Johnny Stewart worked as a boilermaker at Thames Ironworks & Shipbuilding. He also played football for Old Castle Swifts. In 1895 Arnold Hills, the owner of the shipbuilding company decided to establish his own football team. Stewart joined the club and appeared in most games, including three games against Barking in the West Ham Charity Cup in 1896 and the club's first F.A. Cup match against Chatham. His last game for the club was against Leyton in the Essex Senior Cup tie in 1896.