Steve Finnan
Finnan with Liverpool in 2005
Personal information
Full name Stephen John Finnan[1]
Date of birth (1976-04-24) 24 April 1976[2]
Place of birth Limerick, Ireland
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[3]
Position Right-back
Youth career
1990–1993 Wimbledon
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1993–1995 Welling United 41 (1)
1995–1996 Birmingham City 15 (1)
1996 → Notts County (loan) 17 (2)
1996–1998 Notts County 80 (5)
1998–2003 Fulham 172 (7)
2003–2008 Liverpool 145 (1)
2008–2009 Espanyol 4 (0)
2009–2010 Portsmouth 21 (0)
Total 495 (17)
International career
2000–2008 Republic of Ireland 53 (2)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals

Stephen John Finnan (born 24 April 1976) is an Irish former professional footballer who played as a right-back. He is the only player to have played in the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, UEFA Intertoto Cup, Premier League, all three levels of the Football League, and non-League.[4]

A right-back, Finnan is known for his attacking role and ability to cross the ball. Among the honours won during his career were the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final and the 2006 FA Cup Final for Liverpool.[5]

Finnan played 52 internationals for the Republic of Ireland, scoring twice. He played for them at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Club career

Early career

Finnan was born in the Janesboro area of Limerick, and moved to Chelmsford, England, at a young age.[6] He began his career playing in Wimbledon's youth system,[7] but he joined non-League club Welling United in 1993 after being released at the age of 16. Finnan turned professional when he signed with Birmingham City in 1995, who paid a fee of £100,000 to Welling United to acquire his services.[8] He scored his first professional goal against Watford.[9]

Notts County

Finnan made a loan switch to Notts County in March 1996, making his debut in a 2–1 victory over Walsall and scoring his first goal a month later in a 4–2 victory over Bristol Rovers.[10][11] He appeared in all of Notts' games for the remainder of the season,[11] helping the team finish fourth in the Second Division and qualify for the promotion play-offs.[12] In the first leg of the semi-finals held at the Alexandra Stadium he scored against Crewe Alexandra, with the match ending 2–2.[11] The return leg at home saw Notts win 1–0, winning 3–2 on aggregate.[11] In the play-offs final against Bradford City at Wembley Stadium, Notts County lost 2–0.[11] He returned to Birmingham following the conclusion of the loan deal.

During the following season, 1996–97, Notts County signed Finnan for a fee £300,000 on 30 October 1996.[13] He played his first match as a permanent player for Notts County after being introduced as a substitute against Shrewsbury Town.[14] The season was not a successful one for Finnan as Notts County finished 24th in the table and were relegated to the Third Division.[15]

In the 1997–98 season, his first full season at the club, Finnan established himself as a key member of the team and was an ever present, appearing in 51 matches,[16] helping the club win the Third Division title with record points and time.[17] The other notable record Finnan established with Notts County during this season was a streak of 10 consecutive victories; a club record and one which still stands today.[18]

Fulham

After strong showings for Notts County in the 1997–98 season, Fulham manager Kevin Keegan paid £600,000 for his services in November 1998.[19] He made his Fulham debut against Chesterfield on 21 November 1998 and scored his first goal for Fulham against Blackpool on 20 March 1999.[20] While at Fulham, he also became a favourite among the fans.[21] His first season with the club was a success, with Fulham winning the Second Division championship and being promoted to the First Division.[22]

Finnan finished ninth with Fulham the following season under new manager Paul Bracewell, despite promising early season form and an unbeaten run lasting over two months.[23] Bracewell was replaced with Jean Tigana in May 2000, and under him in the 2000–01 season, Fulham won the First Division championship, winning promotion to the Premier League, with Finnan appearing in all but one of the league matches.[24][25]

In his debut season in the Premier League, he helped Fulham qualify for the UEFA Intertoto Cup, was voted into the 2001–02 Professional Footballers' Association team of the year and was also voted as the Fulham player of the year.[26][27] Fulham then went on to win the Intertoto Cup, giving Finnan his first taste of European football.[28] Next season saw Jean Tigana replaced by Chris Coleman, Finnan's fourth manager in five seasons.[29] By April 2003 with few games to go, Fulham were close to the relegation zone but picked up 10 points out of a possible 15 to stay in the top-flight, finishing in 14th position.[30]

