on loan for Championship rivals Ipswich Town with a view to a permanent move. Ipswich Town Stead made his move to Ipswich permanent on 15 September 2008 after playing just one game on loan for a fee believed to be around £600,000. In that loan game he scored a 20-yard goal, which he described as "the best goal of his career to date". On 25 April 2009, Stead was the last ever senior player to score at Ninian Park after a 3–0 win. On 15 February 2010, Stead joined Coventry City on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent move. He made 10 appearances for the Sky Blues scoring twice before returning to Ipswich at the end of the season. He has scored in every year of his career to date, notching at least 2 goals for each of the clubs he has played for. Stead was linked with a move to Blackpool in 2010. Bristol City Stead joined Bristol City on a three-year contract on 22 August 2010. He made his debut in the 2–0 loss at previous club Ipswich Town. Stead scored his first goal for Bristol City when he netted in a 3–1 defeat against Portsmouth on 28 September 2010. On 8 May 2013, Stead was released by City, in hopes of making a move up north to involve his kids spending time with their grandparents. Return to Huddersfield Town On 24 June 2013, Stead agreed a return to home town club Huddersfield Town on a two-year deal becoming the team's first signing ahead of the 2013–14 season. He made his 2nd début for the club as a substitute in the 2–1 win over Bradford City in the Football League Cup on 6 August, followed by his league début on 24 August in the 5–1 win over AFC Bournemouth. He scored his first goal for the club in the 3–2 win over local rivals Leeds United on 26 October 2013. Oldham Athletic (loan) On 31 January 2014, Stead joined Oldham Athletic on an initial one-month loan. Bradford City (loan) On 27 March 2014, Stead joined League One side Bradford City on loan until the end of the 2013–14 season. He made his debut two days later in a 1–0 win away to Leyton Orient. Although he returned to Huddersfield at the end of the season, he rejoined Bradford City on loan