Steve Watson

Newcastle United

Watson was born in North Shields, Tyne and Wear. He began his career with Newcastle United, playing on a regular basis. At the time of his first-team debut, as a substitute in a 2–1 defeat to Wolverhampton Wanderers on 10 November 1990, he was the youngest person ever to play for Newcastle, a record that still stands. Watson appeared 24 times that season, firstly under Jim Smith and then under Ossie Ardiles as Newcastle struggled in the Second Division. Watson featured prominently during the 1991–92 season as Kevin Keegan returned to Newcastle and relegation to the Third Division was avoided. During his seven years at the club, he wore a jersey with every shirt number 2–11 at least once, earning a reputation as a key all round capable footballer integral to The Entertainers style of play. He came on as a 77th-minute substitute at Wembley Stadium in the 1998 FA Cup Final, in which Newcastle were beaten 2–0 by Arsenal.

Aston Villa, Everton and West Bromwich Albion

Watson was transferred to Aston Villa for £4 million in October 1998. He scored once for Villa, in a 4–0 home win over Southampton on 1 December 1999 in the League Cup. He moved to Everton on 4 July 2000 on a five-year contract for a £2.5 million transfer fee. When boss Walter Smith found his squad decimated by injury, Watson was used a striker alongside Tomasz Radzinski, a role he had started to play at the beginning of his career before transferring to the defence. His time with…

Watson was appointed as development coach at League One club Huddersfield Town on 13 November 2010, joining up with his former Newcastle teammate Lee Clark. Watson was appointed as a coach at Birmingham City of the Championship on 24 August 2012. He was dismissed along with Clark on 20 October 2014. He was appointed as the assistant manager at National League club Macclesfield Town on 4 July 2016. Watson was appointed as the manager of National League club Gateshead on 10 October 2017. He was appointed as the manager of National League North club York City on 10 January 2019, succeeding Sam Collins who was dismissed with the team 15th in the table. Watson was joined at the club by Micky Cummins, his assistant at Gateshead. He was awarded the National League North Manager of the Month award for October 2021 after three wins from four in the league. He left the club on 13 November. Watson was appointed manager of National League North club Chester on 23 December 2021, initially on a contract until the end of the 2021–22 season. On 28 April 2022, the club confirmed that Watson would leave his role as manager at the end of the season by mutual consent. Watson joined another National League club, Darlington, as manager on 31 December 2023. His contract initially ran until the end of the season. After successfully steering them clear of the relegation positions, he and assistant manager Terry Mitchell signed two-year contract extensions. For his impressive end to the season,…

As a player

Newcastle United

FA Cup runner-up: 1997–98 Individual

Newcastle United Player of the Year: 1996–97

As a manager

Individual

National League North Manager of the Month: October 2021, April 2024, December 2024