Steve McNulty

Steve McNulty
McNulty playing for Fleetwood Town in 2012
Personal information
Full name Stephen Michael McNulty[1]
Date of birth (1983-09-26) 26 September 1983 (age 40)[2]
Place of birth Liverpool, England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)[3]
Position(s) Centre back[1]
Youth career
1990–2003 Liverpool
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2005 Burscough
2005–2007 Vauxhall Motors[a] 55 (10)
2007–2009 Barrow 78 (12)
2009–2013 Fleetwood Town 126 (5)
2013–2016 Luton Town 117 (2)
2015–2016 → Tranmere Rovers (loan) 9 (1)
2016–2019 Tranmere Rovers 140 (4)
2019–2020 York City 26 (0)
2020–2021 Witton Albion 19 (2)
2021–2022 Chester 0 (0)
Managerial career
2022–2023 Bootle
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 13:48, 28 December 2021 (UTC)

Stephen Michael McNulty (born 26 September 1983) is an English professional footballer and coach who was most recently manager of Northern Premier League Division One West side Bootle. He has played in the English Football League for Fleetwood Town, Luton Town and Tranmere Rovers.

McNulty has achieved six promotions with four clubs: captaining Barrow into the Conference Premier and Fleetwood Town into both the Conference Premier and League Two, as part of the Luton Town team that won promotion to League Two in the 2013–14 season, and captaining the Tranmere Rovers team that was promoted into League Two in 2017–18 and League One in 2018–19, both via the playoffs.

Career

Early career

Born in Liverpool, Merseyside,[1] McNulty started his career at the Liverpool Academy when he was seven years old, eventually captaining the club's under-19 team, and stayed there until his release in 2003.[4][5][6] He trained with Second Division club Blackpool during their pre-season training prior to the 2003–04 season, but failed to win a contract.[7] During his time out of the game he worked as a furniture van driver before being recommended to Mike Marsh by scout Owen Brown.[8] He then played for Northern Premier League club Burscough for two seasons before moving up a division to the Conference North when signing for Vauxhall Motors in February 2005.[9] He remained with the club for two further years and joined their divisional rivals Barrow at the beginning of the 2007–08 season on a free transfer.[5]

Barrow

McNulty was appointed as captain in his first season at Barrow as he led the club to promotion, via the play-offs, to the Conference Premier.[10] His performances in defence led to him being named as Conference North Player of the Year, and he signed a two-year contract extension towards the end of the 2007–08 season after interest from Football League clubs.[10] Barrow finished the next season in 20th place, just above the relegation zone. With a year left on his contract, McNulty opted against making the transition to a full-time contract as Barrow began to shift away from being a part-time team. Manager David Bayliss stated that the club had "a wage structure that [it] can't break".[11]

Fleetwood Town

On 16 June 2009, McNulty dropped down a league to sign for Conference North club Fleetwood Town for a then-club record fee of £17,000.[6] He was made club captain, leading the team to promotion to the Conference Premier via victory in the Conference North play-off final.[12] Fleetwood were defeated in the play-off semi-finals during the next season, but bounced back in 2011–12 by winning promotion to the Football League for the first time in the club's history. They accumulated 103 points, with McNulty leading the club on a 29-match unbeaten run in the league.

He made his League Cup debut on 13 August 2012 against Nottingham Forest,[13] and played in Fleetwood's first Football League match – a 0–0 draw with Torquay United – four days later.[14] Long standing Fleetwood manager Micky Mellon left the club in December 2012 to be replaced by Graham Alexander. McNulty, injured at the time of the managerial change, remained sidelined as Fleetwood's defence kept five clean sheets in seven matches. After discussions about McNulty's limited playing time, Alexander allowed him to leave the club; a move criticised by Fleetwood fans, but described as having the player's "best interests at heart".[15]

Luton Town

On 31 January 2013, McNulty joined Conference Premier club Luton Town on a free transfer, signing a contract until the end of the season with a conditional 12-month extension that was dependent on Luton achieving promotion.[16] He made 20 appearances for the club in the 2012–13 season, scoring once, as they finished seventh and outside of the promotion positions. On 29 April 2013, McNulty agreed a two-year contract extension following performances that made him an "instant cult hero"[17] with Luton fans.[18]

