Thursday, 26 November 2009

Stewart Jump 1975, 1976, 1977

Stewart Paul Jump was born 27th January, 1952 in Crumpsall, England. He was a Lancashire County schoolboy selection at the age of 15, joined first division side Stoke City in 1965 as an apprentice, signed professional in July 1969, made his debut in 1970, and would remain in the first team until he transfered to Crystal Palace for a fee of £70,000 in December 1973. He had appeared in 44 games and scored 2 goals for Stoke.
Whilst he was with Crystal Palace he was loaned out to Fulham, where he played in 3 games during the 1976-77 season. He was also a loanee when he joined the Rowdies for the 1975 season, was one of the tough stalwarts of the Rowdies back line of defense during the title run. Helped the Rowdies to the Soccer Bowl '75 against the Portland Timbers, where he was named Most Valuable Player. Was also named the Exchange Bank Player of the Week twice during the '75 season. Played in 24 games that year.
Returned to England after the season to play for Palace, enjoyed an excellent 1975-76 season in the third division. Was "Man of the Match" for Palace in an exciting 1-0 defeat of first division Leeds United in the FA Cup.
1976, saw Stewart return for the outdoor season with the Rowdies, appeared in 19 games and scored a goal in the 7-0 romp of the Hartford Bicentennials on July 30th. Missed several games due to injury. Was named on the Second Team All NASL in both 1975 and 1976. Again, he would return to London to play for Palace after the NASL season. This would be his last season with Crystal Palace, he would make a career total of 81 apperances and scoring 2 goals with Palace.
In 1977, Stewart played in 23 games for the Rowdies, which would be his last season in Tampa. A fans favourite.
The Houston Hurricane signed Stewart on a permanent contract in early 1978. He starred in 28 games and scored 1 goal during his first year in Houston. Was the Hurricane's Athlete of the Year for 1978, as chosen by members of the Houston Sportswriters and Sportcasters Association. So respected for his playing abilites that he was one of a few "outsiders" invited along on the New York Cosmos' exhibition tour of Europe that summer. Then played indoor soccer on loan with Houston Summit Soccer, and was one of the leagues top 10 scorers.
In 1979, he was the only Hurricane to be named an NASL Player of the Week. Helped Houston to the playoffs, played in 28 games and scored 2 goals.
In what was to be the Hurricane's last season, Stewart would play in their first 21 games, before being traded to the Minnesota Kicks, where he made his debut against the Tulsa Roughnecks on July 13th, in a 2-1 win. He would again help his side to the playoffs. Appeared in 14 games.
1981, would be Stewart's last year in the NASL, He played in all 36 games for the Kicks that year, again helping them to the playoffs. Was one of a few NASL players to wear the unlucky number 13.
Stewart Jump currently lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

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