Jan Molby made his first Tigers signing on 15 May 2002 in snapping up the young midfielder from Newcastle United on a year-long loan deal. Stuart is now our current longest-serving senior player.

Born in Whitehaven, he joined the Magpies as a trainee and was highly-rated by manager Sir Bobby Robson who initially flatly turned down the Tigers' suggestion of making the deal permanent. Stuart had yet to make his bow competitively at the top level but was on the verge of making that breakthrough in February 2001 until a dislocated shoulder picked up in a second string game at Sunderland sidelined him for a number of weeks.

In an attempt to get some first team action under his belt, Stuart returned to his Cumbrian roots in December 2001 when he joined Carlisle United on a three-month loan. He was a key figure in the Cumbrians' upturn in fortunes, scoring three goals in 16 appearances.

On Boxing Day 2002, a couple of hours before our first-ever league game at the KC Stadium, Stuart signed a three-and-a-half year contract with the Tigers after a £150,000 was agreed with Newcastle. He celebrated in style by netting our second goal in the 2-0 win against leaders Hartlepool United before a crowd of over 22,000.

However, rumours persisted about a return to Carlisle United and £30,000 loan deal was subsequently agreed in February 2003. He went on to appear in the LDV Vans Trophy Final at the Millennium Stadium against Bristol City but, following an acrimonious fall-out with Carlisle boss Roddy Collins, he was back in the Tigers ranks for the 2003-04 campaign.

With the past put firmly behind him, Greenie returned in triumph by doing his 'talking' on the pitch. In addition to his tremendous passing skills, the gifted midfielder increased his work-rate and his consistency took the eye in the regular Division Three battles. He contributed six goals in our promotion campaign.

Stuart increase his contribution in the goalscoring department in our second successive promotion campaign when his league and cup total of ten was only bettered by the prolific Stuart Elliott. Although he prefers a central midfield role, his attacking qualities also caused a threat when cutting inside from a position wide on the right.

Stuart missed the exciting run-in to the end of the season after suffering an ankle injury in March so his first Championship appearance was his 100^th league appearance for the Tigers.

That was delayed by an ankle injury and, as he then struggled to regain a regular first team slot, he was offered the chance to return to League One in January with Milton Keynes Dons.

The offer was refused and Stuart fought back to provide some vital goals as our Championship status was retained.