He was named as the club's vice-captain for the 2013–14 season, and was part of a defence that kept a club-record 23 clean sheets in the league, ultimately leading to Luton winning the league and being promoted to League Two. McNulty's influence on Luton's successful season did not go unnoticed, as he won the Player of the Year award, Internet Player of the Year award, as well as the Goal of the Season award for his 30-yard volley against Southport on 26 November 2013.[19][20]

McNulty was named as Luton's captain for the 2014–15 season following the departure of Ronnie Henry.[21] In July 2014, he signed a two-year contract extension.[22] He played in 45 matches in all competitions as Luton finished the season in eighth position. McNulty's performances were recognised by his inclusion in the Professional Footballers' Association League Two Team of the Year.[23]

Tranmere Rovers

McNulty joined National League club Tranmere Rovers on loan on 19 October 2015, as he wanted to be closer to his family.[24] On 2 January 2016, he signed for the club permanently on a one-and-a-half-year contract.[25]

McNulty was awarded with Tranmere player of the month for February 2016,[26] after an impressive run. He received numerous man of the match awards as Tranmere climbed from mid-table into the National League play-off positions.

McNulty captained the Tranmere as they beat Boreham Wood 2–1 at Wembley Stadium in the 2018 National League play-off final to earn promotion to League Two.[27]

He did so again a year later, as Tranmere beat Newport County 1–0 in the League Two play-off final on 25 May 2019.[28] He was released by Tranmere at the end of the 2018–19 season.[29]

York City

McNulty signed for National League North club York City on 27 June 2019.[30] He played his last game for York City in their playoff semi-final defeat to Altrincham.

Witton Albion

McNulty joined Northern Premier League side Witton Albion on 20 August 2020.[31]

Chester

McNulty was appointed as assistant manager at Chester on 28 December 2021, re-uniting with Steve Watson, his former manager at York. Chester confirmed that McNulty would also be registered as a player as part of his duties.[32]

Managerial career

On 24 August 2022, McNulty was appointed manager of Northern Premier League Division One West club Bootle.[33] He resigned on 22 March 2023.[34]

Style of play

McNulty has been described as a "commanding"[35] centre back who is noted for his aerial ability.[36][37] As a graduate of the Liverpool Academy, which preaches technical development,[38] he primarily passes the ball along the ground, often beginning his team's attacking movements as a result.[39][40] His first-touch, calmness on the ball and flair have also been praised.[37][41][42][43]

McNulty's leadership is also notable; he captained the Liverpool under-19 team, and won promotions while captaining Barrow, Fleetwood Town and Tranmere Rovers. His Luton teammate Alex Lacey has stated that McNulty is "a real leader" with strong communication skills,[44] while John Still credited him for improving the performances of the whole team.[45]

