Ernest Steventon (1888 – 23 November 1950) was an English professional footballer who played as a goalkeeper for Southampton in the years prior to World War I. Steventon was born in Walsall, Staffordshire (now in the West Midlands) and after a spell with Walsall, then playing in the Birmingham & District League, he moved to local rivals Wednesbury Old Athletic.
He soon acquired a reputation as "the best young goalkeeper in the Black Country",[1] which brought him to the attention of Southampton of the Southern League.
He made his debut on 8 November 1913, taking over from Kitchen after a run of four defeats, in a 2–2 draw with Crystal Palace at The Dell.
Once he had established himself in the side, his agility and "safe pair of hands" quickly made the 'keeper's jersey his own, with Kitchen only making two further appearances.
[3] The outbreak of the First World War brought Steventon's football career to a premature end, although he did make some guest appearances for Blackpool in 1917.