Steve Whitfield

Steve Whitfield grew up on the south coast of England, playing for his local town club and spending every spare moment on the pitch. After moving to Canada in 2005, he continued to play in adult leagues and coach youth soccer in North Vancouver, where he now lives with his family.

A lifelong supporter of Southampton FC, Steve has coached players from U5 to U15 and led a women’s team from Division 4 to Division 1. His coaching philosophy centers on teamwork, humility, creativity, and self-belief — lessons that inspire his writing as much as his time on the field.

The Oakridge FC series combines Steve’s love of storytelling with his experience as a coach and player. Each book explores a different position on the field and the personal challenges young athletes face — blending real football tactics, emotional growth, and life lessons about friendship, confidence, and resilience.

Each story draws from his own experiences as a player, coach, and fan, and from the journeys of real professional players he’s studied. Steve writes to inspire readers, but also to connect them — kids with their teammates, and children with their parents. Each book includes two football idols, one modern and one from decades past, encouraging families to share stories about the heroes of their own era.

Through the ups and downs of tournament football, the series offers lessons about friendship, kindness, morale, and resilience — along with a few practical coaching tips for young players to apply on the field.