Stuart Robert Sinclair (born 19 November 1987) is an English former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
Career Bristol Rovers Sinclair joined newly relegated Conference Premier club Bristol Rovers in the summer of 2014. During the 2014–15 season, he helped the club to gain an instant promotion back to the Football League. On 8 August 2015, Sinclair made his Football League debut in a 1–0 home defeat to Northampton Town. During Sinclair's third Football League appearance, he netted a late winner against Luton Town on 18 August 2015. Sinclair continued to perform well, picking up various Man of the Match awards. His second and final goal of the season was during a 1–1 draw away to Exeter City. After picking up an injury which required surgery and saw him out of action for over six weeks, he missed the end of the 2015–16 season, including a dramatic match against Dagenham & Redbridge on the final day, which ended in a 2–1 win, after a 92nd-minute winner earned Sinclair and the club back to back promotions.
Sinclair made his first appearance of 2016–17 on the opening day of the season in a 3–1 defeat away to Scunthorpe United. His first goal of the season came in a 2–0 victory away to Oxford United on 4 March 2017. Sinclair was sent off in a 3–0 defeat away to Bury on 14 March after being booked twice for simulation.
Sinclair was released when his contract expired at the end of the 2018–19 season having become a strong fan-favourite during his time with the club, earning cult hero status.
Walsall Sinclair signed for Walsall, who were newly relegated to League Two, on 21 May 2019 on a contract of undisclosed length, effective from 1 July. He made his debut on the opening day of the 2019–20 season as Walsall won 1–0 away to Northampton Town.
Towards the end of the 2020–21 season, with Walsall having a limited backroom coaching staff, Sinclair stepped up to help coach some of the younger players in the squad. At the end of the season, after two seasons at the club, Sinclair was one of eight players to not be offered a new contract and would leave Walsall upon the expiration of his contract.
Retirement Following his departure from Walsall, Sinclair moved to Canada. In 2023, during a short spell back in England, he joined Spartan South Midlands Division One club Real Bedford, managed by brother Rob.
Personal life Sinclair's brother, Rob Sinclair, also became a professional footballer.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueFA CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsArlesey Town2009–10Southern League Division One Midlands38120—1335342010–11Southern League Division One Central41330—905332011–12Southern League Premier Division20050—30280Total994100—2531347Salisbury City2011–12Conference South212———2122012–13Conference South31400—103242013–14Conference Premier35030—10390Total87630—20926Bristol Rovers2014–15Conference Premier27210—102922015–16League Two3021010203422016–17League One3813020204512017–18League One2921120103332018–19League One180100020210Total14277150801628Walsall2019–20League Two2620010002722020–21League Two170100020200Total432101020472Real Bedford2022–23Spartan South Midlands Division One5000—0050Career total376192116037344023
Honours Arlesey Town Southern League Division One Central: 2010–11
Salisbury City Conference South play-offs: 2012–13
Bristol Rovers Conference Premier runner-up: 2014–15 Conference Premier play-offs: 2014–15
References
External links Profile at the Walsall F.C. website