Stephen Hart (footballer)

Stephen Simon Hart (born 15 March 1960) is a Trinidadian football manager and former player who is head coach of HFX Wanderers FC in the Canadian Premier League.

Stephen Hart
Hart in 2012
Personal information
Full name Stephen Simon Hart
Date of birth (1960-03-15) 15 March 1960
Place of birth San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 HFX Wanderers FC (head coach)
Youth career
1975–1979 San Fernando Hurricanes
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1985 Saint Mary's Huskies
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1979–1980 Texaco
1981 Halifax Privateers
1982 San Fernando Strikers
1983–1988 King of Donair
1988–1989 Americas
National team
1980 Trinidad and Tobago 7 (0)
Teams managed
1988–1989 King of Donair (player-coach)
1993–2001 King of Donair
1997–1999 Saint Mary's Huskies women
1997 Canada U23 (assistant)
2000–2001 Canada U17 (assistant)
2002 Canada U20
2002–2007 Canada U17
2005–2006 Canada (assistant)
2006–2007 Canada (interim)
2007–2008 Canada (assistant)
2009 Canada (interim)
2009–2012 Canada
2013–2016 Trinidad and Tobago
2018– HFX Wanderers
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

As a player, Hart began his career with the San Fernando Hurricanes before joining Professional Football League club Texaco in 1979. Leaving Trinidad and Tobago for Canada to study at Saint Mary's University, he represented the university team as well as the Halifax Privateers. Hart joined the San Fernando Strikers briefly before six years with King of Donair. He ended his playing career with Americas.

As a coach, Hart first took over at King of Donair as a player-manager in 1988. He returned to Saint Mary's University as coach of the Huskies women's team, before becoming technical director of Soccer Nova Scotia. Between 2004 and 2012, Hart undertook several roles with the Canadian Soccer Association from under-17 to senior level. In December 2009, he was named head coach of the Canadian national team, and in June 2013 took charge of the Trinidad and Tobago national team. In June 2018, he was named the inaugural head coach of HFX Wanderers FC.

Club career

Hart spent his early playing career in his native Trinidad and Tobago, and after progressing in the youth ranks of the San Fernando Hurricanes, joined Professional Football League club Texaco in 1979.[1] He spent a year with the Halifax Privateers before playing for local club the San Fernando Strikers, and joined King of Donair in 1983. He ended his playing career with a brief stint with Americas.[2]

After moving to Halifax, Nova Scotia to continue his education, Hart also played for the Saint Mary's Huskies, the university soccer team, and was named an Atlantic University Sport all-star midfielder. In 2016, Hart was recognised in the Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame.[3]

International career

In 1980, Hart was called up to the Trinidad and Tobago national team. He earned seven caps.[4]

Coaching career

Early career

Hart began his coaching career while in university, volunteering his time to coach children.[5] He took his first coaching position in 1989 as a player-manager for semi-professional club King of Donair. Hart coached the team to four consecutive league titles and six cups.[5]

In 1993, he was named technical director of Soccer Nova Scotia and remained in the position for eight years. Hart also served as Nova Scotia's head coach to win bronze medals at the 1993 Canada Games and 2001 Canada Games.[6]

Hart returned to Saint Mary's University to coach the Saint Mary's Huskies women's team for four years.[3]

Canada

In September 1997, Hart served as assistant coach for the Canada U23 national team at the Jeux de la Francophonie.[6] He was named Canada U17 national team assistant coach in April 2000, and after two years was promoted to head coach of the U17s and Canada U20 national team.[6] He remained with the U17s until May 2007.[6]

Hart was named Canada national team assistant coach in July 2005 under Frank Yallop, and in 2006, stepped in as the senior team's interim coach. He led Canada to a semi-final spot in the CONCACAF Gold Cup but was replaced by Dale Mitchell ahead of 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.[6]

In April 2009, Hart was named as interim head coach for a second time after the departure of Mitchell. He was named permanent head coach for the first time in December 2009. Hart resigned in October 2012 after suffering an 8–1 loss to Honduras in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification.[6]

Trinidad and Tobago

In June 2013, Hart was appointed as manager of the Trinidad and Tobago national team. He was fired in November 2016 and replaced by Belgian coach Tom Saintfiet.[7]

HFX Wanderers

On 28 June 2018, Hart was announced as the first head coach of Canadian Premier League club HFX Wanderers FC.[8]

Personal life

Hart was born in San Fernando, Trinidad and Tobago, and grew up in Marabella and La Romaine.[5] He attended the San Fernando Boys’ Government School and St Benedicts College, and graduated from St Mary's University in 1985 with a degree in marine biology.[9]

He is a long-time Halifax resident and lives with his wife, a Nova Scotia native, and their three daughters.[9]

Managerial statistics
As of 28 June 2018
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Canada (interim) 6 September 2006 21 June 2007 10 5 1 4 050.00
Canada 30 May 2009 18 October 2012 35 15 9 11 042.86
Trinidad and Tobago 18 June 2013 24 November 2016 43 16 12 15 037.21
HFX Wanderers FC 28 June 2018 Present 0 0 0 0 !—
Total 88 36 22 30 040.91

Honours

Club

HFX Wanderers

Individual
  • Canadian Premier League Coach of the Year: 2020

References
  1. "Stephen Hart Announced as Interim Head Coach". Canada Soccer. 12 July 2006. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  2. Gordon, Everard (16 August 2005). "Stephen Hart: Born & bred Trini". www.socawarriors.net. Soca Warriors. Retrieved 18 October 2012.
  3. "Saint Mary's University Sport Hall of Fame Ceremony". Saint Mary's University. 30 June 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  4. "Hart: Make the T&T players feel wanted". FIFA. 29 November 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  5. Khan, Nassser (12 October 2014). "Coach Hart sets goal to take Soca Warriors to the World Cup again". Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  6. "Stephen Hart". canadasoccer.com. Canada Soccer. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  7. "TTFA and Hart part ways". Trinidad & Tobago Football Association. 24 November 2016. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  8. McIsaac, Greg (27 June 2018). [Stephen Hart Announced as First Head Coach in HFX Wanderers History "Stephen Hart Announced as First Head Coach in HFX Wanderers History"] Check |url= value (help). HFX Wanderers FC. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  9. "Stephen Hart". www.canadasoccer.com. Canada Soccer. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
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