 Laybutt training with theNewcastle Jets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Stephen John Laybutt | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | (1977-09-03)3 September 1977 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Lithgow, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of death | 13 January 2024(2024-01-13) (aged 46) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of death | Cabarita Beach, New South Wales, Australia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Defender | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1994–1995 | AIS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1995–1997 | Wollongong Wolves | 29 | (2) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1997–1999 | Brisbane Strikers | 68 | (6) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999 | Bellmare Hiratsuka | 10 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1999–2000 | Parramatta Power | 7 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2002 | Feyenoord | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2001 | →RBC Roosendaal (loan) | 3 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2001 | →Lyn Oslo (loan) | 6 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002 | Sydney Olympic | 12 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2002–2003 | Brisbane Strikers | 22 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2003–2004 | Excelsior Mouscron | 30 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–2007 | Gent | 70 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | Newcastle Jets | 10 | (0) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2009–2010 | Dandaloo FC | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| International career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2000 | Australia U23 | 14 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2004 | Australia | 15 | (1) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Stephen John Laybutt (3 September 1977 – 13 January 2024) was an Australian professional soccer player who played as adefender.[1] Laybuttcame out asgay in 2021[2] and died by suicide in January 2024.[3]
Laybutt was born in Lithgow and played youth football at theAustralian Institute of Sport before starting his senior career withWollongong City in 1995.[4] As well as playing for a number of clubs in theNational Soccer League andNewcastle Jets in theA-League, Laybutt played professionally in Japan, the Netherlands, Norway and Belgium. He retired from professional football in 2008.[4]
He won fifteencaps with theAustralian national team. He was also a member of theAustralian under-23 team at the2000 Olympics in Sydney.[4]
Laybutt was released by Dutch sideFeyenoord in January 2002 to return to Australia, following a loan spell atLyn Oslo, due to a lack of first team opportunities.[5]
In January 2008, Laybutt suffered anachilles tendon rupture, ruling him out for the remainder of the2008–09 A-League.[6]
Following his playing career, Laybutt came out asgay. As of 2021, Laybutt worked in the rehab unit atSt Vincent's Hospital in Sydney. There, he met patient Ian Pavey, to whom he donated a kidney.[2]
Laybutt was reported missing on 13 January 2024 when he could not be contacted after having last been seen the previous night.[7] Laybutt was recorded on security camera footage at 11:30 AM on the 13th.[8] Police discovered Laybutt's body on 14 January 2024 in bushland nearCabarita Beach, New South Wales at age 46,[7] determined to be self-inflicted.[3]
Sydney Olympic
Newcastle Jets
Australia
Australia Squads | |||||||||||||
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