A young defender, signed from the heart of West Ham country, came to Spurs and made his way through the youth system and into the first team.
Attended Shipman and Woodside Schools, gaining recognition when he played for Newham Schoolboys. Mike trained twice a week with West Ham United for a couple of months before he signed on with Spurs as an associated schoolboy.
Signed as an apprentice in July 1973, having won the FA Youth Cup in 1973 with Tottenham. His progress was noted by the management at the club and Micky was upgraded to full professional status in November 1974, making his Football Combination debut that season. Went on loan to Swansea City for a month and had 15 first team games at Spurs before leaving the club.
Played for many years at Southend United, making well over 300 appearances and was in the 1981 Fourth Division championship winning side.
Left in 1985 for Southend, who he served very well over seven years, before moving to Doncaster Rovers, where he played out the remaining part of his career as player-coach. After two years in Yorkshire, Stead returned South to play non-league football with Fisher Athletic and then moved around the Essex non-league scene until he stopped playing in 1994.
On retirement from the game, Micky took up taxi driving and is working out of Harlow, Essex.