Stuart Hicks
Encyclopedia
Stuart Jason Hicks was a professional
footballer who played as a defender
.
, where he turned professional in August 1984. However he failed to make any league appearances for the Posh and he subsequently went on loan to non-league Wisbech Town
. After returning he moved to Colchester United
in March 1988 and remained there until they were relegated out of The Football League
in 1990.
Hicks then had spells with Scunthorpe United
, Doncaster Rovers
, Huddersfield Town
, Preston North End
and Scarborough
before returning south when he joined Leyton Orient
in August 1997. After 78 league appearances for Orient, Hicks joined The Football League's
bottom club Chester City
in February 2000.
Despite making his debut in a club record 7–1 home defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion
, Hicks struck up a tremendous rapport with the Chester fans as the club fought valiantly but unsuccessfully against relegation. Hicks popularity with the supporters was such that he finished third in the player of the season awards after playing just 13 games for the club. However, he opted to remain in Division Three and joined Mansfield Town
. Hicks was to have an injury hit spell at Field Mill
and he announced his retirement from professional football in February 2002. He then joined non-league side Hucknall Town
to complete his playing days.
Since retiring from the game, he has moved into men's designer clothing. He opened his first Mainline Menswear store in Scarborough, North Yorkshire
, in 2002.
Professional
A professional is a person who is paid to undertake a specialised set of tasks and to complete them for a fee. The traditional professions were doctors, lawyers, clergymen, and commissioned military officers. Today, the term is applied to estate agents, surveyors , environmental scientists,...
footballer who played as a defender
Defender (association football)
Within the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to prevent the opposition from attacking....
.
Playing career
Hicks began his career with hometown club Peterborough UnitedPeterborough United F.C.
Peterborough United Football Club are a professional English football club based in Peterborough. Peterborough United formed in 1934 and played in the old Midland League, which they won six times; eventually being admitted to the Football League in 1960, replacing Gateshead. Their home ground is...
, where he turned professional in August 1984. However he failed to make any league appearances for the Posh and he subsequently went on loan to non-league Wisbech Town
Wisbech Town F.C.
Wisbech Town F.C. is an English football club currently based in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The club are currently members of the Eastern Counties League Premier Division and play at the Fenland Stadium.-History:...
. After returning he moved to Colchester United
Colchester United F.C.
Colchester United Football Club is an English football club based in Colchester. The club was formed in 1937, and briefly shared their old Layer Road home with now defunct side Colchester Town who had previously used the ground from 1910....
in March 1988 and remained there until they were relegated out of The Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
in 1990.
Hicks then had spells with Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe United F.C.
Scunthorpe United Football Club is an English association football team based in the town of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who play in the Football League One....
, Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
, Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
, Preston North End
Preston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
and Scarborough
Scarborough F.C.
Scarborough Football Club was an English football club based in the seaside resort of Scarborough, North Yorkshire. They were one of the oldest football clubs in England, formed in 1879, before they were wound up on 20 June 2007, with debts of £2.5 million.In the 2006–07 season...
before returning south when he joined Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient F.C.
Leyton Orient F.C. are an English professional football club in East London. They currently play in Football League One and are known to their fans as the O's.Leyton Orient have spent one season in the top flight of English football, in 1962–63...
in August 1997. After 78 league appearances for Orient, Hicks joined The Football League's
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
bottom club Chester City
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
in February 2000.
Despite making his debut in a club record 7–1 home defeat by Brighton & Hove Albion
Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.
Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club are an English association football club based in the coastal city of Brighton & Hove, East Sussex. They currently play in the Football League Championship, the second tier of the English football league system....
, Hicks struck up a tremendous rapport with the Chester fans as the club fought valiantly but unsuccessfully against relegation. Hicks popularity with the supporters was such that he finished third in the player of the season awards after playing just 13 games for the club. However, he opted to remain in Division Three and joined Mansfield Town
Mansfield Town F.C.
Mansfield Town Football Club is an English football club from the former mining town of Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. The club was formed in 1897 as Mansfield Wesleyans and changed its name to Mansfield Wesley in 1906 before settling on Mansfield Town in 1910...
. Hicks was to have an injury hit spell at Field Mill
Field Mill
Field Mill is a multi-use stadium in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, England.It is currently occupied by its main tenant, Mansfield Town.The stadium has a capacity of around 10,000 when fully open, but due to the Bishop Street Stand being closed and safety restrictions, the ground currently holds less...
and he announced his retirement from professional football in February 2002. He then joined non-league side Hucknall Town
Hucknall Town F.C.
Hucknall Town F.C. are an English football club based in the town of Hucknall, Nottinghamshire. The club are members of the Northern Premier League Premier Division and play at Watnall Road.-History:...
to complete his playing days.
Since retiring from the game, he has moved into men's designer clothing. He opened his first Mainline Menswear store in Scarborough, North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, in 2002.