In the summer of 2003 Finnan found himself courted by many of England's top clubs,[31] and eventually Fulham agreed to sell Finnan to Liverpool for a fee of £3.5m.[2]

Liverpool

Finnan made his Liverpool debut against Chelsea on 17 August 2003. His first season was disrupted by injury,[32] but in 2004–05, he established himself as the first-choice right-back and a firm fan favourite.[33] The season was a highly successful one for Finnan. He scored his first and only goal for Liverpool against West Bromwich Albion,[34] played in the League Cup final,[35] and was in the starting eleven as Liverpool won the Champions League Final, though a thigh injury meant he was substituted at half time.[36] Finnan's goal against WBA meant that he became only the second player to score in each of the five highest divisions of English football; the first was Jimmy Willis.[37]

In the 2005–06 season, Liverpool broke their record for number of points in a Premier League season, finishing on 82 points with Finnan being ever present.[38] At the end of the season he picked up another medal with Liverpool, winning the FA Cup.[39]

Finnan played for Liverpool as first-choice right-back for the 2006–07 season despite heavy competition from newly arrived teammate Álvaro Arbeloa.[40] He started in the 2007 UEFA Champions League Final and was subbed off after 88 minutes, Liverpool went on to lose the game 2–1.[41] In July 2007, Finnan agreed a new two-year contract to remain with Liverpool.[42]

The following season, Liverpool's success continued as they finished third in the League and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League. Finnan took his total appearances for Liverpool past the 200 mark and also made it into the top 100 capped Liverpool players of all time.[43][44] Finnan featured in 35 games, but lost his starting place, manager Rafa Benítez often preferring Arbeloa to start.[45][46][47] In the summer of 2008, after the arrival of fullback Philipp Degen at the club from Borussia Dortmund, Finnan was linked with a move away from Anfield.[48] He was offered by Liverpool as a makeweight in a deal to sign Gareth Barry from Aston Villa; the player accepted the move but the clubs were unable to agree a fee.[49] He made a guest appearance in Jamie Carragher's testimonial match in September 2010.[50]

Espanyol

On transfer deadline day, 1 September 2008, Finnan signed a two-year deal with La Liga club Espanyol for an undisclosed fee.[51] Injuries limited his first team appearances,[52] and rumours of a return to the Premier League in the January 2009 transfer window with Arsenal or Tottenham Hotspur were dismissed by Espanyol's sports director Paco Herrera and by coach Mané, who considered him an important member of the team.[53] By mid-January, Espanyol were "surprised" that a move to Hull City did not proceed, apparently for medical reasons.[54] In July 2009, Espanyol and Finnan agreed to mutually terminate the remainder of his contract.[55]

Portsmouth

Finnan signed a one-year contract with Premier League side Portsmouth on 31 July 2009.[56] He made his debut for the club on 3 October in a 1–0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, and played regularly in the second half of the season,[57] but with the club in administration and relegated to the Championship, he was not offered a new deal.[58] His last appearance for the club was the 2010 FA Cup Final against Chelsea.[59]

International career

A Republic of Ireland Under-21 international, Finnan stepped up to the senior side in 2000 against Greece. He cemented his place in the Irish starting XI during the 2002 World Cup qualification matches, supplying the cross for Jason McAteer to score the only goal in a crucial 1–0 home win against the Netherlands in September 2001.

Finnan appeared in all three of Ireland's group E games in the 2002 FIFA World Cup against Cameroon, Germany and Saudi Arabia. Ireland progressed to the second round of the tournament for only the third time in their history where they faced Spain. The match ended 1–1 in extra time and went to penalties. Finnan took a penalty and scored, but Ireland eventually lost 3–2.

Injury disrupted Finnan's participation in the unsuccessful attempt to reach the Euro 2004 finals. He was a regular choice in the 2006 World Cup qualification games but Ireland failed to qualify for the finals.

