Alex Stevenson
Encyclopedia
Alexander Ernest Stevenson (9 August 1912–1985) was an Irish
footballer
who played for Rangers
and Everton
, amongst other teams. As an international, Stevenson also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI
. Stevenson is the only footballer to have played for both the FAI XI and Rangers and is one of only three players born in what is now the Republic of Ireland
to play for the club. The other two were Alex Craig
and James Lowry McAuley (Reuben Evans was another Rangers player from the Republic of Ireland but he did not play for the first team).
in the League of Ireland
. In 1932 he helped them reach the final of the FAI Cup
where they lost 1-0 to Shamrock Rovers
. Shortly afterwards, on May 8, 1932, aged 19 and while still a Dolphins player, he made his debut for the FAI XI in a 2-0 away win against the Netherlands
. In August 1932 he signed for Rangers
after being spotted by Arthur Dixon, a club coach. As part of the transfer deal, Rangers played Dolphins in a friendly at Dalymount Park
in 1933. Stevenson spent just a season and a half at Rangers. Although he made just 12 appearances in the Scottish League
, he scored 7 goals and developed a reputation as a highly intelligent player. While at Rangers, Stevenson also made his debut for the IFA XI
and he helped the club win the Division One
title during the 1933-34 season.
for a fee of £37,000 and made his debut for the club against Arsenal
the following month. He remains one of Everton’s
all-time top goalscorers
. He was also a great supplier of goals, first to Dixie Dean
and then to Tommy Lawton
and he formed an excellent understanding with fellow Irish
international Jackie Coulter
on the left wing. In 1939, together with Lawton, Joe Mercer
and Tommy G. Jones
he was a member of the Everton team that won the last First Division
title before the start of the Second World War. During this campaign he scored 10 goals in 36 games.
During the war, while continuing to play for Everton, Stevenson also enlisted in the RAF
. Between 1939 and 1946 he made 202 appearances and scored 89 goals for Everton in wartime regional leagues. One of the highlights of his wartime career came on June 1, 1940 when he scored a hat-trick in the last five minutes of a game against Manchester United
. As well as playing for Everton, he also turned out as a guest for both Tranmere Rovers
and Blackpool
. After the war Stevenson played in an Everton team that also included fellow Irish internationals Peter Farrell
, Tommy Eglington
and Peter Corr
and future team manager Harry Catterick
. By the time he finished his career with the club he had made 255 English League appearances and scored 82 league goals. He also played a further 16 games and scored a further 8 goals in the FA Cup
. He made his final league appearance for Everton on May 7, 1949.
- based IFA
and the Irish Free State
- based FAI
claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland
and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Stevenson played for both teams.
. His team-mates that day also included fellow dual internationalists, Mick O'Brien, Jimmy Kelly
and Paddy Moore
. In October 1931 Stevenson had also played for a junior FAI XI against Scotland
at Falkirk
. However, Stevenson had to wait for fourteen years, partly because of the Second World War, before he made his second appearance for the FAI XI on September 30, 1946 in a 1-0 defeat to England
.
Puzzled by the fourteen-year gap between his first and second FAI cap, Stevenson apparently approached both the Everton
secretary-manager, Theo Kelly
, and the FAI
secretary Joe Wickham
for an explanation but neither was prepared to offer one. Stevenson, who was a Protestant, was accused in some quarters of refusing to play for the FAI XI on religious grounds, but he was adamant that religion had nothing to do with it on his part.. He subsequently played for the FAI XI a further five times, helping them to a notable victory against Spain
on March 2, 1947. He made his last appearance for the FAI XI on December 5, 1948 in a 1-0 defeat against Switzerland
. However this was not his last involvement with the FAI. Between 1953 and 1955 Stevenson served as coach of the Republic of Ireland
.
and 1947
Stevenson also made 19 appearances and scored 5 goals for the IFA XI
, making his debut on September 16, 1933 in a 2-1 win against Scotland
. He subsequently formed a notable inside forward partnership with Peter Doherty
. He scored his first goal for the IFA XI on February 6, 1935 in 2-1 defeat against England
. He also scored against England in a 5-1 defeat on October 23, 1937. His remaining three goals were all scored against Wales
in 1936, 1937 and 1947.
