Past Legends - Stewart Back
Player Legends 9 of 28

9. Past Legends - Stewart Back


STEWART BACK
Cray Valley (PM) (2003 - 2013)
Goalkeeper

Stewart was the man between the sticks and records fully account for 150 appearances between seasons 2003/04 and 2012/13 although we know his total appearance for the Millers would in fact have been much higher. For his first season the data only goes up to 17 Jan 04 at which point he was ever present after 21 games. In addition a full three seasons data between 2009/10 to 2011/12 is unavailable and his final season incomplete.

Those first couple of seasons were highly successful under manager Mark Edwards, in 2003/04 they finished 4th in the Kent County League Premier Division. Also winning both the London Intermediate Cup beating Thamesmead in the final 4-1 at Fisher FC and the Kent County 'Bill Manklow' Inter Regional Challenge Cup defeating University of Kent 4-2 in the final.

The following season 2004/05 they were champions of the Kent County League Premier Division winning by a clear 11 points. Stewart made 30 appearances out of 31 league and challenge cup games. They also won a Challenge Shield Final beating Norton Sports at Chatham FC and were runners up in the London Intermediate and Kent County Challenge Cups.

It is fair to say Stewart played a major part in helping manager Mark Edwards to win the Kent County League Manager of the Year award three years running.

Stewart was ever-present the following season 2005/06 making 29 appearances and 24 the next. Although he appeared only ten times in season 2007/08 he missed just one league and cup game in season 2008/09 with 29 appearances.

He played in the side that won the London Intermediate Cup in consecutive years. Firstly in 2010 beating Erith Town 2-1 aet with the final played at Met Police FC and then in 2011 beating Newham United 3-1 this time the final held at Croydon Athletic FC. Another milestone for Stewart was keeping goal for the Millers on their first entry into the FA Vase competition in which they lost narrowly 2-1 to Lingfield in September 2012 in their debut game. Records are incomplete for this season, his last, but up to 9th February show a further 7 appearances.

Regularly played representatives games for the London FA. Stewart is a member of the 100 club and with it deservedly earns player legendary status. Stewart remains a regular visitor to watch first team matches and is a club sponsor.

Picture courtesy of Alan Coombes: Stewart Black keeps goal for the Millers Legends in the Centenary game v Charlton Legends in Sept 2019