Stuart Mason
Encyclopedia
Stuart Mason was an English professional footballer who made appearances in The Football League
for five clubs. The vast majority of his time was spent with Chester
and Wrexham
, mainly from full–back.
and began his playing days as a youngster with Shropshire based non-league side Whitchurch Alport, which led to him joining Wrexham
as a 16-year old in November 1964. He made his first-team debut in January 1966 and was selected for England Youth three times in the following months. In October 1966 he completed a memorable year when he moved to Liverpool
.
Mason was unable to break into the first-team squad at Anfield
and after a brief loan spell at Doncaster Rovers
he rejoined Wrexham
in June 1968. He was largely a regular over the next five years, playing in the Division Four promotion winning side in 1969–70
and appearing in European Cup Winners Cup action after Wrexham lifted the Welsh Cup
in 1972.
In 1973 Mason made the short journey across the border to Chester
for £2,000, where he was again initially a regular player. His most memorable contributions came in the club's glorious 1974–75
season, when they defied all expectations to face Aston Villa
in the Football League Cup
semi–finals. Trailing 4–2 on aggregate in the second leg, Mason scored a stunning goal to give Chester hope in a tie they eventually lost 5–4. Later in the season he scored the winner on the final day of the season at Crewe Alexandra
that ultimately secured promotion from Division Four for Chester and ensured he would forever hold hero status with supporters. Two years later Mason scored in Chester's 4–1 second leg win over Port Vale
to help the club win the Debenhams Cup
, their first national English trophy.
Mason's son-Simon, currently plays for Wrexham Supporters club. Operating as a central midfielder
Mason played his last game for Chester in a 1–1 draw with Plymouth Argyle
on October 8, 1977. The same month saw him play his final Football League
matches out on loan at Crewe Alexandra
(having spent time with Rochdale
the previous year). In December 1977 Mason moved to Bangor City
, where he was to have a spell as manager. Mason was later at Rhyl
, Oswestry Town
and Coedpoeth and continued to play for veterans teams.
A former captain of Shropshire County Cricket Club
, Mason ran his own sports shop in Wrexham
and had a spell back with the Welsh side as assistant commercial manager.
In later years he was involved in coaching Chester’s youngsters.
• Football League Division Four runners-up: 1969–70
(39 apps, 1 goal)
• Welsh Cup
winners: 1971–72
.
Chester
• Football League Division Four promotion as fourth placed team: 1974–75
.
• Football League Cup
semi-finalists: 1974–75
.
• Debenhams Cup
winners: 1976–77
.
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
for five clubs. The vast majority of his time was spent with Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
and Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
, mainly from full–back.
Playing career
Mason was born in WhitchurchWhitchurch, Shropshire
Whitchurch is a market town in Shropshire, England on the border between England and Wales. It is the oldest continuously inhabited town in Shropshire. According to the 2001 Census, the population of the town is 8,673, with a more recent estimate putting the population of the town at 8,934...
and began his playing days as a youngster with Shropshire based non-league side Whitchurch Alport, which led to him joining Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
as a 16-year old in November 1964. He made his first-team debut in January 1966 and was selected for England Youth three times in the following months. In October 1966 he completed a memorable year when he moved to Liverpool
Liverpool F.C.
Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
.
Mason was unable to break into the first-team squad at Anfield
Anfield
Anfield is an association football stadium in the district of Anfield, Liverpool, England, with a seating capacity of 45,522. It has been the home of Liverpool F.C. since their formation in 1892 and was originally the home of Everton F.C. from 1884 to 1892, before they moved to Goodison Park...
and after a brief loan spell at Doncaster Rovers
Doncaster Rovers F.C.
Doncaster Rovers Football Club is an English football club, based at the Keepmoat Stadium in Doncaster, South Yorkshire. The team currently competes in the Football League Championship, after being promoted via the League One play-offs in 2008, and have remained there since.The club was founded in...
he rejoined Wrexham
Wrexham A.F.C.
Wrexham Football Club are a professional football team based in Wrexham, north-east Wales, who play in the English football pyramid.Founded in 1872, they are one of the oldest surviving football clubs in Britain and the oldest professional club in Wales...
in June 1968. He was largely a regular over the next five years, playing in the Division Four promotion winning side in 1969–70
1969-70 in English football
The 1969–70 season was the 90th season of competitive football in England.-First Division:Everton won their seventh title, finishing nine points clear of Leeds United with Chelsea in third and newly promoted Derby County in fourth...
and appearing in European Cup Winners Cup action after Wrexham lifted the Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
in 1972.
In 1973 Mason made the short journey across the border to Chester
Chester City F.C.
Chester City Football Club was an English football team from Chester. The club was founded as Chester F.C., and joined the Football League in 1931, spending most of their time in the lower divisions. They changed their name to Chester City in 1983. Chester won their first league title in 2004, the...
for £2,000, where he was again initially a regular player. His most memorable contributions came in the club's glorious 1974–75
1974-75 in English football
The 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
season, when they defied all expectations to face Aston Villa
Aston Villa F.C.
