Paul Stewart

Blackpool

Stewart started his career as an apprentice with Blackpool, turning professional in October 1981. He made his debut for the Seasiders in a home draw with Rochdale on 10 February 1982. For the remainder of the season, he alternated between midfield and forward. It wasn't until Sam Ellis became manager that Stewart found his true role, at centre-forward, helping Blackpool win promotion from the Fourth Division in 1985. In his final season (1986–87) with the Tangerines, he notched-up 21 goals and helped Mark Taylor net 14 goals, although it wasn't enough to mount a Third Division promotion challenge.

Manchester City

After over 200 first team appearances, he joined Manchester City in March 1987 for a fee of £200,000, then a welcomed record for hard-up Blackpool, but he was unable to keep City in the First Division. On 7 November 1987 he was one of three players, the others being David White and Tony Adcock to score a hat-trick in a 10–1 victory over Huddersfield Town in the Second Division. Stewart scored a total of 24 goals for City that season, as they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, but were unable to win promotion back to the First Division, and a move from Maine Road was looking inevitable.

Tottenham Hotspur

Terry Venables signed Stewart for Tottenham Hotspur in June 1988, paying £1.7million (a portion of which went to his first club, Blackpool). At the time it was one of the highest fees paid by an English club, and the…

Stewart played for England at England under-21 and B before being capped three times in the early 1990s for the senior side under Graham Taylor.

Stewart was inducted into the Hall of Fame at Bloomfield Road, when it was officially opened by former Blackpool player Jimmy Armfield in April 2006. Organised by the Blackpool Supporters Association, Blackpool fans around the world voted on their all-time heroes. Five players from each decade are inducted; Stewart is in the 1980s.

In November 2016, Stewart said that he was a victim of child sexual abuse when he was playing youth football. Stewart released his autobiography in August 2017, titled, Damaged. At the 2024 EFL Awards, Stewart received the Contribution to League Football award.

Tottenham Hotspur

FA Cup: 1990–91 Workington

North West Counties League First Division: 1998–99 Individual

PFA Team of the Year: 1987–88 Second Division Blackpool Hall of Fame Inductee