Career
Born in Netherthorpe, England he spent the bulk of his career at Sheffield United for whom he made over 280 competitive appearances in twelve years. After leaving the Blades he moved to Woolwich Arsenal where he played regularly for two seasons. During World War I he played for Chesterfield Town until the club was disbanded in 1917, before returning to amateur football to play for Rossington Colliery until his retirement.
Club career
A miner by trade, Lievesley was playing for the Ireland Colliery side in Poolsbrook, Derbyshire when he was spotted by Sheffield United.
He signed an amateur contract with the club in 1901 and played regularly in the reserves for three seasons before turning professional in 1903. Lieversley didn"t make his competitive first team debut until September 1904 but soon became the side"s first choice keeper, supplanting the legendary William Foulke.
A consistent performer and rarely troubled by injuries he missed only six competitive games between November 1904 and December 1911, at one point playing 130 consecutive league and cup games. At a time when very few were awarded, Lievesley saved nine penalty kicks whilst with United, including two in one game against Manchester City in 1906.
After being a regular for eight seasons Lieversley was eventually replaced by Joe Mitchell and, after picking up an injury against Everton in what would be his last game in October 1912, he was given a free transfer to Woolwich Arsenal at the end of the 1912-1913 season.
Despite his injury problems of the previous season Lievesley was virtually ever–present for the Gunners and missed only three out of 76 league games in two seasons. Following the outbreak of World War I he returned north to play for Chesterfield Town until it was closed down by the FA for making illegal payments to players. After the end of the War Lievesley returned to his job as a miner and played for the Rossington Colliery side until retiring from football in 1921.
International career
Lievesley played (and saved a penalty) in an England trial game in 1910 but was never selected for the full side.
He did represent the Football League on one occasion and played on an FA tour of South Africa in 1911.