Stuart Nelson
{{short description|English association football player}}
{{For|the American mathematician and programmer|Stewart Nelson}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=March 2012}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Stuart Nelson
| image = Stuart Nelson Hull City v. Aberdeen 1.png
| image_size =
| caption = Nelson playing for Aberdeen in 2009
| fullname = Stuart James Nelson{{Hugman|14483|accessdate=14 February 2018}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1981|9|17|df=y}}
| birth_place = Stroud, England
| height = {{convert|1.85|m|order=flip}}{{Cite web |title=Stuart Nelson |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/teams/first-team/goalkeeper/stuart-nelson/ |access-date=9 November 2020 |website=www.crawleytownfc.com |publisher=Crawley Town F.C.}}
| position = Goalkeeper
| currentclub =
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = FC Battledown
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 = Cirencester College Football Academy
| years1 = 1998–2000
| clubs1 = Cirencester Town
| caps1 =
| goals1 =
| years2 = 2000–2002
| clubs2 = Millwall
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2002–2003
| clubs3 = Doncaster Rovers
| caps3 = 2
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2003–2004
| clubs4 = Hucknall Town
| caps4 = 20
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2004–2007
| clubs5 = Brentford
| caps5 = 116
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2007–2008
| clubs6 = Leyton Orient
| caps6 = 30
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2008–2009
| clubs7 = Norwich City
| caps7 = 0
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2009–2010
| clubs8 = Aberdeen
| caps8 = 3
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2010–2012
| clubs9 = Notts County
| caps9 = 79
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2012–2018
| clubs10 = Gillingham
| caps10 = 195
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2018–2020
| clubs11 = Yeovil Town
| caps11 = 40
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2020–2021
| clubs12 = Crawley Town
| caps12 = 1
| goals12 = 0
| years13 = 2021
| clubs13 = Dorking Wanderers
| caps13 = 7
| goals13 = 0
| years14 = 2022
| clubs14 = Sutton United
| caps14 = 2
| goals14 = 0
| years15 = 2022–2023
| clubs15 = Dover Athletic
| caps15 = 41
| goals15 = 0
| years16 = 2023–2024
| clubs16 = Cirencester Town
| caps16 = 36
| goals16 = 0
| years17 = 2023
| clubs17 = → Folkestone Invicta (loan)
| caps17 = 1
| goals17 = 0
| club-update = 19:56, 31 December 2024 (UTC)
| totalcaps =
| totalgoals =
}}
Stuart James Nelson (born 17 September 1981) is an English professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper most recently for Cirencester Town.
Career
Born in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Nelson started his career at Cheltenham youth club FC Battledown.{{Cite web |title=Stuart Nelson – Goalkeeper – First Team – Gillingham |url=https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/goalkeeper/stuart-nelson/ |access-date=14 February 2018 |website=www.gillinghamfootballclub.com |language=en-gb |archive-date=14 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214141958/https://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/teams/first-team/goalkeeper/stuart-nelson/ |url-status=dead }} He also played for the Cirencester College Football Academy team, Millwall and Cirencester Town. County Cup success led to him being spotted by Northern Premier League side Hucknall Town after a spell with Doncaster Rovers.
= Brentford =
Nelson joined Brentford from Hucknall in February 2004 for a fee of £10,000. He was sent off on his debut against Brighton & Hove Albion.{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_2/3490026.stm
|title=Brighton 1-0 Brentford
|publisher=BBC
|date=2 March 2004 |accessdate=9 November 2020}} He completed his first full season with Brentford in 2004–05, maintaining 21 clean sheets and helping the team into the promotion play-offs.{{Cite web |title=Brentford {{!}} News {{!}} Where Are They Now? {{!}} Where Are They Now? {{!}} WHERE ARE THEY NOW? |url=http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/WhereAreTheyDetail/0,,10421~2349968,00.html |access-date=14 February 2018 |website=world.brentfordfc.co.uk |archive-date=14 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214202626/http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/WhereAreTheyDetail/0,,10421~2349968,00.html |url-status=dead }} He signed a new two-year contract in August 2005.{{Cite web |date=4 August 2005 |title=Brentford {{!}} News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} Latest News {{!}} MARTIN'S THURSDAY UPDATE |url=http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~694587,00.html |access-date=20 February 2018 |website=world.brentfordfc.co.uk |archive-date=22 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222043943/http://world.brentfordfc.co.uk/page/LatestNews/0,,10421~694587,00.html |url-status=dead }}
Nelson was appointed club captain for the 2006–07 season and scored the decisive penalty in a League Cup first round shootout win over Swindon Town.{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/5278938.stm|title=BBC SPORT {{!}} Football {{!}} My Club {{!}} Brentford {{!}} Rosenior praises Cup hero Nelson|last=|first=|date=23 August 2006|website=news.bbc.co.uk|archive-url=|archive-date=|url-status=|access-date=30 June 2017}} However, a ligament injury picked up in October meant that he was unable to play again until 2007.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/6200118.stm|title=BBC SPORT – Football – My Club – Brentford – Nelson ruled out until next year|work=bbc.co.uk|date=December 2006|accessdate=19 October 2015}} He returned and played 6 games towards the end of the season. He was released by Brentford on 16 May 2007.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/brentford/6663481.stm|title=BBC SPORT – Football – My Club – Brentford – Bees sign Mackie after clear-out|work=bbc.co.uk|date=16 May 2007|accessdate=19 October 2015}}
= Leyton Orient =
Nelson signed for Leyton Orient in summer 2007, but left less than a year later by mutual consent due to relocating issues. On 1 August 2008, Norwich City confirmed the signing of Nelson after he impressed Glenn Roeder while on trial at Carrow Road.{{Cite web |date=3 August 2008 |title='KEEPER VACANCY FILLED BY NELSON – Norwich City – News – First News – First News |url=http://world.canaries.co.uk/page/NewsDetails/0,,10355~1356373,00.html |access-date=19 October 2015 |website=premiumtv.co.uk |archive-date=12 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180312085203/http://world.canaries.co.uk/page/NewsDetails/0,,10355~1356373,00.html |url-status=dead }} He was released at the end of his one-year contract the following summer having made no first team appearances.
