page_title: Steve Sidwell
section_title: Fulham
hierarchical_section_title: Steve Sidwell / Career / Fulham
caption_attribution_description: English: Steve Sidwell featuring for Fulham
context_page_description: Steven James Sidwell is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
  Sidwell began his career at Arsenal and after winning two FA Youth Cups he had constructive loan spells at Brentford and Brighton & Hove Albion. Sidwell joined Reading in January 2003 and spent ​4 ¹⁄₂ years with the Royals helping them to gain promotion to the Premier League in 2005–06. He joined Chelsea on a free transfer for the 2007–08 season, however opportunities were limited at Stamford Bridge and he moved on to Aston Villa in July 2008 for a fee of £5 million. In his ​2 ¹⁄₂-year stay at Villa Park he played 64 times scoring four goals. Sidwell then spent ​3 ¹⁄₂ years at Craven Cottage making 115 appearances scoring 17 goals. His time at Fulham ended after the club was relegated from the Premier League in 2013–14 and he joined Stoke City in June 2014 on a free transfer. He made only 13 appearances for the club, and rejoined Brighton & Hove Albion, initially on loan, in January 2016.
context_section_description: Sidwell signed for Chelsea rivals Fulham on 7 January 2011, signing a six-month contract with a view to extending it for a further three years. He made his debut for Fulham on 22 January 2011 in a 2–0 win against Stoke City. On 18 April 2011, Sidwell's contract was extended until the summer of 2014. Sidwell ended the 2010–11 season with goals against Liverpool and Arsenal. In 2011–12 Sidwell played in 28 matches in all competitions before his season was ended in February 2012 due to a hernia injury. Sidwell marked his return by scoring a penalty in a 5–0 victory against Norwich City on the opening day of the 2012–13 season. He scored late goals against West Bromwich Albion and Everton. Fulham went on to have an uneventful 2012–13 season as they finished in 12th position with 43 points, Sidwell playing in 31 matches. Sidwell did have poor end to his campaign as he was sent-off on 1 April 2013 against Queens Park Rangers for a late tackle on Armand Traoré.
  After returning from suspension against Arsenal on 20 April 2013 he was again sent-off this time for a lunge on Mikel Arteta. Fulham made a poor start to the 2013–14 season which saw manager Martin Jol sacked in December 2013 to be replaced by René Meulensteen. Sidwell's own performances improved drastically under Meulensteen, scoring five of his eight goals that season during Meulensteen's tenure. Following the dropping of Brede Hangeland and Scott Parker, and the transfer of Dimitar Berbatov, Sidwell was promoted to the role of captain in February 2014. However, two games later, Meulensteen was sacked and Felix Magath was placed in charge. Hangeland was reinstated to the team, and as a result, Sidwell lost the captaincy. There was no change in Fulham's fortunes, and after a 4–1 defeat away at Stoke City on 3 May 2014 their relegation to the Championship was confirmed. Following Fulham's relegation, Sidwell criticised his team's performance. On 23 May 2014 Sidwell was released by Fulham.
caption: Sidwell featuring for Fulham in 2013
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