Calvin Clifton Stewart (born 1946) is a former Jamaican footballer who played as a

central defender In the sport of association football, a defender is an outfield player whose primary role is to stop attacks during the game and prevent the opposition from scoring. Defenders fall into four main categories: centre-backs, full-backs, sweepers ...

. Stewart's career included significant stints at Kingston College,

Harbour View F.C. Harbour View Football Club is a Jamaican football (soccer), football club based in Kingston, Jamaica, Kingston that currently plays in the top flight National Premier League, Jamaica Premier League. Harbour View F.C. is nicknamed the ''Stars of ...

, Cavalier F.C., and the Jamaica national team. His nickname during his football career was “Webba”. In 2023, Stewart was honored at the 38th Bell/Ziadie Memorial Football Festival, where he was recognized alongside other notable figures in Jamaican football.

Early life

Originally from

Kingston Kingston may refer to: Places * List of places called Kingston, including the six most populated: ** Kingston, Jamaica ** Kingston upon Hull, England ** City of Kingston, Victoria, Australia ** Kingston, Ontario, Canada ** Kingston upon Thames, ...

Jamaica Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean Sea and the West Indies. At , it is the third-largest island—after Cuba and Hispaniola—of the Greater Antilles and the Caribbean. Jamaica lies about south of Cuba, west of Hispaniola (the is ...

, Stewart attended Kingston College, where he was a prominent member of the school's Manning Cup football team. In 1967, Stewart played a key role in Kingston College's 2-0 victory over Excelsior in the Manning Cup final replay at the

National Stadium Many countries have a national sport stadium, which typically serves as the primary or exclusive home for one or more of a country's national representative sports teams. The term is most often used in reference to an association football ...

Career

Cavalier F. C.

Stewart played a pivotal role in strengthening Cavalier F.C. during the 1970s. He was influential in encouraging other players to join the club, including David Bernard Sr., who transitioned from the army to Cavalier in 1972 at Stewart's suggestion. Bernard Sr. credited Stewart and teammate Delroy "Mutty" Scott for introducing him to the club, which marked the beginning of Bernard's long association with Cavalier.

International Career

Stewart was part of the Kingston and St. Andrew Football Association (KSAFA) squad that toured

Bermuda Bermuda is a British Overseas Territories, British Overseas Territory in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean. The closest land outside the territory is in the American state of North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. Bermuda is an ...

in the 1971–72 season, a team that closely resembled the Jamaican national side preparing for Olympic qualifiers. During the tour, KSAFA played against clubs such as Pembroke Hamilton Club, Bermuda Football Union, and Somerset C.C. Stewart was also member of the

Jamaica national football team The Jamaica national football team, nicknamed the "''Reggae Boyz''", represents Jamaica in men's international Association football, football. The team's first match was against Haiti national football team, Haiti in 1925. The squad is under ...

throughout the 1970s. He was part of the national football team during their tour of

Guatemala Guatemala, officially the Republic of Guatemala, is a country in Central America. It is bordered to the north and west by Mexico, to the northeast by Belize, to the east by Honduras, and to the southeast by El Salvador. It is hydrologically b ...

. This period was before the team was commonly known as "'' The Reggae Boyz.''" The squad featured several players linked to

, including Stewart himself. This image marked the period of Jamaica's football history, as the national team built its foundation for future campaigns. In addition to his participation in the 1971–72 tour of Guatemala, he was also a member of the squad that competed in

Haiti Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti, is a country on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and south of the Bahamas. It occupies the western three-eighths of the island, which it shares with the Dominican ...

in 1975. He played a key role in the squad that competed in the 1976 Olympic qualifiers. During these qualifiers, Jamaica narrowly missed advancing to the

Montreal Olympics The 1976 Summer Olympics (), officially known as the Games of the XXI Olympiad () and officially branded as Montreal 1976 (), were an international multi-sport event held from July 17 to August 1, 1976, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Montreal w ...

after a decisive match against the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

. Despite trailing 1-0 in the closing minutes, teammate Clarence Prendes missed a crucial tap-in opportunity, ending Jamaica's Olympic hopes. Stewart's involvement in this campaign marked a significant chapter in his international career. Additionally, Stewart participated in Jamaica's 1976 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, making at least two appearances against

Cuba Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...

in August 1976.

Playing Style

Known for his role as a central defender, Stewart was characterised by his robust defensive form and strategic understanding of the game. His ability to read the game effectively made him a crucial presence in the defensive line, earning respect from teammates and opponents alike.

Personal life

Stewart has three children with Betty Reid of

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Georgia (U.S. state), most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. It is the county seat, seat of Fulton County, Georg ...

Legacy and Honours

Stewart's contributions to Jamaican football were acknowledged when he was honoured at the 38th Bell/Ziadie Memorial Football Festival in 2023, where he was described by Lorne Donaldson, as the "best centre half that nobody knows." He has been touted as one of

Cavaliers The term ''Cavalier'' () was first used by Roundheads as a term of abuse for the wealthier royalist supporters of Charles I of England and his son Charles II of England, Charles II during the English Civil War, the Interregnum (England), Int ...

best and most talented players.

References

{{reflist Jamaica men's international footballers Cavalier F.C. players Harbour View F.C. players Jamaican emigrants to Canada