Stuart Cash

Stuart Paul Cash (born 5 September 1965) is an English retired footballer who played in the Football League for Chesterfield, Brentford, Rotherham United and Shrewsbury Town as a left back.

He had a long career in non-League football and entered management while still a player.

He had a long association with Terry Brown and worked as Brown's assistant at Aldershot Town, AFC Wimbledon, Margate and Basingstoke Town.

After leaving school, Cash signed a one-year apprenticeship deal at the club he supported as a boy, Wolverhampton Wanderers.

A broken ankle saw Cash released at the end of his first year and he dropped into non-League football and played for Southern League Midland Division clubs Bilston Town, Stourbridge and Halesowen Town.

He was a part of the Halesowen Town team which reached the first round proper of the 1988–89 FA Cup.

Cash signed for First Division club Nottingham Forest in September 1989 for a £15,000 fee, after being scouted by assistant manager Ron Fenton while playing for Halesowen Town.

Despite training with the first team squad throughout his time with the club, Cash was never in favour with manager Brian Clough and instead played for the reserve team and away on loan.

Cash joined Third Division club Rotherham United in March 1990, on a loan running until the end of the 1989–90 season.

He made his professional debut and scored his first professional goal with the Millers, making eight appearances during his spell.

Cash was the subject of a transfer bid by Rotherham, but the club could not meet Nottingham Forest's asking price.

Cash joined Third Division club Brentford on a three-month loan in September 1990, as a temporary replacement for the out-of-form Mark Fleming.

Cash made 14 appearances for the Bees and his performances led manager Phil Holder to consider signing him on a permanent basis, though Holder's interest later cooled.

Cash dropped down to the Conference to sign for Wycombe Wanderers in March 1991, on a loan running until the end of the 1990–91 season.

He made 12 league appearances during his spell and played in the Chairboys' 2–1 win over Kidderminster Harriers in the 1991 FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium.

Cash was once again the subject of a bid for a permanent deal, which fell through over his wage demands.

Cash joined Third Division strugglers Shrewsbury Town on a two-month loan in September 1991.

He made eight league appearances and scored one goal during his time at Gay Meadow.

Cash departed Nottingham Forest in August 1992, having failed to make a single first team appearance during three years at the City Ground.

Cash signed a contract with Third Division club Chesterfield in August 1992.

He failed to stake a regular place in the team and suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in his second season with the Spireites.

Cash made 39 appearances and scored one goal before departing in August 1994.

Cash rejoined Wycombe Wanderers (which by then had ascended to the Second Division) in August 1994.

He failed to make an appearance for the club before departing two months later.

Cash dropped back into non-League football to join Conference club Stevenage Borough in October 1994.

He made his debut in a 2–1 win over Altrincham on 15 October.

After five further appearances, Cash joined Isthmian League First Division club Chertsey Town in November 1994.

He had a successful first season, with the Curfews finishing third and securing promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division.

He remained with the Southern League Premier Division club until the end of the 1996–97 season.

He remained with Chertsey for a further 18 months, before departing in January 1997.

Cash moved back up to the Conference to sign for Slough Town in January 1997.

He made four appearances before having a brief spell with high-flying Isthmian League First Division club Chesham United in February 1997.

Nearly eight years after his departure, Cash returned to Halesowen Town in March 1997.

Cash transferred to Isthmian League Premier Division club Enfield in July 1997.

He followed Enfield manager George Borg to Isthmian League First Division club Aldershot Town in September 1997.

Over the course of the 1997–98 season he made 20 league appearances and scored two goals as the Shots won the Division One title.

He won the Isthmian League Cup with the club in the following season.

Cash made the final appearance of his career in December 1999 and retired at the end of the 1999–2000 season, having made 49 appearances and scored three goals for Aldershot.

While a player at Chertsey Town, Cash also served as assistant manager.

Cash returned to Nottingham Forest when his loan expired and remarked in 2009 that his loan at Griffin Park was the best period of his playing career.