 Stuart eventually joined Bury in October 2001 on a short-term contract, which was later extended to a two-and-a-half-year deal in February 2002.He made his debut for the club in the 1–0 away win at Hartlepool United in the Football League Trophy on 16 October 2001.He was sent-off in his third game for Bury in the 5–1 defeat to Brentford.