Stephen Wearne (English footballer) explained

Stephen Wearne
Fullname:Stephen Christopher Wearne[1]
Birth Date:2000 12, df=y
Birth Place:Stockton-on-Tees, England
Position:Attacking midfielder
Currentclub:Milton Keynes Dons
Clubnumber:11
Youthyears1:–2017
Youthclubs1:Newcastle United
Youthyears2:2017–2019
Youthclubs2:Middlesbrough
Years1:2019–2020
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2020–2022
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2022
Clubs3:Torquay United (loan)
Caps3:14
Goals3:3
Years4:2022–2023
Caps4:8
Goals4:0
Years5:2022–2023
Clubs5:Torquay United (loan)
Caps5:9
Goals5:0
Years6:2023–2024
Caps6:34
Goals6:12
Years7:2024–
Caps7:17
Goals7:4
Pcupdate:21:00, 27 April 2024 (UTC)

Stephen Christopher Wearne (born 16 December 2000) is an English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for club Milton Keynes Dons.

Wearne came through the youth academies of Newcastle United and Middlesbrough before signing professional terms with Sunderland. His previous clubs include Gateshead and Grimsby Town and Torquay United.

Playing career

Early career

A youth product of Newcastle United and Middlesbrough, he signed his first professional contact with Middlesbrough on 15 April 2019.[2]

Sunderland

He transferred to Sunderland on 9 September 2020.[3] He made his professional debut with Sunderland in a 2–1 EFL Trophy win over Lincoln City on 5 October 2021, scoring the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute.[4]

On 7 January 2022, Wearne joined National League side Torquay United on loan for the remainder of the 2021–22 season.[5] He returned to Sunderland, and was later released following the clubs promotion to the EFL Championship.[6]

Grimsby Town

On 27 June 2022, Wearne signed for EFL League Two side Grimsby Town on a one-year deal.[7] Upon signing, Wearne said he was convinced to sign for Grimsby when he was on holiday in Cancun, Mexico with his girlfriend. "Other managers were pressuring me to make a decision. I said to her - I need a sign. I went to bed that night, next morning, I came out of the lift and the first guy I see has a Grimsby top on. And I just said, 'That's the sign'. It's done".[8]

On 9 August, Wearne scored his first goal for The Mariners in a 4–0 win over Crewe Alexandra in the EFL Cup first round.[9]

On 1 November 2022, Wearne returned to National League side Torquay United on a one-month loan.[10] Wearne played his first game back later that day and assisted the fourth goal in a 6–1 win over Aldershot Town.[11] His loan was extended for a further month on 2 December 2022.[12]

Gateshead

On 24 March 2023, Wearne signed for Gateshead on a free transfer until the end of the 2022-23 season.[13] Wearne scored his first Gateshead goal against Scunthorpe United in a 2–0 win on 7 April 2023.[14] On 27 May 2023, signed a two-year contract with Gateshead.[15] He was awarded the National League Player of the Month award for November 2023 having scored five goals in four matches.[16]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 6 January 2024, Wearne returned to the EFL with a permanent transfer to League Two club Milton Keynes Dons, signing for an undisclosed fee and reuniting with former Gateshead head coach Mike Williamson.[17] Having joined the club with a slight injury, Wearne made his debut on 27 January 2024 as a 76th-minute substitute. He went on to make an assist just twelve minutes later for the winning goal in a 2–1 home win over Gillingham.[18]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Gateshead2022–23National League1110000111
2023–24National League231110002411
Total341210003512
2023–24League Two1742[19] 0194
Career total51161000205416

Honours

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EFL Professional retain list 2019–20. EFL.com. 11 August 2021.
  2. Web site: Pro Contracts For Academy Graduates | Middlesbrough FC. www.mfc.co.uk.
  3. Web site: Sunderland sign attacking midfielder to strengthen their U23 side. James. Hunter. September 9, 2020. ChronicleLive.
  4. Web site: Story of the night as SAFC win at Lincoln to begin Papa John's Trophy title defence. www.sunderlandecho.com.
  5. Web site: Stephen Wearne joins United on loan . Torquay United FC . 7 January 2022 . 7 January 2022.
  6. Web site: Retained list confirmed . 25 May 2022 .
  7. News: Grimsby Town announce signing of Stephen Wearne following Sunderland release . Grimsbylive . 27 June 2022 .
  8. News: Holidaying Grimsby fan prompted Wearne's move . BBC Sport .
  9. News: Grimsby Town 4–0 Crewe Alexandra . BBC Sport .
  10. Web site: Wearne Joins Torquay on-Loan - Grimsby Town Football Club . November 2022 .
  11. Web site: Six of the best as Torquay United hammer Aldershot . November 2022 .
  12. Web site: Wearne Extends Loan - Grimsby Town Football Club . 2 December 2022 .
  13. Web site: McGraghan . Jack . 24 March 2023 . Stephen Wearne signs . 24 March 2023 . Gateshead FC . en.
  14. https://gateshead-fc.com/matches/gateshead-vs-scunthorpe-united/
  15. https://gateshead-fc.com/stephen-wearne-signs-contract-extension/
  16. Web site: It's A Wearne And Widdrington Show As Awards Are Dished Out!. www.thenationalleague.org.uk. 13 December 2023. 15 December 2023.
  17. Web site: Stephen Wearne: MK Dons sign Gateshead midfielder . . 6 January 2024 . 6 January 2024.
  18. Web site: Milton Keynes Dons 2-1 Gillingham . . 27 January 2024 . 27 January 2024 .
  19. Appearance(s) in 2023–24 League Two play-offs