{{Short description|English footballer (born 1974)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2019}} {{Use British English|date=May 2019}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Stuart Tuck | image = Stuart Tuck.jpg | caption = Tuck at Burgess Hill Town in 2016 | fullname = Stuart Gary Tuck<ref name=Hugman/> | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1974|10|1|df=y}}<ref name=Hugman/> | birth_place = Brighton, England | height = {{height|ft=5|in=11}}<ref name=CarderHarris/> | position = Defender | currentclub = | youthyears1 = 1990–1991 | youthclubs1= Whitehawk | youthyears2 = 1991–1993 | youthclubs2 = Brighton & Hove Albion | years1 = 1993–1998 | clubs1 = Brighton & Hove Albion | caps1 = 93 | goals1 = 1 | years2 = 1998–2001 | clubs2 = Worthing | years3 = 2001–2006 | clubs3 = Eastbourne Borough<!-- the 288 figure is all competitions, the infobox is for league matches only --> | years4 = 2006 | clubs4 = Burgess Hill Town | years5 = 2006–2007 | clubs5 = Bognor Regis Town | years6 = 2007–2009 | clubs6 = Burgess Hill Town | years7 = 2009–2010 | clubs7 = Eastbourne Town<ref>{{cite web |url=https://eastbournetownfc.clabautdfc.co.uk/player/stuart-tuck/ |title=Stuart Tuck |publisher=Eastbourne Town F.C. History |access-date=9 July 2022}}</ref> | caps7 = 13 | goals7 = 0 | years8 = 2010–2012 | clubs8 = Whitehawk | years9 = 2012 | clubs9 = → Burgess Hill Town (loan) | years10 = 2012–2018 | clubs10= Burgess Hill Town | years11 = 2018 | clubs11= Shoreham | manageryears1 = 2012–2018 | managerclubs1 = Burgess Hill Town (assistant) | manageryears2 = 2020–2022 | managerclubs2 = Whitehawk (assistant) }} '''Stuart Gary Tuck''' (born 1 October 1974) is an English former professional footballer who was most recently assistant manager at Whitehawk. Tuck played as a left back in the Football League for Brighton & Hove Albion until injury put an end to his professional career. Tuck then played as a centre back for many years in non-league football in Sussex.
After being assistant manager at Burgess Hill Town for five years he resumed his playing career with Shoreham in 2018. Tuck then had a spell as assistant manager at his first club Whitehawk.
==Career== While at school Tuck played junior football for Bevendean Barcelona and then for Whitehawk U18, where he appeared in midfield as a 15-year old.<ref>whitehawkfc.com</ref> He was associated with Brighton & Hove Albion as a schoolboy, and joined the club as a YTS trainee when he left school in 1991.<ref name=CarderHarris/> He made his first-team debut on 28 September 1993 in the Football League Trophy, and his Second Division debut four days later at the Goldstone Ground in the starting eleven for a goalless draw with Exeter City.<ref name=CarderHarris>{{cite book |first1=Tim |last1=Carder |first2=Roger |last2=Harris |title=Albion A–Z: A Who's Who of Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. |publisher=Goldstone Books |location=Hove |date=1997 |page=245 |isbn=978-0-9521337-1-1}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.flickr.com//photos/75238685@N02/sets/72157633048208497/show/ |title=Endsleigh Insurance League Division Two 1993–94 |magazine=Albion News |publisher=Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. |date=7 May 1994 |page=26 |via=Seagulls Programmes}}</ref>
Tuck went on to make 93 league appearances, scoring once,<ref name=Hugman>{{Hugman|19896|accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> and captained Albion on several occasions.<ref name=EBFCprofile>{{cite web |url=http://www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/stuart_tuck.html |title=Stuart Tuck |publisher=Eastbourne Borough F.C. |accessdate=23 September 2007 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107140932/http://www.eastbourneboroughfc.co.uk/html/stuart_tuck.html |archivedate=7 January 2009}}</ref> He appeared at left back in the final game at the Goldstone Ground, against Doncaster Rovers in 1997,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.brightonandhoveindependent.co.uk/sport/football/albion/the-last-game-at-the-goldstone-ground-remembered-20-years-on-1-7932661 |title=The last game at the Goldstone Ground remembered 20 years on |first=Steve |last=Bailey |newspaper=Brighton & Hove Independent |date=25 April 2017 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> and the following week played the full 90 minutes against Hereford United in the game that secured Albion's status as a Football League team.