Calverton Village Online

Steven Richard Cherry was born in Nottingham on the 5th August 1960. He was brought up in Calverton and attended the William Lee and Colonel Frank Seely Schools.

William Lee 1972.

March, 1991.

Steve started his career with Derby County, who lost their First Division status at the end of the 1979–80 season. He joined Port Vale on loan in November 1980. Manager John McGrath had sold regular custodian Trevor Dance, and was forced to enter the loan market after Mark Harrison was struck down with injury. Steve was in goal for four Fourth Division and four FA Cup games. In his final game for the Valiants he conceded 'a comic goal' in a devastating 3–0 defeat at non-league Enfield in a Third Round FA Cup Replay on 6 January 1981. He managed to put his experience at Vale Park behind him though, and played 77 league games for Derby. The Rams finished sixth and 16th in the Second Division in 1980–81 and 1981–82 under Colin Addison's stewardship. Despite Peter Taylor's best efforts, the almost bankrupt club finished 13th in 1982–83 before suffering relegation in 20th place in 1983–84. He was voted the club's Player of the Year in 1983.

Steve left the Baseball Ground in August 1984, after new boss Arthur Cox sold him on to Walsall for a £25,000 fee. The Saddlers finished 11th in the Third Division in 1984–85. Alan Buckley took the Fellows Park club up to sixth in 1985–86, before he sold Steve on to Plymouth Argyle for a £17,000 fee in October 1986. The Pilgrims missed out on the Second Division play-offs by three points in 1986–87. However they dropped down to 16th in 1987–88, and manager Dave Smith left Home Park at the end of the campaign. Despite having been voted Player of the Year, new boss Ken Brown loaned Steve out to Chesterfield midway through the 1988–89 campaign. He played ten Third Division games for the Spireites, before he was sold on to Notts County in February 1989 for a £70,000 fee.

County narrowly missed out on the Third Division play-offs at the end of the season before qualifying for the play-offs after finishing third in 1989–90. They won the play-off final with a 2–0 victory over Tranmere Rovers at Wembley. Manager Neil Warnock then took the club to a second successive promotion, as County finished fourth in the Second Division in 1990–91, before beating Brighton & Hove Albion 3–1 in the play-off final. Steve kept goal for County in 1991–92, as the Magpies were relegated out of the top-flight in 21st place. They finished 17th in the second tier in 1992–93, before new boss Mick Walker took the club to three points outside the play-offs in 1993–94. Steve's last season at Meadow Lane, 1994–95, saw a managerial merry-go-round as Walker begat Russell Slade, who begat Howard Kendall, who begat Steve Nicol. County were relegated in last place at the end of the campaign.

1991, Division 2 Play-off Final at Wembley,
Division 2 Play-off Final at Wembley,
During a match
Hoof it!
Exercising before kick-off

He signed for Glenn Roeder's Watford in July 1995, but featured in just four First Division matches in 1995–96 as Kevin Miller was the club's regular custodian. Graham Taylor replaced Roeder as manager in February 1996, and Steve left Vicarage Road to return to former club Plymouth Argyle, in a move that reunited him with former boss Neil Warnock. He kept a clean sheet for Plymouth in the Third Division play-off final at Wembley, as his team won promotion with a 1–0 victory over Darlington. Steve then moved on to Rotherham United, after being offered a first team contract at the Don Valley Stadium by management duo Archie Gemmill and John McGovern. He played 23 league and cup games for the Millers, who went on to suffer relegation out of the Second Division at the end of the 1996–97 season. He joined Rushden & Diamonds in March 1997, and played 18 Conference games under manager Brian Talbot in 1997–98 and 1998–99. He left Nene Park in September 1997, and had brief non-contract spells at Mansfield Town, Oldham Athletic, and Lincoln City. Steve later played for non-league sides Kidsgrove Athletic, and Belper Town.

Career Statistics:

1978 - 1984: Derby County 90 First Team Appearances,