Graham Stuart (footballer)

Graham Charles Stuart (born 24 October 1970) is an English former professional footballer and sports commentator.

Graham Stuart
Personal information
Full nameGraham Charles Stuart[1]
Date of birth (1970-10-24) 24 October 1970 (age 53)[1]
Place of birthTooting, England[1]
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2]
Position(s)Midfielder / Forward
Youth career
0000–1989Chelsea
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1989–1993Chelsea87(14)
1993–1997Everton136(22)
1997–1999Sheffield United53(11)
1999–2005Charlton Athletic148(21)
2005Norwich City8(0)
Total432(68)
International career
1990–1991England U215(2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

As a player, he was an attacking midfielder and forward from 1989 until 2005. He spent the majority of his career in the Premier League, playing in the top tier of English football for Chelsea, Everton, Charlton Athletic and Norwich City. He also had a two-year spell with Sheffield United, and was capped 5 times, scoring twice for England U21.

Playing career

Stuart had spells at Everton, Chelsea, Sheffield United and Charlton Athletic. At Chelsea he was part of a new young midfield, he played mainly wide right, with Graeme Le Saux on the left. Stuart spent the majority of his Everton career playing as a right midfielder, but did also spend time playing as a centre-forward (including the victories in the 1995 FA Cup semi-final and final). During his time he won the FA Cup in 1995, beating Manchester United 1–0 in the final at Wembley; his shot from inside the penalty area hit the bar, but Paul Rideout headed the ball into the empty net.[3]

Nicknamed 'Diamond' during this time at Everton, Stuart's most famous moment in a blue shirt came on 7 May 1994. He scored two goals as Mike Walker's Everton defeated Wimbledon at Goodison Park on the final day of the season to escape relegation by the slimmest of margins. He scored the winning goal nine minutes from time, completing a comeback after the Blues had fallen 2–0 down in the game.[4]

Stuart joined Norwich City in 2005. He played eight games for the club before being forced to retire due to injury.[5]

After football

Since his retirement from professional football in August 2005, at the age of 34, Stuart has done occasional television work for Sky Sports and worked at a financial management company which represents the interests of other sportspeople. He currently works as an Everton club ambassador and as a commentator for Everton.[5]

Honours

Everton

Career statistics

Source: Graham Stuart at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chelsea1989–90First Division2100000021
1990–91First Division19410512[a]1276
1991–92First Division27051003[a]0351
1992–93Premier League39910614610
Total8714711125111018
Everton1993–94Premier League3032020343
1994–95Premier League2835221356
1995–96Premier League29943113[b]13714
1996–97Premier League3552010385
1997–98Premier League14231173
Total13622135933116131
Sheffield United1997–98First Division285601[c]0355
1998–99First Division2565140347
Total531111140106912
Charlton Athletic1998–99Premier League9393
1999–2000First Division3773020427
2000–01Premier League3552000375
2001–02Premier League3132220355
2002–03Premier League40000040
2003–04Premier League2831020313
2004–05Premier League40002060
Total14821828016423
Norwich City2004–05Premier League8080
Career total432683993259251284

References