Members News: Ex Sky Blues ‘Cov Kid’ Defender Is 38 Today. ‘Happy Birthday’, Stuart!

Stuart in the Sky Blue

Today CCFPA member and Sky Blues former full back/ defender Stuart Giddings celebrates his 38th Birthday! Born on 27th March 1986 Stuart is very much a ‘Cov. Kid’ brought through the Club’s youth system and collecting England caps from under 16 to U19 level along the way.

He made his Sky Blues first team debut in the Championship in May 2004 as a sub and made his full debut the following season.

Stuart in July 2002 in England U17 shirt

He is yet another illustration of the success of CCFC’s record of bringing through young players to first team action. Even today the Club relies on many players who cut their teeth in the Sky Blues Academy. Stuart was also a Birmingham Senior Cup winner with City in 2006-07.

Stuart Giddings at LD22

In total, Stuart turned out nineteen times for the first team before being released in March 2008 (after a loan spell at Oldham Athletic). Since 2009 Stuart has played at Hinckley Athletic (two spells), Ilkeston Town and Darlington (on a season’s loan) but his career has been set back by a long-term knee ligament injury from 2011.

Stuart with ‘Harry’ Roberts at the CBS earlier this month

Stuart has become an increasingly frequent attender of Sky Blues home games and has undertaken the chores of being the Association’s ‘special guest’ at both the Ricoh (including broadcasting with the BBC CWR team), St Andrews and this past three seasons back at the rebadged CBS Arena for example at last season’s home game against Hull City earlier this month.

He has also turned out for the Sky Blues Legends XI in matches supporting various charitable causes. He was present at both our most recent major former player gatherings LD19 and LD22 and we look forward to seeing him at this June’s Legends Day 2024.