Jamie Stuart

DOB: 15th October 1976

Position: Centre-back

Season of first appearance: 2013/14

Season of last appearance: 2015/16

Full Appearances: 32

Substitute: 7

Goals: 2

Also played for:

Charlton Athletic, Millwall, Bury, Southend United, Hornchurch, Grays Athletic, Rushden & Diamonds, AFC Wimbledon, Sutton United, Greenwich Borough.

Player Profile:

Jamie started his career at Charlton Athletic, where he rose through the youth system and signed his first professional contract in January 1995. He made his first-team debut in a 2–0 defeat against Huddersfield Town in the First Division on 17.8.1996. He went on to make 50 appearances in the Football League for the Addicks, scoring three goals.

During his time with Charlton, he earned four international caps playing for the England under-21 team in the Toulon Tournament against France, Brazil, Nigeria and Italy's under-21 teams.

He was sacked by Charlton and banned for six months by the Football Association in November 1997 for testing positive for cocaine and cannabis. He denied the charge, claiming that a cigarette he smoked had been laced with the cocaine.

After serving his suspension, he signed for Millwall and made his debut on 8.8.1998 in a 1–0 win at Wigan Athletic. Jamie picked up two reds in his first season with Millwall. The following season, 1999–2000, Jamie turned out a further seven times for the Lions before being released.

At the start of the 2001/02 season, he had an unsuccessful trial with Cambridge United. He was then set to sign for Northampton Town, however, manager Kevin Wilson was sacked and the club's plans to sign him were halted.

Jamie eventually joined Bury in October 2001 on a short-term contract, which was later extended. During his 18-month spell with Bury, he was a first-team regular, making 61 appearances in the Third Division, scoring once. He also gained a total of four red cards, including a red card in the 2002/03 play-off semi-final first leg against AFC Bournemouth. Jamie was allegedly elbowed in the face by Wade Elliott, which resulted in his nose being broken and he reacted by grabbing Elliott's shirt. Referee Jeff Winter adjudged Stuart had thrown a punch. While Andy Preece criticised Stuart for raising his arms to another player, he also said: "I can't see why he thinks Jamie has punched him in the face...the explanation from the ref doesn't add up with what you see on the video."

In June 2003, Jamie joined fellow Third Division side Southend United, saying he wanted to move nearer his family in London. He was released in May 2004 having made 26 appearances.

Jamie dropped into non-League football with Hornchurch of Conference South in 2004/05. However, a financial crisis at the club in November 2004 forced a number of players, including Jamie, to leave.

He joined Grays Athletic where Jamie went on to win the Conference South and FA Trophy double in 2004/05. In 2005/06, he made 34 appearances in the Conference National, reaching the play-offs. Jamie also helped Grays retain the FA Trophy, defeating Woking 2–0 at Upton Park in the final.

The 2006/07 season saw Jamie play in all Grays' 46 Conference National matches, scoring two goals. He won the Players', Supporters' and Manager's player of the year awards.

In May 2007, he was called up to the England National Game XI by Paul Fairclough for the Four Nations Tournament.

In October 2007, Jamie was held in custody by Essex Police on suspicion of assault in relation to an incident involving York City's Chris Beardsley, which resulted in Beardsley's jaw being broken in two places. The incident occurred during a match with York City on 22.9.2007. Jamie was charged with grievous bodily harm in December. In February 2008, he pleaded not guilty and a trial took place in September that year. Jamie insisted the incident was an accident and he was trying to release himself of Beardsley's hold. The jury acquitted Jamie.

He made a further 43 appearances for Grays 2007/08, becoming captain from November, a role he kept for 2008/09. Following the departure of manager Wayne Burnett early in 2009, Jamie took the role of assistant manager at Grays alongside Stuart Elliott.

He signed for Rushden & Diamonds in June 2009, reuniting with former Grays manager Justin Edinburgh, who described him as "a great leader". Jamie was named captain for the 2009/10 season when won the fans' player of the season award, and was included in the Conference National Team of the Year.

In January 2011, Jamie signed for AFC Wimbledon. He made 21 appearances, scoring once. The team finished second, qualifying for the play-offs for promotion to League Two, which they eventually won with Jamie playing in all three games.

In July 2011, Jamie was named as the captain of the newly promoted team and on 6.8.2011 he scored AFC Wimbledon's first-ever Football League goal. In May 2012, he was released from the club due to the expiry of his contract.

He then had a spell at Sutton United before being reunited with former Wimbledon boss Terry Brown at Margate in 2013/14.