2 minute read
Introduction
Not only is he among the group who have made most appearances for the club, he is also now the jointly most-decorated player in Cove’s history, alongside another great, Eric Watson, the pair having each amassed fourteen winners’ medals.
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Having started his career as a teenager at Inverness Caley Thistle, then Montrose, Stuart first joined the club in 2008, signed by current director of football, John Sheran. He established himself in the side and caught the eye of new Montrose manager, Stuart Garden, himself a former goalkeeper. He returned to Links Park in the summer of 2013 and was an everpresent in their League Two campaign.
He started 2014-15 as first choice, but a couple of red cards saw him suspended and on the sidelines until early December. After regaining his place, Stuart kept the gloves for the remainder of the season.
The following summer saw a surprise return to Cove and the next four seasons would be trophy-laden as Sheran’s side dominated the Highland League and cup competitions, culminating in the play-off victory in 2019 which clinched the step-up to the SPFL.
It was a return to that stage for Stuart and he was up for the challenge, starting every one of the twentyeight league matches the club played before being declared League Two champions when the season was called because of COVID.
The following campaign had a delayed kick-off, but Stuart was again first choice, and he emulated his feat of starting every game played in the League One adventure, only to suffer heartbreak in the play-offs.
With Kyle Gourlay brought in to offer competition, Stuart was benched as 2020-21 began, but he soon forced his way back into the side, and never missed another league game as Cove secured the title. He even scored during their march to the League One crown, a late winner at Balmoor to secure a 1-0 victory over Peterhead.
Since Stuart McKenzie returned to the club, he has been one of the leading lights in the Cove Rangers success story, a fact underlined by the list of teammates and managers, past and present, who have lined up to offer their congratulations on him reaching this milestone.
Despite being one of the quiet men in the dressing room, he has undoubtedly been hugely influential, and no-one who knows him underestimates the contribution he has made.
All at Cove Rangers recognise the part Stuart McKenzie has played; his testimonial is richly deserved, and we look forward to him adding to his successes in the years ahead.
Have a brilliant day Stuart!
