Stuart Ford
Encyclopedia
Stuart Ford is an English
former professional football goalkeeper.
He started his career as an apprentice at Rotherham United in June 1987. He spent five years at Rotherham, but made just five league
appearances. Despite serving a promising apprenticeship and helping the club win the Northern Intermediate Cup, he failed to dislodge Kelham O'Hanlon
and then Billy Mercer
as the number one keeper. After a successful loan spell at Scarborough FC at the end of 1991–92 season, he signed a one year contract with the Seadogs, where he fought for the starting position with Mark Evans.
Scarborough's highlight of the 1992–93 season was a League Cup run, which included victories over Bradford City
, Coventry City
, Plymouth Argyle
, before going out to a Nigel Winterburn
goal against Arsenal
. At the end of that season he was released by Scarborough, but Ford was signed by Doncaster Rovers
to be understudy to Andy Beasley
. After playing a handful of games at Rovers, Ford moved back to Scarborough, but after an injury plagued season and only a few first team appearances he was to find himself without a contract at a professional club in 1995.
In August 1995 he signed for non-league Gresley Rovers where he stayed for 5 years, helping them win the Southern League Championship. Unfortunately due to ground grading Gresley couldn't take a place in the Conference
. After winning many personal honours and establishing himself as a firm crowd favourite, he eventually moved on to Hednesford Town, Ilkeston Town, Alfreton Town before finishing his career at AFC Barnsley. Ford helped them to promotion in his first season, losing just one league game and conceding just 18 goals.
In 2011 Stuart Ford launched F-Line Goalkeeping selling a range of retro inspired goalkeeping gloves http://www.f-linegk.co.uk
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 football goalkeeper.
He started his career as an apprentice at Rotherham United in June 1987. He spent five years at Rotherham, but made just five league
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
appearances. Despite serving a promising apprenticeship and helping the club win the Northern Intermediate Cup, he failed to dislodge Kelham O'Hanlon
Kelham O'Hanlon
Kelham O'Hanlon is a former footballer who played as a goalkeeper for a number of British clubs and the Republic of Ireland national team. He is currently the first team manager for Evo-Stik Division One North team A.F.C. Fylde-Career:O'Hanlon began his playing career at Middlesbrough in 1982...
and then Billy Mercer
Billy Mercer
Billy Mercer is the name of:* Billy Mercer , former Hull City, Huddersfield Town and Blackpool goalkeeper* Billy Mercer , former Preston North End, Blackpool, Lancaster Town and Boston Town player...
as the number one keeper. After a successful loan spell at Scarborough FC at the end of 1991–92 season, he signed a one year contract with the Seadogs, where he fought for the starting position with Mark Evans.
Scarborough's highlight of the 1992–93 season was a League Cup run, which included victories over Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, Coventry City
Coventry City F.C.
Coventry City Football Club, otherwise known as the Sky Blues owing to the traditional colour of their strip, are a professional English Football league club based in Coventry...
, Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
, before going out to a Nigel Winterburn
Nigel Winterburn
Nigel Winterburn is a retired English footballer who played at left-back for Arsenal. He is best known for his role alongside Tony Adams, Martin Keown and Lee Dixon, forming a celebrated defensive line in the Premier League and European football during the 1990s.-Early career:Winterburn was born...
goal against Arsenal
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
. At the end of that season he was released by Scarborough, but Ford was signed by 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...
to be understudy to Andy Beasley
Andy Beasley
Andrew "Andy" Beasley is a former professional footballer whose position was goalkeeper. He is head goalkeeper coach at Leeds United....
. After playing a handful of games at Rovers, Ford moved back to Scarborough, but after an injury plagued season and only a few first team appearances he was to find himself without a contract at a professional club in 1995.
In August 1995 he signed for non-league Gresley Rovers where he stayed for 5 years, helping them win the Southern League Championship. Unfortunately due to ground grading Gresley couldn't take a place in the Conference
Football Conference
The Football Conference is a football league in England which consists of three divisions called Conference National, Conference North, and Conference South. Some Football Conference clubs are fully professional, such as Luton Town, but most of them are semi-professional...
. After winning many personal honours and establishing himself as a firm crowd favourite, he eventually moved on to Hednesford Town, Ilkeston Town, Alfreton Town before finishing his career at AFC Barnsley. Ford helped them to promotion in his first season, losing just one league game and conceding just 18 goals.
In 2011 Stuart Ford launched F-Line Goalkeeping selling a range of retro inspired goalkeeping gloves http://www.f-linegk.co.uk