Leamington’s Stewart departs for League One Shrewsbury

Last week, local team Leamington FC announced the departure of prolific striker Callum Stewart, who has joined Shrewsbury FC on a two-and-a-half-year contract, with the club having an option for a further 12 months. Stewart was not included in the squad for last week’s 4-1 defeat to Chester, amind murmurings of a move which have now been confirmed. He is currently the top scorer in the National League North, but will now face an uphill task in proving himself a whole three tiers higher.

‘We’re sad to be losing such a wonderful young man, a great character. We’ve been on a bit of his journey with him’

Nevertheless, he can boast an impressive goal haul of 37 in 74 games, showing he certainly knows how to find the net. He is also proven across multiple divisions, with his goalscoring heroics playing an instrumental role in Leamington’s promotion back to National League North last season. He has kept his output up at a level above, leading the scoring charts with a mightily impressive 14 goals in 23 appearances. This included a hat-trick against then league-leaders Curzon Ashton on 21 December.

‘It’s been a privilege as a local lad and a fan to be given the chance represent the club’

The club signed the Leamington-born attacker in the summer of 2023 having made a similarly positive impression for local side Coventry Sphinx. Manager Paul Holleran said of the move ‘‘There’s mixed emotions in losing Cally,’’ said. “We’re sad to be losing such a wonderful young man, a great character. We’ve been on a bit of his journey with him – developing with us over the last 18 months from when he joined to where he is now. With him being a Leamington supporter, he’s got that affinity with everyone.’’ Time will tell as to whether the team dip into the transfer market for reinforcements.

Stewart appears to be Shrewsbury’s direct replacement for Tom Bloxham, another forward who has joined divisional rivals Blackpool

Stewart has vowed to keep a keen eye on his hometown team’s results and commented ‘‘It’s been a privilege as a local lad and a fan to be given the chance represent the club and even captain Leamington. I was a Brakes fan before I joined and I’ll carry on being a fan forever.’’ He will be able to share his passion for the Brakes with Shrewsbury teammate Jordan Shipley, who was also born in Leamington. Both players will likely return to the New Windmill Ground, as part of the pre-season fixture which has been agreed between both teams as part of the move.

Stewart appears to be Shrewsbury’s direct replacement for Tom Bloxham, another forward who has joined divisional rivals Blackpool. However, Stewart is a slightly different profile of player, offering tenacity and a keen eye for goal, without possessing the physical capabilities of the 6ft 5 Bloxham. Stewart is likely to face an uphill battle in keeping his new team in their current division, with Shrewsbury languishing in 22nd place in the third tier. The team has tasked the experienced Gareth Ainsworth to attempt to stave off relegation but he has to this point been unable to reverse their fortunes.

Stewart stands in good company in terms of footballers who have made the step up to the Football League after spells with the Brakes. Fellow forwards Colby Bishop and Courtney Baker-Richardson, now of Portsmouth and Newport County respectively, have also proven themselves adept at Football League level.