Kevin Stephens

Kevin Alexander Stephens (born 28 July 1984) is an English former professional footballer who most recently played for Boreham Wood.[1] He played as a defender for Leyton Orient in the Football League.[2] In 2009, Stephens refused to play for Newport County again after opposition striker, Stuart Douglas, received racist abuse from Newport fans in the stadium.[3]

For other people named Kevin Stephens, see Kevin Stephens (disambiguation).

Kevin Stephens
Kevin Stephens in 2019
Personal information
Full name Kevin Alexander Stephens
Date of birth (1984-07-28) 28 July 1984
Place of birth Enfield, England
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2004 Leyton Orient 4 (0)
2003 → Billericay Town (loan) 4 (0)
2003–2004 → Hornchurch (loan) 3 (0)
2004–2005 Redbridge 9 (12)
2005–2007 Enfield Town 16 (1)
2006 → Chelmsford City (loan) 4 (0)
2007–2008 Redbridge
2008 Newport County 12 (?)
2008 Enfield Town 0 (0)
2008–2009 Boreham Wood
2009 Newport County 10 (?)
2009–2020 Boreham Wood 12 (15)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Under the name "Stevo the Madman" he has gained attention for videos on Snapchat.[4][5]

Career

Leyton Orient

Stephens started his footballing career at Division 3 (now EFL League Two) side Leyton Orient as a trainee in 2001.[2] He made his first of 4 league appearances for the club, all coming away from home, in a 3–2 defeat away to York City F.C. on 9 November 2002, a game in which he received a booking.[6][7] His second appearance was on 18 March 2003 in a 3–1 defeat at A.F.C. Bournemouth, in which he was substituted in the 89th minute for Gabriel Zakuani.[8][9] His final appearance in the 2002–03 Football League Third Division season was in a 1–0 defeat at Southend United F.C. on 22 March 2003, coming on as a substitute in the 65th minute for Simon Downer.[10]

His final league appearance for the club would be in the 2003–04 Football League Third Division season when he came on as an 82nd minute substitute for Matt Joseph in a 1–1 draw at Mansfield Town F.C. on 16 August 2003.[11] Stephens was then loaned out to Billericay Town F.C. in the Isthmian Premier Division, in the 7th tier of the English football league system for one month, after impressing in a pre-season friendly between Orient and Billericay.[12]

Newport County

Stephens was one of three defenders manager Dean Holdsworth brought with him from Isthmian League Division One North side, Redbridge F.C. to Conference South (now National League South) side Newport County at the start of the 2008-09 Football Conference South season , along with left-back, David Collins, and centre-back, Nick Skelton.[13] In his first 2 months at the club, he was regarded as their most consistent and impressive outfield player.[14] However, just after 3 months of signing, all three former Redbridge players had been released by Newport County. Holdsworth wanted to keep Stephens, but the board decided that paying his travel expenses from his home in London would not be feasible.[15]

Stephens was resigned by the club later on in the same season . He would leave the club at the end of the season after vowing to never play for them again after hearing racist chants from his own fans directed at Bath City F.C. striker Stuart Douglas in Newport's 4–0 loss at home to Bath.[3]

After football

While working as a recovery driver, Stephens constantly filmed his day-to-day life as a 'van man' which saw the inception of 'StevoTheMadMan'.[4] Stephens has been featured on numerous TV shows. Since the beginning of August 2016, he has hosted a YouTube series for JD Sports called Take a Bow with co-host Craig Mitch. The pair discuss the latest football news, matches and gossip on a weekly basis.[16] Stephens was seen on Celebrity Coach Trip. He also covered the 2020 Super Bowl for BBC Sport on the opening night - interviewing the players, teams and coaches ahead of the big game.[17]

During December 2019, Stephens also starred in the Come Dine with Me Christmas special in a bid to win £1,000 for charity over a week of competitive cooking and hosting.[5]  Also in December 2019, Stephens appeared on comedy, music and talk show The Big Narstie Show with friend Big Narstie and comedian Mo Gilligan where they discuss his content and upcoming projects.[18]

References
  1. "Player Profile". Sky Sports. Sky. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  2. "Kevin Stephens player profile". Soccerbase. Retrieved 4 January 2018.
  3. "Stephens quits County after racist abuse". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  4. "How do you become a Snapchat celebrity?". BBC News. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  5. "Meet the Celebrity Christmas Come Dine With Me contestants". Radio Times. Retrieved 27 April 2020.
  6. "York City v Leyton Orient, 09 November 2002". 11v11.com. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  7. "York 3-2 Leyton Orient". 9 November 2002. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  8. "AFC Bournemouth v Leyton Orient, 18 March 2003". 11v11.com. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  9. "Bournemouth 3-1 Leyton Orient". 18 March 2003. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  10. "Southend United v Leyton Orient, 22 March 2003". 11v11.com. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  11. "Mansfield Town v Leyton Orient, 16 August 2003". 11v11.com. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  12. "O's loan out Stephens". Sky Sports. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  13. "Quartet come to Deano's defence". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  14. "Stephens aims to hit the high notes". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  15. "Revolving door at Spytty Park". South Wales Argus. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  16. "Stevo The Madman and Craig Mitch Come Together For New Show Take a Bow With JD Football | RWD". rwdmag.com. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  17. "'I'd run naked around the palace' - Stevo the Madman grills Super Bowl stars". BBC Sport. 29 January 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  18. The Big Narstie Show (TV Series 2018– ) - IMDb, retrieved 29 April 2020
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