Stuart Duff

Stuart Duff (born January 23, 1982 in Aberdeen) is a Scotland Association football who plays for his hometown club Aberdeen F.C.. He is primarily a right midfielder although his very versatility has seen him play in most defensive and midfield positions.

Career

Dundee United

Having been developed as a player through Dundee United F.C.'s youth scheme, he turned professional with the club in July 1999. He was given his debut by then-manager Alex Smith (footballer) in December 2001, when he was used as a right wing back in a match at Kilmarnock F.C., and went on to make nine appearances that season, collecting the April 'Young Player of the Month' award. In Scottish Premier League 2002-03, Duff had his best run of league games, playing 34 times. When Ian McCall was appointed at the start of the Scottish Premier League 2003-04, Duff found himself more often as a substitute, playing in just 18 league games. During that season, Duff was part of the Scotland national under-21 football team side that narrowly missed out on qualifying for the 2004 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, with Scotland losing to Croatia in the play-off. The following season, Duff played 25 league games, earning him a new three-year contract in March 2005. Shortly afterwards, Duff was part of the United side that lost narrowly to Celtic F.C. in the Scottish Cup final, with his 83rd-minute Substitute (football) appearance earning him a runners-up medal.

In Scottish Premier League 2005-06, with Gordon Chisholm the new manager, Duff played more first team games, with 29 league appearances. During February 2006, Duff alleged he was Spitting on by Hearts F.C. midfielder Rudi Skacel, a claim repeated two months later by Celtic Captain (sports) Neil Lennon. No action was taken against Skacel in either incident. Duff scored an important goal in the 1-0 win over Rangers F.C. at Ibrox during the season, which helped United avoid relegation. Duff started the 2006-07 in Scottish football as an attacking midfielder under Craig Brewster and scored once, although was used in a variety of defensive roles under Craig Levein.

On the 29 December 2006, Duff appeared before the Sheriff Court in Dundee and admitted to Drunk driving (United Kingdom) on 17 December. He was fined Pound sterling750 and banned from driving for 15 months.

Aberdeen

In January 2008, Levein told Duff he was free to leave Tannadice Park and find himself a new club, and he was released on 17 January, after playing 170 games for the club, scoring four times. Duff began training with fellow Scottish Premier League side Aberdeen F.C. and a short-term move to his hometown club was confirmed the following day, and Lee Mair. Within six weeks of arriving, however, Duff was one of several players manager Jimmy Calderwood threatened to release at the end of the season, due to the club's poor performances. In May 2008, Duff signed a two-year contract extension with the Pittodrie side.

Honours

Dundee United

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