Stewart signed on a free transfer for the Cherries in the summer of 1999, making a couple of appearances as understudy to Mark Ovendale having moved south from Blackburn in search of first team football.

His debut was in a 3-1 away defeat by Wigan and came about in bizarre circumstances with Mark Ovendale sustaining an injury in the warm-up.

When Ovendale left for Luton, Gareth was then number two keeper to Michael Menetriér, but an injury to the Frenchman let him in and he never looked back.

The former England youth international kept his place in the side, keeping a number of clean sheets and gained a great deal of experience.

Gareth had a nightmare with injury problems in 2002/2003. First it was his ankle and then his leg just seventeen minutes into his first appearance. Then he sustained a hand injury in a domestic accident.

Gareth's ability to produce match-winning saves is a particularly pleasing asset to have in such a young goalkeeper and he has showed plenty of character to challenge Neil Moss as the number one keeper.

Stewart spent two seasons as understudy to Moss following his injury problems and his commendable attitude deserved him a chance in the first team again when Moss was injured in August 2005.

Stewart grabbed the chance with both hands (literally) and kept his place when Moss returned from injury showing that there is real competition for places to become Cherries number one.