Stephens: Alfred (Alf)
WW2 Guest: 1940-1943
(Leeds United War-time Guest Player Details)
Inside Forward
Born: Cramlington, Northumberland: 13-06-1919
Debut: v Bradford Park Avenue (h): 06-04-1940
Height & Weight: Unknown
Stephens started with the local Cramlington BW before he signed with First Division Leeds
United in September 1938 but never played a senior game for them before the commencement of
the Second World War. He was a guest with Leeds United at Centre Forward in two consecutive
games in the 1939-40 Regional League North-East Division. He made his debut at Elland Road
in a 5-2 win over Bradford Park Avenue on 6th April 1940 and scored the third Leeds goal. He
retained his position in the next game in a 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough at Ayresome Park and
scored the Leeds goal. He also played three games in the War Cup that season, scoring a
hat-trick in the First Leg as a Centre Forward, in a 6-3 win over Sheffield Wednesday at
Elland Road and was then at Inside Right in the Second Leg when United were beaten 2-3 at
Hillsborough. Both he and his twin brother, Bill Stephens, were called up into the Army and
were taken Prisoners-of-War in the Middle East in July 1941. They were released in May 1945,
and arrived back in England two days after VE Day. He was back at Centre Forward in the 0-0
draw with Sunderland at Roker Park but missed the Second Leg at Elland Road. His final game
for Leeds United came in the 1945-46 Football League Northern Section when he played at
Centre Forward in a 2-1 win over Bolton Wanderers at Elland Road. After the Second World War
Stephens joined Third Division South side Swindon Town in August 1946 and he scored two goals
in sixteen League games and one F.A. Cup tie in the two seasons before he retired in 1948. He
made his League debut with Swindon at Inside Left on 31st August 1946 in a 1-4 defeat at
Northampton Town and played his final game at Inside Left on 17th September 1947 in a 0-1
defeat at Brighton and Hove Albion. He was the twin brother of Bill Stephens who also played
with him at Leeds United and Swindon Town. He died in 1993.