When Jamie Stevens has a big football decision to make, he doesn’t always rely on instinct.
He turns to his grandad, “Bushy” Stevens – and when grandad said he should give it a go again at Spalding United, it helped make up the 25-year-old centre-half’s mind.
“Jamma” made an about-turn and rejoined the Tulips from Holbeach United last month, having only left the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field last summer. He had skippered both sides to the UCL Premier Division title over the past two seasons.
Stevens said: “The first I knew about it [Pat Rayment putting in seven days’ notice] was on Twitter after a Spalding game.
“I spoke to Graham [Drury] within an hour or so and he said ‘if you want to go, you can’.
“To be fair, since he came to Holbeach he’s beeen telling me that I really should be playing higher than UCL.
“I spoke to my dad [Dean] and grandad about it. Grandad said he thought I ought to try and play as high a level as I can, while I can.”
Stevens has played in all seven matches since November 8 and been part of a defence which has conceded just five times.
Rayment was unhappy at the manner goals were being conceded in the early season, and It’s no coincidence that Stevens’ arrival came at the start of a winning run which made the Tulips the league’s form team.
The PE teacher from Holbeach Bank says little changed in the short time he was away from the Sir Halley, except for one or two quality additions needed for Step Four, such as Michael Leary.
“I played virtually every game alongside Nathan Stainfield last season and I’ve just carried on from then,” he said.
“We complement each other well. ‘Staino’ is a big lad and good in the air and I work round him using a bit of pace.
“Staino’s playing really well, Adam Jackson is continuing to do well at a higher level and Tom Waumsley is working his socks off and getting the rewards.
“I’m enjoying it back at Spalding and we’re obviously on a great run in the league so things are going well.”
He added: “I’ve got no regrets about going back to Holbeach. They’re a good bunch of lads and I’m sure they’ll finish in the top three.”
Stevens started at Holbeach United Youth and went on to play for Boston United in the Football League, Crawley Town (under former Tigers boss and now Rotherham United manager Steve Evans), Northwich Victoria, Ebbsfleet United and Farnborough Town.