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-tears-of-grief-and-relief-1259851.html |title=Football: Tears of grief and relief |first=Greg |last=Wood |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=5 May 1997 |access-date=9 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524110053/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football-tears-of-grief-and-relief-1259851.html |archive-date=24 May 2019 |url-access=registration |url-status=live}}</ref> Tuck missed the last couple of months of the 1997–98 season with a groin problem that required surgery.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5170257.tuck-is-out-of-luck-again/ |title=Tuck is out of luck again |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=3 March 1998 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> He played the whole of Brighton's first three fixtures of the 1998–99 season, but those were his last at Football League level.<ref name=sb9899>{{soccerbase season|8048|1997|access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref> He received specialist advice that he should "take things easy" as he recovered from the surgery,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6801497.mill-setback/ |title=Mill setback |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=25 August 1998 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> and ended up retiring from full-time football.<ref name=ToWorthing>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6797619.tuck-cant-bear-to-watch-his-beloved-albion/ |title=Tuck can't bear to watch his beloved Albion |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=7 January 2000 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref>
Tuck signed for Isthmian League Division One club Worthing on a non-contract basis in January 2000,<ref name=ToWorthing/> where he began as cover for the injured Mark Knee and finished up winning both the Supporters' and the Players' Player of the Year awards for 2000–01.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.shorehamherald.co.uk/sport/football/retiring-knee-reflects-on-glittering-football-career-1-8287997 |title=Retiring Knee reflects on glittering football career |first=Michael |last=Hellyer |newspaper=Shoreham Herald |date=12 December 2017 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5149860.revitalised-tuck-gets-the-seal-of-approval/ |title=Revitalised Tuck gets the seal of approval |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=11 May 2001 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref>
In October 2001, feeling he had "gone as far as [he] can with Worthing", Tuck joined Southern League Division One club Eastbourne Borough.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/5141700.rebels-have-interest-in-directors-with-cash/ |title=Rebels have interest in directors with cash |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=27 October 2001 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> He remained for nearly five years, won both Player of the Year awards in the 2003–04 season,<ref name=EBFCprofile/> and was voted Player of the Round for the 2004–05 FA Cup fourth qualifying round.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/4391068.stm |title=Tuck display scoops FA Cup award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 October 2005 |access-date=21 May 2019}}</ref> He captained the team as they reached the 2005 Conference North/South play-off final, and scored a "wonder goal" from {{convert|30|yd}} in the semifinal against Thurrock,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/6705041.football-tuck-the-hero-for-borough/ |title=Football: Tuck the hero for Borough |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=4 May 2005 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> but Borough lost the final 2–1 to Altrincham.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.altrinchamfc.co.uk/050515eh.htm |title=Match Report: Altrincham (0) 2 Eastbourne Borough (0) 1: Nationwide Promotion Play-Off Final Match |publisher=Altrincham F.C. |accessdate=24 May 2019 |via=The Alty Files}}</ref> After missing much of pre-season with a calf injury, Tuck started the 2006–07 season out of favour. He spent a brief spell on loan at Isthmian League Burgess Hill Town,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/888624.eastbourne-borough-tuck-vows-to-fight-for-his-future/ |title=Eastbourne Borough: Tuck vows to fight for his future |first=Steve |last=Hollis |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=22 August 2006 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/sport/hill-tuck-in-for-first-point-1-677282 |title=Hill Tuck in for first point |first=Chris |last=Francis |newspaper=Mid-Sussex Times |date=24 August 2006 |accessdate=21 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322015225/https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/sport/hill-tuck-in-for-first-point-1-677282 |archive-date=22 March 2018}}</ref> He played twice more for Borough, taking his appearance total to 228 in all competitions, and then moved on, to Conference South rivals Bognor Regis Town.