Stevie Convery – A Tribute
All at the club were extremely saddened to hear of the sudden passing of Stevie Convery, a founder-member and very important part of the “Junior Revolution” team, and a personal favourite of quite a few of the Clyde support.
Stevie joined Clyde in late July 1998, coming straight into the seniors from a successful junior career. Indeed, only a few months prior to his joining Clyde, Stevie – and his big mate Mark McLaughlin – were both on the scoresheet as Arthurlie beat Pollok 4-0 to lift the Scottish Junior Cup.
Season 1998/99
Stevie’s debut, in a completely revamped Clyde team that lost on penalties to Berwick Rangers in a League Cup tie in August 1998, gave supporters much optimism for the season ahead.
Although promotion wasn’t won that season, the promise was evident for all to see, and the effort allied with no little skill throughout the team was very noticeable, and the difference from the previous season palpable.
That season was Stevie’s best with the club, and despite missing the last six games he ended it on a high by claiming the club’s top scorer award with 14 goals from 35 appearances as Clyde finished third behind Livingston and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.
The Scottish Cup that season provide an away tie to Stark’s Park, to meet Raith Rovers, sitting mid-table in the league above Clyde. At the end of the 90 minutes Clyde were emphatic winners, by four goals to nil. Stevie opened the scoring that day and listed that game as the personal highlight of his time with the club.
Season 1999/00
An early-season injury in a league cup match against Hibs at Broadwood – where we took our Premier League opponents to penalties, finally losing out 5-4 despite Stevie scoring our first penalty – seemed to be the catalyst for a long run of injuries that prevented Stevie from making many more appearances for the club than his eventual final total.
This season, 1999/2000, provided his lowest “stats”, with only 9 starts, plus another 6 from the bench, as we won the Second Division Championship.
Season 2000/01
Back in the First Division for Season 2000/01, Stevie and most of his teammates didn’t find themselves overawed and finished in a very creditable fifth position. Stevie’s contribution was much increased from the previous season, 19 starts plus another 8 appearances from the bench, with 6 goals scored.
Season 2001/02
Season 2001/02 provided an identical 5th place finish in the league. Again, Stevie proved up to the challenge when injury allowed, with 15 starts and 19 substitute appearances, although this time with only 3 goals scored.
Season 2002/03
Season 2002/03 proved to be Stevie’s last season with Clyde, as the club decided to go full-time, leaving only four part-timers. This included Stevie, who chose to remain part-time and concentrate on his business interests rather than accept a full-time contract. Improvement was visible in the league performance, with a second-place finish behind Falkirk being achieved, however by the end of the season Stevie was the last remaining part-timer at Clyde. His tally came to 4 starts and 24 appearances from the bench, with 3 goals.
Stevie’s value to Clyde, and a measure of his standing at the club, is illustrated by the fact that, despite being the only part-time player remaining, and with the club remaining full-time, he was offered a contract to stay on for season 2003/04.
However, in June 2003, Stevie decided to follow Ronnie MacDonald and Allan Maitland to Hamilton Academical, where he would be club captain and could remain part-time, bringing his five-year spell at Clyde to an end after 139 appearances, a fine contribution of 25 goals, a Second Division championship medal in 2000, and a place in the hearts and memories of Clyde supporters who were lucky enough to witness those events around 25 years ago.
Stevie’s funeral will take place at 11am on Friday 29th November, at the Hurlet Crematorium. Clyde supporters are welcome to attend.
The thoughts and condolences of all at the club are with Stevie’s family and friends at this sad time.