Stuart Thurgood

Stuart Anthony Thurgood (born 4 November 1981) is an English convicted criminal and former professional footballer. He played professionally for clubs including Southend United and Gillingham. In 2021 he was convicted of drugs smuggling offences and sentenced to eight years in prison.

Career Born in Enfield, London, Thurgood made his debut for Gillingham in the 2–1 home win over Hartlepool United on 24 November 2007. He signed for Gillingham on a permanent basis in January 2008, keeping him at the club until 2009.

Thurgood rejoined Grays Athletic on 13 March 2008 on loan until the end of the 2007–08 season. He signed for Grays for a third time on 19 August 2008, on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season. This was cut short though when he was released by Gillingham on 23 January 2009, at which point he joined Grays permanently again until the end of the season. After the end of the season, in May, he joined League Two team Dagenham & Redbridge on a two-year contract.

During November 2009 he sustained an injury; in September 2010, he retired aged 28.

However, after a successful period with playing for Grays Athletic's reserve team, Thurgood signed for the Isthmian League Division One club on 11 October 2011.

In November 2011, Thurgood signed for Conference South club Thurrock, where he would return for another spell in March 2017.

During the 2013-14 season, he played for East Thurrock United and VCD Athletic.

Imprisonment In 2021, Thurgood was sentenced to eight years in prison for drugs smuggling offences. He was a member of an organised crime group which smuggled cocaine into the United Kingdom and distributed it to county lines gangs in Essex and surrounding areas.

Honours FA Trophy: 2005, 2006 Conference South (VI): 2005