Paul Stewart (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Paul Andrew Stewart is an English
former professional footballer who played for the full England
side.
, turning professional in October 1981. He made his debut for the Seasiders as a substitute for Dave Bamber
in a home draw with Rochdale on 10 February 1982. For the remainder of the season, he alternated between midfield and forward. It wasn't until Sam Ellis
became manager that Stewart found his true role, at centre-forward. In his final season (1985–86) with the Tangerines, he notched-up 21 goals and helped Mark Taylor
net fourteen.
After over 200 first team appearances, he joined Manchester City
in March 1987 for a fee of £200,000, then a welcomed record for hard-up Blackpool. On 7 November 1987 he was one of three players, the others being David White
and Tony Adcock
to score a hat-trick
in a 10-1 victory over Huddersfield Town
.
In total that season, he scored 24 goals, convincing Terry Venables
to sign him in June 1988 for Tottenham Hotspur for £1.7m (a portion of which went to his first club, Blackpool). At the time it was one of the highest fees paid by an English club, and the highest for a Second Division player.
Stewart made his debut for Spurs on 1 October 1988, as a substitute in a 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United
. Bought as a striker and scoring 12 goals in his first league season at White Hart Lane
, when his goals dried up, he was successfully converted to a midfield role. He was part of a fine Tottenham midfield which also included Nayim
, Paul Gascoigne
and Paul Allen
, backing up the strikerforce of Gary Lineker
and Paul Walsh
.
On 5 January 1991, Stewart returned to Bloomfield Road
when Tottenham beat Blackpool 1-0 in the Third Round of the FA Cup
. It was the only time Stewart faced his first club. He would go on to score Spurs' first goal in the 1991 FA Cup Final win against Nottingham Forest.
After speculation that he would sign for Manchester United
or return to Manchester City
, Stewart was transferred to Liverpool during in July 1992 for £2.3million, but injuries and lack of form plagued his time at Anfield
. He became their second striker to Ian Rush
after Dean Saunders
was sold to Aston Villa
in September, but managed just one league goal (against Sheffield United on his Anfield debut) from 24 games as Liverpool spent most of the season struggling in the new Premier League before finishing sixth.
On a rare positive note at Anfield, he scored twice for the Reds in their European Cup Winners' Cup
first round first leg victory over Apollon Limassol
on 16 September 1992.
He played just eight league games in 1993-94
as new arrival Nigel Clough
and then rising star Robbie Fowler
took his place alongside Rush, and went out on loan to Crystal Palace
, helping them return to the Premier League at the first attempt as Division One champions. He never played for Liverpool after the 1993-94 season, although he remained contracted to the club (and assigned the number 8 squad number for another season) until March 1996. Stewart scored just three goals during his spell at Liverpool.
He had loan spells at Crystal Palace
(January 1994), Wolverhampton Wanderers
(September 1994), Burnley
(February 1995) and Sunderland (August–November 1995), before joining Sunderland on a free transfer in March 1996 and helped them win promotion to the Premier League as Division One champions. He was unable to keep them in the Premier League after their relegation he signed for Stoke City
.
Loan spells at Wolves and Burnley followed, before he finally joined Sunderland on loan in December 1995 and signed a permanent contract three months later as Peter Reid's
team achieved promotion to the Premier League as Division One champions - the second time in three seasons that Stewart had played in such a team.
His spell at Stoke City was his last at senior club, and he played 24 games in the 1997-98
Division One campaign before retiring from senior football. Stoke were relegated to Division Two that season.
Stewart then signed for non-league side Workington, scoring 15 goals in 55 games over two years, and helping them win promotion from the North West Counties League in his first season, before retiring from playing completely at the end of the 1999-2000 season
with Workington re-established in the Northern Premier League First Division
.
in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Stewart is in the 1980s.
, B
and full
levels.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
former professional footballer who played for the full England
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
side.
Club career
Stewart started his career as an apprentice with BlackpoolBlackpool F.C.
Blackpool Football Club are an English football club founded in 1887 from the Lancashire seaside town of Blackpool. They are competing in the 2011–12 season of the The Championship, the second tier of professional football in England, having been relegated from the Premier League at the end of the...
, turning professional in October 1981. He made his debut for the Seasiders as a substitute for Dave Bamber
Dave Bamber
John David Bamber is an English former professional footballer.His nicknames included Bambs and Dipper Bamber, the latter for the way in which he lurched forward to head the ball....
in a home draw with Rochdale on 10 February 1982. For the remainder of the season, he alternated between midfield and forward. It wasn't until Sam Ellis
Sam Ellis
Samuel "Sam" Ellis is an English football coach and former player. He left his post as assistant manager of on December 30, 2010.-Career:...
became manager that Stewart found his true role, at centre-forward. In his final season (1985–86) with the Tangerines, he notched-up 21 goals and helped Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor (footballer)
Peter Mark Richard Taylor is an English former professional footballer. He played as a striker.Taylor began his career with his hometown club, Hartlepool United, in 1984...
net fourteen.