= Aberdeen =
On 27 July 2009, Nelson signed a one-year contract with Scottish Premier League team Aberdeen.{{Cite web |url=http://www.afc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/clubNewsDetail/0,,10284~1734471,00.html |title=Aberdeen – News and Features – Club News – Club News – Aberdeen complete signing |website=premiumtv.co.uk |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003092843/http://www.afc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/clubNewsDetail/0,,10284~1734471,00.html |archive-date=3 October 2009 |url-status=dead |access-date=19 October 2015}} In May 2010 Nelson turned down an offer of a new contract.
= Notts County =
On 23 June 2010, Nelson signed a two-year contract with League One team Notts County.{{Cite news |url=http://world.nottscountyfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10426~2077272,00.html |title=Nelson signs two-year deal |date=23 June 2010 |access-date=23 June 2010 |publisher=Notts County F.C.}} Upon his signing for Notts County, he became the first choice goalkeeper; a position he retained in the 2011–12 season. However, on 9 May 2012, he was released by Notts County along with 12 of his teammates.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17996460|title=BBC Sport – Notts County release keeper Nelson but Edwards offered deal|newspaper=BBC Sport|accessdate=19 October 2015}}
= Gillingham =
On 20 July 2012, Nelson signed for Football League Two side Gillingham on a free transfer, on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/sport/2012/july/20/triple_signing.aspx|title=Gillingham bring Stuart Nelson, Ben Strevens and Charlie Allen to Priestfield|work=Kent Online|accessdate=19 October 2015}} He made his debut for Gillingham on 18 August 2012 against Bradford City. In his first season with the club Nelson won the League Two title and was runner up at the Player of the Season awards.{{Cite web |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/sport/barrett-named-gills-player-of-the-year-112/ |title=Adam Barrett, Stuart Nelson, Bradley Dack and Matt Fish scoop awards at the Gillingham player-of-the-year event |website=Kent Online |date=30 April 2013 |language=en-GB |access-date=19 June 2016}}
He received the club's player of the year award for the 2013–14 season.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/nelson-wins-top-award-16794/|title=Keeper Stuart Nelson wins Gills' player-of-the-year award|website=Kent Online|date=6 May 2014|language=en-GB|accessdate=19 June 2016}} In May 2014, Nelson signed a new two-year contract,{{cite web |title=STUART NELSON SIGNS TWO YEAR CONTRACT |url=http://www.gillinghamfootballclub.com/news/article/nelson-new-deal-1542069.aspx |work=Gillingham FC |date=8 May 2014}} and in June 2016 signed a further two-year contract with the club.{{Cite web|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/gills-clinch-keeper-deal-97887/|title=Goalkeeper Stuart Nelson signs a new deal at Gillingham|date=22 June 2016|language=en-GB|accessdate=23 June 2016}} He was named Vice-Captain for the 2016–17 season. He made his 200th start for the team in December 2016.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/nelsons-no1-again-117249/|title=Nelson's No.1 again|work=Kent Online|access-date=21 February 2018|language=en-GB}} On 5 December 2017, Nelson made his 223rd competitive appearance for Gillingham which took him to 3rd on all time appearances for a goalkeeper for the club. Only Ron Hillyard (1st) and John Simpson (2nd) have played more times in goal for the club.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/stuart-nelson-gillingham-yeovil-160419/|title=New challenge for Nels|work=Kent Online|access-date=21 February 2018|language=en-GB}} The following month, however, Nelson left Gillingham having agreed the termination of his contract.{{Cite news|url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/stuart-nelson-gillingham-departs-159434/|title=Nels calls time on Gills career|work=Kent Online|access-date=21 February 2018|language=en-GB}}
= Yeovil Town =
On 20 February 2018, Nelson signed for League Two side Yeovil Town until the end of the season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43132879 |title=Stuart Nelson: Yeovil Town sign former Gillingham keeper until end of the season |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2018 |accessdate=20 February 2018 }} He signed a new contract with Yeovil at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44071681|title=Yeovil Town retained list: Stuart Nelson signs new deal, while four depart|date=10 May 2018|accessdate=10 May 2018|publisher=BBC Sport}} He was released at the end of the 2019–20 season as a result of budget cuts.{{Cite news |last=Palmer |first=Jon |date=31 August 2020 |title=Why Gloucestershire-born goalkeeper has no intention of retiring |language=en |work=GloucestershireLive |url=https://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-brentford-notts-county-gillingham-4473112 |access-date=7 November 2020}}
