Returning from Australia having previously been with Long Eaton United, Stuart Hart appeared for Exeter City during 1967/68 before suffering a broken leg. He later joined Ilkeston Town.

Having played for Long Eaton United and Nottingham Forest's youth team, he played for Brisbane Corinthians when Frank Broome was manager. When Broome became manager of Exeter City for a second time in May 1967, Stuart was invited to Exeter for a trial and duly signed a contract.

He made his Football League debut in the second game of the season against Crewe Alexandra on 26 August 1967 and featured regularly until breaking a bone at Aldershot at the end of December 1967. Returning to appear in four games at the end of the season (twice as substitute), Stuart was released at the end of the season and joined Ilkeston Town.