Sandy Stewart (footballer)

Alexander "Sandy" Stewart (born 14 October 1965 in Bellshill) is a Scottish football player and coach. Stewart played as a full-back for Hearts, Kilmarnock, Airdrieonians, Partick Thistle and Airdrie United. He became the latter club's first manager, and has been an assistant manager at several clubs in Scotland, England and the United States, working with Owen Coyle. In December 2019 Stewart rejoined Owen Coyle at Jamshedpur FC in the Indian Super League to work as Coyle's assistant.

Sandy Stewart
Personal information
Full name Alexander Stewart[1]
Date of birth (1965-10-14) 14 October 1965
Place of birth Bellshill, Scotland
Height 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)[1]
Playing position(s) Left back
Youth career
Eastwood Juveniles
1986–1987 Pollok
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1987–1988 Heart of Midlothian 0 (0)
1988–1989 Kilmarnock 7 (1)
1989–2000 Airdrieonians 335 (12)
2000–2001 Partick Thistle 22 (0)
2001–2002 Airdrieonians[2][3] 27 (0)
2002–2005 Airdrie United[2][3] 40 (0)
Total 431 (13)
Teams managed
2002–2006 Airdrie United
2007 St Johnstone (assistant)
2007–2010 Burnley (assistant)
2010–2012 Bolton Wanderers (assistant)
2013 Wigan Athletic (assistant)
2014–2016 Houston Dynamo (assistant)
2016–2017 Blackburn Rovers (assistant)
2017–2018 Ross County (assistant)
2019–2020 Ayr United (caretaker)
2019–2020 Chennaiyin FC (assistant)
2020– Jamshedpur FC(assistant)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Playing career

Early years

Stewart grew up supporting Rangers and trained as a welder on leaving school.[1] He began his career with Eastwood Juveniles before joining Pollok of the Junior grade in 1986, aged 20. Over a year later, he joined Heart of Midlothian. However, in his spell at Tynecastle he only made one appearance, in the East of Scotland Shield in May 1988.[4] He then moved on to Kilmarnock where he played in seven matches towards the end of the 1988–89 season and scored his first senior goal,[5] although at its conclusion the club were relegated to the third division on goal difference.

Airdrieonians

Stewart moved to second-tier Airdrieonians at the start of the next campaign and began to play regularly. He became an important member of the team in a very eventful period for the Diamonds, including promotion to the Premier Division in 1991, a 2–1 loss to champions Rangers in the 1992 Scottish Cup Final (in which he was captain with the regular Jimmy Sandison suspended),[6][1][7] the club's only European ties against Sparta Prague,[8] relegation in 1993, departure from their stadium in 1994 and relocation to Cumbernauld, victory in the 1994 Scottish Challenge Cup Final,[9] another narrow defeat in the 1995 Scottish Cup Final this time to Celtic,[10] losing four League Cup semi-finals[11] plus a promotion playoff in 1997,[12] and moving to a new home in 1998 - with a win over Celtic in one of the first games there.[13]

Partick and return to Airdrieonians

In February 2000, Airdrieonians were placed into provisional liquidation due to debts related to paying for their new stadium and support lost due to years playing away from their hometown during its construction.[14] After eleven years at the club, 34-year-old Stewart was made redundant at the end of that season (along with 27 of the 30-man squad).[15] He moved to third-level Partick Thistle,[16] and in his single season in Glasgow helped the club achieve promotion as champions.

He was released by the Jags in summer 2001[17] and rejoined Airdrie, where the club were still in a dire financial situation but nevertheless had managed to maintain their second-tier status and win another Scottish Challenge Cup. After Stewart returned the results improved further, finishing runners-up in the league and winning the 2001 Scottish Challenge Cup Final to retain the trophy.[18] However, in May 2002 the club was dissolved.[19]

Managerial career

Player-manager: Airdrie United

Following the demise of Airdrieonians, in summer 2002 a consortium led by Jim Ballantyne purchased the assets of third-tier Clydebank and took their place in the league under the new name Airdrie United.[20] Sandy Stewart (who had already been working towards coaching qualifications for several years)[1] had already been invited to take over as player-manager of any new club in the town.[21][22] He appointed former Airdrieonians teammate Kenny Black as his assistant,[23] and continued to register as a player each year. In his first season in charge, he successfully consolidated the club's position in the division, and the following year they were promoted as champions,[24] while also reaching the 2003 Scottish Challenge Cup Final - Stewart played the entire match.[25] He also brought in another old playing colleague, veteran striker Owen Coyle, as a player-coach,[26] and when Black moved on Leicester City, Stewart appointed Coyle as his assistant.[27]

