Marek Štěch

Marek Štěch (born 28 January 1990) is a Czech professional footballer who last played as a goalkeeper for EFL League Two club Mansfield Town. He began his career with local club Sparta Prague, spending four years in their youth system.

Marek Štěch
Štěch with West Ham United in 2008
Personal information
Full name Marek Štěch[1]
Date of birth (1990-01-28) 28 January 1990[2]
Place of birth Prague, Czechoslovakia
Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Ligmet Milín
Number 31
Youth career
2002–2006 Sparta Prague
2006–2008 West Ham United
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2012 West Ham United 0 (0)
2009 → Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2 (0)
2009 → AFC Bournemouth (loan) 1 (0)
2011 → Yeovil Town (loan) 5 (0)
2012 → Leyton Orient (loan) 2 (0)
2012–2014 Yeovil Town 72 (0)
2014–2017 Sparta Prague 19 (0)
2017–2020 Luton Town 43 (0)
2020–2022 Mansfield Town 24 (0)
2023– Ligmet Milín 0 (0)
International career
2006–2007 Czech Republic U17 18 (0)
2009–2012 Czech Republic U21 12 (0)
2014 Czech Republic 1 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:39, 18 April 2021 (UTC)

In 2006, aged 16, Štěch signed for Premier League club West Ham United for an undisclosed fee. Štěch had loan spells with Wycombe Wanderers and AFC Bournemouth in 2009, but made only three appearances in total. He made his first-team debut for West Ham in the League Cup in August 2010 before spending more time out on loan in League One with Yeovil Town and Leyton Orient in 2011–12. After six years with the club, Štěch left West Ham by mutual consent to join Yeovil Town permanently, and helped them win promotion to the Championship in 2012–13. He turned down a new contract with Yeovil, and re-signed for Sparta Prague in 2014. Štěch has represented the Czech Republic at under-17 and under-21 levels and has been capped once by the Czech Republic national team.

Club career

Early career

Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia,[2] Štěch began his career with local club Sparta Prague, where he became a trainee in July 2005.[3]

West Ham United
Štěch playing for West Ham United in 2010

On 31 August 2006, Štěch signed for Premier League club West Ham United for an undisclosed fee.[4] Due to an ankle injury, his debut was delayed until 17 November 2006, for the West Ham under-18 team in the Premier Academy League, which ended in a goalless draw against Chelsea. Štěch subsequently made his reserve-team debut in the 1–1 home draw against Portsmouth at the Boleyn Ground on 20 November 2006.[3]

In July 2008, Štěch signed a new five-year contract with West Ham and was involved in the club's first-team pre-season programme.[5] On 18 January 2009, he was named as first-team substitute goalkeeper for the first time for West Ham's visit to Newcastle United.[6] On 12 March 2009, Štěch signed for League Two club Wycombe Wanderers on loan until the end of the season.[7] Štěch made his Football League debut for Wycombe on 14 March 2009 in a 3–3 away draw against Brentford.[8] However, a groin and hip injury sustained in training limited him to just two appearances for Wycombe, before returning to West Ham for treatment.[9]

At the beginning of 2009–10, Štěch was handed the number 34 shirt. However, before making any appearances for the senior team, that number was taken by Olly Lee in a League Cup match against Millwall.[10] On 11 December 2009, Štěch signed for League Two club AFC Bournemouth on an emergency loan due to last for seven days after Bournemouth after receiving special dispensation from the Football League.[11] The following day, Štěch made his debut for Bournemouth but let in five goals as they lost 5–0 away to Morecambe.[12] Štěch's loan with Bournemouth lasted only one match, and he returned to West Ham, where he was named as substitute goalkeeper in West Ham's next match, a 1–1 home draw with Chelsea.[13] During the season, Štěch was named as substitute goalkeeper for West Ham on 14 occasions in all competitions, including 13 times in the Premier League and once in the FA Cup.[3]

On 24 August 2010, Štěch made his debut for the West Ham first-team, against Oxford United in the League Cup, keeping a clean sheet in a 1–0 victory.[14] He made a total of three appearances in the League Cup for West Ham and was an unused substitute on 13 occasions in the Premier League.[3]

In October 2011, Štěch signed on loan for League One club Yeovil Town following an injury to Yeovil's first choice goalkeeper Jed Steer.[15] He made his debut on 15 October 2011, in a 3–0 home defeat by Carlisle United.[16] On 14 November 2011, he was recalled from his loan five days early by West Ham. He made five appearances for Yeovil, keeping one clean sheet and saving a penalty in a 0–0 draw with Stevenage on 22 October 2011.[17][18] On 24 February 2012, Štěch signed on a month-long loan for League One club Leyton Orient.[19] Štěch made his Leyton Orient debut the following day in a 1–1 draw against Bury,[20] but he only managed two matches before suffering an ankle injury.[21] At the end of 2011–12, West Ham confirmed that Štěch had left the club by mutual consent after six years in east London.[22]

