Where Are They Now?                                   Profiles of ex-Luton players

Steve Davis

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Height: 6ft, 2in. Weight: 14st, 7lb. Born: Hexham, 30.10.1968. Nationality: England. International Honours: -

A solid, uncompromising central defender who is always a danger from set-pieces, Steve began his career with Southampton as a teenager after signing professional forms in the 1987-88 season, and following loan spells with both Burnley and Notts County, he was transferred to Turf Moor on a permanent basis for £60,000 in 1991 after making just 6 appearances for the Saints.

He played well over 200 games for the Clarets in his four years at the club, scoring 25 goals in the process, a good return for a central defender.  He was also a member of the Burnley side that won the old Division Four in 1992.  In the summer of 1995 he signed for Luton for a tribunal set fee of £750,000, after Burnley had been relegated to the Second Division.  Bought to the club by then manager Terry Westley as a vice-captain to Gary Waddock, he became a hugely popular figure with the fans, and after Waddock had retired, he became the club's full-time captain.

Davis was unfortunate however to be relegated back to the Second Division in his first season with the Hatters, after a poor start to the season which inevitably led to the inexperienced Westley being sacked.  Lennie Lawrence joined the club as manager to replace the departed Westley during the Christmas period of that season, and Davis undoubtedly flourished with the new manager at the helm.  However, Lawrence could not prevent Luton from slipping into Second Division football.  Although the fee was more than Luton had expected, it proved to be worth every penny, as he was a colossus in an otherwise unsteady defence.  Suspended three times during the 1995-96 campaign, his value was illustrated by the fact that the club's best performances came when he was in the side, while they invariably lost when he was missing.  In his first season with the Hatters, Steve had made 36 appearances and scored two league goals, the first coming in a 3-1 home win over Portsmouth as Luton looked to avoid relegation.

Back in the Second Division for the 1997-98 season, Steve made a tame start, but went on to enjoy an outstanding campaign after relinquishing the captain's armband after losing it for a short while.  Excellent in the air, he was rock solid in defence at centre back and weighed in with nine goals, making him the club's second highest league scorer behind the prolific Tony Thorpe.  His excellent form was such that he was elected to the PFA Second Division XI by his fellow professionals.  Unfortunately, Luton were beaten by Crewe Alexandra in the play-offs and Steve faced another season in the Second Division.

After narrowly missing out on promotion straight back to the First Division the previous season, Steve, once again, emerged as one of Luton's most consistent players in the 1997-98 campaign, putting together performances that were rewarded by him winning the Players' Player of the Year award, and the highest number of Man of the Match awards.  Solid as ever in the centre of defence, despite having to play alongside several different partners, as dictated by injury and form, good in the air, and extremely sure footed, such was his importance that he was picked when not even fully fit.  Although in a struggling side, he was not able to score as many goals as in the previous season, he nevertheless netted on half a dozen occasions and was always a danger when able to move forward.  With the side plagued by injuries they endured a very disappointing season and were never able to mount a serious promotion challenge.  Once again, Steve faced another season in Division Two even though it was obvious to everyone that he could play at a much higher level.

Goal: Another headed goal, at Fulham.

Steve was by far and away the most consistent player in the Luton side during the first half of the 1998-99 season, never losing the ball, always giving 100% towards the cause and scoring an outstanding 10 goals in just 29 appearances from central defence.  Almost every goal scored by Steve was a header from a set piece routine, and he was a true leader of the struggling side, scoring a memorable goal in the disappointing 2-1 home defeat by Hull City in the FA Cup first round with a run that saw 5 defenders beaten as well as the goalkeeper.  However, with Luton in severe financial difficulties, Steve was transferred back to his former club Burnley for the same £750,000 transfer fee that was originally exchanged between the two clubs for the player's services.  Described by Burnley manager Stan Ternent as "A no gamble signing", he was welcomed back to Turf Moor by Burnley supporters who had never wanted to see him leave in the first instance.  It was a different story at Kenilworth Road though as supporters had not only seen their star player sold again, but an influential captain had been lost.

Steve continued his good form at Burnley netting 4 goals in 19 league appearances in the second half of the 1998-99 campaign, including a brace in a win at Millwall.  Burnley were already resigned to another season in Division Two before Steve joined though and the season ended with Burnley finishing in mid-table.

1999-00 was a different story though as Burnley stormed to the First Division, a 2-1 win at Scunthorpe on the last day of the season clinching promotion.  Steve was again magnificent, a rock at the back and a great threat when moving into the opposition's penalty area.  He played a total of 48 matches in all competitions, scoring 7 goals, which included a brace in a 2-1 win at Colchester.

Back in the First Division, Steve was again leading by example and had been handed the Burnley captaincy.

After three seasons in Division One with The Clarets, Steve was released when manager Stan Ternent decided that he needed fresh blood to spearhead an assault towards the Premiership.  Still a big favourite with the Burnley faithful, Steve signed a two-year deal with Division Two Blackpool during the 2003-04 pre-season, which meant that he would be returning to Kenilworth Road for the 2003-04 campaign.  After 29 League appearances for Blackpool, and 1 goal, Steve moved to York City in June 2004 on a free transfer to help spearhead their push for promotion from the Conference.  However, after just 15 League appearances for the Minstermen, he was released by mutual consent at the end of the 2004-05 season and he enjoyed a brief coaching spell with York.

In November 2005, Steve returned to his former club Burnley once more, this time in a scouting capacity to link up with chief scout Cliff Roberts.

On appointing Steve, Burnley manager Steve Cotterill said, "We have taken Steve on as a scout," he confirmed.

"He will also get the chance to do some coaching as well. We welcome him back and wish him all the best in the role.

"He's an experienced pro who knows the game well and knows Burnley Football Club well."

On returning to Turf Moor, Steve said, "From my point of view, I've had a little spell out of the game since I left York and I'm just delighted to be back in the game and even more delighted to be back at Burnley."

One of the best players to have pulled on a Luton shirt in the 90's, it seems staggering that he was never given a chance in the Premiership.  He will always be remembered as a great player for Luton though.

Profile By:  James Garley