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Michael Stewart (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Michael James Stewart is a Scottish
footballer who is currently a free agent after his release by Charlton Athletic
. He is notable for beginning his career with Manchester United
and having played for both of the Edinburgh derby
rivals Hibernian
and Hearts
. He terminated his contract with Turkish club Gençlerbirliği in 2011. Stewart has also been capped by the Scotland national football team
.
while still at Craigmount High School
. Manchester United
signed Stewart as a professional in 1998. He made his senior debut for the club on 31 October 2000 against Watford
. Later that season it was agreed for Stewart and two other players (John O'Shea
and Jimmy Davis
) to be loaned to Belgian
feeder club Royal Antwerp, but Stewart decided against the move, believing he would break into the first team more quickly by training with United. His initial promise saw him rewarded with further opportunities, filling in for a suspended Roy Keane
. He struggled to hold down a first team place, however, and had a disappointing loan spell at Nottingham Forest
. He is known for playing with a high-tempo style and can often find himself in trouble, regularly being booked or sent off.
In the summer of 2004, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
intimated that Stewart had no future at the club and he was free to leave. Rangers
initially showed interest, but after a two week trial, he was sent back to Manchester. Stewart's lucrative contract with United was seen as a stumbling block to a transfer. A loan deal was reached with Stewart's boyhood favourites Hearts
, with Stewart himself taking a substantial wage drop to facilitate the deal. Stewart failed to match expectations and at the end of a season
disrupted by injury, Hearts allowed him to leave.
. He therefore signed for Hearts' rivals Hibernian
after negotiating the end of his Manchester United contract. After two seasons with Hibs, the club announced in April 2007 that his contract would not be extended and he was free to leave the club. He left Easter Road
after the media reported that there was unrest amongst the Hibs squad. Stewart spent a week training with Roy Keane
's Sunderland
, but he did not earn a contract.
introduced Stewart as a new signing, making him the only player since the Second World War to sign for Hearts, then Hibs and then return to Hearts. Stewart scored his first SPL goal for Hearts against Aberdeen
on 12 August 2007. He also scored a penalty for Hearts in a 4–2 win over Rangers
in September 2007.
Stewart was appointed Hearts club captain by manager Csaba Laszlo
before the start of the 2009–10 season, following the departure of the previous captain, Robbie Neilson
, to English side Leicester City
. He was sent off, for two bookable offences, 52 minutes into his first competitive game as captain in a 2–0 loss to Dundee United
at Tannadice. Stewart left the club by mutual consent on 13 May 2010.
club Gençlerbirliği signing a one year contract with the club with the option of a further 2 years. Stewart picked up an injury early into his spell at Gençlerbirliği, Stewart left the club in January 2011, claiming that they had not honoured his contract since suffering an injury early in the 2010–11 season.
reported on 6 February that Stewart had been given a one week trial with Leeds United
. He played part in a training ground friendly match against York City
. Stewart's trial period with Leeds was extended, but he did not sign for Leeds and subsequently went on trial at Charlton Athletic
. He agreed to sign for Charlton until the end of the 2010–11 season on 22 March.
while he was a youth player at Manchester United. He won a recall after an absence of six years for the friendly match against Northern Ireland
in August 2008.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
footballer who is currently a free agent after his release by Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
. He is notable for beginning his career with Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
and having played for both of the Edinburgh derby
Edinburgh derby
The Edinburgh derby is an informal title given to any football match played between Scottish clubs Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian , the two professional clubs based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The two clubs have a fierce rivalry that dates back to the clubs being founded in the mid-1870s, which...
rivals Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
and Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
. He terminated his contract with Turkish club Gençlerbirliği in 2011. Stewart has also been capped by the Scotland national football team
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
.
Man Utd
As a highly-rated young player, Stewart trained twice a week with RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
while still at Craigmount High School
Craigmount High School
For the former private school see Craigmount School.Craigmount High School is a non-denominational secondary school in Edinburgh, Scotland with 1400 pupils located in the west of Edinburgh, Scotland. It moved into new premises at the beginning of the 2003 academic year. The current headteacher is Dr...
. Manchester United
Manchester United F.C.
Manchester United Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Old Trafford, Greater Manchester, that plays in the Premier League. Founded as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the club changed its name to Manchester United in 1902 and moved to Old Trafford in 1910.The 1958...
signed Stewart as a professional in 1998. He made his senior debut for the club on 31 October 2000 against Watford
Watford F.C.
Watford Football Club is an English professional football club based in Watford, Hertfordshire. It is often referred to as Watford F.C., Watford, or by the team's nickname The Hornets . Watford Rovers, Founded in 1881, entered the FA Cup for the first time in 1886, and the Southern League a decade...
. Later that season it was agreed for Stewart and two other players (John O'Shea
John O'Shea
John O'Shea can refer to:*John O'Shea, Irish footballer with Sunderland*John O'Shea , New Zealand film director*John O'Shea *John O'Shea , Wales international rugby union footballer*John O'Shea...
and Jimmy Davis
Jimmy Davis (footballer)
James Roger William "Jimmy" Davis was a footballer who played for Manchester United, Royal Antwerp, Swindon Town and Watford, as well as the England youth teams, who was killed in a car crash on the M40 in Oxfordshire on 9 August 2003, aged 21, when twice over the drink-drive limit.-Career:Davis...