Aston Villa Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Witton, Birmingham. The club was founded in 1874 and have played at their current home ground, Villa Park, since 1897. Aston Villa were founder members of The Football League in 1888. They were also founder...
in the Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
semi–finals. Trailing 4–2 on aggregate in the second leg, Mason scored a stunning goal to give Chester hope in a tie they eventually lost 5–4. Later in the season he scored the winner on the final day of the season at Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
that ultimately secured promotion from Division Four for Chester and ensured he would forever hold hero status with supporters. Two years later Mason scored in Chester's 4–1 second leg win over Port Vale
Port Vale F.C.
Port Vale Football Club is an English football club currently playing in Football League Two. They are based in Burslem, Staffordshire — one of six towns that make up the city of Stoke-on-Trent. The club's traditional rivals in the city are Stoke City, and games between the two clubs are known as...
to help the club win the Debenhams Cup
Debenhams Cup
The Debenhams Cup was one of several short-lived football competitions introduced in the 1970s and 1980s, along with the Watney Cup, Texaco Cup, Anglo-Scottish Cup, the Screen Sport Super Cup and Simod Cup...
, their first national English trophy.
Mason's son-Simon, currently plays for Wrexham Supporters club. Operating as a central midfielder
Mason played his last game for Chester in a 1–1 draw with Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
on October 8, 1977. The same month saw him play his final Football League
The Football League
The Football League, also known as the npower Football League for sponsorship reasons, is a league competition featuring professional association football clubs from England and Wales. Founded in 1888, it is the oldest such competition in world football...
matches out on loan at Crewe Alexandra
Crewe Alexandra F.C.
Crewe Alexandra Football Club is an English professional football club based in Crewe, Cheshire. Nicknamed The Railwaymen due to the town's links with the rail industry, they currently play in Football League Two, the fourth tier of English football, and are based at the Alexandra Stadium.The club...
(having spent time with Rochdale
Rochdale A.F.C.
Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium. Formed in 1907, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921...
the previous year). In December 1977 Mason moved to Bangor City
Bangor City F.C.
Bangor City Football Club are a semi-professional Welsh football club from the City of Bangor. The club compete in the Welsh Premier League, being ever present since the league was founded in 1992....
, where he was to have a spell as manager. Mason was later at Rhyl
Rhyl F.C.
Rhyl Football Club is a Welsh football club, playing in the Cymru Alliance.The club was founded in 1882 and the team plays its home matches at Belle Vue, Rhyl, which can accommodate 3,000 spectators.- History :Few clubs in the Welsh Premier League have as distinguished a past as Rhyl's...
, Oswestry Town
Oswestry Town F.C.
Oswestry Town F.C. was a football club, formerly playing in the League of Wales.The club was founded as Oswestry United in 1860, which meant they were one of the world's oldest football clubs. Matches were latterly played at Park Hall stadium, Oswestry, after a spell at Victoria Road...
and Coedpoeth and continued to play for veterans teams.
A former captain of Shropshire County Cricket Club
Shropshire County Cricket Club
Shropshire County Cricket Club is one of the county clubs which make up the Minor Counties in the English domestic cricket structure, representing the historic county of Shropshire and playing in the Minor Counties Championship and the MCCA Knockout Trophy...
, Mason ran his own sports shop in Wrexham
Wrexham
Wrexham is a town in Wales. It is the administrative centre of the wider Wrexham County Borough, and the largest town in North Wales, located in the east of the region. It is situated between the Welsh mountains and the lower Dee Valley close to the border with Cheshire, England...
and had a spell back with the Welsh side as assistant commercial manager.
In later years he was involved in coaching Chester’s youngsters.
Honours
Wrexham• Football League Division Four runners-up: 1969–70
1969-70 in English football
The 1969–70 season was the 90th season of competitive football in England.-First Division:Everton won their seventh title, finishing nine points clear of Leeds United with Chelsea in third and newly promoted Derby County in fourth...
(39 apps, 1 goal)
• Welsh Cup
Welsh Cup
The Welsh Cup is a knock-out football competition contested annually by teams from Wales.The Football Association of Wales is the organising body of this competition, which has been run every year since its inception in 1877-78...
winners: 1971–72
1971-72 in English football
The 1971–72 season was the 92nd season of competitive football in England.-FA Cup:Leeds United overcame holders Arsenal to win the 1972 FA Cup Final...
.
Chester
• Football League Division Four promotion as fourth placed team: 1974–75
1974-75 in English football
The 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
.
• Football League Cup
Football League Cup
The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup or, from current sponsorship, the Carling Cup, is an English association football competition. Like the FA Cup, it is played on a knockout basis...
semi-finalists: 1974–75
1974-75 in English football
The 1974–75 season was the 95th season of competitive football in England.- First Division :Dave Mackay guided Derby County to their second league title in four years having overcome strong competition from Liverpool, Ipswich Town, Everton, Stoke City, Manchester City, Sheffield United and...
.
• Debenhams Cup
Debenhams Cup
The Debenhams Cup was one of several short-lived football competitions introduced in the 1970s and 1980s, along with the Watney Cup, Texaco Cup, Anglo-Scottish Cup, the Screen Sport Super Cup and Simod Cup...
winners: 1976–77
1976-77 in English football
The 1976–77 season was the 97th season of competitive football in England.-Overview:The Football League revamped the tie-breaking criteria for teams level of points, replacing the traditional goal average tie-breaker with one based on goal difference to try to encourage more scoring...
.