Steve Pittman
Encyclopedia
Steve Pittman is a retired American soccer defender
who spent most of his career in the Scottish leagues. He also played professionally in the United States with Major Indoor Soccer League
, American Professional Soccer League
and Major League Soccer
. He earned three caps with the United States national soccer team and currently manages Broxburn Athletic
before moving to Shrewsbury Town F.C.
on March 3, 1989. In October 1987, Pittman had an unsuccessful trial with the Cleveland Force
of Major Indoor Soccer League
. On March 29, 1990, Pittman signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the American Professional Soccer League
. He was both a first team All Star and the 1990 Rookie of the Year. On August 29, 1990, he signed with the Wichita Wings
of the Major Indoor Soccer League
. In 1991, he returned to the Strikers. The team released him in August 1991 after an accumulation of yellow and red cards kept him out of seven games during the season. After being ejected in a late season game, Pittman entered the stands to chase a spectator leading to league officials suspending him for the first two games of the play offs. He then rejoined the Wichita Wings
for the upcoming MISL season. Despite being released by the Strikers in August 1991, the team re-signed Pittman at the end of April 1992. When the APSL season ended in August, the Strikers loaned Pittman Dundee F.C.
. When Pittman's contract with the Strikers ran out, he then signed with Dundee as a free agent. In September 1994, he moved to Partick Thistle F.C.
Whilst at Partick Thistle, where Pittman enjoyed arguably the most successful period of his career, he became somewhat of a cult hero after regularly performing his "Marine Drive" free-kick. After lining up a direct free-kick, Pittman would stand on one foot and offer up a military style salute to the Thistle fans, before unleashing a shot towards goal. He only managed to score once in this fashion, in a closed-door friendly match against Berwick Rangers. His career with Partick ended when he accumulated three red cards in quick succession after confronting referees following an end of season match. This led to an eight game ban. In 1996, he signed with the Tampa Bay Mutiny
of Major League Soccer
. In July 1996, he scored the winning goal for the East during the 1996 All-Star Game
. He also toured China as a guest player for San Jose Clash in 1996. On January 9, 1997, the Mutiny traded Pittman to the Kansas City Wizards
in exchange for Alan Prampin
and the Wizards' third round pick in the 1997 MLS Supplemental Draft
. The Wizards waived him on November 17, 1997 and he returned to Scotland where he joined Clydebank F.C.
At some point he transferred to Stenhousemuir F.C.
where he played three games at the start of the 2000-2001 season. In November 2000, he transferred to Linlithgow Rose F.C.
He finished his career at Pumpherston F.C.
on September 15, 1990. Pittman started the game, then came off in the 65th minute for Troy Dayak
. His second game was a 1-0 loss to Sweden
on August 16, 1995. He earned his last cap on January 29, 1997 when the U.S. lost to China
. Pittman began the game, but came off for Ramiro Corrales
in the 60th minute.
. On June 19, 2009, Pittman was named new manager of Scottish Junior Club Broxburn Athletic. Broxburn Athletic secured the league championship in his first season at the helm.
Defender (football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
who spent most of his career in the Scottish leagues. He also played professionally in the United States with Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
, American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
and Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. He earned three caps with the United States national soccer team and currently manages Broxburn Athletic
Professional
While born in the United States, Pittman moved with his mother to Scotland after his parents divorced when he was two years old. He has Scottish-American dual-citizen. He played for Broxburn Athletic as a youth player. In 1986, he began his professional career with East Fife F.C.East Fife F.C.
East Fife Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the Fife coastal town of Methil...
before moving to Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English Association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football...
on March 3, 1989. In October 1987, Pittman had an unsuccessful trial with the Cleveland Force
Cleveland Force
The Cleveland Force has been the name of two indoor soccer teams based in the Richfield, Ohio area:*Cleveland Force , of the original MISL*Cleveland Force , known as the Crunch from 1989 to 2002...
of Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. On March 29, 1990, Pittman signed with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers of the American Professional Soccer League
American Professional Soccer League
The American Professional Soccer League is a former professional men's soccer league which featured teams from both the United States and Canada. It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League...
. He was both a first team All Star and the 1990 Rookie of the Year. On August 29, 1990, he signed with the Wichita Wings
Wichita Wings
This article is about the original team. For the current team, see Wichita Wings .The Wichita Wings were a professional indoor soccer franchise based in Wichita, Kansas. The Wings were admitted to the Major Indoor Soccer League as an expansion team on August 21, 1979...
of the Major Indoor Soccer League
Major Soccer League
The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from 1978 to 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States...
. In 1991, he returned to the Strikers. The team released him in August 1991 after an accumulation of yellow and red cards kept him out of seven games during the season. After being ejected in a late season game, Pittman entered the stands to chase a spectator leading to league officials suspending him for the first two games of the play offs. He then rejoined the Wichita Wings
Wichita Wings
This article is about the original team. For the current team, see Wichita Wings .The Wichita Wings were a professional indoor soccer franchise based in Wichita, Kansas. The Wings were admitted to the Major Indoor Soccer League as an expansion team on August 21, 1979...
for the upcoming MISL season. Despite being released by the Strikers in August 1991, the team re-signed Pittman at the end of April 1992. When the APSL season ended in August, the Strikers loaned Pittman Dundee F.C.
