Steve Finnan

The season was not a successful one for Finnan as Notts County finished 24th in the table and were relegated to the Third Division.

Stephen John Finnan (born 24 April 1976) is an Irish former international footballer who played as a right back.

He is the only player to have played in the World Cup, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Cup, Intertoto Cup, all four levels of the English league football and the Football Conference.

He began his career playing in Wimbledon's youth system, 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.

He scored his first professional goal against Watford.

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.

He appeared in all of Notts' games for the remainder of the season, helping the team finish fourth in the Second Division and qualify for the promotion play-offs.

In the first leg of the semi-finals held at the Alexandra Stadium he scored against Crewe Alexandra, with the match ending 2–2.

The return leg at home saw Notts win 1–0, winning 3–2 on aggregate.

In the play-offs final against Bradford City at Wembley Stadium, Notts County lost 2–0.

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.

He played his first match as a permanent player for Notts County after being introduced as a substitute against Shrewsbury Town.

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, helping the club win the Third Division title with record points and time.

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.

After strong showings for Notts County in the 1997–98 season, Fulham manager Kevin Keegan paid £600,000 for his services in November 1998.

He made his Fulham debut against Chesterfield on 21 November 1998 and scored his first goal for Fulham against Blackpool on 20 March 1999.

While at Fulham, he also became a favourite among the fans.

His first season with the club was a success, with Fulham winning the Second Division championship and being promoted to the First Division.

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.

He played 52 internationals for the Republic of Ireland from his debut in 2000, scoring twice.

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.

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.

Fulham then went on to win the Intertoto Cup, giving Finnan his first taste of European football.

Next season saw Jean Tigana replaced by Chris Coleman, Finnan's fourth manager in five seasons.

He played for them at the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Finnan was born in the Janesboro area of Limerick, and moved to Chelmsford, England, at a young age.

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.

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

Finnan made his Liverpool debut against Chelsea on 17 August 2003.

His first season was disrupted by injury, but in 2004–05, he established himself as the first-choice right back and a firm fan favourite.

The season was a highly successful one for Finnan.

He scored his first and only goal for Liverpool against West Bromwich Albion, played in the League Cup final, and was in the starting eleven as Liverpool won the Champions League Final, though a thigh injury meant he was substituted at half time.

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.

Among the honours won during his career was the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final for Liverpool.

Finnan was known for his attacking role and ability to cross the ball.

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.

At the end of the season he picked up another medal with Liverpool, winning the FA Cup.

Finnan played for Liverpool as first choice right back for the 2006–07 season despite heavy competition from newly arrived teammate Álvaro Arbeloa.