| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Stephen Daley[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1953-04-15)15 April 1953 (age 72)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Barnsley, England[1] | ||
| Position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Wath Wanderers | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1971–1979 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 212 | (38) |
| 1979–1981 | Manchester City | 48 | (4) |
| 1981–1983 | Seattle Sounders | 87 | (23) |
| 1981–1982 | Seattle Sounders (indoor) | 18 | (13) |
| 1983–1984 | Burnley | 23 | (4) |
| 1984 | San Diego Sockers | 19 | (3) |
| 1984–1985 | San Diego Sockers (indoor) | 38 | (4) |
| 1985–1986 | Walsall | 28 | (1) |
| Total | 455 | (77) | |
| International career | |||
| 1971 | England Youth | 6 | (1) |
| 1978 | England B | 6 | (2) |
| Managerial career | |||
| Telford United | |||
| Bromsgrove Rovers | |||
| 2001–2002 | Bilston Town | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Steve Daley (born 15 April 1953) is an English formerfootballer, who played as amidfielder. His English record transfer toManchester City in 1979 was later described as "the biggest waste of money in football history".[2] The Manchester City managerMalcolm Allison and chairmanPeter Swales subsequently accused each other of inflating the fee.[2]
Daley began his football career as an apprentice atWolverhampton Wanderers, after arriving at the club via their feeder team Wath Wanderers based in Yorkshire.[3] He signed professionally in 1971, and made his first-team debut later that year on 18 September, coming on as substitute in a 2–0 defeat atNewcastle United.
He won aLeague Cup winners medal with the club in 1974 and played in their run through to the1972 UEFA Cup Final, scoring a vital goal in the semi-final againstFerencváros inside the first minute. That goal still holds the record for being the fastest goal ever scored in European football cup competitions.[citation needed] He was an ever-present in the 1976–77 season, scoring 13 goals, and a further eight the following season saw him receive anEngland 'B' call up. He played six times for the 'B' side during 1978, scoring twice (against Singapore and Czechoslovakia 'B').
In September 1979, he was transferred toManchester City for a fee of £1,437,500 – an English record, and equivalent to £9,186,092 in 2023.[4] Daley struggled atMaine Road, and gained a reputation as a big-money misfit.[5]
Twenty months later he was transferred to theSeattle Sounders of theNorth American Soccer League for £300,000 – little more than a fifth of his original transfer cost.[6] He made the NASL All-Star second team in 1982 and 1983 before moving back to Britain.
Daley joinedBurnley, but soon returned to North America to play for theSan Diego Sockers. His professional playing career ended atWalsall in 1986, although he continued to turn out for non-league sides such as Lye Town andKettering Town.
After hanging up his boots, Daley briefly managed non-leagueTelford United,Bromsgrove Rovers, Bilston Town and Lye Town before quitting football to join the pub trade. He has since been working as a brewery sales manager, supplying catering equipment to the industry. Also an establishedafter-dinner speaker, Daley recalls his career in football with honesty and humour.[3]