "Steve Jennings: Tranmere Rovers return for midfielder". BBC Sport. 22 October 2013. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
25. Hilton, Nick (7 January 2014). "Moore keen for Jennings to stay at Rovers". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
26. "Michael Brown, Steve Jennings & Michael O'Connor join Port Vale". BBC Sport. 18 July 2014. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
27. "Tranmere Rovers: Steve Jennings returns for third spell". BBC Sport. 27 October 2014. Retrieved 28 October 2014.
28. "Tranmere 2 - 2 Stevenage". BBC Sport. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
29. Sharpe, Rich (6 January 2015). "Midfielder Steven Jennings released". The Sentinel. Retrieved 6 January 2015.
30. "Steve Jennings and Rory Donnelly join as two exit". BBC Sport. 8 January 2015. Retrieved 8 January 2015.
31. "Steve Jennings: Tranmere midfielder agrees new contract". BBC Sport. 19 May 2015. Retrieved 22 May 2015.
32. Hilton, Nick (1 May 2016). "Tranmere boss Gary Brabin says Rovers can learn from where they fell short this season". Liverpool Echo. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
33. "Tranmere Rovers assistant boss full of praise for Steven Jennings after win over Sky Blues". Coventry Telegraph. 24 February 2014. Retrieved 20 July 2014.
34. "Steven Jennings profile". Soccerway.
35. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
36. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
37. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
38. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
39. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
40. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
41. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
42. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
43. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
44. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
45. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
46. "Games played by Steve Jennings in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 September 2013.
47. Steve Jennings profile at Soccerway

External links

• Steve Jennings career statistics at Soccerbase