Eddie Stuart

Edward Albert Stuart (12 May 1931 – 4 November 2014) was a South African professional footballer who played as a defender. He played 322 times in England for Wolverhampton Wanderers between 1951 and 1962, winning three league titles and the FA Cup. He also served Stoke City, Tranmere Rovers and Stockport County.[1]

Eddie Stuart
Personal information
Full name Edward Albert Stuart[1]
Date of birth (1931-05-12)12 May 1931[1]
Place of birth Middelburg, Eastern Cape, South Africa[1]
Date of death 4 November 2014(2014-11-04) (aged 83)
Place of death Wrexham, Wales
Position(s) Defender
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1950 Rangers Johannesburg
1951–1962 Wolverhampton Wanderers 287 (5)
1962–1964 Stoke City 63 (2)
1964–1966 Tranmere Rovers 83 (2)
1966–1968 Stockport County 77 (1)
1968–1972 Worcester City ? (0)
Total 510 (10)
Teams managed
1968–1971 Worcester City (player-manager)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Career

Stuart began his professional career with Rangers of Johannesburg, where he won the South African Cup, before joining English First Division side Wolverhampton Wanderers in January 1951. After spending time in the reserves, he made his senior debut on 15 April 1952, scoring in a 4–1 loss to Black Country rivals West Bromwich Albion. A visit to his homeland saw him contract a tropical disease that hospitalised him and put him out of action for over a year.[2] He returned to the first team for the final months of the 1953–54 season that brought Wolves their first-ever league championship. He remained in the starting team over the remainder of the decade, adding two further league titles, and becoming club captain in 1959 following the retirement of Billy Wright.[2]

In Summer 1962 Stuart joined Stoke City for £8,000.[3] His first season with the club saw them win the Second Division title in 1962–63, and he remained for their return in the top flight.[1] He played 30 matches for Stoke in 1963–64 as they consolidate their top-tier status.[1] He moved to Tranmere Rovers for £4,000 in 1964, and later served Stockport County, where he won the Fourth Division title. He then had a brief spell in management as he became player-manager of non-league Worcester City in 1968, but left the club when he retired from playing in December 1971. After leaving the game, he ran a string of hairdressing salons around the Wolverhampton area.

Stuart died on 4 November 2014 in Wrexham, Wales aged 83 following a long illness.[2]

Career statistics

Source:[4]

Club Season Division League FA Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Wolverhampton Wanderers 1951–52 First Division 210021
1952–53 First Division 000000
1953–54 First Division 12000120
1954–55 First Division 33040370
1955–56 First Division 37010380
1956–57 First Division 30420324
1957–58 First Division 40040440
1958–59 First Division 4004030470
1959–60 First Division 2804060380
1960–61 First Division 280400050370
1961–62 First Division 360200000380
Total 2875210001403225
Stoke City 1962–63 Second Division 402001000412
1963–64 First Division 230106000300
Total 632107000712
Tranmere Rovers 1964–65 Fourth Division 412202000452
1965–66 Fourth Division 420101000440
Total 832303000892
Stockport County 1966–67 Fourth Division 411002000431
1967–68 Third Division 330200000350
Total 771202000811
Career Total 5101029012014056310
A. ^ The "Other" column constitutes appearances and goals in the FA Charity Shield and European Cup.

Honours

Wolverhampton Wanderers
Stoke City
Stockport County

References

  1. Matthews, Tony (1994). The Encyclopaedia of Stoke City. Lion Press. ISBN 0-9524151-0-0.
  2. "Eddie Stuart passes away". Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C. 4 November 2014. Archived from the original on 4 November 2014.
  3. Matthews, Tony (2006). The Legends of Wolverhampton Wanderers. Derby: Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-518-X.
  4. Eddie Stuart at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  • Eddie Stuart at Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Database
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