In 2004–05 Airdrie United finished 5th, and at the end of that campaign Stewart retired from playing, while Coyle left to manage St. Johnstone. The following year was also a fairly comfortable 6th-place. He was sacked on 13 November 2006,[28] after the team took only 7 points from a possible 39 in the league; he was replaced by his former assistant, Kenny Black.[23] Ultimately Airdrie United were relegated to the third tier, a fate which had never befallen the previous incarnation of the club.[29]

St. Johnstone

On 9 February 2007, Stewart became assistant manager to his own former assistant Owen Coyle at St. Johnstone,[30] replacing Montrose-bound Jim Weir.[31] On 22 November 2007, Stewart became caretaker manager of St. Johnstone when Coyle left to become the new manager of English club Burnley.[32] Three days later, in Stewart's first – and only – game in charge, St. Johnstone won the 2007 Scottish Challenge Cup Final, their first cup win since the Scottish Consolation Cup of 1911, with a 3–2 victory over Dunfermline Athletic.[33]

Lancashire, Texas and back

Stewart opted to follow Coyle to Lancashire on 27 November 2007,[34][30] working at Burnley for just over two years - they achieved promotion to the Premier League in 2008–09 via the play-offs. In January 2010 Coyle was appointed as manager of top-tier club Bolton Wanderers and Stewart moved with him. After finishing 14th in their first two seasons, Bolton were relegated in 2011–12 by a one-point margin, and following a poor start to the next season, the backroom team were relieved of duties on 9 October 2012.[35]

In July 2013, Stewart was appointed assistant to Coyle at Wigan Athletic who had just been relegated to the Championship. On 5 December the same year he left the club, a few days after Coyle had departed.[36]

On 31 December 2014 Stewart became assistant to Coyle at Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer;[37][38] however they were unable to steer the team to the Playoffs in the 2015 season, and in May 2016, midway through the following campaign, their 17-month stint came to an end.[39] Stewart later described his time in the US as "a fantastic experience", but he had been unable to arrange for his family to move out with him, and admitted the travelling and time differences were challenging.[40]

On 4 July 2016 Stewart was appointed assistant manager of Blackburn Rovers to be reunited once more with Coyle;[41] they parted company with Blackburn on 21 February 2017.[42] Stewart then assisted Coyle at Ross County during the 2017–18 season.[43]

Stewart then worked with Ian McCall at Ayr United, and took temporary charge of the team after McCall left to manager Partick Thistle.[44]

Personal life

Stewart's son Scott (born 1996) is also a footballer who played over 150 games for Airdrieonians from 2013 before joining Arbroath in 2019.[45] He initially began his career as a midfielder but retrained as a full-back, which he stated drew more scrutiny on his performances from his father due to his experience in the role.[46]

Managerial statistics
As of 19 October 2019[47]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team From To Record
PWDLWin %
Airdrie United 1 July 2002 13 November 2006 186 73 48 65 039.2
St Johnstone 22 November 2007 27 November 2007 1 1 0 0 100.0
Ayr United 23 September 2019 22 October 2019 3 1 0 2 033.3
Total 190 75 48 67 039.5

