03. Stephen Warnock

Stephen Warnock began his career in the youth academy at Liverpool. He had loan spells at Bradford City (12 appearances and 1 goal) and Coventry City (49 appearances and 3 goals) before making his Liverpool debut in the 04/05 season. Warnock was part of the Liverpool squad that won the Champions League in 04/05 season. He was also part of the squad that in the 05/06 season win the European Super Cup, FA Cup and was Runners Up in the Club World Championships. He made 67 appearances for the Liverpool first team scoring 1 goal.

In January 2007, Warnock made a switch to Blackburn Rovers for a reported fee of £2.5m. He scored his first goal for his new club in a 3-0 triumph over Portsmouth in February 2007.

Before the match against his former club, Liverpool, in April 2009 Stephen presented a flower display in front of Kop at Anfield in rememberance of those killed in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. He was award Blackburn Rovers player of the season award for that season (08/09).

Stephen made 107 appearances during his 2 and half years at Ewood Park, scoring 6 goals.

On the 27th August 2009 Stephen Warnock signed a 4 year deal at Villa Park. He made 41 appearances during his first season with the club, scoring his only goal in a League Cup victory over his former club Blackburn. He was a part of the side that got to the semi-final of the FA Cup, and lost in the League Cup final against Manchester United that season.

Warnock didn’t have the best of starts to his second season at the club and soon fell out of favour with then boss, Gerard Houllier. He was forced to play with the reserve side and only made 22 appearances in all competitions that season, scoring 0 goals.

Stephen was expected to leave in the summer of 2011, but following Houllier’s departure and Alex McLeish’s arrival he is set to be given another chance in the famous claret and blue.

He has made 2 international appearances for England. He made his debut as an 84th minute substitute against Trinidad and Tobago in 2008. He was selected in the 2010 World Cup squad but failed to make an appearance. He second cap came later in 2010 as a substitute in the friendly against France.

Honours;
Champions League Winner 04/05 (Liverpool)
Super Cup Winner 05/06 (Liverpool)
World Club Cup Runner Up 05/06 (Liverpool)
FA Cup Winner 05/06 (Liverpool)
League Cup Runner Up 09/10 (Aston Villa)

(*-as of 1st May 2011)