) to be loaned to Belgian
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
feeder club Royal Antwerp, but Stewart decided against the move, believing he would break into the first team more quickly by training with United. His initial promise saw him rewarded with further opportunities, filling in for a suspended Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
. He struggled to hold down a first team place, however, and had a disappointing loan spell at Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
. He is known for playing with a high-tempo style and can often find himself in trouble, regularly being booked or sent off.
In the summer of 2004, United manager Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
intimated that Stewart had no future at the club and he was free to leave. Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
initially showed interest, but after a two week trial, he was sent back to Manchester. Stewart's lucrative contract with United was seen as a stumbling block to a transfer. A loan deal was reached with Stewart's boyhood favourites Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
, with Stewart himself taking a substantial wage drop to facilitate the deal. Stewart failed to match expectations and at the end of a season
2004-05 in Scottish football
The 2004–05 season was the 108th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2004:*6 July 2004 - Nacho Novo from Dundee to Rangers, £450,000*1 July 2004 - Dado Prso from AS Monaco to Rangers, Bosman...
disrupted by injury, Hearts allowed him to leave.
Hibernian
Desperate for continuity and regular football, Stewart expressed his wish to stay in EdinburghEdinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. He therefore signed for Hearts' rivals Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
after negotiating the end of his Manchester United contract. After two seasons with Hibs, the club announced in April 2007 that his contract would not be extended and he was free to leave the club. He left Easter Road
Easter Road
Easter Road is a football stadium located in the Leith area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hibernian . The stadium currently has an all-seated capacity of 20,421, which makes it the fifth-largest football stadium in Scotland. Easter Road is also...
after the media reported that there was unrest amongst the Hibs squad. Stewart spent a week training with Roy Keane
Roy Keane
Roy Maurice Keane is an Irish former footballer and manager. In his 18-year playing career, he played for Cobh Ramblers in the League of Ireland, Nottingham Forest and Manchester United, before ending his career at Celtic in Scotland....
's Sunderland
Sunderland A.F.C.
Sunderland Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear who currently play in the Premier League...
, but he did not earn a contract.
Hearts
On 30 June 2007, HeartsHeart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
introduced Stewart as a new signing, making him the only player since the Second World War to sign for Hearts, then Hibs and then return to Hearts. Stewart scored his first SPL goal for Hearts against Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
on 12 August 2007. He also scored a penalty for Hearts in a 4–2 win over Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in September 2007.
Stewart was appointed Hearts club captain by manager Csaba Laszlo
Csaba László
Csaba László is a Romanian born Hungarian football manager and former player. He is the manager of Belgian Pro League club Charleroi SC. He is former manager of Scottish Premier League club...
before the start of the 2009–10 season, following the departure of the previous captain, Robbie Neilson
Robbie Neilson
Robbie Neilson is a Scottish internationalist professional association footballer who plays as a right back or centre back. He is currently contracted to Dundee United until the end of the 2010-11 season. Neilson started his league career with Heart of Midlothian, for whom he made 200 Scottish...
, to English side Leicester City
Leicester City F.C.
Leicester City Football Club , also known as The Foxes, is an English professional football club based at the King Power Stadium in Leicester...
. He was sent off, for two bookable offences, 52 minutes into his first competitive game as captain in a 2–0 loss to Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
at Tannadice. Stewart left the club by mutual consent on 13 May 2010.
Gençlerbirliği
Stewart then agreed a "lucrative" move to TurkishTurkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
club Gençlerbirliği signing a one year contract with the club with the option of a further 2 years. Stewart picked up an injury early into his spell at Gençlerbirliği, Stewart left the club in January 2011, claiming that they had not honoured his contract since suffering an injury early in the 2010–11 season.
Charlton
Sky SportsSky Sports
Sky Sports is the brand name for a group of sports-oriented television channels operated by the UK and Ireland's main satellite pay-TV company, British Sky Broadcasting. Sky Sports is the dominant subscription television sports brand in the United Kingdom and Ireland...
reported on 6 February that Stewart had been given a one week trial with Leeds United
Leeds United A.F.C.
Leeds United Association Football Club are an English professional association football club based in Beeston, Leeds, West Yorkshire, who play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system...
. He played part in a training ground friendly match against York City
York City F.C.
York City Football Club is an English football club based in York, North Yorkshire. The club participates in the Conference National, the fifth tier of English football. Founded in 1922, they joined the Football League in 1929, and have spent most of their history in the lower divisions...
. Stewart's trial period with Leeds was extended, but he did not sign for Leeds and subsequently went on trial at Charlton Athletic
Charlton Athletic F.C.
Charlton Athletic Football Club is an English professional football club based in Charlton, in the London Borough of Greenwich. They compete in Football League One, the third tier of English football. The club was founded on 9 June 1905, when a number of youth clubs in the southeast London area,...
. He agreed to sign for Charlton until the end of the 2010–11 season on 22 March.
International career
Stewart won three caps for ScotlandScotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
while he was a youth player at Manchester United. He won a recall after an absence of six years for the friendly match against Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland national football team
The Northern Ireland national football team represents Northern Ireland in international association football. Before 1921 all of Ireland was represented by a single side, the Ireland national football team, organised by the Irish Football Association...
in August 2008.