Stuart Elliott
Encyclopedia
Stuart Elliott is a former Northern Irish
professional footballer who played as a left-winger between 1998 and 2010. Elliott notably played for Motherwell
and Hull City
having also played for Glentoran
, Doncaster Rovers
, Grimsby Town, Hamilton Academical
and Stirling Albion
.
(also in Northern Ireland) before joining Scottish Premier League
club Motherwell
.
and his impressive performances earned him his first cap for Northern Ireland
against Malta
in September 2002. In May 2002, Motherwell went into administration
and as a result had to sell many of their best players. During his time at the club, Elliott scored 22 goals in 77 appearances.
with 12 goals. In 2003/04
, he continued to impress and again hit double figures for his club. As Hull City clinched a place in The Championship in 2004/05
, Elliott enjoyed a fantastic season netting 27 goals in the league (which earned him the golden boot, albeit shared with Dean Windass
) as well as 2 in the cup, while also starring for Northern Ireland. This goal scoring tally is perhaps made all the more impressive given that Elliott does not play as a striker and was out for 6 weeks with an injury during mid-season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Elliott was unable to maintain this incredible goal scoring form in the Championship. In fact, he found himself in-and-out of the team, but despite this he still finished 2005/06
as Hull's top scorer with 7 league goals. In 2006 it was revealed that he was suffering from a form of exercise-induced asthma
, which affects his ability to perform for the full ninety minutes. In 2006/07
he was mainly used as an 'impact player' coming off the bench late in the game, such as in the 13 January match against QPR
when he came on with eleven minutes to go and scored twice to give the Tigers a 2–1 victory.
on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal. Elliott had already snubbed moves to Southend United
and Darlington
, citing a desire to remain in the local area. He signed a 2 year deal with Doncaster Rovers on 1 July. On 27 September 2008, Elliott became one of three men in the Rovers team to successfully hit the bar on the "Crossbar Challenge" on Soccer AM
. On 8 January 2009 Elliott joined Grimsby Town
on a one month loan deal, this was extended for another month with Elliott eventually returning on 8 March.
two days later until the end of the season.
He was then loaned to Stirling Albion
two months later.
In August 2010, Elliott announced that he wished his contract cancelled to be able to concentrate on his faith, with a view to perhaps entering ministry.
, scoring 4 goals including an impressive free kick against Azerbaijan
. He played in Northern Ireland's famous victory over England
but soon after began to struggle for his place in the team due to emerging young talents Sammy Clingan
and Chris Brunt
.
He is a born-again Christian, belonging to Living Hope Christian Church in Hull, where he is a frequent speaker. There are only three churches of this denomination in the world; these being in Belfast, Motherwell and Hull, which by no coincidence correspond exactly to where he has played his club football.
Elliott is married with 2 children, Hannah and Nathan Elliott.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
professional footballer who played as a left-winger between 1998 and 2010. Elliott notably played for Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
and Hull City
Hull City A.F.C.
Hull City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, founded in 1904. The club participates in the Football League Championship, the second tier of English football...
having also played for Glentoran
Glentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
, Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, Grimsby Town, Hamilton Academical
Hamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
and Stirling Albion
Stirling Albion F.C.
Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
.
Glentoran
Elliott started his career at St Andrews FC, from Belfast, then moved on to GlentoranGlentoran F.C.
Glentoran F.C. is a semi-professional, football club in Northern Ireland. The club was founded in 1882 and plays its home games at the Oval in east Belfast. Club colours are green, red, and black.Glentoran's biggest rivals are Linfield...
(also in Northern Ireland) before joining Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
club Motherwell
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
.
Motherwell
He became a fans favourite at Fir ParkFir Park
Fir Park Stadium is a football stadium situated in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, Scotland. The stadium plays host to the home matches of Scottish Premier League club Motherwell.- History :...
and his impressive performances earned him his first cap for 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...
against Malta
Malta national football team
The Malta national football team is the national football team of Malta and is controlled by the Malta Football Association. Malta played its first international game in February 1957, and began competing for qualification to major tournaments in 1962. The side's first competitive victory came in...
in September 2002. In May 2002, Motherwell went into administration
Administration (insolvency)
As a legal concept, administration is a procedure under the insolvency laws of a number of common law jurisdictions. It functions as a rescue mechanism for insolvent entities and allows them to carry on running their business. The process – an alternative to liquidation – is often known as going...
and as a result had to sell many of their best players. During his time at the club, Elliott scored 22 goals in 77 appearances.
Hull City
Elliott joined Hull City for £230,000 and in his first season finished as the club's top scorer in 2002/032002-03 in English football
The 2002-03 season was the 123rd season of competitive football in England.-Most Memorable rise:*Wigan Athletic marked their 25th season of Football League membership by winning the Division Two championship and reaching the league's second tier for the very first time.-Most Memorable...
with 12 goals. In 2003/04
2003-04 in English football
The 2003-04 season was the 124th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:Arsenal completed the entire campaign without losing a single league game....
