Blades-Mad feature former Manchester City and Burnley defender Stephen Jordan in our player-profiles section.
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Name: Stephen Jordan Stephen Jordan was signed by Kevin Blackwell in August 2010 after the defender had been released by Burnley at the end of the 2009/10 season following relegation from the Premier League. However, the Blades had to bide their time on sighing the left full-back after he opted to join Portsmouth on their summer excursion to the USA as part of their pre-season preparation. It was whilst he was touring America that he picked up an injury and dampened his pre-season. He started his career with Manchester City, signing a professional contract in July 2000 – then playing at Championship level – though the then Maine Road club were promoted to the Premiership two years later with Jordan still working his way through the youth and reserve ranks. In October 2002 he was shipped out on loan to Cambridge United and enjoyed basement Football League action – he made his first professional debut in a 2-2 home draw with Wrexham on 5 October and went onto play fourteen times for the U’s before returning to City at the end of the year. He was re-drafted into the reserves until April 2003 when Kevin Keegan gave him his chance, he was a used substitute at the Reebok Stadium; replacing Kevin Horlock on 69th minute in a 2-0 defeat.
DoB: 06 March 1982
POB: Warrington
Height: 6ft 0inch
Debut: 28/08/2010 vs. Preston North End (1-0)
Clubs: Manchester City (2000-07, 57 (5) + 0), Cambridge United (loan, 2002-03, 14 (0) + 0), Burnley (2007-10, 79 (4) + 0), Portsmouth (trial, 2010), Sheffield United (2010-11, 14 (1) + 0), Huddersfield Town (loan, 2011, 6 (0) + 0).
From then on he became one of their brightest stars and was featured many times for the club; he played in their 7-1 League Cup victory over Barnsley in September 2004 after he failed to make any appearances the season before.
In the summer of 2004 he had found himself out of contract with Peterborough United offering to sign the defender – being under 24 at the time the Posh would have had to pay City a fee under the bosman ruling but Keegan offered him another contract up until July 2005 and he accepted.
The London Road club still chased his services and requested to take him on loan to cover their injured defender Sagi Burton (ex-blade) but he declined and took his chances at the new City of Manchester Stadium.
During the course of the 2004-05 campaign he played just twenty-one times in all competitions; but had the experience of his first all-Manchester derby in the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in November 2004.
For the next two years he would make fewer appearances; maybe this was due to the vast wealth that was to be exploded into the club and allowed them to purchase more exotic players.
In January 2006 he played the full 90 minutes in their 3-1 home win over their City rivals; but a month later he was sent off at Goodison Park in the final minute of the game; receiving his second yellow card after a ‘rash’ challenge on Tony Hibbert.
Jordan played against the Blades the following season in a 0-0 home draw in the Premiership, but he only featured sixteen times.
His contract expired in summer of 2007and immediately signed for Lancashire rivals Burnley – ending an association with City where he had been since he was eight years old.
Under then manager Steve Cotterill he made his Clarets debut in a 2-1 home victory over West Bromwich Albion.
He played at Bramall Lane in a 0-0 draw were both sides saw two perfectly good goals disallowed but five days later Cotterill was relieved as Turf Moor boss in November 2007 and replaced by Owen Coyle who went onto spend three years with the club.
Burnley lost (2-1) later on in the season to the Red and White Wizards at home; but the 2008/09 season was unforgettable for Jordan as they won promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.
Though his season was to end in February after picking up an injury which ended his season, the Clarets overturned Reading at the semi-final stage before winning 1-0 at Wembley Stadium against Sheffield United.
He had previously being sent off in a 3-1 defeat at the Madejski Stadium – again in the 90th minute.
The defender played 34 times in their debut Premiership season, they lost to Stoke City (0-2) before going on an inspirational run which saw them pick up victories at home to Manchester United (1-0), Everton (1-0) and Sunderland (3-1).
Come November they were heading towards a European place, but a turn in form and the abundance of Owen Coyle (to Bolton Wanderers) saw results fade and they soon slipped down the table.
They appointed former Sheffield Wednesday boss Brian Laws; but he was unable to prevent an expected quick return to the Championship. Once again he had seen a red card that season; this time at Everton in a 2-0 defeat.
His contract ran out that summer and he left Turf Moor after three seasons which had been dampened mostly by injury.
On 5 July 2010 he was due to undertake a medical at Crystal Palace and sign for George Burley’s side on a free transfer; but in a freak accident had to postpone his move to Selhurst Park.
He was hit by a lorry whilst running at the side of the road – he broke his ear and jaw after colliding with the wing mirror – he was badly shaken.
Once fit he was targeted by former boss Steve Cotterill who had recently taken over at relegated Portsmouth; he joined the South Coast club on trial and travelled with them to America.
In early August national tabloids announced that the Fratton Park club won’t be signing the full-back; he had been offered a deal by the club but he opted out; in favour of the Blades.
He joined Sheffield United on 12th August 2010, signing an initial one year deal. His debut for the Bramall Lane club had to wait until he recovered from a calf strain.
Jordan made his debut in a 1-0 victory over Preston North End; it was the clubs first win of the season which lifted them off bottom of the league; he put out a sound performance which was mainly under shadowed by Jean Calvé who netted on his debut.
Following a number of injuries Jordan was allowed to join Huddersfield Town on loan, making his debut in a 2-2 home draw with Leyton Orient and went onto make a further five appearances for Lee Clarke’s Terriers before returning to the Lane.
On 7 April 2011 it was announced that he, along with Richard Wright and Jean Calvé was to leave the club after their contracts were terminated by mutual consent. Jordan made fourteen appearances (+1) with the Blades.
Updated: April 2011
