Members News: Ex Sky Blues Striker Hits 40 Today. ‘Happy Birthday’, Stuart!!

Stuart Beavon in the Sky Blue

It was only last month (April 2023) that CCFPA welcomed Sky Blue striker from 2017-19, Stuart Beavon, as our latest addition to its roster of more than 330 FPs! Now there is another reason for he and ourselves to celebrate. Reading born (on 5th May 1984) Stuart has his 40th birthday today. ‘Many Happy Returns’ Stuart! Following on from Chris Birchall coincidentally the two ex Sky Blue players share exactly the same birthday and birthdate!!

Stuart comes from a family steeped in football following father (also called Stuart) who played for Spurs, Reading and Northampton) and grandfather Cyril (aho played for both Wolves and Oxford United) into the professional game. Stuart’s long career began as a sixteen year old prior to 2003 with Hellenic League side Ardley United and since January 2020 he has been a regular player and scorer in the Southern League for Derbyshire team Mickleover.

Transferred to Combined Counties side AFC Wallingford in 2004 he notched thirteen goals in 36 games whilst with both clubs, before being snapped up by Didcot Town in the Southern League South & West Division continuing to find the net in two seasons there scoring an amazing 107 goals in his 139 games and getting  an F.A.Vase winners medal with them in 2004/5. He then spent three seasons on the south coast with Conference club Weymouth adding another 27 goals from ninety games to his tally.

Stuart Beavon in Sky Blue action

Stepping up to the Football League for the first time in February 2009 Stuart joined League Two Wycombe Wanderers (initially on loan) and in five seasons there experienced successive promotions and relegations! He scored on his debut and continued to be prolific despite the ups and downs for his club. After 125 games and 34 goals he moved to Preston North End in League One, again getting a debut goal. He stayed at Deepdale for two years (getting a dozen goals in 28 appearances), before an initial loan at Burton Albion became permanent for the 2014-15 season. He was the Brewers’ ‘Player of the Season’ in 2014-15 and again the following season.

He played his part in the Brewers gaining promotion to League One, but left half way through his third season (with fifteen goals from his 102 games) to join the Sky Blues. On 1 January 2017, Stuart joined CCFC in a deal which saw Marvin Sordell go in the opposite direction. Stuart made his CCFC debut on 2nd January 2017 in a 2-2 home draw with Bolton Wanderers and notched City’s second goal.  His next Sky Blue goal was significant as it began a 2–1 victory over Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy Semi Final to send us to our first final at Wembley since 1987.  It was a strange first Sky Blue season for Stuart with Mark Robins returning to the club late on to preside over the club eventually winning the EFL (Checkatrade) Trophy, but also suffering our relegation to the bottom tier (League Two) for only the second time in our history!

Stuart Beavon (Mickleover)

Although he was a CCFC player for the next two seasons, his final one was spent on a years loan at Wrexham where he scored half a dozen goals in his 45 appearances to add to his three goals in 35 appearances in the Sky Blue shirt. He was released by CCFC on 9th May 2019 after not appearing on CCFC’s retained list and in early 2019-20 season joined near neighbours Nuneaton. However, it was when he began his current connection at Mickleover that he regained his scoring touch, with a goal scoring debut at Atherton Collieries in September 2020. He has since been a regular scorer there hitting the net on ten occasions last season, including a hat-trick in the Reds’ 4-1 home win against Radcliffe.

We hope you have a great day today Stuart. We would love to see you back at the CBS as our guest when your current playing commitments allow!