He was again a regular selection in the 2008 Euro qualification games but Ireland did not qualify for the finals. He scored his second international goal in the group game against Cyprus in a 1–1 draw.[60] He then announced his retirement from international football on 22 January 2008 after making 50 appearances for the Republic of Ireland.[61] Tempted by the prospect of working with the newly appointed Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni,[62] Finnan came out of retirement in August 2008 to be included in the squad to face Norway in an international friendly.[63]

Personal life

Finnan was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving in June 2005 after his Range Rover ran over an 81-year-old man from Liverpool,[64][65] who later died of his injuries.[66] Finnan faced no charges over the man's death,[67] despite his vehicle travelling at 58mph in a 30mph zone. Finnan later expressed his sympathy to the man's family.[68]

In 2015, Finnan was living in London and working in property development.[69]

In 2023, the High Court struck out a £6 million professional-negligence claim brought by Finnan against law firm Charles Russell Speechlys in relation to advice over a property dispute with his brother.[70] In 2024, he unsuccessfully challenged a costs judgment ordering him to pay around £120,000 to another former firm of solicitors.[71] In 2025, UK legal and news outlets reported that Finnan had become the subject of a bankruptcy petition in the Central London County Court, based on an unpaid five-figure costs order arising from the same dispute, and that a High Court judge later described his attempt to appeal directions in the petition as “totally without merit” and “completely hopeless”.[72][73]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Welling United 1993–94[74] Football Conference 22 0 – 22 0
1994–95[74] Football Conference 19 1 – 19 1
Total 41 1 – 41 1
Birmingham City 1995–96[75] First Division 12 1 0 0 4 0 3[a] 0 19 1
1996–97[76] First Division 3 0 0 0 – – 3 0
Total 15 1 0 0 4 0 3 0 22 1
Notts County (loan) 1995–96[77] Second Division 17 2 – – 3[b] 1 20 3
Notts County 1996–97[76][78] Second Division 23 0 4 0 – 1[c] 0 28 0
1997–98[79] Third Division 44 5 3 1 4 0 0 0 51 6
1998–99[80] Second Division 13 0 0 0 0 0 – 13 0
Total[81] 97 7 7 1 4 0 4 1 112 9
Fulham 1998–99[80] Second Division 22 2 4 0 – 1[c] 0 27 2
1999–2000[82] First Division 36 2 4 1 6 0 – 46 3
2000–2001[83] First Division 45 2 1 0 2 0 – 48 2
2001–02[84] Premier League 38 0 6 0 3 0 – 47 0
2002–03[85] Premier League 32 0 3 0 1 0 5[d] 0 41 0
Total 173 6 18 1 12 0 6 0 209 7
Liverpool 2003–04[86] Premier League 22 0 3 0 0 0 6[e] 0 31 0
2004–05[87] Premier League 33 1 0 0 5 0 14[f] 0 52 1
2005–06[88] Premier League 33 0 6 0 0 0 13[g] 0 52 0
2006–07[89] Premier League 33 0 1 0 0 0 13[h] 0 47 0
2007–08[90] Premier League 24 0 3 0 1 0 7[f] 0 35 0
Total 145 1 13 0 6 0 53 0 217 1
Espanyol 2008–09[91] La Liga 4 0 1 0 – – 5 0
Portsmouth 2009–10[92] Premier League 21 0 4 0 0 0 – 25 0
Career total 496 16 43 2 26 0 66 1 631 19
  1. Appearances in Anglo-Italian Cup
  2. Appearances in Football League play-offs
  3. Appearance(s) in Football League Trophy
  4. One appearance in UEFA Intertoto Cup, four in UEFA Cup
  5. Appearances in UEFA Cup
  6. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  7. Twelve appearances in Champions League, one in UEFA Super Cup
  8. Twelve appearances in Champions League, one in FA Community Shield

