Stuart Andrew Lovell (born 9 January 1972 in Sydney, Australia) is an Australian professional footballer, who played as a striker early in his career, before reverting to a midfield role later in his career.
Playing career Lovell was born in Sydney, Australia and spent his childhood in Reading, Berkshire. He joined the local professional team and was part of the Reading team that narrowly missed out on promotion to the Premier League in the 1994–95 season. He had a penalty kick saved in the playoff final against Bolton Wanderers when Reading were leading 2–0; they eventually lost 4–3 after extra time.
After damaging a cruciate ligament in 1997 and almost having his career ended as a result, Lovell moved to Scottish club Hibernian in 1998, ultimately prolonging his career by nearly a decade.
Hibs were in the First Division at the time and he was part of the team who won promotion back to the Scottish Premier League by winning the First Division. He was capped twice by Australia and was a Hibs first team regular as they finished a creditable third in the SPL and reached the 2000-01 Scottish Cup Final.
In the summer of 2001, Lovell surprisingly left Hibs to sign for SPL newcomers Livingston, who he helped to finish third in their first season in the SPL. He subsequently skippered the club to their only major trophy to date, the Scottish League Cup in 2004. Livingston defeated Hibs 2–0 in the final.
Lovell retired after a 15-month spell with Dumfries club Queen of the South, where he also had a spell as caretaker manager.
Post-playing career Lovell has since done media work, appearing on Setanta Sports and Sky Sports, and writing a column for the Edinburgh Evening News. He also commentates for Hibs TV and has served as a representative of PFA Scotland.
As of 2022, Lovell is a Network Programme Manager for Street Soccer.
Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsReading1990–91Third Division302000000203221991–92Third Division244420000203061992–93Second Division228301000002681993–94Second Division45202042003054221994–95First Division30111041006441161995–96First Division357203200004091996–97First Division265101000002851997–98First Division15130000000181Reading total227581621350013426969Hibernian1998–99Scottish First Division31112031000036121999–2000Scottish Premier League261511000003222000–01Scottish Premier League31530200000365Hibernian total881710161000010419Livingston2001–02Scottish Premier League273001100002842002–03Scottish Premier League151100021001822003–04Scottish Premier League251504000003412004–05Scottish Premier League20110300000241Livingston total876708121001048Queen of the South2004–05Scottish First Division120000000001202005–06Scottish First Division26120100011302QoS total38120100011422Career total440823532872114551998
Honours Club Reading Football League Second Division: 1993–94
Hibernian Scottish Football League First Division: 1998–99
Livingston Scottish League Cup: 2003–04
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