Steve Restarick

Born in Barking, London, as a schoolboy, Restarick was on the books of London-based clubs Queens Park Rangers and West Ham United before moving to Colchester United early in his apprenticeship in 1988. During his second year, he netted 17 goals in 15 games from October to December 1989, including four goals in one game on his 18th birthday. Towards the end of his apprenticeship, Restarick made his one and only Football League appearance, coming on as a substitute for Richard Wilkins during a 1–0 defeat to Peterborough United on 7 April 1990 as Colchester edged closer to relegation to the Conference.[1][3][4]

Despite Colchester's relegation, Restarick was signed on a professional contract, loaned to Bury Town during Autumn 1990, he featured in an experimental side in the Bob Lord Trophy against Fisher Athletic on 21 January 1991, scoring twice in extra-time, his first senior goals for the club, as the U's went on to record a 3–2 victory.[5] Later in March 1991, he joined Fisher on loan alongside fellow youth-team product John Pollard, scoring once in 11 games.[1]

During Colchester's Conference and FA Trophy double-winning season, Restarick contributed goals in three different cup competitions but found first-team opportunities hard to come by, failing to register a league goal. He was loaned to local club Wivenhoe Town for a chunk of the 1991–92 season, finishing as Town's leading scorer with 11 goals in 17 games.[1]

As Colchester were promoted back to the Football League, Restarick was released, joining Chelmsford City where he scored 59 goals in 149 games for the club. This earnt him a five-figure fee move to Conference side Dover Athletic, where he could only muster four goals in 26 Conference games. He later played for Crawley Town, Dulwich Hamlet, Welling United, Gravesend & Northfleet and a second spell with Crawley. He then moved to Dartford, turning out on loan at Hastings United before a signing for Folkestone Invicta. He was made player-coach at Maidstone United and then made appearances for Chatham Town before returning to Maidstone as coach in 2006.[1]

In 2014, it was announced that Restarick had been involved in a fraud probe with Maidstone Grammar School, where he had been teaching at the time.[6][7][8]