Steven Schumacher

Steven Thomas Schumacher (born 30 April 1984) is an English football coach and former professional footballer, who is currently the assistant manager of League Two side Plymouth Argyle

Everton

Born in Liverpool, Merseyside, Schumacher began his career at Everton after starting out in apprenticeship there and was captain of the England Under 19s while he was playing in the club's youth team. Along with Wayne Rooney, Schumacher featured inEverton's eight-game run to the 2002 FA Youth Cup.

He was unable to break into the first team, however, and as a result went out to a couple of minor loan spells to get first team experience. Schumacher joined Carlisle United on loan on 31 October 2003. Schumacher spent three months on loan at Carlisle United, where he made four appearance and scored his first career goal against Huddersfield Town in the LDV Vans Trophy.

After his loan spell at Carlisle United came to an end, Schumacher went on trial at Oldham Athletic in February 2004, but was unsuccessful. Schumacher found himself in loan move battle between Bury and Oldham Athletic, but ultimately joined Oldham Athletic on a one-month deal. However, Schumacher made no appearance for the club and returned to his parent club on 6 April 2004, which he later explained his decision, citing lack of first team opportunities.

After his loan spell at Oldham Athletic came to an end, Schumacher played in the reserve for the rest of the season. During a reserve match against Sunderland in April 2004, Schumacher found himself collided with Paul Thirlwell, resulting Thirlwell placed on a stretcher, as he was substituted. At the end of the 2003–04 season, Schumacher was released by the club.

Bradford City

After leaving Everton, Schumacher went on trial at Bradford City and impressed the Bradford City management that he signed a two–year contract with the club on 30 July 2004.

Schumacher made his Bradford City debut, where he played 90 minutes, in a 2–1 loss against Hartlepool United in the opening game of the season and then scored his first Bradford City goal, on 18 September 2004, in a 4–1 win over Bristol City. Since making his Bradford City debut, Schumacher has accrued a reputation as a fiercely competitive midfielder, equally adept in a holding or attacking role. His best season so far was the 2004–05 season, making over 40 first team starts, and scoring freely from his role in the Bantams midfield. During the 2004–05 season, Schumacher scored five more goals against Tranmere Rovers, Wrexham, Walsall, Stockport County and Bournemouth.

Ahead of the 2005–06 season, Schumacher signed a two-year contract with the club, keeping him until 2007. Schumacher scored once in the 2005–06 season when he scored a 30-yard screamer, in a 1–1 draw against Southend United on 10 December 2005. However, he struggled during this season, due to suspension and injuries. These restrictions of suspension and injuries combined saw him made thirty appearance.

In the 2006–07 season, Schumacher regained his first team place at Bradford City and scored his first goal of the season, in a 2–0 win over Tranmere Rovers on 30 September 2006. Schumacher then went on to score five more goals later in the 2006–07 season against Brighton, Port Vale, Tranmere Rovers, Brentford and Bristol City. After Bradford City's relegation to League Two, Schumacher made forty-four appearance, having missed two games, due to suspension. During a match against Chesterfield on 28 April 2007, Schumacher caused controversy when he swore directly to Bradford City. As a result, Schumacher apologised for his action and was fined by the club.

Schumacher's Bradford contract expired and he left the club on 18 May 2007 as he was not thought to be in new Bradford City manager Stuart McCall's plans, speculation indicated that he could have been offered a new contract by the club in a change of heart by McCall and owner Julian Rhodes.

Crewe Alexandra

However, he soon signed for Crewe Alexandra for a nominal fee a week after leaving Bradford City. Upon joining the club, Schumacher was given a number seven shirt ahead of a new season.

Schumacher made his Crewe Alexandra in the opening game of the season, playing 90 minutes, in a 2–1 loss against Brighton Hove & Albion. Three weeks later on 1 September 2007, Schumacher scored his first Crewe Alexandra goal, in a 1–1 draw against Swindon Town. However, Schumacher suffered a hamstring injury that kept him out for three months and made his return on 19 January 2008, playing 90 minutes, in a 1–0 loss against Carlisle United. However, he continued to have injuries on two occasions. After this, Schumacher remained on the first team spotlight towards end of the season, which saw him made twenty–six appearance and scoring once.

In the 2008–09 season,Schumacher's first team opportunity soon become restricted and spent more than four months out through injury from November 2008 until the following February. After three months on the sideline, Schumacher made his first team return for Crewe Alexandra on 21 February 2009, where he came on as a substitute in the 86th minutes, in a 3–1 win over Huddersfield Town. After returning, Schumacher scored his first Crewe Alexandra goal of the season on 28 February 2009, in a 4–0 win over Brighton. Two weeks later on 10 March 2009, Schumacher scored his second goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Walsall. However, Schumacher's return was short-lived when he suffered a knee injury during a match against Leeds United and was sidelined between four and six weeks. He finished the 2008–09 season, making fourteen appearance and scoring two times.

In the 2009–10 season, Schumacher managed to regain his first team place at Crewe under the management of Dario Gradi. From 3 October 2009 to 14 November 2009, Schumacher scored four goals against Rotherham United, Bradford City, Cheltenham Town and Morecambe. However, Schumacher suffered injuries during the 2009–10 season.

In May 2010 it was announced that he would leave Crewe Alexandra when his contract expired in the summer. He had played 81 times in his three years at the club.

Bury

Following his release by Crewe Alexandra, Schumacher signed for Bury on 8 July 2010.

Schumacher was made captain after he led the team out against Port Vale, which he also made his debut. Schumacher then scored his first goals, in a 4–1 win over Morecambe on 28 September 2010 before adding another on 16 October 2010 against Torquay United. Schumacher later added goals against Aldershot Town., Shrewsbury Town, followed up a brace four days later, in a 3–0 win over Hereford United and also provided assist. On the last game of the season, Schumacher scored a brace with a 3–3 draw against Stevenage. Though he was sent-off twice, Schumacher led them to Promotion from League 2, appearing in over 40 league matches for the club.

