David Steven
David Steven (16 March 1878 – 28 April 1903) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as an inside-forward around the turn of the 20th century, spending most of his career with his hometown club, Dundee, before he died from a heart attack aged only 25.
Football career
Steven was born in Dundee and after an early career with junior club, Dundee Violet, he joined Dundee as a teenager. He was spotted by Bury, of the English Football League First Division, and moved to Lancashire in August 1896, aged 18.
In his short time with the "Shakers" he made only three first-team appearances, in the outside-left berth, but was unable to displace John Plant, who later went on to represent England. Steven fell out with Bury, who refused to release his Football League registration, and returned to Scotland. After briefly re-joining Dundee, he came back to England in the 1897 close season, signing for the Southern League champions, Southampton, who were not members of the Football League and were thus not affected by Bury's refusal to release his registration papers.