Stephen Hoyle
English footballer
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Stephen Hoyle (born 6 November 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a forward for Cooks Hill United. He is also head coach of A-League Women club Newcastle Jets.
Newcastle Jets (women) (head coach)
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 6 November 1992 | ||
| Place of birth | Barnsley, England | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Cooks Hill United Newcastle Jets (women) (head coach) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Barnsley | |||
| 2009–2011 | Doncaster Rovers | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2012 | Napier City Rovers | 20 | (11) |
| 2012–2013 | Hawke's Bay United | 16 | (4) |
| 2013 | Toronto Lynx | 5 | (0) |
| 2014 | South Adelaide Panthers | 25 | (3) |
| 2015 | Napier City Rovers | 20 | (16) |
| 2015–2016 | WaiBOP United | 14 | (10) |
| 2016–2018 | Canterbury United | 52 | (26) |
| 2019 | Valour FC | 6 | (1) |
| 2019–2023 | Eastern Suburbs | 61 | (10) |
| 2024–2025 | Napier City Rovers | 32 | (9) |
| 2026– | Cooks Hill United | 0 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2025– | Newcastle Jets (women) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Hoyle has played in four different confederations, at clubs in England and Scotland in Europe, New Zealand in Oceania, Australia in Asia, and Canada in North America.
Club career
Early career
As a youngster, Hoyle trained at England's FA Academy and with his hometown club Barnsley. He also spent time with the Doncaster Rovers youth side and at the University of Stirling in Scotland. He was converted from a defender to a midfielder during his earlier career.[1]
Hoyle's first stint abroad was in New Zealand with Napier City Rovers and Hawke's Bay United, where he scored a goal in the New Zealand Football Championship playoffs. He then joined Canadian side Toronto Lynx in the Premier Development League, effectively an American fourth division, in 2013. He appeared in five matches for the club, tallying two assists without scoring,[2] and underwent a trial with Toronto FC under then-manager Ryan Nelsen, a New Zealander.[1]
Return to New Zealand
Hoyle returned to New Zealand and became a striker at the start of the 2015-16 season with WaiBOP United. He ranked among the top 10 goalscorers in the Premiership for four straight seasons from 2015 to 2019, and was Canterbury United's top scorer in the 2017–18 and 2018-19 season.[3]
Valour FC
Hoyle signed for Winnipeg side Valour FC in the newly launched Canadian Premier League ahead of the 2019 season.[4] He was the second signing in club history and the first international signing for head coach Rob Gale.[5] He scored the first ever goal for the club in its first competitive game, a 2–1 win away to Pacific FC at Westhills Stadium in Langford, BC on 1 May 2019, before being substituted in the second half.[6] He left Valour by mutual consent on 9 July 2019.[7][8]
Eastern Suburbs
Hoyle returned to New Zealand ahead of the 2019–20 NZ Premiership season and signed with defending champions Eastern Suburbs.[9]
Cooks Hill United
In February 2026, Hoyle returned to Australia, joining National Premier Leagues Northern NSW club Cooks Hill United.[10]
Coaching career
In June 2025, Hoyle was appointed head coach of A-League Women club Newcastle Jets on a two-season deal.[11]
Personal life
His younger brother James plays as a defender for New Zealand side Hamilton Wanderers.[4] The brothers were teammates at Napier City Rovers[12] and WaiBOP United.
Honours
Club
Napier City Rovers
- Central Premier League: 2012 & 2015[13]
Individual
WaiBOP United
Nomads United
- Mainland Football Mens Striker of the Year: 2018[15]
- Mainland Football Mens Player of the Year: 2018[15][16]
- Mainland Football Mens Golden Boot: 2018[15]