Stoke City Freddie Steele was signed for
Stoke City in 1931, aged 15, by
manager Tom Mather. He carried out work in the club's offices until he was old enough to turn professional. He scored his first goal for the club four days later, in a 3–0 victory over
West Bromwich Albion at the
Victoria Ground. His tally included five goals in a 10–3 victory over West Brom on 4 February, a club record victory. He returned to
the Potteries in
1945–46, scoring 49 goals in 43 games during the season. It his first
coaching appointment with a senior side. However, he had previously coached in the youth teams at Stoke City. Under his guidance, the team won three, drew one and lost one of their five matches to finish as runners-up behind
Fram. Steele was subsequently selected to manage the
Iceland national team in its first international match against
Denmark on 17 July 1946. Scottish coach Murdo McDougall, who had first moved to Iceland as
Valur manager in 1937, was named as his assistant. Steele included several of his players from KR in the Iceland team, including Birgir Guðjónsson and Jón Örn Jónasson, but could not prevent the side losing 3–0 before a crowd of 8,000 spectators at the Melavöllur. Upon leaving Iceland on 17 August 1946, to return to England in time for the start of Stoke City's season, he spoke of how he had enjoyed his time in Iceland. He stated his desire to return the following summer, although the move never materialised.
Mansfield Town Steele assumed a
player-manager role at
Mansfield Town in 1949. He was prolific in front of goal, scoring 44 goals in 62 league and cup appearances – this scoring record made his job as manager much easier. The "Stags" finished eighth in the
Third Division North in
1949–50. They then went on a 23-game unbeaten run, but could only end up finishing as the division's runners-up in
1950–51, seven points behind champions
Rotherham United. Steele signed players such as defender
Don Bradley, and wing-half's
Oscar Fox and
Sid Watson. Steele left
Field Mill for
Port Vale for a four-figure fee in December 1951, and Mansfield finished the
1951–52 season in sixth place under his successor
George Jobey.
Port Vale Replacing the unpopular
Ivor Powell in December 1951, Steele was a popular choice as the new player-manager. His team were bottom of the
Third Division South table, However, he did not make any new signings, and he sold striker
Walter Aveyard to
Accrington Stanley for a four-figure fee. Steele turned around results using the players at his disposal, and Vale lost just four of their last twenty games of
the season to finish a comfortable 13th. Vale were moved to the
Third Division North in
1952–53. Steele kept the playing squad as it was, deeming the players he inherited to have the potential to achieve
promotion. However, they finished in second-place, one point behind
Oldham Athletic, and so were not promoted. He sold
Bert Llewellyn to
Northampton Town for £7,000 and
Arthur Longbottom to
Millwall for £2,000; before boosting his strike-force with
Tony Richards from
Walsall for £9,000. They finished
1962–63 third in the
Third Division, four points shy of promotion. He spent big for the
1963–64 campaign, bringing in
Northern Ireland international Billy Bingham from
Everton for £15,000;
Albert Cheesebrough from
Leicester City for another £15,000; as well as Walsall's
Tim Rawlings for £4,000 and winger
Ron Smith from
Crewe Alexandra for £6,500. In mid-season he further splashed out £12,000 for both ex-
Scotland striker
Jackie Mudie and left-back
Ron Wilson, both from Stoke City. His team finished a disappointing 13th, though in the FA Cup they beat top-flight
Birmingham City and held
Liverpool to a goalless draw. For the
1964–65 season, Steele tried and failed to sign "Spurs" striker
Bobby Smith, and instead had to make do with
Ron Andrew (£3,000 from Stoke City), as well as goalkeeper
Reg Davies from
Leyton Orient. The campaign started badly. Supporters were vocal in their criticism of the team's performances. Steele tried rotating the team and keeping a settled side, but results continued against the Vale. With the club bottom of the league despite the money he had spent in the
transfer market, Steele left 'by mutual consent' in February 1965. His replacement, Jackie Mudie, could not prevent the club from sinking into the
Fourth Division. Roy Sproson said that "he [Steele] had not got the enthusiasm or drive as before". ==International career==