Steve Chettle

Football player infobox2
playername = Steve Chettle


fullname = Stephen Chettle
height = 6' 1" (1.85 m)
nickname =
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1968|9|27|df=y
cityofbirth = Nottingham
countryofbirth = England
position = Centre Back
youthyears =
youthclubs =
years = 1986–1999
1999
1999–2002
2001
2002–2003
2003–2004
2004–2005
clubs = Nottingham Forest
→ Barnsley (loan)
Barnsley
→ Walsall (loan)
Grimsby Town
Burton Albion
Ilkeston Town
Career
caps(goals) = 415 (11)
002 0(1)
090 0(2)
006 0(0)
020 0(1)
024 0(1)
n/a (n/a)
557 (16)
nationalyears = 1988–1989
nationalteam = England U21
nationalcaps(goals) = 012 0(0)

Stephen "Steve" Chettle (born 27 September 1968 in Nottingham, England) is an English former footballer best known for playing for Nottingham Forest. Despite playing most of his career in the top level of English football, Chettle never made the England squad, but came close in 1992, despite this Chettle played 12 games for the England Under-21s, captaining them in his final appearance.

Chettle is held in high regard by the Forest faithful due to spending 13 years at The City Ground where he is considered a hero. He was part of a young crop of players that came into life at Forest under the famous Brian Clough, and was part of the Forest side that lost the 1991 FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium, as well as the 1990 League Cup winning side. Chettle played 527 times for Forest in all competitions.

The majority of his time at Forest he spent playing in the Premiership, as well helping them to finish 3rd in the league in 1994/1995 season. As players and managers came and left, Chettle stayed with the club, and notably played alongside such Forest greats as Des Walker, Stuart Pearce, Ian Woan, Steve Stone, Mark Crossley, Stan Collymore and Pierre Van Hooijdonk.

In 1999, Forest boss David Platt sent Chettle on loan to Barnsley, who like Forest, were struggling in First Division . Platt soon struck a deal and ended Chettle's spell with Forest, and he signed up with Barnsley on a permanent basis. After continuing to impress, Chettle remained at Oakwell until June 2002 when him and fellow Tykes defender Darren Barnard joined rivals Grimsby Town on a free transfer.

After starting the season alongside player-manager Paul Groves at centre back, Steve saw his Grimsby career blighted by injury, and Groves moved to sign Georges Santos and Jason Gavin as cover. Steve returned from injury to score his only goal for The Mariners against Crystal Palace. Following an injury hit season, Groves decided against a new contract for Chettle, and the player decided to link up with Nigel Clough, the son of his mentor at Forest, at Conference side Burton Albion.

Following one season with Burton, Chettle moved down the football ladder again signing for lowly Ilkeston Town in July 2004. Chettle featured at centre back that season with Grimsby Town legend Mark Lever as the pair both played out there careers that season.

Following his retirement, Chettle now runs a soccer school in his native Nottingham.

Honours

Nottingham Forest

*League Cup Winner: 1990
*FA Cup Runner Up: 1991

External links

* [http://stevechettle.com/ Steve Chettle Soccer School]
*soccerbase|id=1435|name=Steve Chettle
* [http://grimsbytown.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=909&stid=8383724&p=2 Steve Chettle profile] at electronicfishcake.com