On May 11, 1935, at Goodison Park
, Stevenson also played for an Ireland
/Wales XI
in a 10-2 defeat against an English League XI. During the Second World War, he also played in two wartime internationals for the IFA XI. On September 9, 1944 at Windsor Park
, he played an 8-4 defeat against a Combined Services XI. This team was basically a Great Britain XI and featured, among others, Matt Busby
, Stanley Matthews
, Tommy Lawton
and Stan Mortensen
. He also played in the Victory international against Scotland at Windsor Park
on February 2, 1946.
On November 27 1946
Stevenson was one of seven players who had been born in the Irish Free State
, to be selected by the IFA to play against Scotland
. The other six were Johnny Carey
, Con Martin
, Bill Gorman
, Tommy Eglington
, Peter Farrell
and Davy Walsh
. On April 16, 1947, he scored his last goal for the IFA XI in a 2-1 win against Wales
. These two results helped the IFA XI finish as runners-up in the 1947 British Home Championship
. Later that year, Stevenson made his last appearance for the IFA XI on October 4, 1947 in a 2-0 win against Scotland.
Rangers
Everton
Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
footballer
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
who played for Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
and Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
, amongst other teams. As an international, Stevenson also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
. Stevenson is the only footballer to have played for both the FAI XI and Rangers and is one of only three players born in what is now the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
to play for the club. The other two were Alex Craig
Alex Craig
Alex Craig was a former football player who played for Rangers, Greenock Morton and .He is one of only three players born in what is now the Republic of Ireland to play for the Rangers. The other two were Alex Stevenson and James Lowry McAuley.-Club career:Galway born Craig joined Rangers from...
and James Lowry McAuley (Reuben Evans was another Rangers player from the Republic of Ireland but he did not play for the first team).
Early years
Stevenson began his career with DolphinsDolphin F.C. (Dublin)
Dolphin F.C. is a former Irish football club, originally based in the Dublin suburb of Dolphin's Barn. They played in the League of Ireland between 1930 and 1937. In 1935 they were league champions...
in the League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
. In 1932 he helped them reach the final of the FAI Cup
FAI Cup
The Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
where they lost 1-0 to Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
. Shortly afterwards, on May 8, 1932, aged 19 and while still a Dolphins player, he made his debut for the FAI XI in a 2-0 away win against the Netherlands
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
. In August 1932 he signed for Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
after being spotted by Arthur Dixon, a club coach. As part of the transfer deal, Rangers played Dolphins in a friendly at Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
in 1933. Stevenson spent just a season and a half at Rangers. Although he made just 12 appearances in the Scottish League
Scottish Football League
The Scottish Football League is a league of football teams in Scotland, comprising theScottish First Division, Scottish Second Division and Scottish Third Division. From the league's foundation in 1890 until the breakaway Scottish Premier League was formed in 1998, the Scottish Football League...
, he scored 7 goals and developed a reputation as a highly intelligent player. While at Rangers, Stevenson also made his debut for the IFA XI
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
and he helped the club win the Division One
Scottish football champions
The Scottish football champions are the winners of the highest league in Scottish football, namely the Scottish Football League from 1890 until 1998 and the Scottish Premier League thereafter....
title during the 1933-34 season.
Everton
In January 1934 Stevenson signed for EvertonEverton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
for a fee of £37,000 and made his debut for the club against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
the following month. He remains one of Everton’s
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
all-time top goalscorers
Everton F.C. records
This is a list of records for Everton F.C..-Appearances:* Youngest Ever Player: Jose Baxter, 16 yrs and 191 days old , 2–3 v Blackburn Rovers, 16 August 2008...
. He was also a great supplier of goals, first to Dixie Dean
Dixie Dean
William Ralph Dean , better known as Dixie Dean, was an English football player. Dean originally started his career with Birkenhead based Tranmere Rovers before moving on to Everton, the club he had supported as a child, where he became one of the most prolific goal-scorers in English football...
and then to Tommy Lawton
Tommy Lawton
Thomas "Tommy" Lawton was an English association footballer who rose to fame a short time before the outbreak of the Second World War and enjoyed a successful career which lasted until well into the 1950s....
and he formed an excellent understanding with fellow Irish
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
international Jackie Coulter
Jackie Coulter
Jackie Coulter is a former Northern Irish footballer.He played for a number of intermediate clubs before signing for Belfast Celtic as a seventeen year-old...
