Former Blue Marcus Stewart has announced that he will retire after Exeter’s game against his first club Bristol Rovers on Saturday. The 38-year-old was with Town between February 2000 and August 2002, helping George Burley’s side into the Premier League — scoring the third goal at Wembley — and then netting 21 times as the Blues reached the UEFA Cup the following season having finished fifth.

Stewart says now is the right time to bow out: "There are six games to go and I'm not fighting for a playing contract next season, so I'm better off giving someone else a chance whether that's a young lad or someone whose contract is up.

"I thought it was a good thing to do at Rovers because I started off there and I finished there and it gives someone else an opportunity for the final five games.

"I am proud of my career and I am going out not chasing anything, I'm not chasing another title or another goal.

"I'd like to say I've done most things and I'm content in my head with retiring now because of that reason, it's a big factor."

Stewart, who will continue in a coaching role with the Grecians, scored 40 goals in 84 starts 12 sub appearances for the Blues after signing for £2.75 million from Huddersfield before joining Sunderland after Town’s relegation for a knockdown £650,000 fee.

The 5ft 10in tall frontman also played for Yeovil and Bristol City and had a spell on loan at Preston.

Photo: Action Images

blueandred added 08:09 - Apr 8 Legend. Absolute legend.
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HighSeasBlue added 08:12 - Apr 8 Hero! The pubs of Exeter had better watch out now he is retired!!
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TownOnTheUp added 08:15 - Apr 8 Any chance we could snatch him to be our striking coach?
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WeWereZombies added 08:24 - Apr 8 Let him develop his coaching skills at Exeter for a few years, there could be a canny manager in the making here.
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gt_ added 08:33 - Apr 8 I'd forgotten how cheaply we sold him on! Those weren't the days.
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JewellsRimet added 08:34 - Apr 8 Good luck Marcus thanks for the good times both on and off the pitch!
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TheRef added 08:36 - Apr 8 has done well to last this long in the game, remember him being carried out of yates wine bar a few times by tower ramparts, complete leg-end, but knew where the net was.
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ozzydog added 08:50 - Apr 8 One of the few Town players of the modern era that deserves to be recognised as a true Ipswich great. Enjoy your retirment Marcus.
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Moscow_Blue added 09:00 - Apr 8 Great player and gifted goal scorer. How we could do with some of his skills now.
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Bergholtblue added 09:03 - Apr 8 A great player, that has given me so many good memories. Funny how he and Jonno never did gel as a stiking partnership. I will always wonder, if Jonno did not get injured at Wembley and had to go off, whether the outcome would have been the same?
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ghostofescobar added 09:05 - Apr 8 Still one of my top, top players to have pulled on the blue jersey. Incredibly hard worker (not seen many, if any, put in the work rate he did). What a great season that was: 5th in the Prem. Blimey. My son is eight and he's never seen us in the Prem. Seems a long time ago. Good luck Marcus, I'd always be the first to buy you a pint.
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beerhelps added 09:05 - Apr 8 Watching Marcus waltz round Westerzelt and silence the Kop is one of my favourite Town memorys, what would we give now for a player who can find space like he could! Thanks for the memorys Marcus.
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blueherts added 09:24 - Apr 8 Totally agree - lucky enough to have met him and shared afew scoops with him , great guy , smart and an intelligent footballer , who , I think has alot to offer in the game . Great left peg .... A real footballer - what I would give for afew like him in our team .. but shows what is there down in the lower divisions if we get the scouting system right - which I believe we are doing now!!! LEDGE

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1RWR added 09:25 - Apr 8 Thanks to you buggers reminiscing about Marcus Stewart I've just 'youtubed' the Barnsley play off final & the Bolton semi game, what a superb footballing team we were, brought a tear to my eye, what a player & a legend. I'm gonna be late now, thanks pals!!!!
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clive_baker added 09:29 - Apr 8 On and off the pitch, Marcus Stewart was an absolute hero. Excellent goalscorer (not just here but elsewhere) and a top bloke! Enjoy your retirement Marcus and thanks for the memories.
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jas0999 added 09:30 - Apr 8 Great player. Could do with a similar striker now. Best of luck to him.
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backinbeige added 09:40 - Apr 8 End of an era
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BlueBoots added 10:05 - Apr 8 Thanks for the memories, Marcus - can we please sign a striker who can do this for next season?
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bluewein added 10:13 - Apr 8 My old man always said he couldn't head a ball for s#*t. As shown here with the 2nd and 3rd goal..... I always said he was a prat.....
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TractorRoyNo1 added 10:18 - Apr 8 never really got the aclaim he deserved (look what happened to huddersfield after he joined us) a real top striker and until we find another of his quality we will remain a mid-table division two team
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dairec1 added 10:49 - Apr 8 True Legend and gent off the pitch, enjoy your retirement Marcus and thanks for the memories
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Matteo_Sereni added 10:53 - Apr 8 If only we had someone like him now...he was fantastic for us with so many important goals. If only we could have had him for a few more years. Enjoy your retirement Sir and if i ever see you out i about i will be sure to buy you a pint! Although im sure i wont be first in the queue! Thanks for the memories! Cheers!
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modman added 11:24 - Apr 8 What a True Blue Legend, My fave ever striker , he was class, how we all sang "Walking in a Stewart wonderland", great servant to ITFC. Good Luck Marcus )
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Ipswich24 added 11:25 - Apr 8 My Favourite player of last decade. I even purchased his famous gloves. Theres only one Marcus Stewart!!!! Absolute legend come back where you belong. Also put a few quid on him scoring on saturday
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devontractorboy added 12:30 - Apr 8 I have the greatest memories of Marcus and our time at the top flight playing superb attacking football, watching the video clips of the play off final make you realise we still have a long way to go to match that team. Living just outside Exeter I have had the pleasure of meeting Marcus several times and he is a real gentleman, look forward to buying you a beer Marcus to celebrate your retirement. A true ITFC Legend!!!

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