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
. When Pittman's contract with the Strikers ran out, he then signed with Dundee as a free agent. In September 1994, he moved to Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle F.C.
Partick Thistle Football Club are a professional association football club from Glasgow. Despite their name, the club are based in the Maryhill area of the city, and have not played in Partick since 1908...
Whilst at Partick Thistle, where Pittman enjoyed arguably the most successful period of his career, he became somewhat of a cult hero after regularly performing his "Marine Drive" free-kick. After lining up a direct free-kick, Pittman would stand on one foot and offer up a military style salute to the Thistle fans, before unleashing a shot towards goal. He only managed to score once in this fashion, in a closed-door friendly match against Berwick Rangers. His career with Partick ended when he accumulated three red cards in quick succession after confronting referees following an end of season match. This led to an eight game ban. In 1996, he signed with the Tampa Bay Mutiny
Tampa Bay Mutiny
The Tampa Bay Mutiny was a charter franchise of Major League Soccer active from 1996 - 2001. They initially played in Tampa Stadium and were immediately successful, winning the first MLS Supporters' Shield behind MLS MVP Carlos Valderrama and high-scoring forward Roy Lassiter, whose 27 goals in...
of Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer
Major League Soccer is a professional soccer league based in the United States and sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation . The league is composed of 19 teams — 16 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada...
. In July 1996, he scored the winning goal for the East during the 1996 All-Star Game
All-star game
An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league, except in the circumstances of professional sports systems in which a democratic voting system is used...
. He also toured China as a guest player for San Jose Clash in 1996. On January 9, 1997, the Mutiny traded Pittman to the Kansas City Wizards
Kansas City Wizards
Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer , the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada...
in exchange for Alan Prampin
Alan Prampin
Alan Prampin is a former U.S. soccer forward who spent one season in the Continental Indoor Soccer League, one in the USISL and four in Major League Soccer. He also earned two caps with the U.S. national team....
and the Wizards' third round pick in the 1997 MLS Supplemental Draft
1997 MLS Supplemental Draft
The 1997 Major League Soccer Supplemental Draft was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on February 2, 1997.-Round 1:-Round 2:-Round 3:-External links:*...
. The Wizards waived him on November 17, 1997 and he returned to Scotland where he joined Clydebank F.C.
Clydebank F.C.
Clydebank Football Club are a Scottish football club based in the town of Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, near Yoker. The present club, formed in 2003, is a member of the Scottish Junior Football Association, and currently plays in West Super League Premier Division...
At some point he transferred to Stenhousemuir F.C.
Stenhousemuir F.C.
Stenhousemuir FC is a Scottish football club located in Stenhousemuir. The club is a member of the Scottish Football League and currently plays in the Scottish Second Division....
where he played three games at the start of the 2000-2001 season. In November 2000, he transferred to Linlithgow Rose F.C.
Linlithgow Rose F.C.
Linlithgow Rose F.C. are a Scottish junior association football club from Linlithgow, West Lothian who play in the East Region Super League...
He finished his career at Pumpherston F.C.
Pumpherston F.C.
Pumpherston F.C. are a Scottish Junior football club based in Pumpherston, near Livingston, West Lothian. Their home ground is Recreation Park, with one of the largest pitches in Scottish football. Club colours are gold and black....
National team
He earned his first cap for U.S. national team in a 3-0 victory over Trinidad and TobagoTrinidad and Tobago national football team
The Trinidad and Tobago national football team, nicknamed The Soca Warriors, is the national team of Trinidad and Tobago and is run by the Trinidad and Tobago Football Federation. It reached the first round of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Finals...
on September 15, 1990. Pittman started the game, then came off in the 65th minute for Troy Dayak
Troy Dayak
Troy Dayak is a former American soccer player who played as central defender. He spent his entire Major League Soccer career with the San Jose Clash/Earthquakes and nearly all of his professional career playing for Bay Area teams.-San Francisco Bay Blackhawks:Dayak grew up in Walnut Creek,...
. His second game was a 1-0 loss to Sweden
Sweden national football team
The Swedish national football team represents Sweden in association football and is controlled by the Swedish Football Association, the governing body for Football in Sweden. Sweden's home ground is Råsunda Stadium in Stockholms län and their head coach is Erik Hamrén. Sweden made their first...
on August 16, 1995. He earned his last cap on January 29, 1997 when the U.S. lost to China
China national football team
The China PR national football team is the national association football team of the People's Republic of China and is governed by the Chinese Football Association...
. Pittman began the game, but came off for Ramiro Corrales
Ramiro Corrales
Ramiro Corrales is an American soccer player who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.-Professional:...
in the 60th minute.
Manager
Pittman has managed Pumpherston F.C.Pumpherston F.C.
Pumpherston F.C. are a Scottish Junior football club based in Pumpherston, near Livingston, West Lothian. Their home ground is Recreation Park, with one of the largest pitches in Scottish football. Club colours are gold and black....
. On June 19, 2009, Pittman was named new manager of Scottish Junior Club Broxburn Athletic. Broxburn Athletic secured the league championship in his first season at the helm.