After over 200 first team appearances, he joined Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
in March 1987 for a fee of £200,000, then a welcomed record for hard-up Blackpool. On 7 November 1987 he was one of three players, the others being David White
David White (English footballer)
David White is a former English footballer, best remembered for his eight-year spell at Manchester City. He also played for Leeds and Sheffield United, and was capped once by England....
and Tony Adcock
Tony Adcock
Anthony "Tony" Charles Adcock is an English former professional footballer. He was born in Bethnal Green, London.-Career:...
to score a hat-trick
Hat-trick
A hat-trick or hat trick in sport is the achievement of a positive feat three times during a game, or other achievements based on threes. The term was first used in 1858 in cricket to describe HH Stephenson's feat of taking three wickets in three balls. A collection was held for Stephenson, and he...
in a 10-1 victory over Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
.
In total that season, he scored 24 goals, convincing Terry Venables
Terry Venables
Terence Frederick "Terry" Venables , often referred to as "El Tel", is a former football player and manager, as well as being a media pundit. During the 1960s and 70s, he played for various clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Queens Park Rangers, and gained two caps for England...
to sign him in June 1988 for Tottenham Hotspur for £1.7m (a portion of which went to his first club, Blackpool). At the time it was one of the highest fees paid by an English club, and the highest for a Second Division player.
Stewart made his debut for Spurs on 1 October 1988, as a substitute in a 2-2 draw at home to 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...
. Bought as a striker and scoring 12 goals in his first league season at White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane
White Hart Lane is an all-seater football stadium in Tottenham, London, England. Built in 1899, it is the home of Tottenham Hotspur and, after numerous renovations, the stadium has a capacity of 36,230....
, when his goals dried up, he was successfully converted to a midfield role. He was part of a fine Tottenham midfield which also included Nayim
Nayim
Mohammed Ali Amar , commonly known as Nayim, is a retired Spanish footballer who played as a central midfielder....
, Paul Gascoigne
Paul Gascoigne
Paul John Gascoigne , commonly referred to as Gazza, is a retired English professional footballer.Playing in the position of midfield, Gascoigne's career included spells at Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Lazio, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Everton and Gansu Tianma, where he scored at least a goal...
and Paul Allen
Paul Allen
Paul Gardner Allen is an American business magnate, investor, and philanthropist. Allen co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates...
, backing up the strikerforce of Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker
Gary Winston Lineker, OBE , is a former English footballer, who played as a striker. He is a sports broadcaster for the BBC, Al Jazeera Sports and Eredivisie Live...
and Paul Walsh
Paul Walsh
Paul Anthony Walsh is a retired English footballer.Walsh was a diminutive and pacy centre forward who shot to fame in the 1980s during spells with Charlton, Luton, Liverpool and Tottenham.-Charlton Athletic:...
.
On 5 January 1991, Stewart returned to Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road
Bloomfield Road is an all-seater football stadium in the English town of Blackpool, Lancashire. It has been the permanent home of Blackpool F.C. since 1901 and is named after the road on which the stadium's main entrance used to stand. The stadium has been in a process of redevelopment since 2000...
when Tottenham beat Blackpool 1-0 in the Third Round of the FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
. It was the only time Stewart faced his first club. He would go on to score Spurs' first goal in the 1991 FA Cup Final win against Nottingham Forest.
After speculation that he would sign for 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...
or return to Manchester City
Manchester City F.C.
Manchester City Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Manchester. Founded in 1880 as St. Mark's , they became Ardwick Association Football Club in 1887 and Manchester City in 1894...
, Stewart was transferred to Liverpool during in July 1992 for £2.3million, but injuries and lack of form plagued his time at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
. He became their second striker to Ian Rush
Ian Rush
Ian James Rush, MBE, is a retired football player from Flint, Wales. He is best remembered as a player for Liverpool, where he was among the top strikers in the English game in the 1980s and 1990s. He also had spells playing at Chester City, Juventus, Leeds United, Newcastle United, Sheffield...
after Dean Saunders
Dean Saunders
Dean Nicholas Saunders is a former Wales international footballer who played as a striker in a professional career which lasted from 1982 until 2001. He is the manager of Doncaster Rovers....
was sold to Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in September, but managed just one league goal (against Sheffield United on his Anfield debut) from 24 games as Liverpool spent most of the season struggling in the new Premier League before finishing sixth.