on the left wing. In 1939, together with Lawton, Joe Mercer
Joe Mercer
Joseph 'Joe' Mercer, OBE was an English football player and manager.-Playing career:Mercer was born in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire, the son of a former Nottingham Forest and Tranmere Rovers footballer, also named Joe. Joe Mercer senior died, following health problems resulting from a gas attack...
and Tommy G. Jones
T. G. Jones
Thomas George "T.G." Jones was a Welsh footballer most notable for his career with Everton and Wales.-Biography:Born in Connah's Quay, Jones started his professional career with Wrexham. He signed for for £3,000 in 1936...
he was a member of the Everton team that won the last First Division
Football League First Division
The First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
title before the start of the Second World War. During this campaign he scored 10 goals in 36 games.
During the war, while continuing to play for Everton, Stevenson also enlisted in the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
. Between 1939 and 1946 he made 202 appearances and scored 89 goals for Everton in wartime regional leagues. One of the highlights of his wartime career came on June 1, 1940 when he scored a hat-trick in the last five minutes of a game against Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
. As well as playing for Everton, he also turned out as a guest for both Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere Rovers F.C.
Tranmere Rovers Football Club are an English team based in Birkenhead, Wirral. The club currently compete in League One, the third tier of the English football league system...
and Blackpool
Blackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
. After the war Stevenson played in an Everton team that also included fellow Irish internationals Peter Farrell
Peter Farrell
Peter Desmond Farrell was an Irish footballer who played as an a right-half for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. As an international, Farrell also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
, Tommy Eglington
Tommy Eglington
Thomas Joseph Eglington was an Irish footballer who played as an outside-left for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. Eglington was also a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.Eglington’s playing career followed a similar...
and Peter Corr
Peter Corr
Peter Joseph Corr was an Irish footballer. Corr played as an outside-right for, among others, Everton and Ireland. In 1949 he was a member of the Ireland team that defeated England 2–0 at Goodison Park, becoming the first non-UK team to beat England at home...
and future team manager Harry Catterick
Harry Catterick
Harry Catterick was an English football player and manager. As a player Catterick played for Everton and Crewe Alexandra, in a career that was interrupted by World War II, but he is most notable as a manager...
. By the time he finished his career with the club he had made 255 English League appearances and scored 82 league goals. He also played a further 16 games and scored a further 8 goals in the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. He made his final league appearance for Everton on May 7, 1949.
Irish international
When Stevenson began his international career in 1932 there were, in effect, two Ireland teams, chosen by two rival associations. Both associations, the Northern IrelandNorthern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
- based IFA
Irish Football Association
The Irish Football Association is the organising body for association football in Northern Ireland, and was historically the governing body for Ireland...
and the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
- based FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
claimed jurisdiction over the whole of Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and selected players from the whole island. As a result several notable Irish players from this era, including Stevenson played for both teams.
FAI XI
Between 1932 and 1948 Stevenson made 7 appearances for the FAI XI, making his international debut on May 8, 1932 in a 2-0 win against the NetherlandsNetherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
. His team-mates that day also included fellow dual internationalists, Mick O'Brien, Jimmy Kelly
Jimmy Kelly (Irish footballer)
Jimmy Kelly was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Derry City, Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk. Kelly was one of the most prolific goalscorers ever to play in the Irish League, scoring 218 goals in the league between 1928 and 1952...
and Paddy Moore
Paddy Moore
Paddy Moore was an Irish footballer who played for, among others, Shamrock Rovers and Aberdeen. Moore was a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.In February 1934 Moore scored four goals for the FAI XI in a World Cup qualifier against Belgium...
. In October 1931 Stevenson had also played for a junior FAI XI against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
at Falkirk
Falkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
. However, Stevenson had to wait for fourteen years, partly because of the Second World War, before he made his second appearance for the FAI XI on September 30, 1946 in a 1-0 defeat to England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
.
Puzzled by the fourteen-year gap between his first and second FAI cap, Stevenson apparently approached both the Everton
Everton F.C.
Everton Football Club are an English professional association football club from the city of Liverpool. The club competes in the Premier League, the highest level of English football...
secretary-manager, Theo Kelly
Theo Kelly
Theo Kelly was manager of Everton Football Club from 1939 to 1948.-Pre-war:Everton were one of the last league teams to appoint a manager. Before this, the team selection was made by coaches and boardroom members...