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[93]
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland 2000 5 1
2001 7 0
2002 9 0
2003 4 0
2004 9 0
2005 4 0
2006 5 0
2007 7 1
2008 3 0
Total 53 2
Scores and results list Republic of Ireland's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Finnan goal.
List of international goals scored by Steve Finnan
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 14 November 2000 Lansdowne Road, Dublin, Ireland  Finland 1–0 3–0 Friendly
2 17 October 2007 Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland  Cyprus 1–1 1–1 UEFA Euro 2008 qualifying

Honours

Notts County

Fulham

Liverpool

Portsmouth

Individual

References

  1. "UCL Booking List 2006/2007" (PDF). UEFA. 12 April 2007. p. 1.
  2. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2005). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2005/2006. Queen Anne Press. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-85291-662-6.
  3. Sewell, Albert, ed. (1996). News of the World Football Annual 1996–97. London: Invincible Press. p. 401. ISBN 978-0-00-218737-4.
  4. "Steve Finnan – News, Stats and Info About the Football Player". Sportspundit.com. 24 April 1976.
  5. "Player Profile". BBC Sport.
  6. McDonnell, Brian (27 February 2008). "Blue in the face". Limerick Leader.
  7. "What's in a name: Steve Finnan". Liverpool F.C. 21 February 2008. Archived from the original on 25 February 2008.
  8. "Finnan Birmingham City fee". Soccerbase.
  9. "Liverpool v Watford: Stat Attack". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013.
  10. "Notts County FC season 1995/96".
  11. "1995-96 Notts County FC Match Line-Up's & Details". Up the Maggies.
  12. "English Football League 1995–1996".
  13. "Finnan Notts County fee". Soccerbase.
  14. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  15. "English Football League 1996–1997". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  16. "Notts County 1997/1998 player appearances". Soccerbase.
  17. "Notts County history". Notts County F.C. 9 May 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  18. "Magpies make history". Archived from the original on 15 December 2013.
  19. "Fulham fee". Soccerbase.
  20. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  21. "100 PWSTC". Fulham F.C. 19 September 2007.
  22. "English Football League 1998–1999". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  23. "English Football League 1999–2000". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  24. "English Football League 2000–2001". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  25. Taylor, Graham (22 December 2007). "Bracewell replaced by Tigana". The Daily Telegraph. London.
  26. "Fulham notes". Liverpool F.C.
  27. "Player of the Season". Fulham Official Website. 2 May 2002.
  28. "Intertoto Cup 2002". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  29. "Fulham sack Tigana". The Daily Telegraph. London. 17 April 2003.
  30. "English Football League 2002–2003". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation.
  31. Platt, Mark (31 July 2003). "Exclusive Steve Finnan interview". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013.
  32. "Past players: Steve Finnan". Liverpool F.C. Archived from the original on 12 December 2013.
  33. Platt, Mark (19 July 2006). "100 PWSTK – No.55: Steve Finnan". Archived from the original on 12 December 2013.
  34. "Liverpool 3–0 West Brom". BBC Sport. 11 September 2004.
  35. McCarra, Kevin (28 February 2005). "Mourinho the scene stealer claims his first English prize". The Guardian. London.
  36. "A.C. Milan 3–3 Liverpool (aet)". BBC Sport. 25 May 2005.
  37. Prentice, David (8 November 2007). "Goal king Jimmy Willis in a league of his own!". Liverpool Echo.
  38. "2005–2006 Premiership".
  39. "2006 FA Cup final".
  40. "Appearances total".
  41. "2007 Champions league final".
  42. "Finnan signs new Liverpool deal". BBC Sport. 2 August 2007.
  43. "Top 100 appearances".
  44. "Past 200 appearances".
  45. "2007–2008 notes".
  46. "Finnan 2007–2008 appearances".
  47. "Arbeloa 2007–2008 appearances".
  48. "Finnan in Liverpool 'limbo'". Sky Sports.
  49. "Finnan on his move from Liverpool to Espanyol". guillembalague.com. 9 September 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  50. "Carra on target in derby win". Archived from the original on 7 September 2010.
  51. "Finnan seals Spanish switch". Sky Sports. 1 September 2008.
  52. Clement, Tim (28 February 2009). "Frustrated by injuries". Sportstar Weekly. PA Sport. Archived from the original on 8 November 2012.
  53. Acedo, Francisco (23 December 2008). "Espanyol rule out Finnan exit". Sky Sports.