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/1063499.tuck-faces-his-old-pals/ |title=Tuck faces his old pals |first=Andy |last=Naylor |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=7 December 2006 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref>
A serious achilles tendon injury in March 2007 put an early end to Tuck's season, but he was still chosen as Bognor's Player of the Year. He was expected to return later in the year once his recovery was complete, but instead rejoined Burgess Hill Town in December.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/1915619.tuck-signs-for-burgess-hill/ |title=Tuck signs for Burgess Hill |first=Steve |last=Hollis |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=19 December 2007 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> He took on a coaching role as well as playing,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/3865882.ryman-division-one-previews/ |title=Ryman division one previews |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=21 November 2008 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> until an ankle problem put an early end to his on-field season in January 2009.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/4033966.hillians-lose-winger-for-a-month/ |title=Tuck faces his old pals |first=Mike |last=Legg |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=9 January 2009 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> After manager Jamie Howell was dismissed in March, Tuck was interviewed for the vacancy, but turned it down and left the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/sport/tuck-turns-down-hillians-after-manager-sacked-1-684911 |title=Tuck turns down Hillians after manager sacked |newspaper=Mid-Sussex Times |date=4 March 2009 |accessdate=21 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321193000/https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/sport/tuck-turns-down-hillians-after-manager-sacked-1-684911 |archive-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> He rejoined Bognor Regis Town ahead of the 2009–10 season,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/4460273.tuck-back-at-bognor/ |title=Tuck back at Bognor |first=Steve |last=Hollis |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=25 June 2010 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> announced his retirement from the game in October,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.chichester.co.uk/sport/boreham-wood-1-rocks-0-1-1514689 |title=Boreham Wood 1 Rocks 0 |newspaper=Chichester Observer |date=9 October 2010 |accessdate=21 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190524110056/https://www.chichester.co.uk/sport/boreham-wood-1-rocks-0-1-1514689 |archive-date=24 May 2019}}</ref> and signed for Eastbourne Town in January 2010.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/4827823.tuck-joins-bloor-at-town/ |title=Tuck joins Bloor at Town |first=Mike |last=Legg |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=1 January 2010 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref>
Tuck joined Whitehawk for the 2010–11 Isthmian League season,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/8396825.ryman-rebels-boss-faces-big-decision/ |title=Ryman: Rebels boss faces big decision |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=17 September 2010 |accessdate=21 May 2019}}</ref> and remained as part of the team that won the 2011–12 Isthmian League Division One South title as well as the Sussex Senior Cup final, in which they beat Crawley Down at Brighton's Falmer Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/more-sport/last-minute-winner-breaks-crawley-down-s-hearts-1-3838079 |title=Last minute winner breaks Crawley Down's hearts |newspaper=Crawley Observer |date=14 May 2012 |accessdate=21 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321192927/https://www.crawleyobserver.co.uk/sport/more-sport/last-minute-winner-breaks-crawley-down-s-hearts-1-3838079 |archive-date=21 March 2018}}</ref> He signed for Burgess Hill Town for a third time, initially on loan,<ref>{{cite news |title=Meet Chappers' right-hand man at Burgess Hill Town |newspaper=Mid-Sussex Times |date=30 March 2017}}</ref> and was then appointed assistant manager in November 2012 after Adam Hinshelwood stepped down.