, and the FAI
Football Association of Ireland
The Football Association of Ireland is the governing body for the sport of association football in the Republic of Ireland. It should not to be confused with the Irish Football Association , which is the organising body for the sport in Northern Ireland.For the full history, statistics and records...
secretary Joe Wickham
Joe Wickham
Joe Wickham was the General Secretary of the Football Association of Ireland from the 1930s until his death in 1968 at the age of 78. He took over from Jack Ryder in 1936, having previously worked as a supervisor in the coach-building workshop in the Broadstone depot of the Midland Great Western...
for an explanation but neither was prepared to offer one. Stevenson, who was a Protestant, was accused in some quarters of refusing to play for the FAI XI on religious grounds, but he was adamant that religion had nothing to do with it on his part.. He subsequently played for the FAI XI a further five times, helping them to a notable victory against Spain
Spain national football team
The Spain national football team represents Spain in international association football and is controlled by the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the governing body for football in Spain. The current head coach is Vicente del Bosque...
on March 2, 1947. He made his last appearance for the FAI XI on December 5, 1948 in a 1-0 defeat against Switzerland
Switzerland national football team
The Swiss national football team is the national football team of Switzerland...
. However this was not his last involvement with the FAI. Between 1953 and 1955 Stevenson served as coach of the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland national football team
The Republic of Ireland national football team represents Ireland in association football. It is run by the Football Association of Ireland and currently plays home fixtures at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which opened in May 2010....
.
IFA XI
Between 19331933 British Home Championship
The 1933 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1932–33 season. It was won by the strong Welsh side which claimed several tournaments during the 1930s, the last undisputed victories Wales would achieve.The tournament began with...
and 1947
1948 British Home Championship
1948 British Home Championship was the second edition of this annual football tournament to be played in the post-war period. It was conducted during the 1947–48 football season between the four Home Nations of the British Isles and resulted in a victory for England for the second year in a...
Stevenson also made 19 appearances and scored 5 goals for the IFA XI
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
, making his debut on September 16, 1933 in a 2-1 win against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. He subsequently formed a notable inside forward partnership with Peter Doherty
Peter Doherty (footballer)
Peter Dermot Doherty was a Northern Ireland international footballer and manager who played for Manchester City.An inside left, he was one of the top players of his time, winning a league title with Manchester City, an F.A. Cup final with Derby County in which he scored, and gained 16 caps for...
. He scored his first goal for the IFA XI on February 6, 1935 in 2-1 defeat against England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
. He also scored against England in a 5-1 defeat on October 23, 1937. His remaining three goals were all scored against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in 1936, 1937 and 1947.
On May 11, 1935, at Goodison Park
Goodison Park
Goodison Park is a football stadium located in Walton, Liverpool, England. The stadium has been home to Everton F.C. since its completion in 1892 and is one of the world's first purpose-built football grounds...
, Stevenson also played for an Ireland
Ireland national football team (IFA)
The Ireland national football team represented Ireland at association football, it was organised by the Irish FA , and is the fourth oldest international team in the world. It mainly played in the British Home Championship against England, Scotland and Wales...
/Wales XI
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
in a 10-2 defeat against an English League XI. During the Second World War, he also played in two wartime internationals for the IFA XI. On September 9, 1944 at Windsor Park
Windsor Park
Windsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:...
, he played an 8-4 defeat against a Combined Services XI. This team was basically a Great Britain XI and featured, among others, Matt Busby
Matt Busby
Sir Alexander Matthew "Matt" Busby, CBE, KCSG was a Scottish football player and manager, most noted for managing Manchester United between 1945 and 1969 and again for the second half of the 1970–1971 season...
, Stanley Matthews
Stanley Matthews
Sir Stanley Matthews, CBE was an English footballer. Often regarded as one of the greatest players of the English game, he is the only player to have been knighted while still playing, as well as being the first winner of both the European Footballer of the Year and the Football Writers'...
, Tommy Lawton
Tommy Lawton
Thomas "Tommy" Lawton was an English association footballer who rose to fame a short time before the outbreak of the Second World War and enjoyed a successful career which lasted until well into the 1950s....
and Stan Mortensen
Stan Mortensen
Stanley Harding "Stan" Mortensen was an English professional footballer, most famous for his part in the 1953 FA Cup Final , in which he became the only player ever to score a hat-trick in a Wembley FA Cup Final...