, he continued to impress and again hit double figures for his club. As Hull City clinched a place in The Championship in 2004/05
2004-05 in English football
The 2004–05 season was the 125th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*2004–05 was the first season to feature the rebranded Football League. The First Division, Second Division and Third Division were renamed the Football League Championship, Football League One and Football League...
, Elliott enjoyed a fantastic season netting 27 goals in the league (which earned him the golden boot, albeit shared with Dean Windass
Dean Windass
Dean Windass is an English footballer, who predominantly played as a striker, and is known for his spells at Bradford City and his hometown team Hull City...
) as well as 2 in the cup, while also starring for Northern Ireland. This goal scoring tally is perhaps made all the more impressive given that Elliott does not play as a striker and was out for 6 weeks with an injury during mid-season.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Elliott was unable to maintain this incredible goal scoring form in the Championship. In fact, he found himself in-and-out of the team, but despite this he still finished 2005/06
2005-06 in English football
The 2005–06 season was the 126th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:*The rebuilt Wembley Stadium was due to open in time for the FA Cup final in May. However, in August 2005, The Football Association reserved the Millennium Stadium as a backup, as there was some doubt whether...
as Hull's top scorer with 7 league goals. In 2006 it was revealed that he was suffering from a form of exercise-induced asthma
Exercise-induced asthma
Exercise-induced asthma, or E.I.A., is a medical condition characterized by shortness of breath induced by sustained aerobic exercise. It shares many features with other types of asthma, and responds to some typical asthma medications, but does not appear to be caused by the same inflammatory...
, which affects his ability to perform for the full ninety minutes. In 2006/07
2006-07 in English football
The 2006–07 season was the 127th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:* The number of divisions at Level 8 of the English football league system increased from four to five...
he was mainly used as an 'impact player' coming off the bench late in the game, such as in the 13 January match against QPR
Queens Park Rangers F.C.
Queens Park Rangers Football Club is an English professional football club, based in White City, Hammersmith and Fulham, west London. As the 2010-11 Football League Championship champions, they now play in the top tier of English football the Premier League, for the first time in 15 years...
when he came on with eleven minutes to go and scored twice to give the Tigers a 2–1 victory.
Doncaster Rovers
On 31 January 2008, Elliott signed for Doncaster RoversDoncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
on loan until the end of the season with a view to a permanent deal. Elliott had already snubbed moves to Southend United
Southend United F.C.
Southend United Football Club is an English football club based at Roots Hall Stadium, Prittlewell, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, who play in Football League Two. Their home ground is Roots Hall, and the club plan to move into a new 22,000-seater stadium located at Fossetts Farm.-Stadium:The club has had...
and Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
, citing a desire to remain in the local area. He signed a 2 year deal with Doncaster Rovers on 1 July. On 27 September 2008, Elliott became one of three men in the Rovers team to successfully hit the bar on the "Crossbar Challenge" on Soccer AM
Soccer AM
Soccer AM is a British Saturday-morning football-based comedy/talk show, predominantly based around the Premier League...
. On 8 January 2009 Elliott joined Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
on a one month loan deal, this was extended for another month with Elliott eventually returning on 8 March.
Hamilton Academical
Elliot was released by Doncaster on 1 January 2010 and signed for Hamilton AcademicalHamilton Academical F.C.
Hamilton Academical Football Club, often known as Hamilton Academical, or Accies, are a Scottish football club from Hamilton in South Lanarkshire. They were established in 1874 from the school football team at Hamilton Academy. They remain the only professional club in British football to have...
two days later until the end of the season.
He was then loaned to Stirling Albion
Stirling Albion F.C.
Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
two months later.
In August 2010, Elliott announced that he wished his contract cancelled to be able to concentrate on his faith, with a view to perhaps entering ministry.
International career
Elliott earned 36 caps for Northern IrelandNorthern 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...
, scoring 4 goals including an impressive free kick against Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan national football team
The Azerbaijan national football team is the national football team of Azerbaijan and is controlled by Association of Football Federations of Azerbaijan...
. He played in Northern Ireland's famous victory over 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...
but soon after began to struggle for his place in the team due to emerging young talents Sammy Clingan
Sammy Clingan
Samuel "Sammy" Clingan is a Northern Irish international footballer who is currently the club captain of Coventry City.-Early career:Clingan began his career in August 2001 as a youth trainee at Wolverhampton Wanderers...
and Chris Brunt
Chris Brunt
Christopher Brunt is a Northern Irish footballer who plays for English Premier League side West Bromwich Albion. He plays as a left winger and more recently an attacking midfield position. He is also the Albion captain....
.
Personal life
Elliott attended Ashfield Boys School in his native East Belfast, and worked as a window cleaner before becoming a full-time footballer. He was nicknamed "Zico" by fans of Glentoran, after the legendary Brazilian player of the 1980s.He is a born-again Christian, belonging to Living Hope Christian Church in Hull, where he is a frequent speaker. There are only three churches of this denomination in the world; these being in Belfast, Motherwell and Hull, which by no coincidence correspond exactly to where he has played his club football.
Elliott is married with 2 children, Hannah and Nathan Elliott.