I was introduced to him before the mauling we gave Coventry in 98,in the Mercers Arms,the pub across the road from Highfield Road.His first words were,"gimme a tab Fatty!",I then bought him a coke,and gave him more tabs.
After the game for some reason,we bumped into him again,and he was asking for help as he'd missed his coach,so a couple of pals and I took him to the player's entrance,to try and get him a lift back.
First out was Lionel Perez,and after telling him of Stevie's predicament,he bottled out of asking Ruud Gullit by saying,"I am only a player,there is nothing I can do."To which I replied,"one out of two ain't bad," much to his bemusement.
Next out was Alan Shearer,with his wife in a chauffeur driven Jag,Alan stopped,after I jumped in front giving it the we are not worthy salute,which amused Mrs. Shearer no end.He informed us he was on his way to Wembley to watch a Spice Girls concert,but he got on his mobile and then two well dressed men came out and told us they'd give Stevie a lift back,as Stevie got into the car he shook our hands warmly and thanked us incessantly,with the hint of a tear in his eye.
Although he cadged half a pack of tabs of me in the hour or so I spent in his company,I found him to be a man,who lived for nothing but Newcastle United Football Club,and the day I met him,I'll never forget.