Introduction
Steven David Blaney (born 24 March 1977 in Orsett, England) is an English retired professional football defender. He began his career in the academy at Premier League club West Ham United and made his professional debut whilst with Brentford in 1998. Upon his release from West Ham United, Blaney embarked on a career in non-league football and is now a tutor and coach at Harlow College. He represented Wales U21 at international level.
Career
West Ham United
Blaney was discovered by Frank Lampard while playing for his district team and entered the academy at West Ham United. Blaney began his career as a right back and signed a professional contract in July 1995, but he left the Hammers in March 1998, having failed to win a call into a first team squad.
Brentford
On 27 March 1998, Blaney joined relegation-threatened Second Division club Brentford on a contract until the end of the 1997–98 season. In what remained of the season, he made five appearances and left the club when his contract expired.
Non-league football
Between 1998 and 2006, Blaney played in the Isthmian and Southern Leagues for St Albans City (three spells), Billericay Town, Heybridge Swifts, Grays Athletic, Aveley, Braintree Town, Harlow Town, East Thurrock United, Barking & East Ham United and Redbridge. He moved to Spain to play for Regional Preferente de Málaga club Nerja during the 2004–05 season.
International career
Blaney played in the same England Schools' U15 team as Danny Murphy, Phil Neville, Michael Black, David Beresford and Neil Cutler. In 1996, he changed his national allegiance to Wales and won three caps for the U21 team.
Coaching career
Blaney is a UEFA B licence holder. He is a football coach and a Senior Tutor in Sport at Harlow College. Together with former Cambridge United trainee Matt Waldron, Blaney coached the Harlow College Academy team to the Essex County Council League title in the 2010–11 season. As of 2014, Blaney was a coach at a Player Development Centre in Harlow for Norwich City and was an academy coach and scout for West Ham United. He has also been on the staff for the Pathways Plus Academy and Eurotech Soccer Camps.
Personal life
Blaney has a Sports Coaching/Education degree.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | FA Cup | Other | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Brentford | 1997–98 | Second Division | 5 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | ||
| St Albans City | 1998–99 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| St Albans City | 2000–01 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 16 | 4 | — | 1 | 0 | 17 | 4 | |
| Braintree Town | 2001–02 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 7 | 0 | — | — | 7 | 0 | ||
| St Albans City (loan) | 2001–02 | Isthmian League Premier Division | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 1 | |
| St Albans City total | 19 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 22 | 6 | ||
| Redbridge | 2006–07 | Isthmian League First Division North | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Career total | 33 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 39 | 6 | ||