Steve Wigley played the final twenty-odd games of his 340 game Football League career in the colours of Exeter after signing from Portsmouth in 1993. He also appeared for Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United and Birmingham City. He later enjoyed a lengthy coaching and management career.

Steve earned a reputation as a tricky winger for home-town club Curzon Ashton before joining Brian Clough at Nottingham Forest in March 1981. Making his debut as a 21-year-old, he played 82 league games for Forest before moving to Sheffield United in October 1985. Less-successful at Bramall Lane, Steve moved on to Birmingham City in March 1987 where he added 87 league games ahead of signing for Alan Ball at Portsmouth in March 1989. Playing more times for Pompey than any of his other clubs, Steve’s contribution at Fratton Park came to 120 league outings with 12 goals whilst helping the club to the 1992 FA Cup semi-final. 

With Alan Ball now manager of Exeter City, Steve arrived at St James’ Park in August 1993 and made his debut at Brentford on the opening day of the season. Staying for just one season, and with the Grecians destined to be relegated from the third tier, Steve played in exactly half of the games scoring once against Wrexham.

Finishing his Football League career, and living in the Portsmouth area, Steve signed for Bognor Regis Town and subsequently took over as manager of the recently-formed Aldershot Town before moving back to Nottingham Forest as assistant academy director and later first-team coach ahead of switching to Southampton in an academy capacity. Increasingly taking on greater first-team responsibilities with the Hampshire club, Steve was to eventually become Southampton’s manager but only lasted for a few months and soon followed former Forest teammate Stuart Pearce to Manchester City.           

Working again with Pearce coaching England under-21s, Steve took a broader role with the Football Association prior to assuming first-team roles with Bolton Wanderers, Hull City (two spells) and Bristol City before moving back to academy, youth and under-23s work at Fulham either side of acting as Stuart Pearce’s assistant manager at Nottingham Forest.