Learning to do the ‘dirty’ side of the game has led to a smile being placed on Albion Rovers’ new boy Connor Stevenson’s face again. The youngest ever player to play for Clyde secured a step back up to the senior game this summer after a year spent toughening himself up in the Junior ranks.
The now 19-year-old midfielder made his Bully Wee debut in a First Division game against Queen of the South in April, 2009 aged just 16 years and 245 days and he looked to have the football world at his feet as he picked up a high profile monthly award and was scouted by full-time teams however, things never quite worked out as expected.
Stevenson’s early form saw him awarded the IRN-BRU SFL Young Player of the Month in May, 2010 and earn a six week trial at Rangers. However, just as Clyde tumbled down the divisions, Stevenson dropped out of the picture and after making 27 starts and 21 substitute appearances for the Cumbernauld club, he was released last summer.
After failing to find a senior club willing to build on his early promise, Stevenson decided to spend time with Junior side Vale of Clyde to gain further match experience and learn a part of the game that he did not fully appreciate as he sprayed passes about in midfield.
Stevenson explained: “I decided to go Junior and work on the ‘dirty’ parts of my game that had never been fully developed at Clyde. I also wanted to enjoy playing football again as the last period at Clyde was not enjoyable at all.
“I probably got too much too soon and at one time, the Manager, John Brown, made me the captain when I was just 17. I enjoyed Clyde as there was a good bunch of boys there but perhaps expectations got ahead of themselves.”
The move to the Junior ranks worked with Stevenson explaining: “At Vale of Clyde, I was able to enjoy the game again but I also toughened myself up in terms of the unnoticed side of the game. By unnoticed and dirty, I do not mean putting in daft challenges and giving away fouls but more about winning the ball to break up the opposing side’s play, how to keep the ball and also how to win headers.
“I always felt I could get back up to playing at senior level but no-one was willing to give me a trial last summer so I went out and learnt the things I had been told were missing from my game.”
Stevenson added: “Not only have I done that, I have come back up stronger, both physically stronger and mentally stronger. I reckon I am better now at the hard working and unglamorous part of the game and also I can handle other things much better now.
“When I was starting out, if I had a bad game I would sulk about for days. That would affect my mood and then probably affect the next game as well. I know now how to handle things differently and shake off disappointments and move on.”
The Scottish Football League helped play a part in Stevenson’s return as they advertised his availability through their 'Player Availability Section' on their website scottishfootballleague.com and through that, Albion Rovers boss Todd Lumsden was able to contact Stevenson with the offer of a trial.
Stevenson, who turns 20 next week, always looked destined for the Coatbridge side as he explained: “I was actually there in their youth set up and I live in the Langloan area of the town. Todd used to be my lecturer at Cumbernauld College so he knew a bit about me and also his assistant James Ward remembered me well from a game against Alloa for Clyde.
“I hit the inside of the post that night with a shot from distance so I presume that stuck in his mind although that was the closest I got to scoring for them. There is another connection as well as Tony Stevenson played alongside me on loan from Hamilton Accies and it is good to be working with him again.”
Signing for the Rovers when Lumsden asked him to put pen to paper was an easy decision for Stevenson to make and he said: “Albion Rovers did brilliantly last season to stay in the Second Division via the Play-Offs and there is a great chemistry in the squad. They have a real togetherness and I am enjoying being part of that.
“More importantly, I have started all three games this season and that is a huge boost to my confidence after a year away.”
Stevenson added: “I have also really enjoyed the training with Todd and Wardie mixing things up. The First Team Coach, Danny Ferry, is also a great character although the training is harder than I remember it being at Clyde.”
Stevenson has now been joined at the Rovers by his former Cumbernauld colleague, Steven Howarth, who has reached Cliftonhill via a stop-off in the SPL with Motherwell and a loan spell at Alloa Athletic although the duo’s careers could have taken a very different route had a trial period at Rangers worked out differently.
“Not long after we were both playing in the Clyde first team, John Brown arranged for us to go for a six week trial at Murray Park,” said Stevenson before adding, “The facilities were tremendous but unfortunately, Steven was injured quite early on. Neither of us were offered a deal but it was a great experience when you consider we were used to training with Clyde for two nights a week.”
Third Division Champions Alloa visit Coatbridge this weekend for the first League meeting between the clubs since Stevenson was just 5-years-old back in March, 1998 and he is hoping that Lumsden can pick up his first win as a Manager since replacing Paul Martin at the end of last season.
He said: “We have been unlucky in our three games so far as we have faced two First Division sides away from home in Morton and Dumbarton in both cup competitions and we also took on Brechin on their patch when the League started. Hopefully, being at home this weekend will see us grab that first win of the season.”
After failing to score in their opening three games, Stevenson’s team-mates found goals easier to come by on Monday night when they defeated a Queen’s Park XI 7-3 in a bounce game at Lesser Hampden.
The Rovers side were two down after 10 minutes however, Ryan Tiffney, David Crawford, Jamie Gilmartin, Kieran Brannan, Jason Crooks and Barry Russell all scored goals with a Spiders defender netting an own goal as well to turn things around totally.
“I came on as a substitute in that game,” said Stevenson before adding, “And it was good to get on as you could see the confidence growing amongst the team as we scored the goals. It was only a bounce game but it may turn out to be hugely important to us during the season as we looked dangerous going forward.”
Not only did the Rovers’ strikers shine, goalkeeper Matthew McGinley saved a penalty and the re-take the referee ordered with Stevenson saying: “They were two great saves as they were decent penalties so we are going in against Alloa with a bit of confidence behind us.”
Stevenson finished by saying: “I love being back and it is great to be playing with a smile on my face for the first time in a long time. Long may it continue.”
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