Stuart Callaghan

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Stuart Callaghan

| fullname =

| image =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|7|20|df=y}}

| birth_place = Calderbank, Scotland

| height =

| position = Midfielder / Winger

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Blantyre Boys Club

| youthyears2 = 1992–1995

| youthclubs2 = Heart of Midlothian

| years1 = 1995–1999 | caps1 = 8 | goals1 = 0 | clubs1 = Heart of Midlothian

| years2 = 1998 | caps2 = 8 | goals2 = 1 | clubs2 = → FinnPa (loan)

| years3 = 1998 | caps3 = 5 | goals3 = 0 | clubs3 = → Clydebank (loan)

| years4 = 1999–2000 | caps4 = | goals4 = | clubs4 = Linfield

| years5 = 2000 | caps5 = 2 | goals5 = 0 | clubs5 = Clydebank

| years6 = 2000–2003 | caps6 = 94 | goals6 = 20 | clubs6 = Hamilton Academical

| years7 = 2003–2005 | caps7 = 51 | goals7 = 11 | clubs7 = Alloa Athletic

| years8 = 2005–2008 | caps8 = 94 | goals8 = 15 | clubs8 = Brechin City

| years9 = 2008–2011 | caps9 = 93 | goals9 = 6 | clubs9 = Berwick Rangers

| years10 = | caps10 = | goals10 = | clubs10 = Beith

| totalcaps = 355

| totalgoals= 53

}}

Stuart Callaghan (born 20 July 1976) is a Scottish former footballer who played for several Scottish league clubs, mostly in the lower divisions, after starting out in the top level as a youth player with Heart of Midlothian. He also played in Finland for Finnairin Palloilijat on loan, and in Northern Ireland for Linfield.

Career

At Hearts, his most notable achievement was taking part in the semi-final of the 1996–97 Scottish League Cup, winning a penalty for his side in a 3–1 win over Dundee at Easter Road.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/hearts-claim-place-in-final-1359946.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220525/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/hearts-claim-place-in-final-1359946.html |archive-date=25 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Hearts claim place in final|work=The Independent|author=David McKinney|date=24 October 1996|accessdate=5 January 2019 }} However, he was not selected in the squad for the final in an era where only three substitutes were allowed.

Finding opportunities limited at Tynecastle Park, Callaghan had a season with Linfield and won the 1999–2000 League and League Cup with the Blues, before returning to Scotland, initially with Clydebank but quickly switching to Hamilton Academical{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_3/938048.stm|title=Scottish Division Three team news|work=BBC Sport|date= 22 September 2000|accessdate=5 January 2019 }} where he won the country's lowest senior division in his first campaign (the only season endured at that level by the Accies in their history) and was involved in the first matches at the club's new stadium.{{Cite web |url=https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/callaghan-s-academical-career-graduating-1-1286987|title=Callaghan's Academical career graduating|work=The Scotsman |date=4 February 2001|accessdate=5 January 2019 }}

He later had spells with semi-professional clubs Alloa Athletic, Brechin City and Berwick Rangers, playing regularly for each and winning a rare promotion to the First Division with Brechin,{{Cite web |url=https://www.brechincity.com/bcfc/p/p/25 |title=Stuart Callaghan |publisher=Brechin City F.C. |date=1 August 2007|accessdate=5 January 2019 }} before moving to down to the Junior grade in his mid-30s.

After retiring from playing, he took on a role as a youth football coach.{{Cite web |url=https://thecelticboysclub99s.webs.com/aboutthe1999s.htm|title=About the 1999s |publisher=The Celtic Boys Club 1999s|date=1 August 2013|accessdate=5 January 2019 }}

Honours

Linfield

Hamilton Academical

Scottish Third Division: 2000–01

Brechin City

Scottish Second Division: 2004–05

References

External links

[http://www.londonhearts.com/scores/players/callaghanstuart.html London Hearts Supporters' Club profile]
[http://www.veikkausliiga.hs.prewise.com/pelaajatilastot.asp?Nimi=Callaghan+Stuart Veikkausliiga historical statistics profile]
{{NeilBrownPlayers|player8/stuartcallaghan|Stuart Callaghan}}
{{Soccerbase}}
[http://clydebankfc.co.uk/player.php?id=322 Bankies Archive profile]

Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:Footballers from North Lanarkshire

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Scottish men's footballers

Category:Heart of Midlothian F.C. players

Category:Clydebank F.C. (1965) players

Category:Linfield F.C. players

Category:NIFL Premiership players

Category:Veikkausliiga players

Category:FinnPa players

Category:Hamilton Academical F.C. players