Honours

Player

Airdrieonians

Partick Thistle

Manager

Airdrie United

St Johnstone

Individual
  • 2002 - Inducted into Airdrieonians Hall of Fame.[48]
  • 2016 - Voted by supporters as Airdrie's best left-back as part of the club's 'Greatest XI'.[6]
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References
  1. "Sandy Stewart Q & A". Airdrieonians F.C. (scan hosted at 'The Partick Thistle History Archive'). 22 November 1995. Retrieved 21 October 2017.
  2. "Sandy Stewart player profile". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  3. Neil Brown counts Stewart's career between 2001 and 2005 as one continuous spell at "Airdrie". In fact, Airdrieonians went out of business at the end of the 2001–02 season. A club called Airdrie United was established in the Scottish Football League by taking over Clydebank. The Soccerbase source splits up the spells, but provides two fewer appearances overall.
  4. "Alexander Stewart player profile". London Hearts Supporters Club. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  5. "Kilmarnock player Sandy Stewart". Fitbastats.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  6. "Airdrie's Greatest XI (see Sandy Stewart and Jimmy Sandison)". airdriefc.com. Airdrieonians F.C. 24 April 2016. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  7. "Scottish Cup final 25 years on: Airdrie legend Andy Smith believes cup final is a huge 'what if?' moment". Daily Record. 2 June 2017. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  8. "Airdrie pay the penalty". The Herald. 1 October 1992. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  9. Kenny Ross (2017). Dundee FC On This Day: History, Facts & Figures from Every Day of the Year. Pitch Publishing. ISBN 9781785313486. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
  10. "Celtic's compensation". The Independent. 27 May 1995. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  11. "Home Page". Airdrieonians & Airdrie United Results Archive. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  12. "Airdrie captain sent off as Hibs secure premier division status". The Herald. 23 May 1997. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  13. "Celtic fall to Airdrie". BBC News. 20 August 1998. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  14. "Up in the Airdrie". When Saturday Comes. 1 August 2000. Retrieved 15 August 2017. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  15. "Sacked Airdrie players to appeal". BBC News. 16 June 2000. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  16. "Second Division team news - Queens Park Vs Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. 8 September 2000. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  17. "Jags swoop for McKinstry". BBC Sport. 23 May 2001. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  18. "Airdrie retain Challenge Cup". BBC Sport. 14 October 2001. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  19. "Airdrie history ends here". BBC Sport. 1 May 2002. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  20. "Airdrie buy Bankies". BBC Sport. 9 July 2002. Retrieved 19 March 2009.
  21. "STEWART TAKES OVER AS BOSS WITH NO CLUB; Airdrie pin revival hopes on veteran Sandy". Daily Record (via The Free Library). 16 May 2002. Retrieved 13 August 2017.
  22. "Airdrie united behind Stewart". The Scotsman. 28 July 2002. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  23. "Coaching staff profile: Kenny Black". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  24. "AIRDRIE CELEBRATE TITLE WIN Alloa 0 Airdrie U 1 Diamonds ace on cloud nine". thefreelibrary.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  25. "Inverness CT claim cup win". BBC Sport. 26 October 2003. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  26. "Coyle is a Diamond again". BBC Sport. 25 November 2003. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  27. "Coyle becomes Airdrie assistant". BBC Sport. 9 November 2004. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  28. "Airdrie part company with manager". BBC Sport. BBC. 13 November 2006.
  29. "2006-07". Airdrieonians & Airdrie United Results Archive. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  30. Stewart: Why I joined Clarets, lancashiretelegraph.co.uk. Lancashire Telegraph. 29 November 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  31. League Points The Focus Once More
  32. "Sandy in charge for cup final" - St. Johnstone's official website
  33. Dunfermline 2-3 St. Johnstone - BBC Sport
  34. Stewart interested in Saints job, news.bbc.co.uk. BBC Sport. 25 November 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  35. "Owen Coyle is sacked by Bolton Wanderers". BBC Sport. 9 October 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  36. "Leeds United 2-0 Wigan Athletic". BBC Sport. 4 December 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  37. "Rutherglen's Sandy Stewart is loving life at Houston Dynamo as he looks towards clinching a play-off spot". Daily Record / Rutherglen Reformer. 18 June 2015. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  38. "Houston Dynamo coaches offer an inside view of the new technical staff". HoustonDynamo.com. Houston Dynamo. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  39. "Houston Dynamo & head coach Owen Coyle part ways". mlssoccer.com. 25 May 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  40. "Sandy Stewart considers management return after leaving Houston". BBC Sport. 5 June 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  41. "Owen Coyle: Sandy Stewart will bring a 'host of qualities' to Blackburn Rovers". Lancashire Telegraph. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  42. "Rovers part company with Owen Coyle". Blackburn Rovers F.C. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  43. "Owen Coyle resigns as Ross County manager". BBC Sport. BBC. 1 March 2018. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  44. "Ayr United: Mark Kerr announced as new manager". BBC Sport. 22 October 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2019.
  45. "Scott Stewart". soccerbase.com. The Racing Post. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
  46. "Airdrieonians v East Fife: Scott Stewart wants to prove he's chip off the old block". Daily Record. 17 September 2016. Retrieved 15 August 2017.
  47. "Airdrieonians [Airdrie United] manager Sandy Stewart". Fitbastats.com. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
  48. "Hall of Fame". airdriefc.com. Airdrieonians F.C. Retrieved 14 August 2017.
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