Marcus Stewart’s Top Five Goals for Yeovil
To celebrate the return of Marcus Stewart to Huish Park 14 years after his departure – that can’t be right, can it? – we are celebrating some of his finest goals in green and white.
In his career Stewart played in the Premier League for Ipswich and Sunderland, and in 2000/01 was the second-top scorer with 19 goals for Ipswich. Born in Bristol, although he spent the early part of his career at Bristol Rovers, he actually grew up as a City fan which played a part in him choosing to sign for them after leaving Sunderland in 2005.
He arrived at Ashton Gate at the age of 32, and eventually came to us courtesy of our former manager – Gary Johnson had arrived at Ashton Gate in September 2005, and after sending Stewart out on loan to Preston towards the end of the 2005/06 season made it clear that the veteran striker was free to find another club even though he was still under contract.
Although Yeovil had started better than expected in 2006/07, new manager Russell Slade clearly felt the need to add to his striking options of Wayne Gray, Arron Davies and Lee Morris, who was still working his way back to full fitness. With Matt Harrold starting the season but moving to Southend right at the end of the transfer window, this left room in the budget for Slade to bring in the experienced striker.
Stewart was an immediate hit, grabbing five goals and four assists in his first 11 games. Initially signed on a maximum three-month loan, he was then unavailable for the month of December as the Glovers awaited the opening of the transfer window with the hope of signing him on a permanent deal. As a temporary replacement, Slade signed Leon Best on loan from Southampton, who would also go on to be a spectacular success. As expected, Stewart signed permanently when the window opened, and his first game as a permanent Yeovil player was in the televised game against Huddersfield on 5th January 2007.
Marcus scored 9 goals and 6 assists in the memorable 2006/07 season. Almost all of his goals were crucial – he scored late equalisers away at Blackpool and Chesterfield early in the season, and towards the end scored the only goal in 1-0 wins over Swansea and Rotherham plus of course, the most memorable goal of all against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Marcus also played 40 times in 2007/08, scoring 5 goals and 3 assists. He left at the end of the season for Exeter, where he played for another three seasons before retiring in 2011. One of his last ever games was against Yeovil, in the 3-2 win for the Glovers at St James’ Park in March 2011. His last game as a professional was against his first club Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Stadium, ending his playing career where it had begun.
Marcus Stewart’s Top Five Goals (in no particular order):
Brighton, 26 September 2006 – Marcus scored this spectacular goal early in a 2-0 home win over Brighton. It was part of a run of four consecutive wins which took the Glovers up to 2nd in League One.
Tranmere, 1 September 2007 – this excellent solo goal gave us a second half lead, but we frustratingly dropped points to an injury time equaliser, which would be a recurring theme that season.
Torquay, 11 November 2007 – a first half goal gave Yeovil the lead in an FA Cup match that was televised on the BBC. At the time Yeovil were in League One and Torquay were in the Conference, and we were faced with the unusual prospect of being on TV in the hope of being on the receiving end of an upset. Unfortunately, despite taking the lead in the first half, they got their wish.
Carlisle, 5 April 2008 – A familiar story, as a brilliant Stewart goal gave us the lead in a game that was ultimately lost in injury time. There is also a version with hilariously biased local commentary which suggests that the goal is a fluke that takes a lucky deflection.
Nottingham Forest, 18 May 2007 – Marcus unforgettably scored the equaliser to complete the comeback from 2-0 and 3-1 down, to draw 3-3 and take the play-off semi-final to extra time, which of course the Glovers won.
Welcome back Marcus!