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/football/local/haven-t-we-met-before-hinshelwood-s-back-at-selsey-1-4509987 |title=Haven't we met before? Hinshelwood's back at Selsey |newspaper=Bognor Regis Observer |date=22 November 2012 |accessdate=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180717100107/https://www.bognor.co.uk/sport/football/local/haven-t-we-met-before-hinshelwood-s-back-at-selsey-1-4509987 |archive-date=17 July 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://bhtfc.co.uk/player/stuart-tuck/ |title=Stuart Tuck |publisher=Burgess Hill Town F.C. |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045331/http://bhtfc.co.uk/player/stuart-tuck/ |archivedate=4 March 2016}}</ref>
Tuck was mentioned in connection with the managerial vacancy at Bognor Regis Town in May 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bognor.news/sport/el-surprise-sami-el-abd-emerges-shock-candidate-new-rocks-player-boss-role/ |title=El of a surprise! Sami El Abd emerges as shock candidate for new Rocks player-boss role |first=Carl |last=Eldridge |newspaper=Bognor Regis News |date=22 June 2017 |accessdate=22 May 2019}}</ref>
Tuck made a rare start for Burgess Hill Town in the Sussex Senior Cup in January 2018 against Saltdean United, but was sent off early in the second half for a second yellow card.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/sport/football/chapman-it-was-embarrassing-for-myself-and-the-players-should-be-embarrassed-1-8357302 |title=Chapman: 'It was embarrassing for myself and the players should be embarrassed' |first=Mark |last=Dunford |newspaper=Mid-Sussex Times |date=31 January 2018 |accessdate=22 May 2019}}</ref> He left the Hillians in September 2018,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/sport/football/tuck-and-brivio-leave-burgess-hill-town-wormull-comes-in-1-8621961 |title=Tuck and Brivio leave Burgess Hill Town, Wormull comes in |first=Mark |last=Dunford |newspaper=Mid-Sussex Times |date=2 September 2018 |accessdate=22 May 2019}}</ref> and subsequently signed as a player for Shoreham where he appeared alongside his son Josh.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.shorehamherald.co.uk/sport/football/former-brighton-and-hove-albion-defender-to-help-shoreham-climb-up-the-table-1-8669329 |title=Former Brighton and Hove Albion defender to help Shoreham climb up the table |first=James |last=Wootton |newspaper=Shoreham Herald |date=15 October 2018 |accessdate=22 May 2019}}</ref> Tuck re-joined one of his former clubs, Whitehawk, as assistant manager in November 2020,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/18842297.ross-standen-cannot-wait-get-going-whitehawk/ |title=Ross Standen cannot wait to get going at Whitehawk |first=Adam |last=Stenning |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=3 November 2020 |access-date=9 July 2022}}</ref> and left in April 2022 when manager Ross Standen was replaced.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://whitehawkfc.com/management-change/ |title=Management change |publisher=Whitehawk F.C. |date=4 April 2022 |access-date=9 July 2022}}</ref>
==Personal life== Tuck was born in Brighton<ref name=Hugman/> and attended Stanley Deason Secondary School in Whitehawk.<ref name=CarderHarris/> He later worked on the PE staff at Varndean School in Brighton.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theargus.co.uk/news/13371359.former-england-star-set-for-memorial-game-to-honour-brighton-dave/ |title=Former England star set for memorial game to honour 'Brighton Dave' |first=Flora |last=Thompson |newspaper=The Argus |location=Brighton |date=5 July 2015 |accessdate=9 July 2022}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tuck, Stuart}} Category:1974 births Category:Living people Category:Footballers from Brighton Category:English men's footballers Category:Men's association football defenders Category:Brighton & Hove Albion F.C. players Category:Worthing F.C. players Category:Eastbourne Borough F.C. players Category:Bognor Regis Town F.C. players Category:Burgess Hill Town F.C. players Category:Eastbourne Town F.C. players Category:Whitehawk F.C. players Category:Shoreham F.C. players Category:English Football League players Category:Isthmian League players Category:Southern Football League players Category:National League (English football) players