Yeovil Town

On 5 July 2012, following his departure from West Ham, Štěch signed permanently for League One club Yeovil Town on a two-year contract, becoming the club's first permanent goalkeeper on the books since 2008–09.[23] Štěch made his first appearance of the season and permanent debut for Yeovil in a League Cup tie at home to Colchester United on 14 August 2012.[24] Štěch was ever-present for Yeovil in 2012–13, playing 56 matches and keeping 19 clean sheets, and was man of the match in the 2013 League One play-off final as Yeovil won promotion to the Championship for the first time in their history.[25]

After being substituted for Gareth Stewart in a 1–0 home defeat against Birmingham City, it was confirmed Štêch would be out for 3–4 months with a fractured hand.[26] After four months out, Štěch made his return from injury in a 1–0 loss against Blackburn Rovers.[27]

At the end of 2013–14, which resulted in Yeovil Town's relegation, Štěch was offered a new contract with the club.[28]

Sparta Prague

Štěch rejected Yeovil's offer and moved back to Czech club Sparta Prague, the club he represented as a child, to replace outgoing Sparta goalkeeper Tomáš Vaclík.[29]

Luton Town

On 14 June 2017, Štěch signed for League Two club Luton Town on a two-year contract upon the expiry of his contract with Sparta Prague.[30] He made his debut on 5 August 2017, starting Luton's 8–2 win at home to former club Yeovil Town on the opening day of 2017–18, in which he saved a penalty from Otis Khan.[31][32] Štěch kept his first clean sheet for Luton in a 3–0 victory at home to Colchester United on 19 August.[33] He signed a one-year extension to his contract in June 2018.[34]

Having not featured during the 2019–20 campaign, Štěch was released at the end of his contract.[35]

Mansfield Town

Following his release by Luton, Štěch signed for Mansfield Town on a two-year contract.[36] At the end of the 2020–21 season, Štěch was transfer-listed by Mansfield Town.[37]

Milín

In summer 2023, Štěch joined TJ Ligmet Milín.[38]

International career
Štěch playing for the Czech Republic in 2014

Štěch was capped at under-17 and under-21 levels for the Czech Republic. He made his under-17 debut in a 1–0 win against Finland in February 2006, and played in the 2006 UEFA European Under-17 Championship as the Czech Republic finished the competition as runners-up to Russia.[39] Štěch made his under-21 debut in a friendly against South Korea in March 2009, and was named in the Czech Republic's squad for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, which they finished in fourth place.

On 13 May 2014, Štěch received his first call-up to the Czech Republic national team for their friendlies against Finland and Austria on 21 May 2014 and 5 June 2014.[40] Although an unused substitute against Finland, Štěch started against Austria to earn his first cap for the national team.[41]

Controversy

On 13 April 2013, Štěch posted two offensive tweets on his Twitter account. One of the tweets called Sparta's rival club Slavia Prague "Fucking jews".[42][43][44][45] Štěch later deleted the two tweets[42] and apologised.[44]

Career statistics

Club
As of match played 13 March 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
West Ham United 2008–09[46] Premier League 000000—00
2009–10[47] Premier League 000000—00
2010–11[48] Premier League 000030—30
2011–12[49] Championship 000000—00
Total 000030—30
Wycombe Wanderers (loan) 2008–09[46] League Two 20———20
AFC Bournemouth (loan) 2009–10[47] League Two 10———10
Yeovil Town (loan) 2011–12[49] League One 50———50
Leyton Orient (loan) 2011–12[49] League One 20———20
Yeovil Town 2012–13[50] League One 46010207[lower-alpha 1]0560
2013–14[51] Championship 2602010—290
Total 720303070850
Sparta Prague 2014–15[52] Czech First League 17030—3[lower-alpha 2]0230
2015–16[52] Czech First League 2030—1[lower-alpha 3]060
2016–17[52] Czech First League 0000—0000
Total 19060—40290
Luton Town 2017–18[31] League Two 380301000420
2018–19[53] League One 5000002[lower-alpha 4]070
2019–20[54] Championship 000000—00
Total 430301020490
Mansfield Town 2020–21[55] League Two 24030101[lower-alpha 4]0290
2021–22[56] League Two 0000000000
Total 240301010290
Career total 1680150801402050
  1. Four appearances in Football League Trophy, three in League One play-offs
  2. One appearance in UEFA Champions League, two in UEFA Europa League
  3. Appearance in UEFA Europa League
  4. Appearance(s) in EFL Trophy

International
As of match played 3 June 2014[57]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Czech Republic 201410
Total10

