Stephen Dawson

Stephen John Dawson (born 4 December 1985) is an Irish professional footballer who plays for English club Scunthorpe United. He primarily plays as a central midfielder, although he has also been deployed in defensive midfield. He is noted for his aggressive and highly competitive style of play.
In his 13-year-long playing career, Dawson began his career with English club Leicester City, where he failed to make his debut. He instead made his debut for Mansfield Town where he would spend most of his career, and with which he signed in 2005, going on to appear in 114 official games. Apart from Mansfield Town, Dawson has previously played for Bury, Leyton Orient, and Barnsley. In August 2014, he signed for Rochdale. Despite suffering with some injuries during his time at Spotland, Dawson has established himself as a regular part of the first team, but when his initial contract expired he left for Scunthorpe United.
On the international level, Dawson has represented the Republic of Ireland national football team at Under-21 level on two occasions.

Born in Dublin, Dawson began his professional football career as a trainee at Leicester City, having joined from the Dublin schoolboy team Portmarnock AFC. Before that, he spent 7 years with St Malachys FC and although he became a regular in the reserve side, he did not graduate to the first team. He subsequently rejected an offer for a new contract on reduced terms in May 2005.

Mansfield Town

Dawson joined Mansfield Town in the summer of 2005, and scored on his debut against Stockport in August 2005. He signed a new one-year contract in August 2007, and by the end of the 2007–08 season had made over 125 appearances in all competitions for Mansfield Town.

Bury

Dawson playing for Bury

After Mansfield Town were relegated to the Football Conference at the end of the 2007–08 season, he was out of contract and joined Bury on a two-year contract. Dawson made his Bury debut on 9 August 2008 on the opening day of the season with a 1–0 win over Brentford at Gigg Lane. Dawson scored his first goal for Bury on 18 October 2008 in a 3–1 win at Dagenham & Redbridge.

Leyton Orient

On 4 June 2010 he signed for League One side Leyton Orient. He then became Leyton Orient's Captain. Dawson scored his first goal for the O's in their 2–1 win against Tranmere Rovers on 11 December 2010.

Barnsley

On 31 January 2012 he signed for Championship side Barnsley for an undisclosed fee. Despite suffering with injuries during his time at Oakwell, Dawson established himself as a regular part of the first team. He was involved in an angry confrontation with Barnsley supporters after the team's 5–0 defeat at Huddersfield Town in March 2014, for which he apologised and made a small financial donation to Barnsley Hospice.

Just a month later, Dawson was named as one of seven footballers arrested in connection with alleged spot-fixing of football matches. When asked, Dawson said "They came at 6.30 a.m. Ten officers. They searched our house from top to bottom and seized some of our belongings – my mobile phones, my laptop, my girlfriend’s phone, documents. Then they said I had to go down to the station. We didn't know what was going on." "It nearly broke me." Dawson's statement came three days after the National Crime Agency ended his nine-month ordeal by confirming that the case against him has been dropped.

Rochdale

Dawson playing for Rochdale in March 2015

On 13 August 2014, Dawson signed for Rochdale on a one-year contact. Dawson made his Rochdale debut on 16 August 2014, in a 2–1 defeat against Chesterfield. He made his home debut on 23 August, in a 1–1 draw against Bristol City. He played his last game for the club in a 0–3 defeat against Oldham Athletic on 24 March 2015. He played 30 times for Rochdale in the league that season, as they finished a very credible 8th place, their highest-ever league placing.

Scunthorpe United

It was announced on 20 May 2015 that he will join Scunthorpe on 1 July on a two-year deal with an option of a further year on a free transfer.

He has also represented the Republic of Ireland at Under-21 level twice.

His younger brother Kevin plays for fellow League One side Yeovil Town.

As of 17 June 2015.