27th August 1944

Bristol

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Bristol-born Steve Stacey made his name at Wrexham where he played over a hundred league games after failing to make the first-team at Ashton Gate. After a brief spell at Ipswich, and a return to Bristol City, he arrived at St James Park in 1971 and made nearly sixty league appearances in a two-year stay. He later played for Bath City before moving to Australia.

He signed a full contract with Bristol City in November 1961 having been an apprentice with the Ashton Gate club. He had previously played for Sneyd Park. Leaving without making a first-team appearance, he signed for Wrexham in February 1966 where he was to play in 105 league games and score six goals for Wrexham before being transferred to Ipswich Town in September 1968 for £22,000. Making his debut against Liverpool he played just three league games for his new club and had loan spells with Chester and Charlton Athletic ahead of briefly rejoining Bristol City. 

Signing for Exeter City in July 1971, in a deal funded by the supporters club, he made his debut in a 4-0 opening day of the season defeat at Southport in August 1971. He was to stay at St James’ Park for two seasons making 30 league appearances in his first season and 27 in his second. prior to signing for Bath City and later moving to Perth in Western Australia

Steve Stacey was almost certainly the first black player to appear for Exeter City and later wrote a book entitled "The Colour of Football" (2019) which he came to discuss, as a guest of the supporters' trust, at St James' Park in October 2019 on the day of the game against Forest Green Rovers.

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