After appearing in the opening game of the season, Schumacher, however, tore his calf muscle, which resulted him sidelined for six weeks. After returning to training, Schumacher regained his first team place and scored his first goal of the season, in a 4–2 win over Walsall on 19 November 2011. Shortly after, Schumacher signed a two-year contract with the club, keeping him until 2014. Schumacher later added five more goals later in the season against Yeovil Town, which he scored a brace, Chesterfield, Huddersfield Town and Sheffield Wednesday. Though he was sidelined for three matches due to injury, Schumacher regained his first team place and under his leadership, he helped the club survive relegation, finishing in 14th place. At the end of the 2011–12 season, Schumacher made thirty-six appearance and scoring six times.

At the start of the 2012–13 season saw Schumacher sent-off in a 2–1 loss against Doncaster Rovers. After serving a one match ban and making his return, Schumacher scored his first goal of the season in the second round of the Football League Trophy against Rochdale, which played throughout 120 minutes and scored the winning penalty to go through to the next round. Four weeks later on 6 November 2012, Schumacher scored his first league goal of the season from a penalty, in a 2–1 win over Oldham Athletic, followed up another goal, in a 2–0 win over Portsmouth four days later. Then on 20 November 2012, Schumacher scored his third league goal in a 2–1 win over Scunthorpe United. On 18 December 2012, Schumacher scored in the last minutes in the last sixteen of the Football League Trophy against Preston North End, which played throughout 120 minutes and converted one of the penalty successfully, as Bury lose 5–4 in the penalty shoot-out. Three days later, on 21 December 2012, Schumacher scored the last minutes equaliser, in a 2–2 draw against Shrewsbury Town. Six days later, on 29 December 2012, Schumacher scored again in a 2–1 loss against Carlisle United. Schumacher later added three more goals since the start of 2013 against MK Dons, Notts Countyand Swindon Town. However, Schumacher suffered hernia injury, which resulted a surgery and kept him sidelined for the rest of this season. By the time he suffered an injury, Schumacher was the club's top scorer with ten goals in forty–four appearance. Without his leadership, Bury struggled and was relegated to League Two, which he described the season as 'frustrating'. Despite this, Schumacher won three awards for the 2012–13 season:Bury Times Player of the season, Forever Bury Player of the Season and Frank Hoult Memorial Player's Player of the season.

However, due to Bury's relegation, as well as, financial trouble, Schumacher's future has become increasingly uncertain. As a result, Schumacher was linked with a move to Fleetwood Town. But the club rebuff Fleetwood Town's attempt to sign Schumacher.

Fleetwood Town

Schumacher signed for Fleetwood Town on 21 May 2013. His move to Fleetwood Town led to Kevin Blackwell's disappointment, who blamed the club's owner for Schumacher's departure.

Schumacher made his debut for the club, in the opening game of the season, playing 70 minutes, in a 3–1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge. After spending four matches on the sideline between 12 October 2013 and 26 October 2013, Schumacher returned to the first team against Newport County on 2 November 2013, which he scored a hat-trick in a4–1 victory for Fleetwood Town. Four weeks later on 29 November 2013, Schumacher scored his fourth goal of the season, in a 1–1 draw against Oxford United. Five months later on 26 April 2014, Schumacher's fifth goal later came in a 1–1 draw against Southend United. In his first season at Fleetwood Town, Schumacher's first team place was restricted thirty-two appearance and scoring five times in all competitions, due to being on the substitute bench.

In the 2014–15 season, Schumacher managed to regain his first team place and then provided assist for Gareth Evans, in a 2–0 win over Scunthorpe United on 19 August 2014. Schumacher then provided assist from a corner to lead to Stephen Jordan in early minutes in a 3–2 loss against Preston North End on 25 October 2014. After being suspended for one game due to picking up five yellow cards this season, Schumacher provided assist for Jeff Hughes to score a winning goal and only goal in the game against Yeovil Town. On 11 April 2015, Schumacher captained for Fleetwood Town for the first time, as Fleetwood Town lost 1 – 0 loss against Walsall. Schumacher finished the 2014–15 season, making thirty-two appearance.

After two years at the club, Schumacher was among fifteen players to be released by Fleetwood Town.

Stevenage

On 24 June 2015 Schumacher signed for Stevenage on a free transfer. Upon joining the club, Schumacher was given number eight shirt.

Schumacher made his Stevenage debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 2–0 loss against Notts County. Schumacher then scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 defeat at Northampton Town on 24 October 2015, with his second goal for the club came on 7 November 2015 in first round of FA Cup, with a 3–0 win over Gillingham. Weeks later on 24 November 2015, Schumacher scored his third goal of the season, in a 2–1 win over Bristol Rovers. However, during the match, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament and it was announced that he would be sidelined for nine months, meaning he missed the remainder of the 2015–16 season. By the time he suffered an injury, Schumacher finished the season, making eighteen appearance and scoring two times. By May, Schumacher finished making recovery from his injury and began training.

Southport

In July 2017 he joined Southport after being released by Stevenage.

On 19 January 2018, Schumacher returned to Bury as first team coach, assisting caretaker-manager Ryan Lowe. Upon Lowe's appointment as permanent manager, Schumacher remained in his role.

On 5 June 2019, Lowe brought Schumacher with him upon leaving Bury to become Plymouth Argyle manager, with Schumacher appointed as his assistant manager.

As of match played 27 December 2017

Schumacher is good friends with Peter Sweeney as they have known each other since they were fifteen. Schumacher is also training for the UEFA B Licence.