Ryan Stevenson

Chelsea

Stevenson began his career as a youth player at Chelsea's youth academy, staying in the same club accommodation as John Terry. He has since stated that "being a YTS at Chelsea was the best time in my life" as he was boot-boy for first-team players Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Gianfranco Zola. Stevenson played in a youth team alongside Carlton Cole, Lenny Pidgeley, Leon Knight and, in his last season, Robert Huth under the watchful eye of manager Steve Clarke. After making eight reserve-team appearances for Chelsea, scoring one goal, he was released in May 2002.

St Johnstone

After leaving Chelsea, Stevenson was signed for St Johnstone by Billy Stark. Stevenson made 74 league appearances for Saints, before eventually falling out of favour under Owen Coyle during 2006.

Ayr United

Robert Connor brought Stevenson home to Ayr United, the team he had supported as a boy, initially on a 28-day loan in October 2006. This loan was later extended until the end of the year. He then joined the club on a permanent basis during January 2007, for a five-figure sum, against the wishes of his St. Johnstone boss: "I have told Ryan I don't want to lose him but that I wouldn't stand in his way," Coyle told Saints' website. Just two weeks later, Stevenson scored an equaliser for Ayr United against his former club, St Johnstone, in the third round of the Scottish Cup in a 2–1 defeat. Stevenson scored the goal which promoted Ayr United to the First Division in…

His first and most recent role as manager was that of West of Scotland Football League side Glenafton Athletic, a role he resigned from on 28 August 2023. During his spell he saved the club from relegation and made the Scottish Junior Cup semi finals. His position was filled by the club's assistant manager Mark Roberts.

As of 22 October 2017

Stevenson was born in Irvine, Ayrshire, and was a boyhood Ayr United fan, as stated on BBC Scotland. He was a pupil at Drongan Primary School and Kyle Academy in Ayr. In April 2013, Stevenson was banned from driving for a period of 20 months, following an arrest for drink driving. He later apologised for the incident, stating: "I accept the consequences of my actions. I acknowledge that I am a role model for younger supporters and team-mates and as such, my serious error of judgement was not befitting of such a position."