On a rare positive note at Anfield, he scored twice for the Reds in their European Cup Winners' Cup
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup
The UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
first round first leg victory over Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol
Apollon Limassol is a Greek Cypriot sports club, based in Limassol. It has football, basketball and volleyball teams. Founded in 1954, Apollon F.C...
on 16 September 1992.
He played just eight league games in 1993-94
1993-94 in English football
The 1993-1994 season was the 114th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:From the start of this season, the FA Premier League would be sponsored by Carling Breweries - an association which would last for eight years...
as new arrival Nigel Clough
Nigel Clough
Nigel Howard Clough is an English former footballer and the current manager of Derby County. Playing predominately as a striker, but later in his career was used as a midfielder, Clough was capped by England 14 times in the early 1990s....
and then rising star Robbie Fowler
Robbie Fowler
Robert Bernard Fowler is an English footballer who is currently player/manager for Thai Premier League club Muangthong United....
took his place alongside Rush, and went out on loan to Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
, helping them return to the Premier League at the first attempt as Division One champions. He never played for Liverpool after the 1993-94 season, although he remained contracted to the club (and assigned the number 8 squad number for another season) until March 1996. Stewart scored just three goals during his spell at Liverpool.
He had loan spells at Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace F.C.
Crystal Palace Football Club are an English Football league club based in South Norwood, London. The team plays its home matches at Selhurst Park, where they have been based since 1924. The club currently competes in the second tier of English Football, The Championship.Crystal Palace was formed in...
(January 1994), Wolverhampton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club is an English professional association football club that represents the city of Wolverhampton in the West Midlands region. They are members of the Premier League, the highest level of English football. The club was founded in 1877 and since 1889 has played at...
(September 1994), Burnley
Burnley F.C.
Burnley Football Club are a professional English Football League club based in Burnley, Lancashire. Nicknamed the Clarets, due to the dominant colour of their home shirts, they were founder members of the Football League in 1888...
(February 1995) and Sunderland (August–November 1995), before joining Sunderland on a free transfer in March 1996 and helped them win promotion to the Premier League as Division One champions. He was unable to keep them in the Premier League after their relegation he signed for Stoke City
Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire that plays in the Premier League. Founded in 1863, it is the oldest club in the Premier League, and considered to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts...
.
Loan spells at Wolves and Burnley followed, before he finally joined Sunderland on loan in December 1995 and signed a permanent contract three months later as Peter Reid's
Peter Reid
Peter Reid is an English football manager, pundit and retired player, who is currently without a club since his departure from Plymouth Argyle.A defensive midfielder in his playing days, Reid enjoyed a long and successful career...
team achieved promotion to the Premier League as Division One champions - the second time in three seasons that Stewart had played in such a team.
His spell at Stoke City was his last at senior club, and he played 24 games in the 1997-98
1997-98 in English football
The 1997-1998 season was the 118th season of competitive football in England.-Premier League:Arsenal overhauled Manchester United's lead during the final weeks of the season to win the Premiership title...
Division One campaign before retiring from senior football. Stoke were relegated to Division Two that season.
Stewart then signed for non-league side Workington, scoring 15 goals in 55 games over two years, and helping them win promotion from the North West Counties League in his first season, before retiring from playing completely at the end of the 1999-2000 season
1999-2000 in English football
-Premier League:Manchester United were crowned FA Premier League champions with an 18-point margin over runners-up Arsenal and with just 3 league defeats all season. This was despite their failure to retain the European Cup and withdrawal from the FA Cup in order to compete in the FIFA Club World...
with Workington re-established in the Northern Premier League First Division
Northern Premier League First Division
The Northern Premier League First Division was a football league covering the north of England. After the creation of Conference North/South in the 2004-05 season it sat at level 8 of the English football league system....
.
Blackpool F.C. Hall of Fame
Stewart was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy ArmfieldJimmy Armfield
James Christopher "Jimmy" Armfield, CBE, DL is an English former professional football player and manager who currently works as a football pundit for BBC Radio Five Live. He played the whole of his Football League career at Blackpool, usually at right back...
in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Stewart is in the 1980s.
International career
Stewart played for England at England under-21England national under-21 football team
England's national Under-21 football team, also known as England Under-21s or England U21, is considered to be the feeder team for the England national football team....
, B
England B national football team
England B is a secondary football team run occasionally as support for the England national football team. At times they have played other nations' full teams; they have also played matches against 'B' teams from other football associations...
and full
England national football team
The England national football team represents England in association football and is controlled by the Football Association, the governing body for football in England. England is the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside Scotland, whom they played in the world's first...
levels.