  54. Acedo, Francisco (17 January 2009). "Finnan 'surprise' for Espanyol". Sky Sports.
  55. "Finnan leaves Espanyol". RCD Espanyol. 27 July 2009.
  56. "Portsmouth sign defender Finnan". BBC Sport. 31 July 2009.
  57. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 2009/2010". Soccerbase.
  58. "Pompey offer key players new contracts". 19 May 2010.
  59. "Chelsea 1–0 Portsmouth". BBC Sport. 15 May 2010.
  60. "Rep of Ireland 1-1 Cyprus". FIFA. 17 October 2007.
  61. "Finnan confirms international retirement". RTÉ Sport. 22 January 2008.
  62. "Finnan considers international U-turn". FIFA. Agence France-Presse. 4 June 2008. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  63. "Republic of Ireland coach Giovanni Trapattoni calls for Georgia venue change". The Daily Telegraph. London. 13 August 2008.
  64. "Finnan arrested over driving death". The Guardian. 14 June 2005.
  65. "Finnan arrested over driving death". CNN. 14 June 2005.
  66. "Man dies after footballer crash". BBC News. 4 March 2005.
  67. "No crash charges for footballer". BBC News. 11 October 2005.
  68. "Crash footballer 'was speeding'". BBC News. 24 November 2005.
  69. "Steve Finnan: Search over for 'missing' Liverpool defender". BBC Sport. 21 May 2015.
  70. Rose, Neil (4 December 2023). "High Court strikes out top footballer's negligence claim against law firm". Legal Futures.
  71. "Judge throws out ex-Liverpool star's £120k costs challenge". Law Society Gazette. 20 August 2024.
  72. Keogh, Paul (18 November 2025). "Champions League winning ex-Liverpool star faces bankruptcy after row with brother". The Independent.
  73. Castro, Bianca (6 November 2025). "Retired footballer Stephen Finnan's permission to appeal certified 'totally without merit'". Law Society Gazette.
  74. Harman, John, ed. (2005). Alliance to Conference 1979–2004: The first 25 years. Tony Williams Publications. pp. 719, 723. ISBN 978-1-869833-52-7.
  75. Matthews, Tony (2010). Birmingham City: The Complete Record. Derby: DB Publishing. pp. 426–27, 477–78. ISBN 978-1-85983-853-2.
  76. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 1996/1997". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  77. Sewell, Albert, ed. (1996). News of the World Football Annual 1996–97. London: Invincible Press. p. 356. ISBN 978-0-00-218737-4.
  78. For appearances in the Football League Trophy, round 1 of the FA Cup, and the league match away to York City: "Notts County FC 1996/97 Match Line-ups & Details". Up The Maggies.
  79. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 1997/1998". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  80. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 1998/1999". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  81. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2005). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2005/2006. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. p. 141. ISBN 978-1-85291-662-6.
  82. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  83. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 2000/2001". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  84. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 2001/2002". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  85. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 2002/2003". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  86. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  87. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 2004/2005". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  88. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 2005/2006". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  89. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  90. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  91. "Finnan: Stephen John Finnan: Matches: 2008–09". BDFutbol.
  92. "Games played by Steve Finnan in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm.
  93. "Steve Finnan". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann.
  94. "Sao Paulo 1–0 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 18 December 2005.
  95. "Liverpool 2–3 Chelsea". BBC Sport. 27 February 2005.
  96. "AC Milan 2-1 Liverpool". BBC Sport. 23 May 2007.
  97. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (1999). The 1999–2000 Official PFA Footballers Factfile. Harpenden: Queen Anne Press. p. 352. ISBN 978-1-85291-607-7.
  98. "Teams of the year". BBC Sport. 29 April 2001.
  99. "PFA teams send Hatters mad". The Guardian. London. 15 April 2002.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Steve Finnan.