Rab Stewart Explained

Rab Stewart
Fullname:Robert Edward Thorburn Stewart
Birth Date:7 October 1932
Birth Place:Kilmarnock, Scotland
Death Date:27 September 1992 (aged 59)
Death Place:Kilmarnock, Scotland
Position:Right half
Clubs1:Dreghorn Juniors
Years2:1951–1961
Clubs2:Kilmarnock
Caps2:102
Goals2:7
Years3:1961–1962
Clubs3:St Mirren
Caps3:35
Goals3:0
Years4:1962–1963
Clubs4:Ayr United
Caps4:11
Goals4:2
Totalcaps:148
Totalgoals:9
Manageryears1:1972–?
Managerclubs1:Scotland Women

Robert Edward Thorburn Stewart (7 October 1932 – 27 September 1992) was a Scottish professional footballer who played as a right half, making nearly 150 appearances in the Scottish Football League. After retiring as a player, Stewart became a coach and was the original manager of the Scotland women's national football team.

Career

Playing career

Stewart began his Scottish Football League career at Kilmarnock in 1951,[1] starting for Killie in the 1956–57 Scottish Cup final and final replay defeat to Falkirk. Manager Willie Waddell later tried to boost the team's forward line by handing Stewart an attacking position, but during the experiment his regular place at wing half was taken by Frank Beattie.[2] Stewart moved on to St Mirren,[3] where he played in their 1961–62 Scottish Cup final defeat, then Ayr United.[4]

Coaching career

In November 1972, Stewart took charge of the Scotland women's national football team for the first ever official women's international match to take place in Britain, a 3–2 defeat to England at Ravenscraig Stadium in Greenock.[5]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: KILMARNOCK : 1946/47 – 2010/11. Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database. Neil Brown. 7 January 2012.
  2. Web site: A Tribute to Frank Beattie. Kilmarnock FC. 7 January 2012. David Ross. His move to the half-back line where he was to make his reputation came about by accident. Waddell wanted to improve a lacklustre forward line by moving right-half Rab Stewart into attack. Frank replaced Stewart and after five years as an inside-forward never played as an attacker for Killie again..
  3. Web site: ST. MIRREN : 1946/47 – 2010/11. Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database. Neil Brown. 7 January 2012.
  4. Web site: AYR UNITED : 1946/47 – 2010/11. Post War English & Scottish Football League A–Z Player's Transfer Database. Neil Brown. 7 January 2012.
  5. Book: Owen, Wendy . Kicking Against Tradition . . 2005 . 51 . 0-7524-3427-6 . ROBERT STEWART, Scottish Manager and former professional footballer with Kilmarnock and St Mirren..