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Byron Stevenson came through the junior ranks and looked set to be
a long-term replacement for Norman Hunter or Jack Charlton in the
middle of the defence, but he never really found himself a week-in,
week-out position, playing at left and right back, in the centre of
defence and also in midfield. He was well-established in the Welsh
national side when he totally lost it in an international in Turkey
and found himself banned from European competitions for 4 years. In
1982, Leeds were desperate for a striker - so desperate that they were
prepared to sign Frank Worthington - and Stevenson went to Birmingham
in exchange.
Martin Cox says: Byron Stevenson lived in the next street to me
when I was a kid - couldn't believe it whan I found out a Peacocks
player was living fifty yards away - met him when we were out trick or
treatin' - he was most generous - 50p each I seem to remember (there
was about eight of us and it was 20 years ago !) - he gave us all an
autograph, even though he was obviously busy with his young family,he
seemed to have plenty of time for us,and we were dead chuffed to have
met a real life footballer ! Seemed like a top bloke, but shortly
after he moved out when Leeds transfered him.
Neil Spofforth says: He worked at my old school in the early
90's. John Smeaton High School
Stephen Carney says: i lived 3 doors from byron stevenson when he
played for birmingham city.I was about the same age as his son about 7
he used to play football in the street with us when he came home from
training. He was a top man.He took me and my brother down the blues
vrs albion one year pat van den hauwe also lived on the same road and
we picked him up on the way.
Byron Stevenson says: Byron is now back in his native country
Llanelli where he's been for the last 4 years after leaving the
publican business.
Kim Battersby-Hill (nee Campbell) says: I was on holiday in Ibiza
with a friend back in the late 70's and we were staying at an hotel in
Portinatx and Byron Stephenson was at the same hotel with his family.
It was a big thrill for my friend and I as we were big Leeds fans at
the time. We never plucked up enough courage to speak to him but we
took photos and stared from a distance.
Pete Pattenden says: I used to live with Byron in the 70's when he
was a young Leeds united player. I lost touch with him when I went
overseas to live in the Middle East in 1978. I followed his career for
a year or so but didn't ever hear very much about him. Good to know
that he continued his career for a few more years
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