Stephen Lilwall (born 15 February 1970[lower-alpha 1]) is an English former professional footballer who made 73 appearances in the Football League for West Bromwich Albion. He also played non-league football for Moor Green, Kidderminster Harriers and Rushden & Diamonds. He played as a left back.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (1970-02-15)15 February 1970[lower-alpha 1] | ||
| Place of birth | Solihull, England | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[3] | ||
| Position(s) | Left back | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Silhill | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 198?–1987 | Moor Green | ||
| 1987–1992 | Kidderminster Harriers | 65 | (4) |
| 1992–1995 | West Bromwich Albion | 73 | (0) |
| 1995–1997 | Rushden & Diamonds | 11 | (0) |
| 1997–???? | Kidderminster Harriers | 7 | (0) |
| Moor Green | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Lilwall was born in Solihull.[5] His uncle, Denis Thwaites, played professional football for Birmingham City in the 1960s.[7] Lilwall played youth football for Silhill[8] before joining Moor Green during the 1985–66 season.[3] In 1987, he moved on to Kidderminster Harriers.[2] Lilwall made his Conference debut in the 1989–90 season, and became a first-team regular during the following campaign.[9] He helped Kidderminster reach the final of the 1990–91 FA Trophy, in which he created two chances for team-mates – both missed – and drew a good save from Wycombe Wanderers' goalkeeper as Kidderminster lost 2–1.[10] Lilwall remained with Kidderminster for a further season, taking his Conference appearance total to 65,[9] and then became Osvaldo Ardiles' first signing as manager of Second Division (third-tier) club West Bromwich Albion for a fee of around £70,000.[1][3]
He went straight into the Albion first team, and by September 1992 Premier League club Liverpool were reported to be "monitoring [his] progress".[11] He was ever-present during his first season,[2] and was a member of the team that gained promotion to the First Division via the play-offs, beating Port Vale 3–0 in the final after Vale had a man sent off.[12] After Alan Buckley became manager and Lilwall fell victim to a succession of injuries, he drifted out of first-team consideration. He left Albion at the end of the 1994–95 season, having made 73 appearances in Football League competition, and signed for Rushden & Diamonds of the Southern League.[2]
Injury also disrupted his time with Rushden & Diamonds. He contributed only seven Southern League games as his team won the 1995–96 Southern League title, and the following season played just four times in the 1996–97 Conference.[2] In 1997, he rejoined Kidderminster Harriers, but appeared only infrequently for the first team, and ended his senior career back at Moor Green.[2]
Lilwall took a degree in Physical Education and Social Psychology at Coventry University, and also earned a diploma in Sports Psychology and the UEFA A Licence football coaching qualification.[2][1] He trained as a teacher, and taught physical education at Ninestiles School in Acocks Green, Birmingham,[13] as well as running a soccer school in the Solihull area.[1]