Stephen Brackstone

Stephen Brackstone (born 19 September 1982) is an English former footballer who played as a midfielder.

Brackstone played in the Middlesbrough youth system before joining York City in 2002. He had an operation to remove his appendix in December 2002 and he made his return to playing in March 2003. He was released by the club in 2004 and he finished his career with Bishop Auckland.

His younger brother John also became a professional footballer.

Club career
Born in Hartlepool, County Durham, Brackstone played in the Middlesbrough youth system as a trainee before signing a professional contract on 7 July 2000. After being deemed surplus to requirements at Middlesbrough he signed for Third Division team York City on 27 February 2002 on a contract until the end of the 2001–02 season following a trial. He made his first team debut as an 87th minute substitute in a 2–0 victory over Darlington on 15 March. He finished the season with nine appearances and signed a new contract in May. Brackstone scored a direct free kick from 20 yards in stoppage time to give York a 2–2 draw with Bristol Rovers on 19 October. He suffered a back injury in October and after a late fitness check missed a game against Wrexham, eventually making his return in a 0–0 draw at Hartlepool United.

He had an operation to remove his appendix after being taken to hospital following his substitution against Lincoln City in December and after being expected to be out of action for six weeks he made his return in a 1–0 victory over Bournemouth on 15 March 2003. He finished the 2002–03 season with 29 appearances and two goals. He finished the 2003–04 season with 11 appearances and two goals for York and the club announced that he would be released when his contract expired on 30 June. He signed for Northern Premier League Premier Division team Bishop Auckland and made six appearances for them during the 2004–05 season.

International career
Brackstone was capped twice by England at under-18 level, playing in games against France on 8 March 2000 and Luxembourg on 27 April.

Career statistics

 * A. The "League" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the Football League and Northern Premier League.
 * B. The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals (including those as a substitute) in the Football League Trophy.