= Crawley Town =
On 7 November 2020, Nelson signed for League Two side Crawley Town on a three-month deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2020/november/nelson-signs/ |title=Reds sign goalkeeper Nelson |publisher=Crawley Town F.C. |date=7 November 2020 |accessdate=7 November 2020 }} On 12 January 2021, Nelson signed a contract extension to remain at the club until the end of the 2020-21 season.{{Cite web |url=https://www.crawleytownfc.com/news/2021/january/stuart-nelson-to-remain-a-red-until-the-end-of-the-season/ |title=Stuart Nelson to remain a red until the end of the season |publisher=Crawley Town FC |date=12 January 2021}}
= Dorking Wanderers =
On 8 October 2021, Nelson signed for National League South side Dorking Wanderers.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/post/nelson |title=Dorking Wanderers confirm the signing of experienced goalkeeper Stuart Nelson |publisher=Dorking Wanderers FC |date=8 October 2021 |accessdate=19 December 2021}} On 8 December 2021, it was confirmed that Nelson had left the club.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dorkingwanderers.com/post/first-team-player-update |title=First Team Player Update |publisher=Dorking Wanderers FC |date=8 December 2021 |accessdate=19 December 2021}}
= Sutton United =
On 15 January 2022, Nelson signed for League Two side Sutton United.{{Cite web|title=Stevenage v Sutton preview and squad news|url=https://www.suttonunited.net/news/2022/january/match-preview-for-stevenage-vs-sutton-united-on-15-jan-22/|access-date=2022-02-06|website=www.suttonunited.net|language=en-gb}} Nelson was released at the end of the season having made two appearances for the club.{{cite web|url=https://www.suttonunited.net/news/2022/may/trio-released/|title=Trio released|website=www.suttonunited.net|date=9 May 2022|accessdate=10 May 2022}}
=Dover Athletic=
On 18 June 2022, Nelson agreed to join recently relegated National League South club Dover Athletic.{{cite web|url=https://www.doverathletic.com/news/hess-gets-his-number-one/|title=HESS GETS HIS NUMBER ONE|website=www.doverathletic.com|date=18 June 2022|accessdate=18 June 2022}}
Personal life
Nelson played rugby as a youngster and represented Gloucestershire.
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 7 May 2022}}
{{Reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
Gillingham
- Football League Two: 2012–13{{cite news |last1=Cawdell |first1=Luke |title=Looking back at the day Gillingham won the League 2 title at Priestfield in front of a sell-out crowd |url=https://www.kentonline.co.uk/medway/sport/the-day-gills-won-the-league-in-pictures-225911/ |accessdate=25 August 2020 |work=KentOnline |date=20 April 2020}}
Sutton United
- EFL Trophy runner-up: 2021–22{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60973705 |title=Papa John's Trophy final: Rotherham twice come from behind to beat Sutton United |last=Peddy |first=Chris |website=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2022 |access-date=15 March 2024}}
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Stuart Nelson}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = Gold
| list1 =
{{2012–13 Football League Two PFA Team of the Year}}
{{Gillingham F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nelson, Stuart}}
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Men's association football goalkeepers
Category:Cirencester Town F.C. players
Category:Millwall F.C. players
Category:Doncaster Rovers F.C. players
Category:Hucknall Town F.C. players
Category:Brentford F.C. players
Category:Leyton Orient F.C. players
Category:Norwich City F.C. players
Category:Aberdeen F.C. players
Category:Notts County F.C. players
Category:Gillingham F.C. players
Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players
Category:Crawley Town F.C. players
Category:Dorking Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Sutton United F.C. players
Category:Dover Athletic F.C. players
Category:Folkestone Invicta F.C. players
Category:English Football League players
Category:National League (English football) players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Southern Football League players
Category:Isthmian League players