Members News: ‘Cov Kid’ Stuart Giddings Is Our ‘Tuesday Night Special’ For Tomorrow’s Ipswich Match!
Stuart in the Sky Blue
We are pleased to announce that CCFPA member and Sky Blues former full back/ defender Stuart Giddings will be our ‘special guest’ tomorrow night (ko 8pm) at the Sky Blues’ Championship clash with upwardly mobile Ipswich Town. Though sadly the result will be immaterial for the Sky Blues as Saturday’s goalless draw at Blackburn Rovers ruled them out of their last remaining aspirations for a play-off spot the Tractor Boys still have hopes of an automatic spot giving them access to a Premier League return.
Stuart, very much a ‘Cov. Kid’, will hope like all Sky Blues fans will be hoping his team can stymie these desires of our East Anglian visitors at the CBS in front of SKY TV cameraand produce a positive performance to set them up for their last (home) game of the season on Saturday against Queen’s Park Rangers (which also happens also to be Legends Day 2024)!
Stuart in July 2002 in England U17 shirt
Stuart, now 38, was brought through the Club’s youth system and collected 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.
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 was sadly set back by a long-term knee ligament injury from 2011.
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 in the past (including broadcasting with the BBC CWR team) during City’s exile at St Andrews as well as subsequent seasons back at the Ricoh/CBS Arena. He has also turned out for the Sky Blues Legends XI in matches supporting various charitable causes. He was at Wembley supporting the Sky Blues in their recent F.A.Cup semi-final. Stuart has also been present at our most recent major former player gatherings and we look forward to seeing him at this May’s Legends Day 2024.
Stuart Giddings with CCFPA’s ‘Benno’ at LD19
Oggy in the Press Box
Look out for Stuart ‘around the lounges’ pre-match for Q&As in the company of our member, club host and ex Sky Blue defender Brian ‘Harry’ Roberts. After the game, as is tradition, Stuart will be down in the G-Casino appearing on stage with CCFPA’s Billy Bell in their Lady Gs Lounge to wrap up the evening with more craic and a Sky Blue song!
As usual we expect the CCFC Legend that is Steve Ogrizovic (also an Association member) to be doing live match-day commentary for BBC CWR. CCFPA Committee members Mike Young and Jim Brown (chairman) will also have their usual pages in the club’s excellent programme PUSB!