Honours

Yeovil Town

Sparta Prague

Luton Town

Czech Republic U17

Individual

References
  1. "Notification of shirt numbers: Mansfield Town" (PDF). English Football League. p. 40. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
  2. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 391. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  3. "Player profiles: Marek Stech". West Ham United F.C. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014.
  4. "Transfer latest: Tevez and Mascherano join West Ham". The Daily Telegraph. London. 31 August 2006. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  5. "Stech joins Wycombe". West Ham United F.C. 12 March 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  6. Shea, Julian (18 January 2009). "Newcastle 2–2 West Ham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  7. "Wycombe sign young Hammers keeper". BBC Sport. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  8. "Blues stay in title hunt after six-goal top of the table thriller". Bucks Free Press. Loudwater. 14 March 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  9. Peters, Dave (17 April 2009). "Injury blow for Blues". Bucks Free Press. Loudwater. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  10. "West Ham 3–1 Millwall". BBC Sport. 25 August 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  11. "Bournemouth sign West Ham keeper Marek Stech on loan". BBC Sport. 12 December 2009. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  12. "Morecambe 5–0 Bournemouth". BBC Sport. 12 December 2009. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  13. Dawkes, Phil (20 December 2009). "West Ham 1–1 Chelsea". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  14. "West Ham 1–0 Oxford". BBC Sport. 24 August 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  15. "Yeovil Town sign West Ham goalkeeper Marek Stech on loan". BBC Sport. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  16. "Yeovil 0–3 Carlisle". BBC Sport. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  17. "West Ham recall Yeovil Town loan goalkeeper Marek Stech". BBC Sport. 14 November 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  18. "Stevenage 0–0 Yeovil". BBC Sport. 22 October 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  19. "Leyton Orient sign West Ham keeper Marek Stech on loan". BBC Sport. 24 February 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  20. "Bury 1–1 Leyton Orient". BBC Sport. 25 February 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  21. "Leyton Orient sign Leeds United keeper Paul Rachubka". BBC Sport. 6 March 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  22. "McCartney completes Hammers switch". West Ham United F.C. 1 July 2012. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013.
  23. "Yeovil Town sign Byron Webster and Marek Stech". BBC Sport. 5 July 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  24. "Yeovil 3–0 Colchester". BBC Sport. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  25. Maiden, Phil (19 May 2013). "Brentford 1–2 Yeovil". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 15 April 2015.
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  27. Sweet, Chris (23 December 2013). "Marek Stech's stunning return against Blackburn Rovers leaves Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson delighted with keeper competition". Western Gazette. Yeovil. Archived from the original on 26 May 2014.
  28. "Yeovil Town: Jamie McAllister released as five offered deals". BBC Sport. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
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  30. "Marek Stech: Luton Town sign former Yeovil goalkeeper". BBC Sport. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  31. "Games played by Marek Štěch in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 May 2018.
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  33. Simmonds, Mike (23 August 2017). "Hatters keeper relieved by a first clean sheet". Luton Today. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  34. Simmonds, Mike (29 June 2018). "Luton keeper signs new contract". Luton Today. Retrieved 29 June 2018.
  35. Simmonds, Mike (29 June 2020). "Hatters release five players as Jones announces retained list". Luton Today. Retrieved 29 June 2020.
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  38. Jícha, Ondřej (8 August 2023). "Nováček přeboru zlákal bývalé hvězdy! V útoku bude válet Kadlec, v bráně Štěch". Deník (in Czech). Retrieved 17 September 2023.
  39. Saffer, Paul (14 May 2006). "Russia celebrate U17 triumph". UEFA. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
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  42. "Bývalý brankář Sparty Štěch při derby: Hnusná špína na Slavii!" [Former Sparta goalkeeper Štěch: Disgusting attack on Slavia!]. Blesk (in Czech). Prague. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  43. "Od urážek k reprezentaci. Dostal druhou šanci" [From insults to the national team. Got a second chance]. Blesk (in Czech). Prague. 14 May 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  44. "Bývalý sparťan Štěch se omluvil za své sprosté výlevy při derby" [Former Sparta goalkeeper Štěch apologised for his vulgar outbursts during the Derby]. Blesk (in Czech). Prague. 14 April 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  45. Čermák, Miloš (15 April 2013). "MÉDIA MILOŠE ČERMÁKA: Používat Twitter pod vlivem se nedoporučuje. Už si to pamatujte!" [MILOŠ ČERMÁK'S MEDIA REVIEW: Using Twitter under influence is not recommended. Remember it.]. Ekonom (in Czech). Economia. Retrieved 23 May 2018.
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  47. "Games played by Marek Štěch in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
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  49. "Games played by Marek Štěch in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  50. "Games played by Marek Štěch in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
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  54. "Games played by Marek Štěch in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 September 2020.
  55. "Games played by Marek Štěch in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  56. "Games played by Marek Štěch in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  57. "Štěch, Marek". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
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