*Indicates unconfirmed information. Figures in brackets after English team names indicate all appearances made and goals scored in competitive matches for Football League clubs from 1888 onwards. For Scottish League clubs the figures show details of all competitive appearances and goals scored from 1946/47 onwards.
Steve Dudley
Appearances: 58 Goals: 13
Date / Year of birth: 1961
Position: Midfielder / Striker
Season of first appearance: 1982/83
Season of last appearance: 1984/85
Also played for: Canterbury City, Gillingham (0) and Ramsgate
Talented, hard-working player born in Thanet who was known as a dead ball specialist. After playing local amateur football as a youth Steve joined Canterbury during the 1978/79 campaign and he made one Southern League appearance for City.
Later that season Gillingham signed Steve as an apprentice and he played regularly for the Gills' youth and reserve teams during before being released in June 1981 having never made a senior appearance.
He linked up with Ramsgate for the 1981/82 season and then left Southwood to join Thanet United in December 1982. United's caretaker manager Peter Donnelly said "he is a busy and enthusiastic player who will fit in well with the team." Donnelly also added "he is a very useful acquisition" and Steve made his debut in a 5-0 defeat at Hillingdon on 1.1.83. The Thanet Times said that he turned in a "thoroughly capable performance" in midfield. Steve went on to make 16 appearances before the end of the 1982/83 campaign and scored once. He showed great versatility and although he was principally a midfielder Steve also played at left-back, centre-back and as a striker.
The 1983/84 season was an excellent one for Steve, he played in 40 of United's 49 matches and scored 12 times to make him the club's leading scorer. The local press described him as being "wholehearted" and Steve was voted 'Player of the Year'. He played as a striker or in midfield and two of his goals were particularly notable. Steve scored with a stinging half-volley in a 3-2 home defeat against Road-Sea Southampton on 24.09.83 and fired home what the Thanet Times called a "deadly cannonball of a free-kick" in a 1-0 win over Andover at Hartsdown on 18.2.84.
He stayed with United for the start of the 1984/85 season and played in the opening match of the campaign, a 1-0 win over Dorchester at Hartsdown on 18.8.84. Steve then missed the 5-1 defeat at Folkestone on 22.8.84 but returned to the side for the Southern League game at Sheppey on 25.8.84. Thanet lost the game 2-0 and Steve picked up an ankle injury that ruled him out for several weeks. When he'd recovered he was unable to force his way back into the first team and Steve left the club.
He was last heard of during the 1986/87 season when he played in a game that took place at Loughborough University.
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
| |
|
1982/83 (TUFC) |
16 (44) |
0 |
1 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (14TH OF 18) |
3QR |
1QR |
1R |
2R |
|
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
| |
|
1983/84 (TUFC) |
40 (49) |
0 |
12 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (18TH OF 20) |
2QR |
1QR |
3R |
2R |
|
|
SEASON (CLUB) |
FULL (MAX) |
SUB |
GLS |
FAC |
FAT |
SLC |
KSC |
EFC | |
|
1984/85 (TUFC) |
2 (62) |
0 |
0 |
SOUTHERN LEAGUE SOUTHERN DIV. (5TH OF 20) |
1QR |
1QR |
GR |
SF |
RU |