Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he started his career with Todds Nook, and then Gateshead NER, two local non-league sides where he first acquired his nickname, "Tadger", by which he was affectionately known throughout his career.
Sheffield Wednesday
In May 1902, he was snapped up by Sheffield Wednesday and made one appearance in their championship winning side of 1902–03. The following season he was a more regular selection, making ten appearances as Wednesday retained their title. In 1905–06 he was Wednesday's top scorer with a total of 22 goals. The following season, he was part of the Wednesday team that reached the FA Cup Final against the previous year's winners, Everton. In the match at Crystal Palace Stadium on 20 April1907 a mix-up in the Everton defence enabled Wednesday to take a twentieth-minute lead as Harry Chapman swung the ball into the goalmouth for Stewart to give it the final touch. Everton equalised through Jack Sharp in the closing minute of the first half, but with only four minutes of the match remaining, Andrew Wilson, the Wednesday centre-forward, received the ball from a throw-in and hooked it across the goalmouth for George Simpson, his outside-left, to head home one of the softest goals imaginable. He made his first appearance for England against Wales on 18 March 1907 scoring England's goal in a 1–1 draw. His next England appearance, against Scotland on 6 April also ended 1–1. In August 1908, he moved back to Tyneside to join Newcastle United. During his six years at Wednesday he made a total of 141 appearances with 59 goals.
Newcastle United
At St James' Park he soon became one of the stars of "The Edwardian Masters", as Newcastle were known at the time due to the superb attacking, flowing and skilful way they played. He was an integral part of the team, alongside fellow internationals Colin Veitch, Jock Rutherford, Jimmy Lawrence and Albert Shepherd, which won the Football League championship in 1908–09, making 25 appearances and contributing eight goals. In the FA Cup semi-final against Swindon Town on 26 March 1910, he scored the opening goal in a 2–0 victory but was unable to make the team for the final against Barnsley, which Newcastle won after a replay, thus taking the cup for the first time. In 1911, he played in the losing side in the final against Bradford City. He made his third, and final, England appearance against Scotland on 1 April 1911 and again scored in a 1–1 draw. All three of his international appearances thus ended 1–1. He continued to be a regular member of the Newcastle side until he was sold to Rangers in 1913 for £600. In his Newcastle career he made a total of 138 appearances with 53 goals.
