Seven decades between the sticks

Aside from his famous perm in the ‘80s, he’s best remembered for his successes playing for East Cowes Vics and Ryde School, but it all started when he joined Ryde Youth Club.

Born in Emsworth, and seen as a prospect standing at 5ft 10 at the age of 15, he played rugby at school on Merseyside, before moving to the IW in the winter of 1967.

Shifting to football and plying his trade with Ryde, he featured in a 1-0 cup final win in 1968 ­— just his third match with the side ­— before making his senior debut for Sandown in 1969.

He didn’t get off to the best of starts — losing 7-1 at Christchuch ­— and conceded he was out of his depth.

Determined to persevere, he transferred to a struggling Parkhurst Old Boys team, and had a spell at St Helens Blue Star, before enjoying a successful season with Ryde United.

His exploits with the Division Two side saw him sign for East Cowes Vics the following season, and having expected to play ­— at least initially ­— with the reserves, he soon found himself starting games when the first choice keeper was sidelined.

He played his first game away to Alton Town, losing 2-1, but held his position as first choice keeper for a further five seasons.

In his time between the sticks for the Vics, he won the Division 1 and 2 Hampshire League titles.

Lauded as the invincibles of their day, having gone the entire season unbeaten in Division 1, Stephens played alongside legendary striker, Tony Grimwade, and winger, Gareth Williams, who went on to play for Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Stephens left East Cowes Vics and enjoyed success playing Sunday league football with the Chillerton Choppers, where he played for 12 seasons.

During his time with the Choppers, he remarkably notched a ‘perfect’ hat-trick in a 17-2 win over Bembridge, venturing into the opposition’s half for corners and scoring goals with his left foot, his right foot and his head.

Playing a few games for Cowes reserves, he soon received a call from Roger North and signed for Newport.

He played for the reserves for more than two years, before being called up to the first team for the remaining 14 games, and losing just one fixture in that period.

He was later approached by Ryde Sports and they finished mid-table in his first season, before emerging as champions a year later.

The side moved to Smallbrook, where Stephens enjoyed one more season before signing for West Wight.

As well as keeping the ball out the net, he also contributed at the other end of the pitch, and made history when he scored the first-ever competitive goal at Smallbrook ­— with a huge kick from end to end against Northwood in the opening minute of the game.

He later joined new team, Red Star Spartans, and went through successive promotions to reach Division 1.

He then had another spell at East Cowes Vics, playing for their reserves, and a spell at Wootton, before signing for Shanklin Voluntary Youth and Community Centre.

Playing with a mixture of young prospects and experienced players, after six seasons, the team withdrew from the league, and Stephens returned to Sandown, coming full circle from his seniors debut in 1969.

With more than 1,500 adult games under his belt and a lifetime of footballing memories, he still plays for Sandown now ­— for the reserves in Combination 1 of the Island League.

He previously said: “I’ve met some really good people through playing football.

“If I didn’t enjoy playing as much as I do, I would’ve given it up years ago.

“I was always prepared to drop down the leagues as I got older, to share my experience, but I always said, when I become a liability to a team, I would pack it in.

“Thankfully, I haven’t got to that stage yet and I’m still wanted.”