Stuart Mason

Stuart James Mason (2 June 1948 – 5 February 2006) was an English professional footballer who made appearances in The Football League for five clubs. The vast majority of his time was spent with Chester and Wrexham, mainly from full–back.

Stuart Mason
Personal information
Full name Stuart James Mason
Date of birth 2 June 1948
Place of birth Whitchurch, Shropshire, England
Date of death 5 February 2006(2006-02-05) (aged 57)
Position(s) Full-back
Youth career
?–1964 Whitchurch Alport
1964–1966 Wrexham
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1966 Wrexham 28 (0)
1966–1968 Liverpool 0 (0)
1967 → Doncaster Rovers (loan) 1 (0)
1968–1973 Wrexham 157 (3)
1973–1977 Chester 137 (7)
1976 → Rochdale (loan) 2 (0)
1977 → Crewe Alexandra (loan) 4 (1)
1977–1979 Bangor City
c.1979–1980 Rhyl
c.1981–1985 Oswestry Town
National team
1966 England Youth 3 (0)
Teams managed
1978–1979 Bangor City
1984–1985 Barnton
? Coedpoeth
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Mason was born in Whitchurch, Shropshire and educated at Sir John Talbot's School there.[1] He began his playing days as a youngster with Shropshire-based non-league side Whitchurch Alport, which led to him joining Wrexham as a 16-year-old in November 1964.[2] He made his first-team debut in January 1966 and was selected for England Youth three times in the following months.[2] In October 1966 he completed a memorable year when he moved to Liverpool.

Mason was unable to break into the first-team squad at Anfield and after a brief loan spell at Doncaster Rovers he rejoined Wrexham in June 1968. He was largely a regular over the next five years, playing in the Division Four promotion winning side in 1969–70 and appearing in European Cup Winners Cup action after Wrexham lifted the Welsh Cup in 1972.

In 1973 Mason made the short journey across the border to transfer to Chester for £2,000,[3] where he was again initially a regular player. His most memorable contributions came in the club's glorious 1974–75 season, when they defied all expectations to face Aston Villa in the Football League Cup semi–finals. Trailing 4–2 on aggregate in the second leg, Mason scored a stunning goal[2] to give Chester hope in a tie they eventually lost 5–4. Later in the season he scored the winner on the final day of the season at Crewe Alexandra that ultimately secured promotion from Division Four for Chester and ensured he would hold hero status with supporters.[2] Two years later Mason scored in Chester's 4–1 second leg win over Port Vale to help the club win the Debenhams Cup, their first national English trophy.

Mason played his last game for Chester in a 1–1 draw with Plymouth Argyle on 8 October 1977. The same month saw him play his final Football League matches out on loan at Crewe Alexandra (having spent time with Rochdale the previous year). In December 1977 Mason moved to Bangor City, where he was to have a spell as manager.[4] Mason was later at Rhyl, Oswestry Town and Coedpoeth and continued to play for veterans teams.[2]

A former captain of Shropshire County Cricket Club[5] in 1986,[1] Mason ran his own sports shop in Wrexham and had a spell back with the Welsh side as assistant commercial manager.[3] In later years he was involved in coaching Chester's youngsters.[3] Mason's son, Simon, currently plays for Wrexham Supporters club. Operating as a central midfielder

Honours

Wrexham

• Football League Division Four runners-up: 1969–70 (39 apps, 1 goal)

• Welsh Cup winners: 1971–72.

Chester

• Football League Division Four promotion as fourth placed team: 1974–75.

• Football League Cup semi-finalists: 1974–75.

• Debenhams Cup winners: 1976–77.

References
  1. Percival, Tony (1999). Shropshire Cricketers 1844-1998. A.C.S. Publications, Nottingham. pp. 36, 56. ISBN 1-902171-17-9.
  2. "Stuart Mason – Obituary". www.chester-city.co.uk. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  3. "Stuart Mason". Chester City Official Website. 6 February 2006. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  4. "Bangor City managers 1972–1978". www.citizens-choice.co.uk. Archived from the original on 25 October 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
  5. "Shock death of Wrexham legend". www.ldcc.org.uk. Archived from the original on 3 September 2009. Retrieved 13 January 2008.
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