Career statistics

As of match played 23 October 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Vauxhall Motors[a] 2004–05[46] Conference North 18 3 — — — 18 3
2006–07[47] Conference North 37 7 1 0 — 4[b] 1 42 8
Total 55 10 1 0 — 4 1 60 11
Barrow 2007–08[48] Conference North 41 8 6 2 — 8[c] 0 55 10
2008–09[49] Conference Premier 37 4 5 1 — 5[d] 0 47 5
Total 78 12 11 3 — 13 0 102 15
Fleetwood Town 2009–10[50] Conference North 33 2 5 1 — 6[e] 0 44 3
2010–11[51] Conference Premier 38 1 3 0 — 3[f] 0 44 1
2011–12[52] Conference Premier 39 0 6 0 — 1[b] 0 46 0
2012–13[53] League Two 16 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 19 2
Total 126 5 16 1 1 0 10 0 153 6
Luton Town 2012–13[54] Conference Premier 20 1 — — — 20 1
2013–14[54] Conference Premier 46 1 2 0 — 0 0 48 1
2014–15[55] League Two 41 0 2 0 1 0 1[g] 0 45 0
2015–16[56] League Two 10 0 — 1 0 1[g] 0 12 0
Total 117 2 4 0 2 0 2 0 125 2
Tranmere Rovers 2015–16[54] National League 27 1 2 0 — 1[b] 0 30 1
2016–17[54] National League 45 2 1 0 — 9[h] 0 55 2
2017–18[54] National League 41 1 3 0 — 3[i] 0 47 1
2018–19[57] League Two 27 0 4 0 1 0 1[j] 0 33 0
Total 140 4 10 0 1 0 14 0 165 4
York City 2019–20[54][58] National League North 26 0 2 0 — 1[k] 0 29 0
Witton Albion 2020–21[59][60][61] Northern Premier League Premier Division 7 1 1 0 — 2[b] 0 10 1
2021–22[62] Northern Premier League Premier Division 12 1 1 0 — 1[l] 0 14 1
Total 19 2 2 0 — 3 0 24 2
Career total 561 35 46 4 4 0 47 1 658 40
  1. ^ a b The Vauxhall Motors appearances and goals does not include the 2005–06 season.
  2. ^ a b c d Appearance(s) in FA Trophy
  3. ^ Four appearances in Conference League Cup, one in FA Trophy, three in Conference North play-offs
  4. ^ Three appearances in Conference League Cup, two in FA Trophy
  5. ^ Three appearances in FA Trophy, three in Conference North play-offs
  6. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy, two in Conference Premier play-offs
  7. ^ a b Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  8. ^ Six appearances in FA Trophy, three in National League play-offs
  9. ^ One appearance in FA Trophy, two in National League play-offs
  10. ^ Appearance(s) in League Two play-offs
  11. ^ Appearance(s) in National League North play-offs
  12. ^ Appearance(s) in Cheshire Senior Cup

Honours

Barrow

Fleetwood Town

Luton Town

Tranmere Rovers

Individual

References

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  2. ^ "Steve McNulty". 11v11.com. AFS Enterprises. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  3. ^ "Steve McNulty". Tranmere Rovers F.C. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019.
  4. ^ "Bauress: I kept McNulty 'hostage'". North-West Evening Mail. Barrow. 19 June 2007. Archived from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  5. ^ a b "Steve McNulty". Fleetwood Town F.C. Archived from the original on 6 September 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  6. ^ a b "Fleetwood break transfer record". BBC Sport. 16 June 2009. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
  7. ^ "McMahon may move for McNulty". Liverpool F.C. 15 July 2003. Retrieved 20 January 2014.
  8. ^ Bascombe, Chris (4 January 2019). "Tranmere cult hero Steven McNulty targets Spurs giantkilling in FA Cup... and dreams of taking on Harry Kane". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 April 2020.
  9. ^ "Motors engineer McNulty signing". Chester Chronicle. 7 February 2005. Retrieved 30 March 2020.
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  17. ^ "McNulty enjoys the banter as he becomes instant Town cult hero". Dunstable Today. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 24 July 2013.
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  34. ^ "Club Statement". www.bootlefc.com. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
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  55. ^ "Games played by Steve McNulty in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  56. ^ "Games played by Steve McNulty in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  57. ^ "Games played by Steve McNulty in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 December 2018.
  58. ^ For FA Cup second qualifying round: Kilbride, Jacob (21 September 2019). "Irlam 0–2 York City – Report". The Press. York. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
    For FA Cup third qualifying round: Richardson, Joe (5 October 2019). "Buxton 1 York City 2 – Report". The Press. York. Retrieved 6 October 2019.
    For FA Trophy third qualifying round: Kilbride, Jacob (23 November 2019). "York City exit FA Trophy after 1–0 defeat to Altrincham at Bootham Crescent". The Press. York. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
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  60. ^ "Football Club History Database - Witton Albion". www.fchd.info. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  61. ^ "Witton Albion 2-0 Basford United". www.wittonalbionfc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
  62. ^ Individual match reports at:
    "1st Team fixtures & results 2021/22 season". www.wittonalbionfc.co.uk. Retrieved 1 August 2022.
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  64. ^ Anderson, John, ed. (2014). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2014–2015. London: Headline Publishing Group. pp. 636–637. ISBN 978-1-4722-1251-1.
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  66. ^ "Awards for boss and playing quartet". Luton Town. 7 June 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2023.

External links

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