Goalkeeper Stuart Nelson trialled with Norwich in July 2008, playing in the friendly on 16th July at non-league Gorleston and then travelling to Sweden with the first team squad

Originally with Doncastor and Cirencester Town, Nelson came to prominence with Hucknall Town. Brentford paid £10,000 in February 2004 to bring him to Griffin Park where he made 136 appearances.

After injury curtailed his appearances during the 2006/7 season, he was released in May 2007 and joined Leyton Orient. After 30 appearances during 2007/8 for Orient, he parted company in May 2008 by mutual consent due to relocation issues.

At the end of July 2008, Stuart was awarded a one year contract at Carrow Road to provide experienced cover for David Marshall whilst Declan Rudd develops

He was not awarded a new contract despite the sale of Marshall to Cardiff, and was released on 1st July 2009. He signed for Aberdeen on 27th July 2009 as cover for Jamie Langfield.

On 23rd June 2010, having made 3 appearances for Aberdeen, he signed for Notts County, signing a two year contract and was expected to challenge Rob Burch for the Magpies' Number 1 shirt.

Stuart was released by Notts County on 9th May 2012. He played 52 games for the Magpies in 2011/12 but was one of 13 players released by boss Keith Curle.

Nelson signed a two year deal with Gillingham on 20th July 2012, reuniting with former Notts County manager Martin Allen. They secured promotion to League One on 6th April 2013 after beating Torquay 1-0 at Priestfield. They secured the League Two title on 20th April 2013, drawing 2-2 with AFC Wimbledon

Nelson, 36, left Gillingham by mutual consent on 31st January 2018 after making more than 220 appearances for Kent side. He then signed for Yeovil on 20th February 2018 until the end of the 2017/18 season as cover after Artur Krysiak was ruled out for the season with a serious knee injury. He then signed a two year contract with Yeovil at the beginning of May 2018.

Nelson and Yeovil were relegated to the National League on 27th April 2019 following a 2-2 draw with Northampton. He was released by Yeovil at the end of the 2019/20 season.

On 7th November 2020 he signed for League Two side Crawley, initially on a three month contract that was extended until the end of the 2020/21 campaign. He was one of three players released by Crawley along with Mark Wright and Joe McNerney. Nelson had played three games for Crawley.

On 8th October 2021 he signed for National League South side Dorking Wanderers. He left at the beginning of December 2021 and joined League Two side Sutton United on 15th January 2022. He was released at the end of the 2021/22 season having made two appearances.

He joined Dover Athletic on 18th June 2022.

On 22nd July 2023 he returned to Cirencester after 23 years signing for the Southern League Division One Central side.

He moved back to Kent in December 2023 joining Folkestone Invicta.