Steve Claridge

Stephen Edward Claridge was born on April 10, 1966, in Portsmouth, England. He began his football career in 1983 with non-league Fareham Town, and after a brief spell with AFC Bournemouth, spent three years at Weymouth, marking his longest continuous period with a single club. From 1988 to 1996, Claridge played for various Football League teams, showcasing his abilities as a striker. A significant turning point in his playing career occurred when he joined Leicester City, where he played in the Premier League. He notably scored winning goals in the 1996 play-off final, which secured Leicester’s promotion, and in the 1997 Football League Cup final replay, contributing to the team’s success.

Claridge moved to his hometown club, Portsmouth, in 1998, initially on a loan, and later permanently. From 2000 to 2001, he took on the role of player-manager for Portsmouth. His managerial tenure was brief, lasting 25 games, before he was demoted. Following a period with Millwall, he returned to Weymouth as player-manager, leading the club for a season. After formally retiring as a player in 2007, Claridge transitioned to a career in media, notably becoming a football pundit for BBC Sport, appearing on shows like “Football Focus” and “The Football League Show.” His extensive experience across all levels of English football, including over 1000 professional or semi-professional matches, established him as an expert on the Football League.

In his later career, Claridge continued his involvement in football, taking on management roles. In April 2015, he became manager and a director at the newly formed Salisbury FC, achieving promotion to the Southern League Premier South during his seven-year tenure, which concluded in 2022. He briefly managed Fleetlands in 2023. In August 2025, Claridge was appointed manager of Weymouth for a second time, demonstrating his continued commitment to football management.