Steve was born in Portslade, East Sussex, on 23rd November 1935.
He joined the Brighton & Hove Albion ground staff in August 1951 and signed as a professional the following year. Steve made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old at Exeter City in April 1953.
Steve went on to make over 250 appearances for the Seagulls before being appointed assistant-coach in 1964.
He went on to be involved with the likes of Arsenal, Sheffield Wednesday and Everton before becoming the Rangers manager in August 1978, having previously coached under Gordon Jago, briefly in 1973.
Michael Wale featured him in the West Brom match programme on 22nd August 1978:
‘Steve Burtenshaw would be the last man to hide the fact that Rangers have their problems. But there is a solution to every problem and that is what he sees as his first job.
Of course, Mr Burtenshaw has been with us before when he was a coach under Gordon Jago’s managership. And he recalls from that period that: “We were in the First Division, and we were struggling fifth or sixth from the bottom, then we had a good run and we shot up into the top seven or eight.”
“I admit our start this season is not easy, and I would have liked to have been here a month before I came, or more. To go to Anfield, as on the opening day, is always hard. But that’s the way it is. You’ve got to meet these teams sooner or later, so it’s no good moaning about it.”
“The first thing I’ve got to do at Rangers is see those players who want to see me, and sort everything out. To be fair to the side that lost at Brighton, (1-2, Johnny Hollins scored the Rangers goal), five of them had never played together before, because of injury and other things. So, I must get certain players settled.”
For the past three years Steve had been coach at Everton, who finished third in the First Division last year. He was also behind the signing of our own Dave Thomas: “He suited Everton because he suited Bob Latchford in the middle.”
“The great thing about Everton was that they had a good environment. That is what I want to restore here.”
Of course, we all hope Rangers will do better this season, and with new signings like Glenn Roeder from Orient and Rachid Harkouk from Palace, I am sure we will. Especially now that they will have the calm leadership of Steve Burtenshaw.’
He left the club before the final match of that 1978/79 season but was later to return as youth team coach and also on another occasion, chief scout.
Steve died peacefully in his sleep on 17th February, aged 86.
May he Rest in Peace.
Steve Russell