. He also played in the Victory international against Scotland at Windsor Park
Windsor Park
Windsor Park is a football stadium in Belfast, Northern Ireland and the home ground of Linfield F.C. and the Northern Ireland national football team. It is also where the Irish Cup and Irish League Cup finals are played.-History:...
on February 2, 1946.
On November 27 1946
1947 British Home Championship
The 1947 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1946–47 seasons, the first professional football seasons in Britain since the end of the Second World War...
Stevenson was one of seven players who had been born in the Irish Free State
Irish Free State
The Irish Free State was the state established as a Dominion on 6 December 1922 under the Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed by the British government and Irish representatives exactly twelve months beforehand...
, to be selected by the IFA to play against Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
. The other six were Johnny Carey
Johnny Carey
John Joseph "Johnny" Carey , also known as Jackie Carey, was an Irish footballer and manager. As a player Carey spent most of his career at Manchester United, where he was team captain from 1946 until he retired as a player in 1953...
, Con Martin
Con Martin
Cornelius Joseph Martin , commonly referred to as Con Martin, is a former Irish footballer. Martin initially played Gaelic football with Dublin before switching codes and embarking on a successful soccer career, playing for, among others, Drumcondra, Glentoran, Leeds United and Aston Villa...
, Bill Gorman
Bill Gorman
William Charles Gorman , commonly referred to as Bill Gorman, is a former Irish footballer who played for, among others, Bury and Brentford. Gorman was a dual internationalist who also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
, Tommy Eglington
Tommy Eglington
Thomas Joseph Eglington was an Irish footballer who played as an outside-left for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. Eglington was also a dual internationalist and played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI.Eglington’s playing career followed a similar...
, Peter Farrell
Peter Farrell
Peter Desmond Farrell was an Irish footballer who played as an a right-half for, among others, Shamrock Rovers, Everton and Tranmere Rovers. As an international, Farrell also played for both Ireland teams - the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
and Davy Walsh
Davy Walsh
David Joseph Walsh , commonly referred to as Davy Walsh or Dave Walsh, is a former Irish footballer who played as a centre forward for, among others, Linfield, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa. Walsh was a dual international and played for both Ireland teams – the FAI XI and the IFA XI...
. On April 16, 1947, he scored his last goal for the IFA XI in a 2-1 win against Wales
Wales national football team
The Wales national football team represents Wales in international football. It is controlled by the Football Association of Wales , the governing body for football in Wales, and the third oldest national football association in the world. The team have only qualified for a major international...
. These two results helped the IFA XI finish as runners-up in the 1947 British Home Championship
1947 British Home Championship
The 1947 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1946–47 seasons, the first professional football seasons in Britain since the end of the Second World War...
. Later that year, Stevenson made his last appearance for the IFA XI on October 4, 1947 in a 2-0 win against Scotland.
Honours
Dolphins- FAI CupFAI CupThe Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup, known as the FAI Ford Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a knock-out association football competition contested annually by teams from the Republic of Ireland...
: 1- Runners Up 1932
Rangers
- Scottish ChampionsScottish football championsThe Scottish football champions are the winners of the highest league in Scottish football, namely the Scottish Football League from 1890 until 1998 and the Scottish Premier League thereafter....
: 1- 1933-34
Everton
- English ChampionsFootball League First DivisionThe First Division was a division of The Football League between 1888 and 2004 and the highest division in English football until the creation of the Premier League in 1992. The secondary tier in English football has since become known as the Championship....
: 1- 1938-39
Ireland
- British Home ChampionshipBritish Home ChampionshipThe British Home Championship was an annual football competition contested between the United Kingdom's four national teams, England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland from the 1883–84 season until the 1983–84...
- Runners Up 1946-471947 British Home ChampionshipThe 1947 British Home Championship was a football tournament played between the British Home Nations during the 1946–47 seasons, the first professional football seasons in Britain since the end of the Second World War...
1
- Runners Up 1946-47
Sources
- Who’s Who Of Everton (2004): Tony Matthews http://www.shop-com.co.uk/op/~Who's_Who_of_Everton_(Hardback)_Tony_Matthews-prod-25696581?sourceid=363
- The Boys In Green - The FAI International Story (1997): Sean Ryan http://www.amazon.ca/dp/1851589392
- Soccer at War – 1939 - 45 (2005): Jack Rollin http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/075531431X