'Our modest hero who was always there for all of us'
| Published date | 05 April 2024 |
| Publication title | Huddersfield Daily Examiner |
He rose to prominence as a winger, where he kept supply lines open to Frank Worthington, then took up a variety of playing roles before becoming chief scout, youth coach and reserve team coach.
Derek Parkin, who became friends with Steve as they came through the Town ranks in the 1960s, said: "I consider myself lucky to have met Steve after I left my hometown of Newcastle for Huddersfield, because he helped me make it at Leeds Road.
"We became lifelong friends after I ended up living in digs at his parents' home in Rawthorpe and as a family they could not have been more supportive or encouraging.
"They were lovely people who not only made sure I had the best bedroom in the home, whereas Steve was stuck in a pokey little room, but provided plenty of emotional support. "We always got on like a house on fire. Steve was very funny and a right bag of laughs when we went on holiday."
Derek became English football's most expensive defender when he left Town and Wolves in an £80,000- deal in 1968 and he believes Steve could have followed in his tracks.
"As well as being a smashing chap off the field, Steve was a tremendous player as well," Derek added. "He went about his work without much fuss in lots of positions but, wherever he was stationed, Steve was always there for his team-mates.
"He had all the attributes you need to be a good midfield player but I don't think he really appreciated just how good he was.
fortunate come ranks "He was tremendously loyal to Town and his goal at Middlesbrough got the club promoted to the old First Division. He was well respected and well liked and just got on with his job and did it well.
"He could have moved on and played at the top level for longer, but he'll still go down in history as one of Town's greatest servants."
Peter Hart, who captained Town to the Fourth Division title after playing alongside Steve, said the former Rawthorpe schoolboy was an inspiration to young up-and-coming players.
"Steve was a real beacon of light for us young lads as we tried to make it," Peter said. "He was a local lad who had come through the ranks and showed what could be done if you matched talent with the right attitude.
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